Sunday Dec. 17 – Advent 3

Archbishop Linda Nicholls: A Prayer for Peace

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6)

God of peace, Jesus lamented over Jerusalem: “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings….” (Matthew 23:37). We too lament as we see the pain and sorrow of the peoples of the land of the Holy One.

We lament with those grieving the death of loved ones—women, men, children, husbands, wives, and grandparents. We lament the hatred and anger that spills over in indiscriminate violence. We lament the legacy of trauma that will live in hearts and souls for years to come. We lament the inability of human beings to seek and find the paths of peace or to recognize a shared humanity and shared desires for safety, security, and a home in which to flourish.

God of peace, give courage to those who show your love and compassion and to all who stand with Jesus seeking the paths of peace and bring the peace that passes understanding into the midst of this conflict. Amen.

Archbishop Linda Nicholls
Anglican Church of Canada

Monday Dec. 18

We pray for The Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beit Sahour, Church of Hope, Ramallah, St. Saviour Church, Acre, Church of Our Savior, Kufr-Yasif, and Christ the King, Tarshiha; for the grace to help them to persevere in faith as lights who are not overcome by the shadows.

Tuesday Dec. 19

We pray for the Environmental Education Centre of the ELCJHL, The School of Hope, Ramallah, Ahliyyah & Mutran School, The Theodor Schneller School, Marka, The Bishop’s Kindergarten, Al-Husun, The Arab Episcopal School, Irbid, and Saviour Arab Evangelical School, Zarka; for encouragement from God when so much seems uncertain, and for peace that passes understanding.

Wednesday Dec. 20

We pray for Bethany Beyond the Jordan Baptismal Site, Church of the Good Shepherd, Amman, Redeemer Church, Amman, St. Paul’s Church, Ashrafiyeh, Theodore Schneller Chapel, Marka, St. Luke’s Church, Marka, Savior Church, Zarka, The Good Shepherd Church, Salt, The Virgin Mary Episcopal Church, Irbid, St. John’s the Baptist Church, Husun, St. Peter’s & St. Paul’s Church, Aqaba, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Beirut, Lebanon, and All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Damascus, Syria; for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News in word and deed.

Thursday Dec. 21

We pray for Muslim and Jewish people in the Holy Land, for those of other faiths, and for all people of goodwill; for places of prayer, worship, and service to those in need; for all who love and serve God, their neighbours, and the common good.

Friday Dec. 22

We pray for those in positions of governing authority, whose words, decisions, and actions impact on the lives of millions; that true justice might guide them.

Saturday Dec. 23

We pray with a moment of silence for all who have been killed and wounded through the recent and ongoing violence, and for all those who mourn.

An Advent Cycle of Prayer for Churches in the Holy Land and the Middle East - 2023

The above photo depicts the painting "HOPE" by Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour.
The white building it portrays is the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem

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