The Mission Council of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) is meeting online from 17-19 June, bringing together 21 delegates from its member churches and organizations. An important part of the deliberations are spaces for sharing life concerns of the fellowship. 

On 17 June, Rev. Dr. Habib Badr, Senior Pastor, and Rev. Dr. Rima Nasrallah, Senior Pastor Elect, of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut (NECB), together with Rev. Dr. Khaled Freij from the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East (ECJME) and Director Theodor Schneller School shared their observations and experiences of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

A people of hope 

Habib Badr thanked the EMS fellowship for its support and prayers (Call for Prayer and Support for the Middle East). Being part of a network of solidarity was a source of strength and encouragement. The NECB has supported people displaced from southern Lebanon and efforts to accommodate people at the Near East School of Theology (NEST). “We are a people of hope,” Badr emphasized, giving testimony of our faith in difficult circumstances. 

Rima Nasrallah also underlined the church’s task if “giving hope in the face of evil.” In the face of rising suicide rates and despair, keeping up the “rhythm of life” was vital. Around Easter, people attended church services “as if nothing was happening, while bombs were falling in a short distance.” 

Khaled Freij commended Jordan’s leadership for “not escalating the crisis and supporting negotiations to end the war.” Despite alarming news, the Theodor Schneller School near Amman continued with schooling. Nevertheless, teachers and staff had to calm scared students. 

The President of EMS, Rev. Anne Heitmann, emphasised the bond between the international EMS fellowship and the Christians in the Middle East. She thanked EMS members in the Middle East for their steadfastness during this crisis. EMS will continue to support the “projects of hope” run by the NECB and the ECJME.

Prayer for the Middle East 

God of Peace, 

We bring before you the people in Lebanon and the whole Middle East, 
the women, men, families, 
the children who fear the next strike.
The mothers and fathers who want to protect their children,
yet can find little protection themselves.
All those who are holding out in shelters, 
in basements, in overcrowded rooms, 
through the night, in the grip of fear. 
Be close to them. 
Hold them in your hand. 

We pray for all those who must flee, 
who must leave their homes, 
who do not know where to go. 
For all those who stay behind, 
because they cannot leave. 
For all those who fear for their loved ones 
or mourn the dead. 
God, have mercy. 

We pray for those who are helping. 
For all those searching for those buried under rubble, 
rescuing the injured, dressing wounds. 
For doctors and nurses, 
ambulance crews, aid organisations, neighbours and strangers, 
who open their doors, offer shelter, share bread, provide water, 
comfort, listen, and persevere. 
Strengthen their hands. 
Keep them safe in times of danger. 
Give them strength for what they do. 

We pray for those in authority. 
For all who give orders, make decisions, choose their words, 
who have the power to protect or destroy lives. 
Touch their hearts. 
Let them not seek war, but peace. 
Not retribution, but paths to reconciliation. 
Not power at any price, but responsibility  
before the people entrusted to them.

We pray to you for the overcoming of hatred. 
Where enmity is passed down from generation to generation, 
break the cycle of violence. 
Where people see one another only as enemies, 
open their eyes to the suffering of others. 
Where calls for revenge grow loud, let prudence take root. 
Where fear reigns, grant the courage to show humanity. 
Where all is hardened, let a new beginning take shape that makes peace possible. 

God, send your Spirit. 
The Spirit of Jesus Christ. 
The Spirit who comforts and heals. 
Who brings people together. 
Who brings peace where people see no way forward. 
Make us and everybody instruments of your peace. 
Today. Tomorrow. Everywhere, 
where people long for peace. 

Amen.