Our World Needs Prayer

I don’t know about you, but I feel burdened with all that is going on around the world right now. In our own country there is the Voice referendum this weekend. The question we are being asked to answer is dividing friends and households and it appears that whichever way the vote goes there will be ongoing uncertainty and unsettled hearts. 

We need to pray for God’s wisdom and grace to be upon us as individuals and as a community of Australians. We have previously distributed resources for you to consider and they are available here. We have not taken a position as a church as I believe this is a matter of conscience but let me encourage you again toward gracious, thoughtful and curious conversation together. We have also used this prayer in our services that you may wish to use over the next few days: 

Gracious Lord,

The Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, we pray for our nation.

We lament the damage done to the original inhabitants of this land, since European settlement, including the loss of life, land and language. We recognise sins committed and harm done.

We praise you that you have built your church among the First Peoples of this land and we rejoice to be brothers and sisters in Christ with them.

Hear our prayer as together we consider the referendum on recognition and the Voice to Parliament.

Preserve us in love, respect and mutual service.

Give us a spirit of wisdom and discernment as we cast our votes.

Father, whatever is decided, we beg you for clear and lasting progress in addressing inequality and closing the gap for First Nations peoples.

Bless Australia, we pray, as the gospel is proclaimed, that we may be reconciled to you and to each other through him who died for all, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, in whose name we pray,

Amen.

In addition to this, all of you will be aware of the devastating attacks which Hamas militants launched against Israel earlier this week and the subsequent retaliation by Israel’s forces. Since 2007, Israel has blockaded the Gaza Strip, contributing not only to a humanitarian crisis but also to the radicalisation of one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations on earth.

Nonetheless, there can be no defence of the brutal targeting of and violence against civilians, including women and children, which has characterised this latest wave of Hamas' activity, nor of the taking of hostages, nor of Hamas' pursuit of a one-state solution through armed struggle.

We do not yet know the full shape of Iran's involvement in these attacks, or how Hezbollah will respond to this crisis (and how this might impact the already tottering Lebanese state), or whether violence will spread to the West Bank (and what this might do to the already weakened Palestinian Authority there). We can be confident that, tragically, there will be further loss of life, including amongst the most vulnerable.

We can also be confident that this will be having an enormous emotional impact on our Jewish neighbours here in St Ives. I have already heard that many are terrified and living in fear. Security at our local Jewish school and synagogue has increased. 

One friend had helpfully pondered whether “those of us with a Western heritage have cause to regret the hubris of our Age of Empires, and the casual acts of cartographic invention by which a host of unstable states were drawn into existence.”

Both Jews and Arabs have good reason to feel betrayed and misused by the historical involvement of many but of course, all of this is no justification for violent extremism. 

It is worth being informed about the history of the region and there are many good resources to be found online. 

Archbishop Kanishka has stated: "We assure the Jewish community in Sydney of our prayers for those injured or in danger and for the establishment of lasting peace and security. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and long for the day when swords will be beaten into ploughshares (Is 2:4)."

Anglican Aid, which does not currently have projects in Israel, but does work with refugees and displaced people in the surrounding nations of Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, and is concerned for the entire region, has offered this prayer for our use:

God of the nations,

whose kingdom rules over all,

have mercy on our broken and divided world.

Bring peace in our time, O Lord.

In the land of our Saviour’s birth,

banish the spirit that makes for war.

Please give wisdom to those you have placed in authority: rescue the captives, shield those in danger, and bind up the broken hearted.

For those fighting for justice, please turn their hearts to seek peace and strengthen them by your grace.

For those walking in darkness, may the light of your face shine upon them.

Above all, we pray that the peoples of Israel and the Middle East will find everlasting hope in you.

And in the land of your Son’s redeeming death and resurrection, turn hearts to look to the Saviour and live.

Bring peace, Lord, while we wait for Christ's coming and rule, when all people will beat their swords into plowshares, when nation will not take up sword against nation, and when every tear will be wiped away by the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords,

Amen.

All I can say is, Come Lord Jesus!