The Spirit helps us in our weakness…for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groaning too deep for words.” Romans 8:26

I don’t know about you but I have no idea how to pray right now. The relentless waves of violence, terror, and human atrocities taking place in the Holy Land are beyond the heart’s capacity to bear. I am embarrassed to admit that while I have been almost glued to the television watching the unfolding of these terrorist attacks, I have not actually been praying because I simply do not know how. I am profoundly aware that I need the Holy Spirit to help me in my weakness. As accustomed as I am to wordless prayer that relies on Holy Spirit’s groaning, right now it would also help to have some words.    

Maybe you feel the same way.   

As I have been holding my weakness and consternation in God’s presence, one of our alums, Rev. Christine Lee (TC18), priest-in-charge at St. Peter’s Chelsea in New York City, forwarded me this prayer, written by The Rev. Leyla Kamalick King, a Palestinian-American priest. The Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hosan Naoum (who oversees Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria), asked for churches across the Anglican communion to designate yesterday as a day of prayer and fasting for peace, reconciliation and an end to war. The Ahli Arab Hospital that was bombed yesterday is operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The fact that this is the only Christian hospital in Gaza makes this request especially poignant.

If you, like me, are looking for a way to pray during these horrific days, let’s join together in spirit, in families, in small groups and in church gatherings to hold our own grieving hearts and the pain of the human community in God’s presence.

A Litany for the Holy Land

Written by The Rev. Leyla Kamalick King, Palestinian-American priest.

Surround us with your love as we pray for the Holy Land. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of Righteousness, who demands that our worldly governors take up their responsibility to protect those in their charge and uphold the dignity of all human beings, pour your wisdom into the leaders of this world, especially Benjamin Netanyahu, the leaders of Hamas, and Joe Biden.

For all who bear such responsibility, that they may put the good of the whole over their own greed for power, Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of Compassion, who even in the darkest times, shows us your path: we give you thanks for all those who in the face of crisis wrought by evil-doers, work to help the helpless, to hold out hope to the desolate, to speak for the voiceless and to bring understanding and knowledge to a world darkened by ignorance and hate.

For our siblings who risk much to aid others, that their actions may be successful, and their words may be heard, Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of Mercy, who binds up the wounds of those who suffer, bless the victims of the consequences of fear and hate in the last week and over the past 75 years of conflict in the Holy Land: those injured and traumatized, those bereaved and grieving, those held as captives and prisoners, those who face deprivation and desperation because of systems of violence and oppression, so that they may move forward in this life standing firm in your truth and avoiding the temptation of vengeance.

For all whose lives are forever marked by suffering, that they may be blessed with the hope of your presence, Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of Life, whose faithfulness to us is never-ending, we remember before you those who have died by the violence that has become shockingly routine in your Holy Land; receive them into your heart where they may know the peace and joy of eternal life in you.

For all who have died, that they may rest in that place where pain is no more, Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of Justice, who calls us to uphold the dignity of every human being, every child of this earth, beloved of you: empower your Church to help you heal this terrible cycle of violence and revenge; give us courage to rise above our fear that nothing can be done in the face of the conflict and chaos of our own creating; grant us the conviction to advocate for change and to work for the establishment of your peace, your shalom, you salaam, in this broken world.

For your dream of justice and peace on earth, and for us, that we may take up your call to build it, Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

All this we pray in the name of the One who offered his life so that we might live, Jesus Christ. Amen.

2023. Used with permission.