A letter to the church from National and Synodical Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) invites members of the church to join the leaders “in prayer and concern” for all who have been impacted in the last year by the war between Hamas and Israel.
“One year ago, on October 7, we watched with horror as a new wave of violence engulfed the Holy Land,” the leaders write. “…as feared by many at the time, the events of that day led to more violence across all of Palestine and Israel. It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge this day as the anniversary of the current war betwen Israel and Hamas.”
The National and Synod Bishops call on the church to, “continue to hope, pray and advocate for: an enduring and sustained ceasefire; immediate flow of life saving food, water, aid, fuel and humanitarian assistance; release of all captives; end all arms transfers to Israel; and end of occupation so a just-peace can begin.”
The leaders also share a prayer for congregations and individuals to use in worship this coming Sunday, or as they are able.
“God of peace, we pray for peace in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. We pray for all leaders that hearts would be changed and there would be a peaceful ending to this war. God of comfort and strength, we pray for all those are are suffering in this war – those who mourn, the injured, those who living in fear. We pray for those who cotninue to try to provide aid and medical care – workers who risk their lives. Bring us all hope, bring us all strength, bring us all peace. In your holy and life-giving name, we pray. Amen.”
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