Weekly devotion: What makes a good listener?
Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation, Israel/Palestine
Musalaha’s Muslim-Christian women’s group attend a workshop
Based in Jerusalem, Musalaha is an Embrace partner that promotes reconciliation across the division that defines the conflict in Israel/Palestine. One of their projects, funded by Embrace, brings together Palestinian and Israeli women to listen to each other and hear each other’s stories.
As part of the project, the women attend training workshops that teach them skills like listening, bridge building, conflict resolution and reconciliation. This equips the women to be agents of change in their communities, creating a ripple effect.
Bible reading
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107: 1-9
Thought
No matter who we are or where we live, we all have a story to tell (verse 2). Creating time and space to share our stories with other people, and to listen to their stories, is foundational for building meaningful relationships. As the example of Musalaha shows, the simple act of listening can be a powerful and countercultural means of breaking down barriers and building peace across divides.
Ask yourself: What makes a good listener? How can you practice ‘good listening’ in your own life?
Prayer
Father God,
We remember that you have created each and every one of us in your own image – and you love us, no matter what.
We pray for the transformative work that Musalaha does. Thank you for each and every woman, Israeli and Palestinian, who attends the workshops. May you open both their ears and their hearts, and bless the friendships that form across the divide.
Help us to be good listeners and to value and honour the stories that other people share with us.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Meet the women driving reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians
In this episode of our podcast, Tim speaks with the two women - one Israeli, one Palestinian - who head up Musalaha’s grassroots reconciliation programme.
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