Prayers for Peace

From the Dean

One of the most poignant turns of phrase in the Hymnal 1982 is found in Hymn 594: God of grace and God of glory. The fourth verse of this hymn penned by Harry Emerson Fosdick begins, "Save us from weak resignation to the evil we deplore." Fosdick aims his finger squarely at our human propensity to return evil for evil, setting aside the clear teachings of God.

Yesterday's horrific bombing in Gaza of the Al Ahli Hospital, which is run by the Anglican Communion, is yet another example of evil begetting evil. More than 700 people were killed or injured in the blast, which occurred in an area that was supposed to be safe for refugees fleeing from the Israeli ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip. As we prayed in our litany for peace on Sunday, "war is a monster." That monster, when unleashed, generally does not care about who bears the burden of its suffering.

We are invited today especially, but every day as well, to pray for peace. War in the Holy Land among people of three major world religious is acutely emblematic of the divisions we all experience. It is far from the only conflict in the world, however. There is, of course, the war between Ukraine and Russia, a genocide unfolding in Armenia, and some 24 other armed conflicts across the globe today, not to mention the ongoing seeds of division being planted and fostered here at home.

Below you will find the contents of a a communique sent out by the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana earlier today which includes notes from Bishop Doug Sparks, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. You will also find the litany for peace we prayed at Saint James this past Friday and Sunday, which I borrowed (with minor adaptation) from the Sojourners website. 

Please pray for peace. Please work for peace. And may God save us from weak resignation to the evil we deplore.

Blessings,
Brian



 

A Note From Bishop Doug

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings in the Episcopal Church in Northern Indiana,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Prince of Peace!

I have been on several church wide calls these last few days and wanted to share with you a most recent communique from our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and a letter sent from the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East regarding the most recent bombing of the Al Ahli Anglican Episcopal Hospital in Gaza...reportedly killing between 500 and 900 people earlier today.

Please continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land...for an end to the violence and the escalation of violence...

Every blessing,

Doug
(he, him, his)

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

calls church to prayer following
attack on Anglican hospital in Gaza

We have all been invited in the last few days to join with Archbishop Hosam Naoum and the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, as well as Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby, to pray fervently for all those who have been hurt, harmed, or killed in this conflict.

My heart aches when I remember visiting al-Ahli hospital in 2018 during Holy Week to meet the medical teams and all the people of that remarkable ministry. They were passionately committed to anyone who had need.

I know personally how faithful Episcopalians are in praying. During my surgery and recovery, you have prayed for me and for my healing, and I am more grateful and thankful than words can say. 

Right now, I ask you to pray fervently for the birthplace of the Abrahamic faiths and for all its people. Pray for those who have been hurt, harmed, or killed—regardless of who they are or who did it.

Pray also for the leaders and people of the entire region, that they will remember God’s mercy, and that they will find the way to a just peace where all may live in safety and security as God intends. 

Pray this week for President Biden, that he may be an advocate for immediate humanitarian access for those who desperately need food, water, and medicine—and for comfort and consolation for those who have been displaced and those who are grieving loved ones.

Please join me in praying:

For Peace: Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers for the World, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815.

A Statement from
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

Church Unites in Prayer, Firmly Condemns Massacre at Hospital, and Grieves the Loss of Hundreds of Innocent Civilians

In a solemn observance of a global day of fasting and prayers for peace, reconciliation, and an end to the harrowing conflict, Christians stood united in the Holy Land. However, this day of reflection was marred by a brutal attack on our Al Ahli Anglican Episcopal Hospital in Gaza during the Israeli airstrikes there. Citing 2 Cor. 4:8-9a, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed," we reflect on the unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

In the strongest terms, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem condemns this atrocious attack that has transpired in the heart of Gaza. Initial reports suggest the loss of countless lives, a manifestation of what can only be described as a crime against humanity. Hospitals, by the tenets of international humanitarian law, are sanctuaries, yet this assault has transgressed those sacred boundaries. We heed the call of Archbishop Justin Welby, who implored for the safeguarding of medical facilities and the rescission of evacuation orders. Regrettably, Gaza remains bereft of safe havens.

The devastation witnessed, coupled with the sacrilegious targeting of the church, strikes at the very core of human decency. We assert unequivocally that this is deserving international condemnation and retribution. An urgent appeal resonates for the international community to fulfill its duty in protecting civilians and ensuring that such inhumane horrific acts are not replicated.

As we grieve the loss of countless souls who perished on our premises, we declare a day of mourning in all our churches and institutions. We beseech our friends, partners, and individuals of goodwill to stand in solidarity, mourning with us the heinous assault on our dedicated staff and vulnerable patients.

In this regard a press conference will be held tomorrow Wednesday 18th October, and we'll notify details in due course.

Prayers for Peace
by Rose Marie Berger
adapted from the Sojourners website

“They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain...”
Isaiah 11:9
 
Leader
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

People    
God of Comfort, 
Leader
send your Spirit to encompass all those whose lives are torn apart by violence and death in Israel and Palestine. You are the Advocate of the oppressed and the One whose eye is on the sparrow. Let arms reach out in healing, rather than aggression. Let hearts mourn rather than militarize.

People
God of Justice,
Leader
give strength to those whose long work for a just peace might seem fruitless now. Strengthen their resolve. Do not let them feel alone. Show us how to support their work and bolster their courage. Guide religious leaders to model unity and reconciliation across lines of division. Guide political leaders to listen with their hearts as they seek peace and pursue it. Help all people choose the rigorous path of just peace and disavow violence.

People
God of Love,
Leader
we lift up Palestine and Israel — its people, its land, its creatures. War is a monster that consumes everything in its path. Peace is a gift shared at meals of memory with Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Let us burn incense, not children. Let us break bread, not bodies. Let us plant olive groves, not cemeteries. We beg for love and compassion to prevail on all your holy mountains.

People
God of Hope,
Leader
we lift up the cities of the region: Gaza City and Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Ashkelon, Deir El Balah and Sderot, so long divided, yet so filled with life and creativity. Come again to breathe peace on your peoples that all may recognize you.
 

People
God of Mercy,
Leader
even now work on the hearts of combatants to choose life over death, reconciliation over  retaliation, restoration over destruction. Help us resist antisemitism in all its forms, especially in our own churches. All people, Israelis and Palestinians, deserve to live in peace and unafraid, with a right to determine their future together.

People
God of the Nations,
Leader
let not one more child or elder be sacrificed on altars of political expediency. Keep safe all people from unjust leaders who would exploit vulnerability for their own distorted ends.

Give wise discernment to those making decisions to  pursue peace. Provide them insight into fostering well-being, freedom, and thriving for all.

Teach all of us to resolve injustices with righteousness, not rockets. 

Guard our hearts against retaliation, and give us hearts for love alone.

People    
God of All Flesh,
Leader
strengthen our faith in you, even when we don’t have clear answers, so that we may still offer ourselves nonviolently for the cause of peace.

People
Amen.