Joint prayer service for peace in the Middle East held before Netanyahu’s D.C. visit

In Washington, D.C. last week, the Churches for Middle East Peace — a coalition of more than 30 national church communions and organizations in Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Evangelical traditions, including the United Church of Christ — organized a Joint Prayer Service calling for justice and peace. This was held just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on July 24.

The service was planned in collaboration with several other faith-based organizations, including the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, D.C. It was held close to the Capitol building, just outside of the office of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker organization committed to “peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.” 

Calling for ceasefire and more

The purpose of the service was to gather people of faith in prayer for an end to violence and military action in Gaza ahead of Netanyahu’s address to Congress. The group called for a permanent ceasefire, demilitarization, the allowance of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinians being held without cause, and for the underlying conditions of the occupation to be addressed.

Faith leaders gathered to share reflections, prayers, and songs calling for peace in the region. The ecumenical service featured speakers including Joyce Aljouny, executive director of American Friends Service Committee, the Rev. Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness, Adam Russell Taylor, president of Sojourners, and the Rev. Adriene Thorne, senior Pastor at Riverside Church New York.

The speakers used their platform to highlight the ongoing violence in Gaza, to oppose U.S. policy of continued military aid for Israel, and to implore fellow people of faith to continue to speak up for peace and justice in the Middle East.

Hawkins led the crowd in a prayer and said, “God of the merciful, God of justice, on this day above all others we pray for peace in the Holy Land. We pray for a lasting, just, and permanent ceasefire. That the unspeakable horror of war devastating the Palestinian people be brought to an immediate end.”

Ajlouny spoke about her experience as a Palestinian-American and called upon her fellow Christians to speak up in the face of genocide: “Quakers believe a commitment to peace requires us to challenge injustice wherever it may be found. We will not remain silent in the face of genocide.” 

Seeking a Just World for All

The Rev. Michael Neuroth, director of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy, was quoted in a CMEP press release before the event, saying, “As a tradition that upholds a vision of a Just World for All, the United Church of Christ speaks clearly on the injustice and humanitarian crisis happening in Palestine. We call for a ceasefire, for increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and for the release of prisoners and hostages.”

He continued, “The suffering must end. As a nation, we must not be complicit in the mass killing that has resulted in nearly 40,000 dead. As such, we support the withholding of arms to Israel and demand a return to the diplomatic table. As Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses our Congress, we implore him and all policymakers to hear our fervent prayers calling for love, compassion, and a Just Peace.”

Christian leaders speak out

Also on the day Netanyahu appeared before Congress, UCC executive leaders issued a statement addressing the violence in Israel and Palestine and calling for actions toward a just and lasting peace.

Further, several UCC leaders joined over 200 Christian leaders in issuing a letter calling world leaders to institute a permanent Gaza ceasefire, halt the sale of arms to Israel, release hostages and prisoners, and provide humanitarian relief in Gaza.

“We speak out as Christian leaders with a deep concern for the common good for all affected by war and conflict without exception. We speak with urgency. We speak in a spirit of peace,” the letter reads.

The prayer service was livestreamed by CMEP, and the recording can be viewed here. 

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