Father God,
We pause to look back, two years on since the violent attacks on Israel. We remember and grieve over 1,200 people murdered and over 250 people taken hostage. Closer to home, we mourn with the Jewish community who were targeted in Manchester just last week.
We bring before you the ongoing war in Gaza and the more than 60,000 lives lost. Each one; Muslim, Christian, Jew, other, bearing your sacred image.
Words do not come easily in the face of such violence, death and destruction.
So we wait for a moment in silent lament.
In this act of intercession, we encounter you, Holder of Nations in Your Hands. We stand with those in the midst of pain, grief and chaos pleading them before you.
You are the God who frees captives, who raises up the crushed and oppressed.
Lord, Defender of orphans and widows, protect life, grant liberty.
Restrain evil and bring forth good.
Send your Spirit to comfort, heal, revive and restore.
Move in power, even now.
We pray for diplomats and intermediaries on the ground and for those who are trying to bring about a sustainable resolution. Help them trace the footsteps of the Prince of Peace who walked those very same dusty roads. Give prophetic imagination, great wisdom and favour in your sight.
We dare against the seeming odds to pray…
In Israel and Gaza as it is in Heaven.
Peace, upon peace.
Amen.
