Things That Make For Peace
Read: Micah 4:1-4
We have been urged by our denominational leaders, among others, to pray for peace in the Middle East and for Dan and Sarah Chetti, our missionaries in Beirut, Lebanon. Now there are over half a million refugees in Lebanon to add to the prayer list. And it doesn’t stop there!
Hana Massad, the Palestinian Baptist pastor in Gaza, and his wife Suhad, have a new baby girl who was born on July 19. Because the Gaza borders are closed, Hana was not able to be with his wife in Jordan where the baby was born. The situation in Gaza continues to be very serious and dire because the Israeli blockades and air raids have destroyed the power plants that have led to shortages of food, medical supplies, gasoline, and other daily necessities such as electricity and water. Rev. Massad has asked for continued prayers. And the list goes on. . . .
Whatever our opinion on the current wars might be, our role as Christians is to stand firmly on the “side” of peace and justice. Denounce the violence on both sides, especially when it targets civilians. Pray for the emergence of new political leadership on both sides. Challenge voices that appear to be one-sided, especially if they ignore the suffering and grievances of both sides. Pray for new ways to join our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters in finding practical solutions for a just peace in the Middle East where two states can live with security and democracy. And we must not fail to pray for better solutions than endless war to solve the real threats of terrorism in our world, because if we fail, all of our children will be at risk.
So this week (and for as long as it takes), pray for peace.
In a time of terror and war,
In a world filled with reasons to despair,
In a day of confusion and fear,
In a moment of disarray,
We turn to You, O God of peace.
While nations have not yet submitted to the Prince of Peace,
And weapons are even more accurate than we can imagine,
We rest in Your promises, O God of peace.
You will bring peace to the nations and one day wars will cease.
But until that day. . .
You have called us to minister to Your people in this world.
You have called us to administer justice and proclaim Your mercy.
You have called us to heal relationships and restore hope.
You have called us to speak and live Your Good News.
You have called us to be peacemakers.
Empower us, then, O God,
To do the things that make for peace.
Make our faith and witness stronger than any missile.
Make peace more compelling than violence.
Let Your love prevail first in us. Amen.
Ingrid Dvirnak
ABCRM Newsletter Editor
Cheyenne, WY |
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