Moderator’s statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks

There aren’t any phrases that may adequately sum up our emotions and feelings as we mirror on the year-long battle between Israel and Gaza.

On October 7, 2023, the genocide in Israel and the battle in Gaza led to widespread devastation, struggling for a whole lot of 1000’s of individuals and pressure in communities around the globe.

It’s onerous to think about that we’re nonetheless witnessing scenes of horror and destruction, and but it’s a actuality. The harmless are nonetheless struggling; Households are nonetheless grieving; What we see via media photos is an on a regular basis actuality for therefore many. We’re appalled on the large lack of life. Whereas we can not utter the phrases to explain what individuals are residing via, we should use phrases to deal with this dire state of affairs.

Final yr, my predecessor, the Very Rev Sally Foster Fulton commented on the battle: “We name for calm and proactive consideration for the harmless civilians struggling in Israel and Gaza. Peace in our world can by no means come via violence. Peace in our souls can by no means come via revenge.”

As occasions unfold, we additionally pray for an finish to the battle in Gaza and Lebanon, an finish to the assaults, and a simply answer for all of the folks of Israel and Palestine, and name on all events to put down their arms. And enter into significant dialogue to finish this battle.

Our prayers are with those that are struggling the consequences of this yr’s battle that they might discover consolation. We additionally pray for an finish to hostilities and significant dialogue that offers Israelis and Palestinians the appropriate to safety and self-determination. We pray that Isaiah’s acquainted phrases will come true: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and plowshares; nation shall not raise up sword in opposition to nation; they shall be taught battle no extra.” (Isaiah 2:4)

A prayer for peace

Lord God, you commanded us to like our neighbor

… and but we failed.

Lord God, you commanded us to like each other

… and but we let hatred develop in energy.

Lord God, you’ve got commanded us to observe the instance of Christ

… But we’re silenced.

Lord God, you’ve got commanded us to succeed in past each man-made barrier

… and but we have now closed our senses to the issues that exist in our world.

Assist us flip the phrase peace into motion as we turn out to be energetic in in search of alternatives for dialogue and significant dialogue as a method to chart a path to peace for all of the folks of Israel and Gaza.

Almighty God, as we observe this vital anniversary, we pray for an finish to the battle in Gaza and a simply answer for all of the peoples of Israel and Palestine. We condemn all violence and atrocities and pray that each particular person should be free from the horrors they endure. Could this anniversary be a possibility to step again from the additional tensions we see unfolding within the Center East, and allow us to work collectively for peace and justice for all.

We bear in mind all those that proceed to endure trauma and ache, those that endure bodily and emotional trauma, and those that are grieving. Give them your consolation and allow them to know that they’re surrounded by your love.

Within the identify of Jesus Christ, we pray. amen

It’s possible you’ll want to form your personal prayer and in final month’s joint partnership planning letter from Stuart Gillan (Jerusalem) and Muriel Pearson (Tiberius) they supply some particular prayer factors. I encourage you to make use of them in your private and public devotions. Our ideas and prayers are with them as they proceed to minister in Jerusalem and Tiberias.

Prayer factors

• As we mirror on the October 7 anniversary, maintain earlier than God all those that suffered from the October 7 assaults by Hamas and those that suffered on account of Israel’s battle on Gaza. Maintain earlier than God all who’re struggling on account of Israel’s occupation of the West Financial institution.
• Pray for these displaced from their properties by Hezbollah rocket assaults within the north of Israel; and for these killed, wounded and displaced by Israeli assaults in Lebanon.
• Pray for all of the bereaved, all of the wounded, all of the traumatized and the struggling, all these held hostage or imprisoned, Christian, Muslim, Jew or Druze.
• Pray for these charged with caring for the susceptible on all sides and elevating up leaders with a imaginative and prescient of peace with justice for all.
• Pray for daring assist for peace from the worldwide group and for worldwide legislation to be upheld and strengthened.
• Pray for help employees, UNRWA employees, medics and journalists who’re struggling to convey humanitarian help with restricted assets.
• Pray for many who wrestle to carry on to their humanity, who hesitate to succeed in out to neighbors who’re completely different from them.
• Pray for us and our ecumenical associates in St. Andrew’s Jerusalem and Tiberius, that we might know the peace of God to hold out the ministry of Christ.