Something You Can Do

After a year of this current war in the Middle East, peace has evaporated with thousands of people killed in Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen.

My heart cries out to God to deliver these people from the chaos of further destruction. 

IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO?

One might wonder as we read the news and mourn the losses of these people, what can each of us do? In response to our Declare Peace Jerusalem site, I want to offer you one simple idea today. 

On July 15th, 1999, the Reconciliation Walk commemorated in Jerusalem, the 900th anniversary of the Crusaders rampaging through the streets of Jerusalem killing everyone. When they finished, in their blood – stained battle gear, they gathered in the Holy Sepulcher Church and gave glory to God for the conquest of Jerusalem. 

To mark this solemn day, we took our message of repentance and reconciliation to the leaders of the Abrahamic faiths, and in each visit, we were received with solemn and hopeful speeches of how our faiths can either divide us or they can help us live in peace.  And history has shown this to be true.

Proceeding from these formal meetings, the Reconciliation Walk participants gathered at the Jaffa Gate where we climbed up onto the city walls. Fanning out to circle the city, we prayed over the city and the region this following quiet and simple prayer of blessing. 

THE PRAYER

This is the prayer each participant read out:

Lord God, hear our prayers: 

We pray for peace and reconciliation between all ethnic groups in the city. 

We pray for trust between religious leaders.

We pray for friendships to flourish across ethnic and religious lines.

We pray that people, each of whom are created in God’s image, are more sacred than land and territory. 

 We pray that visitors and outside powers would be instruments of peace and reconciliation instead of division.

 Lord, give us sensitive and open hearts to understand the pain of the people of this city and region, and to pray for the peace of its citizens.

 Amen

Today, take this simple prayer and pass it on to others to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

It is a prayer for peace and fraternity among God’s children. Each created in His image. Let us hope for justice and mercy to roll over the region.