A Prayer For Israel

A Song, a Psalm of Asaph and of Israel.

O God, keep not Your silence; hold not Your peace, and be not still, O God.

For, lo, Your enemies are in an uproar; and they that hate You have lifted up their head.

They hold crafty converse against Your people, and take counsel against Your treasured ones. They have said: 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.' For they have consulted together with one consent; against You do they make a covenant;

God, Our thoughts are with all the people who wish to live in peace and in security. Our prayers are for those who hope for their children to grow up in safety and calm. We do not need or wish to hate, but hatred is all around, nourished by fear and ignorance. Help us to keep our heads and our hearts filled with causeless love to battle the causeless hatred all around. Help us to understand that when two peoples love one land, that land should be doubly loved and not destroyed; and help us to remember that there are many who feel as we do – wanting to live in peace and harmony with the others who love the land we share.

At a time of fear and anger, of provocation and reaction, of bloodshed both accidental and deliberate, keep your peoples safe against the uproar and tumult, the tempest and storm that is boiling around them all. Help them to seek peace, to speak peace, a real and lasting peace. So that we may all see You working in our world, You alone, whose name is Eternal, Most High over all the earth.

Amen


Based on Psalm 83