Prayers for peace are still needed

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/10/2023 (897 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Catholic, United, Mennonite, Presbyterian and more — Christian voices united in concern about the violence in Israel and Palestine.

A quick search online shows a number of statements about the fighting, along with prayers for peace.

“We condemn the violence, particularly against Israeli and Palestinian civilians, which constitutes a war crime,” said Kairos Canada, which is supported by the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the United Church of Canada.

“The level of human loss and suffering is unconscionable and must stop,” Kairos went on to say, calling on Canadian Christians to “pray and work for a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis” and to write to their member of Parliament to call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade of Gaza.

In its statement, the United Church of Canada said it mourned the deaths and injuries already suffered and called for an immediate ceasefire in violence in Israel and Palestine.

It went on to condemn the attacks launched on communities in southern Israel by Hamas, and “the ongoing daily violence meted out against Palestinians by Israel’s deepening occupation in Palestinian territories.”

For the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the war is the result of “the longstanding absence of justice, prolonged political conflict and disregard for human rights,” adding it “stands in solidarity with all the people of the region who are enduring the devastating consequences of continued violence and strife.”

It went on to condemn all acts that target civilians, “regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or faith.”

Mennonite Church Canada posted a “prayer of lament and intercession for Palestine and Israel” that might capture how many feel these days.

In it, members of that church were invited to acknowledge how their hearts were “perplexed, paralyzed and broken at the recent carnage,” and that prayers to God for peace “seem to go unanswered.”

“We wish you would intervene,” it asked God. “We cling to your promise of a different world, but we see so few signs of its fulfillment. Why?”

It went on to express a desire for life and for peace, and resolved to continue to advocate for peace, justice, equality and compassion for all. “Don’t let us turn our face away.”

It also asked God to guide the Canadian government to respond in ways that “support the legitimate rights of all, especially those who are most vulnerable, those who continue to suffer after decades of occupation, dispossession and denial of basic human rights.”

Canadian Catholics were also invited to pray about the situation. In a statement by William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary and president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholics in this country were invited to “join other people of good will, here and around the world, in imploring God to move the hearts of those leaders engaged in the present conflict in order to cease acts of terror, de-escalate violence and war.”

As Christians, he went on to say, “we are compelled by the teachings and example of Jesus to pray for peace throughout the world. In a fraternal spirit of solidarity with Christian, Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters, let us join together in recalling God’s desire for peace in the land that Jesus Christ called home.”

Other groups that also issued statements included the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the World Evangelical Alliance, the Church of the Nazarene and the Christian Reformed Church.

It wasn’t only Canadian Christians speaking out about the violence. The World Council of Churches issued an urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, condemning any acts that target civilians, regardless of nationality, ethnicity or faith.

The patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem called for peace and justice as well, noting the Holy Land — a “place sacred to countless millions around the world”—is currently mired in violence and suffering due to the conflict.

The Alliance Church posted a statement from its church in Jerusalem, stating that, as followers of Jesus, “we are called to pray that God employs our churches as active witnesses during this challenging time through the power of His Holy Spirit.”

This column was written a week ago. It’s not possible to know what the situation is like today. But prayers for peace are still needed. They don’t have to be as deep or elaborate as the statements above. They can be as simple as what a friend posted: “Creator, those you love are killing each other. In your mercy, help them stop.”

faith@freepress.mb.ca

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