We are lamenting and crying out to God for peace in Israel and Palestine. Many from our community have visited the Holy Land and met Palestinians and Israelis, Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and we pray for protection for them and their neighbours. We recognize the complexity and complicated nature of this decades-long conflict but stand firm in the belief that violence begets violence and those most affected by warfare are innocent civilians – children, women, men.
We grieve with those who have lost loved one, with those who do not know yet what has happened to their family members, and with all who are injured. The acts of terror by Hamas against innocent civilians, children, women, and men are appalling and wrong.

We grieve too for the innocent Palestinian people who are at risk of being collateral damage as Israel responds with force against Hamas.

Dear Lord, hear our prayers for peace. May You inspire peacemakers: foster a longing for reconciliation and cultivate hearts that yearn and work toward peace, especially in Your Holy Land. Please join with us in praying for all of Israel and all of Palestine. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.