10.10.2023
Prayers for Israel and Palestine
Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “I encourage you to use any or all of the enclosed resources at home, with your neighbours and in church as part of our response in solidarity with people who not only are our global neighbours but also our sisters and brothers. We commend the situation unfolding to Almighty God”.
You can download the prayer resource for Israel and Palestine here or it is available below.
The Archbishop of Dublin and the Archbishop of Armagh issued a joint statement yesterday calling for prayer. Yesterday it was also confirmed that Bishops’ Appeal would release emergency funds to support Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza which is run by our partner diocese for the entire community. You can read about that here.
The statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem is available in full here.
Prayer Service for Israel and Palestine
Introduction
The escalating and degenerating situation in Israel Palestine and Gaza raises very specific concerns for us all in the level of human concerns and compassion. Where lives are lost through military attack and response humanity in its entirety is diminished. We all grieve.
With our specific link with the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East we in Dublin and Glendalough uphold to God in prayer all who are involved in the current conflict.
I encourage you to use any or all of the enclosed resources at home, with your neighbours and in church as part of our response in solidarity with people who not only are our global neighbours but also our sisters and brothers. We commend the situation unfolding to Almighty God
Sentence of Scripture
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55.6
Reading
Micah 6.8
8He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Time for silent reflection and silent prayer
PRAYERS
PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL AND PALESTINE – OCTOBER 2023
On behalf of the Archbishop of Dublin, the Council of Mission and the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, we call upon all to stand in prayer with Archbishop Hosam Naoum and the Anglican Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem for the people of Israel and Palestine in these days, without political agenda. We unite our hearts and pray for all innocent people caught up in this conflict.
Thank you.
Ruth Gyves
Jerusalem Link, Council for Mission
Let us pray.
Father, we bring our supplications before you on behalf of our friends in the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem at this time of conflict. We call upon you to show mercy to the people Israel and Palestine and protect them. We pray for the staff and patients at the al–Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza which is run by the Diocese. By the power of your word, we plead for protection for them as conflict rages around them.
God of light and salvation, our refuge and our strength, we pray for the people of Israel and Palestine amid the escalating violence taking place in these days. We pray for those killed and injured. May your rod and staff comfort them. We pray for those who are grieving and fearful. We pray protection over those who have been taken hostage into Gaza.
Oh God, we call on you this day to change hearts, bring an end to this current violence and protect the people living in this land that is so precious and dear to your heart. Amen
A prayer from Evangelical Alliance
Father God, we see images and hear stories from the unfolding violence in Israel and Palestine. Our heads are full, and our hearts are heavy.
We watch the unfolding brutality and violence, sectarianism and hatred. Lord have mercy.
We choose not to turn away but to turn to You as we pray the words of Simon Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Jesus, You love these places and these people, all of them. Speak Your words of eternal life over them today. Make your presence known.
Creator of this earth, a world with no guns or bombs or borders, You walked these lands with compassion and grace. Prince of peace, would You walk there again today. We echo the words of psalmists and prophets: hear the cries of orphans and widows; swiftly bring justice and healing. Heal these lands.
You died and rose from the dusty earth outside Jerusalem. Today, may Your shed blood bring healing. May Your resurrection power bring life.
We dare to hope to see new images and hear new stories of transformation; hatred to hospitality; swords to ploughshares; and mourning to dancing. Lord, hear our prayer, and may your kingdom come in Israel and Palestine as it is in Heaven. Amen.
For Peace in the Middle East
God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East: Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis. Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation, that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces, and peace and justice could be experienced by all.
Spirit of the living God, Come afresh on your holy land. Help your people to restore broken relationships. Give them patience to break down barriers of suspicion and mistrust; ability to discern personal prejudices and the courage to overcome fear. Teach them to respect each other’s integrity and rights so that your kingdom may be established on earth. For Jesus’ sake.
(Prayers from Xavier University’s Center for Mission and Identity Cincinnati, USA)
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
For the Peace of the World
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed; Kindle, we pray thee, in very heart the true love of peace; and guide with thy pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquillity thy kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those in Affliction or Distress
Almighty Father, be present, we beseech thee, with those who are in sorrow, in suffering, in sickness, or in distress; and be thou their abiding stay and succour; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer of the Eastern Church
Be mindful, O Lord, of thy people present here before thee, and of those who are absent through age, sickness, or infirmity. Care for the infants, guide the young, support the aged, encourage the faint–hearted, collect the scattered, and bring back the wandering to thy fold. Travel with the voyagers, defend the widows, shield the orphans, deliver the captives, heal the sick. Succour all who are in tribulation, necessity, or distress. Remember for good all those that love us, and those that hate us, and those that have desired us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them. And those whom we have forgotten, do thou, O Lord, remember. For thou art the helper of the helpless, the saviour of the lost, the refuge of the wanderer, the healer of the sick. Thou, who knowest the need of each one, and hast heard their prayer, grant unto each according to thy merciful loving–kindness, and thy eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, And the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen