Message from the Chaplain

Peace is More than the Absence of Conflict

The Bible teaches that peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, dignity, and the protection of human life. Every person carries the image of God, and whenever violence erupts, that image is diminished. As the situation in the Middle East deteriorates and fear and uncertainty spread among families, we trust that God grieves with them. 

We remember many in the wider region whose lives may again be shaped by decisions made far from their homes. The Gospel calls Christians to a different path; one of courageous peacemaking that rejects hatred and challenges the belief that violence can secure lasting peace. Christians, uphold the value of every human life, the responsibility to pursue dialogue, and the conviction that reconciliation is stronger than revenge.

The Uniting Church Moderator has shared the following prayer and invites us to pray for the conflict in the Middle East and those impacted by it. 

Prayer for Peace in a Time of War

God of compassion and mercy,

Creator of every nation and every people,

We come before you grieving the suffering unfolding in our world.

We pray for the people of Iran,

for families sheltering in fear,

for children whose lives have been disrupted by violence,

for the injured, the displaced, and those who mourn.

We pray for the people of Israel

and for all nations now living under threat and uncertainty.

Protect civilians. 

Comfort the fearful.

Strengthen those who work for healing amid destruction.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you walked paths of conflict without hatred and faced violence without returning it.

Turn the hearts of leaders away from escalation.

Give wisdom where anger rules.

Give restraint where power tempts.

Give courage to those seeking dialogue instead of domination.

Holy Spirit,

move among the nations of the world.

Where there is retaliation, sow restraint.

Where there is fear, plant understanding.

Where there is despair, awaken hope.

Teach us, your Church,

to be makers of peace in word and action

to pray faithfully,

to speak graciously,

and to live as signs of your reconciling love.

We long for the day foretold by the prophets

when swords are beaten into ploughshares

and nations learn war no more.

Until that day,

hold your world in mercy.

In the name of Christ, our peace.

Amen.