Lord, our hearts break as we pray for Gaza.

We lament over:
Women, men and children at grave risk of malnutrition and death.
The destruction of hospitals and schools, homes and workplaces.
Instability and chaos, ruin and despair, desolation.
Tears, upon tears, upon tears.

Father, this is all so far from the thriving shalom of your good rule and reign.
Jesus, this doesn’t look like the good news you proclaimed and the kingdom you call us into.
Spirit, it’s hard to hear your guiding voice and to feel your comforting presence.

Yet we dare to believe that you see and hear intimately, that your heart is breaking more than ours, and that you are not distant but close.
We pray for our brothers and sisters in the church in Gaza. We pray for those who don’t worship or know you yet too, each one made in your holy image.
Give us wisdom to know how to pray, when to speak and what to do.

Help us as we pray words of peace, justice and hope over the people and place of Gaza,
whispers from another world, heaven on earth.

Amen

Prayer by David Smyth