Thursday October 12, 2023

Bishop Rob Hirschfeld

a statement and prayer after the hamas attacks

Dear Friends in Christ,

There is no cause righteous, just, or honorable that ever justifies, or is in any way furthered by, the acts of sheer horror and brutality that we have seen levied on the civilians of Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas over the weekend.

As we watch in shock the violence unleashed by these actions, we followers of Jesus are called to pray, fervently, for a cessation of these hostilities, for protection for the most vulnerable on both sides of the Israel and Gaza border, and for a recommitment by the international community to find the way to a lasting and just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Let us pray also that the rage that exists on both sides of this deep-rooted and bloody conflict may not infect our own hearts and that God may heal us from the sins of antisemitism, anti-Judaism, and Islamophobia.

I invite the members of the Church of New Hampshire to join me in this prayer:

O God, come and turn the hearts of those who are convinced that unleashing hatred and violence will bring righteousness. Quickly remove the allure of terror from the hearts of those who would inflict it. Protect those at risk of injury and death. Make the response to such hatred be motivated by justice and not pure hatred or the unrestrained impulse for revenge. Protect all children and those who have no defense or shelter from the current storm. Come quickly to establish your Realm of peace and righteousness. O Christ, even now you extend your arms of love on the cross that all may come within the reach of your healing and life-giving embrace, raise us with you a new vision, a new way of living in your Holy Presence. In your Holy Name. Amen.

Yours in the Risen Christ,

+Rob

The Right Reverend A. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop of New Hampshire