Prayers for Peace in Middle East
Today, October 17, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester join the Church of the Holy Land and people throughout the world in a day of prayer and fasting for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.
As women of the Gospel, we grieve with those who grieve and seek release of those held captive since the attacks began in Israel and Gaza on October 7, 2023.
We stand with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in working toward a world where reverence for all living beings finds expression in a life of nonviolence. We stand in solidarity with the victims of brutality and with faith leaders as we heed the Gospel call to follow Jesus’ way of nonviolence, reconciliation, and care for the most vulnerable across lines of division.
We commit ourselves and the members of our religious communities to choose the peaceful path of Jesus and exercise all of our rights and duties as citizens to urge our leaders to act as responsible members of the world community. We join our prayer with religious people of all faiths who recognize that war is not the solution, and we commit ourselves to be those who believe that peace is possible.
We call upon world leaders and the United Nations to activate those mechanisms necessary for an immediate ceasefire and the negotiation of peace, so that justice may prevail. We are each responsible to be aware, to be informed by factual information, to look at root causes, and to reject rhetoric that fuels violence.
We, a member Congregation of LCWR, will continue to speak on behalf of the truth of faith, the strength of prayer, the power of nonviolence and the only pathway that will provide a future for our children: peace.
A prayer resource you might consider for your personal prayer.
Prayer from World Relief
Lord, You said “Peace, be still,” and the storm was stilled.
We confess that at times, we feel overwhelmed by the storm. But today, we lift our eyes to you — the Maker of heaven and earth. And we ask for a miracle… let your peace fill Israel and Gaza.
We lift our prayer to you,
Lord, hear us.
God, let violence cease in the region. Let there be no more bloodshed. We know your heart breaks for those killed and those left behind — for the orphaned child, the injured elderly, those abducted and families desperate for safety. Lord, speak into this crisis.
We lift our prayer to you,
Lord, hear us.
We pray for those who have lost loved ones. Let your peace and love wash over them. Please protect and provide for those who have been abducted and bring them home safely. Let them be reunited with their loved ones — let them feel the comfort of their embrace.
We lift our prayer to you,
Lord, hear us.
God, we pray that you open doors that allow food, essentials and medical supplies to reach those in need. May first responders be able to rescue the injured, comfort the grieving and help rebuild many lives.
We lift our prayer to you,
Lord, hear us.
God, we pray for your peace and reconciliation to overcome conflict. We ask that you give wisdom and discernment to our global leaders and those in positions of power who have the ability to impact the course of this war. Help us to be bold advocates and agents of peace in our own communities.
We lift our prayer to you,
Lord, hear us.
We pray for people scattered around the globe whose friends and family members have been caught in the crisis. We know you are with them. Help us to express your love to those affected in our communities, churches and workplaces.
We lift our prayer to you,
Lord, hear us.
Lord, we raise Israel and Gaza to you, and pray for those suffering. We ask that you provide peace in this crisis, and protection and comfort for all those who have been impacted.
We lift our prayer to you,
Lord, hear us.
Amen.
