As rockets fly from Gaza
As airplanes pound Gaza
As the blockade tightens its noose on Gaza
It is a time to pray for Palestinians
to pray for Israelis
to pray for victims of violence
to pray for those who resort to violence
to pray for those who seek nonviolent solutions
to pray that all God's children who are involved might have the courage and faith and hope to pursue peace justly and to do justice peacefully
to pray that governments and leaders around the world might use whatever influence they have to be peacemakers
May it be so.
The BBC has an extensive section on events in Gaza. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to the violence. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has issued a report on the impact of the blockade of Gaza.
The 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to "be a voice for the victims of violence in both Israel and Palestine," to "identify with the need for peacemaking voices in the midst of horrific acts of violence and terror," and to "condemn all acts of violence against innocent civilians."