Holy God, hear the cries rising from every city and village in our

region, cries that empire tries to silence but will not be able to

erase. Deliver us from the systems, governments, ideologies, and

theologies that justify so much suffering and oppression. Hosanna

in the highest, to Christ who entered Jerusalem not on white stallion

but on a donkey. Save us from our arrogance and our unbelief, and

deliver the oppressed from the modern-day Pharaohs and Pilates.​

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God of justice, we know your Holy Anger heals. We name our

anger at systems of colonialism, greed, and lust for control that are

sacrificing the vulnerable for geopolitical gain. Have mercy on the

leaders fueling this evil war and all participants in the machinery of

violence, who in their impunity and hatred, have denied themselves

of their own humanity. Turn hearts away from violence and

confront them where they have chosen power over human dignity.

Grant them repentance, but until they choose it, strengthen the

oppressed to resist injustice and insist on life.​

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God of Mary, we know you understand the cries of mothers

throughout the region, from Gaza and the West Bank to

Beirut to Tehran, who are weeping over their martyred children. As

we lift up and pray for the many children who have had their young

lives taken away due to empire’s schemes, including the 200

schoolchildren killed in Tehran by American bombs and ongoing

deaths of the many children in Gaza, we ask you to liberate us from

structural sins of oppression that have normalized such massacres.

Help us to be witnesses like Mary Magdalene, who did not let the

pain and grief make her numb to the suffering of Christ. ​

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Compassionate Healer, you created us in your beautiful image and

all are equal before you. We ask you to strengthen healthcare and

community workers who insist on your gift of life and human

dignity, even as others manufacture death and inequality.  Protect

those who provide water, bread, medicine, and shelter under bombs

and blockades. Just as they hold onto life through their selfless

work, help all of us to work for a world that does the same. May

their hands testify that love, when lived out communally and

faithfully, is stronger than empire’s destruction.​

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Faithful God, we pray for the churches of our region,  ancient, wounded, yet steadfast in the land of our faith’s birth.​

Do not let this war become another blow that diminishes our presence or silences our prophetic witness. Strengthen us to proclaim that we are the living stones, and help us to live out that witness against all odds, remembering your words “Do not be afraid!” (Matthew 28:10) We pray that Western churches and church leaders may find courage to speak and act for their brothers and sisters in our land. Embolden us to answer empire with a steadfast faith that liberates.​

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God of Peace, bless all who refuse violence and hatred through their

protests, songs, and prayers.  Strengthen those who practice costly

solidarity, who refuse the logics of nationalism that dehumanizes and

divides. Guard them from despair when change is slow and backlash is fierce. Renew in us a spirit of faith that does not fear death, but rather one that works for the death of despair and suffering. As we face dark days, let us have active patience so that we can proclaim the words of the Apostle Paul: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but

not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not

destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4)​

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer  ​

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Closing ​

We invite you for a moment of silent prayer, praying especially

for:​

The people of Palestine/Israel, especially those facing continued starvation and blockade in Gaza and those facing settler violence in the West Bank

The people of Iran

The people of Syria and Lebanon

The people of Jordan and the Gulf