American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem Resources

A Litany for the Restoration of Peace in the Holy Land

God of peace, we pray for the people of Palestine and Israel in these perilous and dangerous times.

For all who are fearful for the safety of their loved ones and themselves, we pray that the assurance of unfailing love, even in the midst of danger, settles upon them. Shelter them from despair and protect them from harm.

For all who are wounded, we pray they find healing. 

For all who have died, we pray they find rest.

For all who grieve, we pray they find comfort.

For leaders on all sides, we pray for a renewed will to lay down arms, for the strength to put the grievances and wrongs suffered by their people to rest, and for the conviction to embrace a path of reconciliation and peace that preserves the rights and dignity of all of your children.

God of mercy, help us to remember there is no border that can separate us from your great love and protection, no stone that can sound the well of your deep mercy.

God of justice, we pray with hopeful hearts that your beloved children of the Holy Land will be spared a future of sustained violence and unrest and that a recognition of the humanity of all people will prevail. 

We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

– American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
May 14, 2021

A PRAYER FOR PILGRIMS

Almighty God, you always show mercy toward those who love you and you are never far away for those who seek you. Remain with your servants on this holy pilgrimage and guide their way in accord with your will. Lead them on right and peaceful paths. Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light of your grace by night, and, as their companion on the journey, bring them to their destination in safety. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

adapted from www.catholicculture.org

PRAYER FOR THE OPPRESSED (BCP P. 826)

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions.  Have mercy upon us.  Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors.  Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all.  And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of your world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.            

PRAYER FOR PEACE AND FORGIVENESS

Loving God of all the earth, we pray for those who perpetrate injustices in the Holy Land, regardless of their motives; we pray that you will change their hearts and fill them with the spirit of mercy.  Teach us all the pathways of peace and forgiveness.  Spirit of comfort whose glory covers the face of our earth, comfort the oppressed, give shelter to those who have lost their homes, and let your peace dwell in every heart.  With thankful hearts we pray in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

from Contemporary Way of the Cross, p. 49

PRAYER FOR THE DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM (BCP P. 817)

O God, by your grace you have called the Diocese of Jerusalem to a goodly fellowship of faith.  We ask you to bless Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the clergy and leaders of diocesan institutions, and all the people of the diocese.  Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received.  By your Spirit, fashion all our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all whom we meet; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

In the name of Elohim, the most merciful. May the Palestinian people receive the healing powers of our prayers. May they be granted safety, success, love, security, and hope. May they enjoy the fruits of freedom and equality that they—and all human beings—deserve.

As Jews, we pray for their well-being. We remember that the Holy Land is a shared space and pray to see the day when Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and all religions will live there together in peace.

We hope for the day when Palestinian refugees may return. We pray that together with their Jewish neighbors they can rehabilitate their history and rebuild what could be the best place on Earth. A place of many cultures and true equality.

We pray that Palestinians will be able to live lives free from violence and oppression. And we ask God to help us build bridges of peace with them.

May we be the light that brings peace and hope to our Palestinian friends and to all the world. Amen.

from Matt (Matah) Adler