Praying for Peace in Israel and Palestine
Posted in Steinbach United
Moderator Right Reverend Gary Peterson prayer for peace
Dear Friends in Christ,
I am reminded of this moment of prayerful spontaneity as I contemplate what to say about what is happening in Gaza and Israel. No words seem adequate to address the injustice of a situation where so many people are suffering on all sides of this conflict.
And so I encourage you to join with me as I turn to prayer, in the hope that the power and grace of this response carries with it the hoped-for outcome of peace and justice for the people of Israel and Palestine. And may the recently negotiated ceasefire hold fast and bring calm to a region longing for stability.
O Holy One,
war explodes once again in the lands of Israel and Palestine;
your heart must be breaking.
As we hear the cries of fear and terror, of anger and rage,
we want to respond, to reach out;
we yearn to do what is right.
But the path is not clear: What to say? How to act?
And so, we pray that you will help us find a way
to express your care and love for all your children.
May your Spirit guide our world leaders and all people of goodwill
to reject the path of violence;
to hold to the promise of a frail ceasefire,
and be committed to work for peace and justice.
We pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
The Right Rev. Gary Paterson
Moderator
http://united-church.ca/communications/news/moderator/121121