Responding to the War in Israel and Gaza
A Prayer Responding to the War in Israel and Gaza by Teri McDowell Ott
Lord, hear our prayers.
Eternal God,
You know our history of complicated conflicts, tense polarization, and situations so politicized that we are afraid to say or pray anything. Yet we know you grieve the violence of war and condemn acts of terrorism. We know you grieve the historical suffering of Jews and Palestinians. May our prayers for peace be uttered out loud for all to hear, our prayers for diplomacy, and for difficult, yet faithful conversation to resume.
God, we groan in grief over the news of this war in Israel and Gaza. Pave a path toward peace in this age-old, tragic conflict. Protect the innocent wherever bombs of destruction fall. Be with those who are captured and the families of those who are captured. Offer a way out for those who are trapped. Awaken us to our common humanity, our common human needs no matter the walls we build. Amen.
Teri McDowell Ott – Editor and Publisher – Presbyterian Outlook
PDA is responding the Humanitarian Crisis in the Middle East
PDA is responding to humanitarian needs in Israel/Palestine. To support our response, designate gifts to DR000081-Israel/Palestine or click here to give online: https://pma.pcusa.org/…/make-a-gift/gift-info/DR000081/…
Statement from the Acting Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Deuteronomy 5:17 “You shall not kill.”
The devastation and loss of life in both Israel and the Gaza Strip in the last few days has been horrific. No words can describe the anguish and suffering of the people directly impacted by and caught up in the violence of these attacks. As we watch the recently declared war unfold, our hearts break for all whose loved ones have died, are wounded, missing, displaced, or taken hostage.
Horrific actions committed by Hamas and the violent response by Israel have exacerbated deep wounds, inflicting physical and emotional pain and suffering. We acknowledge that the people of Palestine and Hamas are not one in the same, and we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Israel who seek peace. Hamas does not. We condemn the violence that has taken place in recent days, and we grieve the decades of oppression that have led to this violence.
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Statement of Lament for Israel and Palestine from the PCUSA Office of Public Witness
Our televisions and social feeds are full of news from Israel-Palestine and the recent declaration of war. To people of many faiths this land is culturally rich, historically significant, and sacred ground. Scenes of explosions and sounds of sirens disturb us deeply as we grieve the loss of life, captive taking, and the withholding of basic necessities of life.
Over the past five days 2,000+ civilian lives were lost on top of military casualties. 5,000+ people are injured needing immediate care. Another 250,000 people are displaced with numbers expected to increase. Global health experts remind us that on top of the tangible loss and physical toll there is a tremendous impact on the mental health of those who experience war, especially for children.
As people of faith, we turn to the practice of lament that guides our prayers and leads us to action. We join our voice with the Psalmist, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!” (Psalm 130:1) May God hear the voices of those in Israel and Palestine experiencing unprecedented suffering and escalating violence. May the cries of our partners and care for humanity lead us from prayer to action.
