Invitation to Day of Prayer and Fasting on Tuesday, October 17

Dear friends,

The Most Rev. Hosam Naoum, archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, has called for Tuesday, October 17, to be a day of prayer and fasting. You can read Naoum's urgent letter here. I extend this invitation to you to join others from around the globe to pray for God to be with all who suffer and to guide us as we seek ways to help move our world toward justice and peace for all people.

I am sharing these resources again as well:

• Litany for use on October 17, from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
• Statement from Churches for Middle East Peace, of which The Episcopal Church is a member
• Churches for Middle East Peace weekly Zoom briefing
• Statement from leaders of churches in Jerusalem
• Episcopal News Service article: “Christian leaders call for end to violence after Hamas’ attack ignites new war with Israel”
• Facebook page for Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
• Facebook page for American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
• "A Litany for the Restoration of Peace in the Holy Land"--American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
• Bishop Deon K. Johnson’s prayer for peace.

A Prayer from the Archbishop of Jerusalem: Hosam Naoum

O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land.

Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land. 

While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. 

In Jesus’ name we pray. 

Amen.

Peace,

+RK

The Rt. Rev. J. Russell Kendrick

IV Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast