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PRAYER FROM THE JERUSALEM CHURCHES
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2013
Almighty God, thank you for your Word made flesh in Jesus Christ and for the challenge for unity, justice and reconciliation between all people, given to us in the Holy Scriptures.
As we focus this year on Jerusalem and its children:
We, the churches in Jerusalem, pray that Christians wherever they may be in the world, may remember the continuous emigration of the Christians in the Holy Land. Jerusalem is the Mother City of our faith and the spiritual Home for each one of us. In Jerusalem, the city of Pentecost, every Christian was born. From Jerusalem the word of God spread to the ends of the earth. We pray that the Christians in Jerusalem may be able to see their witness through their presence.
We, the churches in Jerusalem, pray that the word of God will be prophetic, bearing your voice in the present and future. Everything that happens in our land, everyone who lives here, all the pains and hopes, all the injustice and all the efforts to stop this injustice, are part of the prayer of our Church and the service of all her institutions. We pray that our Church raises her voice against oppression and works for justice, non-violence and reconcilation.
We, the churches in Jerusalem, pray for courage to speak the Word of God honestly and lovingly in the local context and in the midst of daily events. If the Church does take sides, it is with the oppressed, to stand alongside them, just as Christ our Lord stood by the side of each poor person and each sinner, calling them to repentance, to life, and to the restoration of the dignity bestowed on them by God and that no one has the right to take away. God is not the ally of one against the other, nor the opponent of one in the face of the other. God is the Lord of all and loves all, demanding justice from all and issuing to all of us the same commandment to love one another.
We, the churches in Jerusalem, pray for hope where hopelessness reigns, hope for a peaceful solution to the conflict that tears your people apart. In a time when reconciliation no longer seems possible and few believe in a two state solution we pray that you will inspire all people of good faith to take a step in solidarity with your suffering children in the Holy Land.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
We, the churches in Jerusalem, have faith in you, our Teacher and with the bonds you made between us and our brothers and sisters to overcome. We thirst for justice, O God, because we know that there will be no peace until equity prevails for all people and until the forces of evil are defeated by your commandment of love, respect, and honor.
God bless us with your love to keep our faith and actions towards a Universal and Holy Jerusalem for all. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
People’s Prayers
People and parishes around the world are invited to send prayers for peace by e-mail to Palestinian Christians as part of World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel.
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