The situation in Israel and Gaza is devastating. Several thousand people have been killed, many are wounded, buildings and homes have been damaged and over a million people internally displaced. There is shortage of food, water and access to medical care in Gaza. Hostages remain trapped. In both Israel and Gaza there is uncertainty and fear about what’s next. It’s difficult to process the immensity of the situation or contemplate the solution.
So what can we do about it? Here are four ways to respond.
The Bible encourages us to lament when in distress. For instance, Psalm 10 laments the wickedness of oppressors and their violence against the helpless. It pleads, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
As we lament, we are mourning with those who mourn. The psalm continues:
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
God sees those suffering, hears their cry.
Most of the psalms of lament also express confidence in the God who is able to intervene. Psalm 10:2:
Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
Trusting God in prayer is an appropriate response when we are overwhelmed. God is in control. God is in the midst of the city (Psalm 46:5) and is able to make wars to cease to the ends of the earth (Psalm 46:9). No one is wiser than God regarding the solutions to the Middle East crisis.
There’s need for caution here. Praying for God to intervene doesn’t mean one side to win the war and the other to lose. These things are a lot more complex than that.
Yes, there are Biblical motifs about Israel, but we need to remember that the relationship between Old Testament Israel/Jerusalem and modern-day Israel/Jerusalem requires thoughtful Biblical reflection. We also know from the gospels that Jesus firmly resisted any suggestion of his kingdom coming by force.
So how did Jesus ask us to pray?
Your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth. God’s will is that all people are saved and come to the knowledge of his truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4). We pray for peace.
There are podcasts, articles and books written about the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Here are a few to get started if you’re keen to think theologically about the conflict.
As we lament, lean and learn, we also might consider doing something practical. I encourage you to support the Anglican Missions appeal here.
Let us respond with compassion and be source of light and hope in a world overshadowed by uncertainty and fear.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
The situation in Israel and Gaza is devastating. Several thousand people have been killed, many are wounded, buildings and homes have been damaged and over a million people internally displaced. There is shortage of food, water and access to medical care in Gaza. Hostages remain trapped. In both Israel and Gaza there is uncertainty and fear about what’s next. It’s difficult to process the immensity of the situation or contemplate the solution.
So what can we do about it? Here are four ways to respond.
The Bible encourages us to lament when in distress. For instance, Psalm 10 laments the wickedness of oppressors and their violence against the helpless. It pleads, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
As we lament, we are mourning with those who mourn. The psalm continues:
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
God sees those suffering, hears their cry.
Most of the psalms of lament also express confidence in the God who is able to intervene. Psalm 10:2:
Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
Trusting God in prayer is an appropriate response when we are overwhelmed. God is in control. God is in the midst of the city (Psalm 46:5) and is able to make wars to cease to the ends of the earth (Psalm 46:9). No one is wiser than God regarding the solutions to the Middle East crisis.
There’s need for caution here. Praying for God to intervene doesn’t mean one side to win the war and the other to lose. These things are a lot more complex than that.
Yes, there are Biblical motifs about Israel, but we need to remember that the relationship between Old Testament Israel/Jerusalem and modern-day Israel/Jerusalem requires thoughtful Biblical reflection. We also know from the gospels that Jesus firmly resisted any suggestion of his kingdom coming by force.
So how did Jesus ask us to pray?
Your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth. God’s will is that all people are saved and come to the knowledge of his truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4). We pray for peace.
There are podcasts, articles and books written about the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Here are a few to get started if you’re keen to think theologically about the conflict.
As we lament, lean and learn, we also might consider doing something practical. I encourage you to support the Anglican Missions appeal here.
Let us respond with compassion and be source of light and hope in a world overshadowed by uncertainty and fear.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
