The images of violence from the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict, from both sides, no doubt give us a sense of disbelief, helplessness and deep sympathy for victims and their families. What is the way out?
We just finished learning from the book of Romans that God’s will is not only to save Jews, who are God’s covenantal people, but also Gentiles who receive mercy due to the Jews’ disobedience. The hope in the gospel which proclaims that Christ accepts both Jews and Gentiles is the basis for believers who are so different culturally, socially, economically and technologically, to accept one another in Christ.
Sadly, that is not the case we observe with the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This time, there is no mention of peace from either side and the recent conflict may escalate to a prolonged war. We see that two groups of people with fundamental ideological differences, both experiencing fear, despair, anger and hatred, are now at each other’s throat. There is no peaceful solution or the chance of reconciliation in sight. What hope is there in the current situation?
Paul reminds us of an aspect of hope in Romans 4:18 “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed”. Abraham believed God even when circumstances did not allow for it or when everyone felt hopeless. God responds since He is the God of Hope.
Let’s pray for the people in the conflict as well as those of us who feel helpless or see little hope in our own challenging circumstance.
Dear Lord, we would like to pray for hope and strength for Christians living in the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Dear Lord, we pray for comfort and healing for all who are suffering and living in fear in the conflict.
Dear Lord, we pray for peace and the hope in the gospel for both sides, their political leaders, soldiers, support workers and citizens.
Dear Lord, we pray for hope and reconciliation for those of us who are struggling in our own challenges and conflicts. Amen.
近日以色列和巴勒斯坦衝突兩面的暴力畫面，會讓我們感到難以置信，無助及對受害者和家人深表同情。有什麼出路呢？
我們剛從羅馬書學到，神的旨意不但是拯救猶太人、神的子民，也因猶太人的悖逆而蒙憐憫的外邦人。福音所宣告基督接納猶太人和外邦人的盼望，成為信徒，無論文化、社會、經濟和科技背景有多大差異，都能在基督裡接納彼此的基礎。
然而，這並非我們在長期的以巴衝突中看到的情況。從最近的衝突看來，雙方沒有提及和平的解決方案，很有可能升級為戰爭。我們看到兩個在基要上意識形態不同的人群、雙方都感到恐懼、絕望、憤怒或仇恨，在他們正處於對立之中。目前看來，沒有和平解決方案或和解的機會。在這個情況下還有什麼盼望呢？
保羅在羅馬書4:18中提醒我們，盼望的另一個原素是：“他在無可指望的時候，因信仍有指望” 亞伯拉罕在情況不許可或所有人都覺得無望時，仍然相信神。當所有的燈都熄滅時，神回應，因為祂是盼望之神。
請讓我們為在以色衝突中的人民禱告，也為我們當中在面對挑戰和困境中而感到無助或希望渺茫的弟兄姊妹們禱告。
親愛的主啊，我們為在以巴衝突中的基督徒得盼望和力量祈求。
親愛的主啊，我們為在衝突中受苦和生活在恐慌中的人民經歷安慰和醫治祈求。
親愛的主啊，為雙方的領袖、士兵、支援人員和人民能有和平及在福音裡的盼望祈求。
親愛的主啊，為我們當中面對挑戰和衝突的信徒祈求盼望和復和祈求。阿們。
