God of compassion and justice,

 

We cry out to you for all who suffer

in the Holy Land today.

For your precious children,

Israelis and Palestinians,

traumatised and in fear for

their lives;

Lord, have mercy.

 

For the families of the bereaved,

for those who have seen images

they will never forget. For those

anxiously waiting for news,

despairing with each passing day;

Lord, have mercy.

 

For young men and women,

heading into combat,

bearing the burden of what others

have done and what they will be

asked to do;

Lord, have mercy.

 

For civilians in Israel, Gaza and the

   West Bank,

that they would be protected,

and that every life would count,

and be cherished and remembered;

Lord, have mercy

​

For the wounded and those facing

a lifetime of scars.

For those desperately seeking

medical treatment where there

is none;

Lord, have mercy.

 

For medical and emergency personnel,

risking their own lives

to save those of others;

Lord, have mercy.

 

For those who cannot see anything

but rage and violence,

that you would surprise them with mercy,

and turn their hearts towards

kindness for their fellow human beings;

Lord, have mercy,

 

For people of peace,

whose imagination is large enough

to conceive of a different way,

that they may speak, and act,

and be heard;

Lord, have mercy.

 

Mighty and caring God,

You promised that one day

swords will be beaten into

ploughshares, meet us in our

distress, and bring peace upon

this troubled land.     Amen