by Mae Elise Cannon, World Vision
World Vision recently completed the Winter 2014 Hope for the Holy Land Tour!
Visiting churches in Illinois, Washington, and Oregon, and in Canada from British Columbia to Manitoba, we’ve been blessed and encouraged by the church’s compassion and enduring desire to see peace and justice in the Holy Land.
We’re also encouraged by the many Christian voices in North American who are speaking out towards this end. These communities have welcomed us with open arms; we want to thank them, and continue to pray for these communities. Read more
by Craig Swandby, World Vision
Though many Israelis, Palestinians, and United States stakeholders have watched U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s shuttle diplomacy with suspicion, I can’t help but acknowledge that his relentless efforts are laudable, and also appropriate. The status quo of violence, instability, and injustice cannot continue. It must end.
In the coming weeks, Kerry will publicly reveal his plan—the framework agreement. Cynicism and skepticism persist, and communities are preparing to defend their interests should the Kerry plan fall short of their expectations.
The stakes are high, and we must go before the Lord in prayer. We pray for lasting peace and justice for our neighbors and fellow Christians and all others in the Holy Land. Read more
Thoughts on working for peace:
A Prayer
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything. Read more
by Mae Elise Cannon, World Vision
Advent is the season of hope. Hope in eager anticipation; waiting to celebrate the incarnation of God manifested in human form through the birth of Jesus. Hope in present circumstances; the small moments of heavenly triumph where the kingdom of God breaks forth into the dark realities of this world. Hope in the future; as we wait for the redemption of the world and the second coming of Christ Jesus. We hope for what is yet to come.
As we enter into this season of hope, we are reminded to celebrate, worship, and rejoice. The Psalmist speaks forth these words: “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad.” All of creation will cry out, singing for joy, recognizing the saving power of Jesus, for he does not leave us abandoned in our earthly circumstances, but He comes. He dwells with us. He judges in righteousness. He redeems. He is the manifestation of hope. Read more
by Craig Swandby, World Vision
The Prayers of the Church
This Anglican prayer was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo[1] (DRC). Our brothers and sisters in the DRC continue to pray in the face of violence, fear, and want. We look to them for wisdom, that we might know how to pray over them and the Middle East.
Let us pray for the Church and for the world, and let us thank God for his goodness.
Good Lord, hear us.
May the leaders of the DRC, the Holy Land, and the Middle East rule with justice.
Good Lord, hear us.
May righteousness be a shield and protector.
Good Lord, hear us.
May their countries be at peace; and the people be blessed.
Good Lord, hear us.
May the herds increase; and the fish in the lakes be many.
Good Lord, hear us.
May the fields yield abundantly; may the harvests be great.
Good Lord, hear us.
May all artisans and traders see the benefit of their labours.
Good Lord, hear us.
May we and our enemies turn from strife and seek peace.
Good Lord, hear us.
May the strength of the Lord support all who are sick.
Good Lord, hear us.
May the Lord’s love comfort the bereaved, the oppressed, widows, orphans, and the lonely.
Good Lord, hear us.
May the paths and roads of the world be swept clean of all dangers.
Alleluia. The Lord of mercy is with us. Amen.
Let us continue to pray for ourselves
and for our brothers and sisters…
In a time of quiet, some may pray out loud, one at a time, and others may pray in secret.
Our trust is in you, merciful Lord.
We rely on you alone, O God of love. Amen.
[1] http://www.congochurchassn.org.uk/liturgy.htm
Read more
by Sarah Withrow King, ESA
Lord Jesus,
We are mothers and fathers;
we are sisters and brothers;
we are a family connected by your love.
God, we acknowledge that we are all your children. Each of us created in your holy image. Each of us created to love you and to love one another.
God, we praise you as the creator and caretaker of all children. You see all of your children. You love all of your children. You want every child to flourish in communities of care and concern. We praise you, Holy One. Read more
Our Vision
Violence and chaos in the Middle East have left many around the world hopeless and feeling helpless. As followers of Jesus, we refuse to be sidetracked by the temptation to despair.
Prayers for Peace (P4P) provides a way for Christians of diverse political and theological backgrounds to stand up for peace and unite in supplication to God with a special focus on prayers for the Holy Land. Prayers for Peace provides Jesus’ followers with the common language of prayer around which to mobilize their energy and passion for the land that gave birth to our faith. To combat the prevailing images of discord, Prayers for Peace will highlight peace-building organizations that we may pray for them as they live out the reconciliation offered in the Prophets and Jesus’ message of shalom.
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Read more
World Vision recently completed the Winter 2014 Hope for the Holy Land Tour!