Our hearts are breaking this week as we watch the news and see the devastation in Israel and Palestine. There are no words that express the grief for lives lost to violence. Please take a few moments, light a candle, and pray for all of those affected by the war. May God’s desire for peace be heard as we lift our voices around the world.
“Let the attacks and weapons cease, please, because it must be understood that terrorism and war bring no solutions, but only to the death and suffering of many innocent lives. War is a defeat, every war is a defeat. Let us pray for peace in Israel and Palestine.” ~Pope Francis
Peace in the Middle East
God of mercy and compassion,
of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:
Jews, Muslims and Christians,
Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all.
~ Reverend Said
God, Giver of Peace
Sustain together in undiminished hope, O God of hope, those who continue to labor with undiminished determination to build peace in the land from which, of old, out of brokenness, violence and destruction, nevertheless hope emerged for so many of faith. . . . Bless all the spiritual seed of Abraham together with the light of your Presence. For in the light of your Presence we have found a way of justice and mercy and a vision of Peace. We praise you O God, Giver of Peace, who commands us to Peace.
~ Rabbi Herbert, from Christians and a Land Called Holy: How We Can Foster Justice, Peace, and Hope
God, Source of Life
O God Source of Life, Creator of Peace. . . Help Your children, anguished and confused, to understand the futility of hatred and violence and grant them the ability to stretch across political, religious and national boundaries so they may confront horror and fear by continuing together in the search for justice, peace and truth. . . . With every fiber of our being we beg You, O God, to help us not to fail nor falter.
~ Rabbi H. Rolando