A Prayer for Palestine and Israel

I continue to be burdened by the war in the Holy Land. I am discouraged at how many times we have been eager to offer opinions or assign blame, and how seldom we seem moved to intercede for all those affected.

To that end, I desire to share the following prayer written and offered by the Mennonite Central Committee. The MCC exists to empower communities around the globe, and “build peace”: they take the beatitude of being peacemakers seriously. They have also been involved in Gaza crisis response since even before the start of this most recent war.

Would you join them – and me – in praying for Israel and Palestine in 2024?

A Prayer for Palestine and Israel
From the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)

O God of life and love and peace,
We witness the violence and injustice in your Holy Land
And our hearts break.

Our hearts break for the people of Israel –
For the victims of violent attacks by Hamas
For those who live with fear and insecurity
For those who suffer from the inter-generational trauma of violence.

Our hearts break for Palestinians –
For the victims of violent attacks by the Israeli military
For those being denied water, electricity and medical care
For those who are refugees, long displaced from their homes.

We especially pray –
That weapons of war be laid down
That walls of separation be dismantled
That prisoners be released
That demonizing of “the other” cease
That political leaders seek the good of all people in Palestine and Israel.

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.