Have you ever visited a country in the Middle East?
Now that you've answered the Icebreaker, here's another question - this one, about finding a way to a ceasefire.
Hopefully that makes enough sense to get you started.
Pray this prayer to get into it:
Lord,
We pray first and foremost for the grieving,
the frightened, the displaced,
and all whose lives will never be the same.
May there be many, including us,
who seek to bring restoration
and hope to them.
Amen.
Pray this prayer to get into it:
Lord,
We pray first and foremost for the grieving,
the frightened, the displaced,
and all whose lives will never be the same.
May there be many, including us,
who seek to bring restoration
and hope to them.
Amen.
A lot of the theological complexity around Israel and Jerusalem comes from promises God made that identified and established his "chosen people." Use this video to reflect on what God is doing as he chooses a people to be his chosen ones.
Support in Ceasefire
Thankfully, there has been progress toward a ceasefire. Helpful organizations are ramping up now to make the most of whatever window exists to meet the needs of those who have been cut off from basic necessities during the bombardment.
See how UNICEF is getting ready.
Pray about This Together
Choose one person to read the non-bolded words.
Everyone else, read the bolded lines together.
God of mercy and justice,
You see the pain of your children in every land -
in Israel, in Gaza, and in every place where fear and anger rule.
You know the grief of parents, the cries of children,
the heartbreak of those who have lost homes, hope, and peace.
Everyone else, read the bolded lines together.
God of mercy and justice,
You see the pain of your children in every land -
in Israel, in Gaza, and in every place where fear and anger rule.
You know the grief of parents, the cries of children,
the heartbreak of those who have lost homes, hope, and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, bring peace.
Forgive us for the ways we have turned away,
for our numbness, our confusion, and our comfort.
Help us to see that your image is not confined to one people or one place,
but shines in every face, every life you have made.
Lord, in your mercy, bring understanding.
Where hearts are hardened by hatred,
soften them with compassion.
Where leaders seek power,
turn them toward justice.
Where vengeance seems easier than love,
remind us of the cross:
the place where violence met its end in you.
Lord, in your mercy, bring healing.
We pray for those who mourn,
for those who wait for news,
for those trapped between violence and vengeance.
We pray for the courage to listen, to learn, and to act
in ways that reflect your kingdom of peace.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
God of all nations,
teach us to long for the new Jerusalem —
not a city built by human hands,
but a world renewed by your love.
Until that day comes,
let our faith move us to compassion,
our hope move us to peacemaking,
and our love move us closer to you.
Amen.
Spotlights about sensitive topics such as this aren't simple, and it can be easy to give a wrong impression or just plain be off. If you felt like that was the case in this Spotlight, please let us know. Thank you.
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