For anyone and everyone who has been affected by the unrest happening, not just in Israel and Gaza, but around the world.
As a pacifist Mennonite, I completely disapprove of disagreements that amount to war. We were not put on this earth to destroy each other but to "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39) It is a simple text, yet it is the most difficult one to follow. The end result is peace at it's height, which is why we keep trying even when it gets hard. "The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:26)
God of mercy,
As the cycle of violence in Palestine and Israel repeats itself,
Our hearts break once again.
Even as we long to understand that which is often beyond our comprehension,
we lay before you the hearts, minds and bodies of all those suffering from conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, and from the ongoing occupation. Shower upon all the people of this holy land the spirit of justice and reconciliation.
May weapons and war, apathy and blame be laid down.
May diminishing and demonizing of "the other" cease,
May there be acknowledgment of harms committed
May there be new energy for building bridges of understanding
May there be new efforts to address root causes of the violence
May there be new visions of a shared and peaceful future.
O God, whose heart breaks for the world,
May your justice dwell in the land
May your righteousness abide in fruitful fields
May the effect of righteousness be quietness and trust forever
May the effect of justice be peace - enduring peace.
Amen
Adapted from Prayer By Esther Epp-Tiessen, Public Engagement Coordinator for the Mennonite Central Committee Ottawa Office.
this is t-bear signing off
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