O God the creator of all life

We bring before you all the people who call Israel and Palestine home. We particularly remember those living in Jerusalem and Gaza whose lives are marred by restrictions to their freedom, the threat of eviction from their homes and the constant fear of armed conflict.

We ask your forgiveness for the anger, hatred and violence that all of us have the potential to carry within us.

We beseech you to soften hearts and open minds so that the sanctity of life is always protected, the right to freedom of worship upheld and the security of a safe home defended.

We pray that justice will flow like rivers. That human dignity will be respected and, that each of us may strive to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you our God.

Amen

Read a reflection on the ongoing situation from His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, head of the Catholic (Latin) Church in the Holy Land

If you’d like to donate to our partners in Gaza, you can do so here.