Lord have mercy
God of mercy,
we lay before you the hearts, minds and bodies
of all those suffering from violence
in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel.
Shower upon all the people of this holy land
the spirit of justice and reconciliation.
And so we pray: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
In you, Lord, all life is connected
and all the Earth and its land are to be cherished, not controlled.
Your gifts are for all.
Yet as we see the violence and hatred in the land called Holy,
and see the signs of climate breakdown,
help us all to work to live in communion.
And so we pray: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
As people of many religions remind us:
All humanity is connected, no one is really free until all are free.
Help us to pray for all in Israel and all in the Palestinian territories.
We pray for those who live in fear of the other;
For all who consider violence to be the way forward.
We pray for all who by acting in hate dehumanise themselves.
And so we pray: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
(c) See-pray Palestine
An icon on the separation barrier in the West Bank, between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Credit: Iona Community/Mike M
How can you respond to the difficult situation in Israel/Palestine?
With a situation so vast, against the backdrop of a complex world stage, it is difficult to know how to respond to the devastation in Israel/Palestine. Here are some suggestions of how to learn more, pray faithfully and act wisely.
Learn
Stay informed about events in Israel/Palestine. Try to read reports from reputable news organisations, including those based in Israel/Palestine. Take a look at sources such as Al Jazeera and B’Tselem.See also the briefings, webinar recordings and proposed actions of KumiNow and this short video giving the historical context from Jewish Voices for Peace.
You might also find helpful the Iona Community Position Statement on Israel/Palestine. You’ll find an update from our Israel/Palestine Common Concern Network here.
Pray
Pray and keep on praying for a just future, when human rights and international law will be observed, for all in Israel/Palestine.
Our Common Concern Network regularly finds inspiration in Sabeel’s Wave of Prayer.
Act
Read and respond to this call to action
Join a campaigning organisation such as Sabeel-Kairos, FOSNA or Kairos Ireland.
Join our partner, Christian Aid, in calling for a just peace now by signing their petition.
