A Liturgy from Praying the News
When Ethnic Groups Clash Violently
Originally written on August 13, 2026, as Israeli settler extremists set up encampments in the West Bank village of Qusra, besieging three Palestinian homes.
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh… were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility… For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
Ephesians 2:11–14, 18–19 (ESV)
God of Every Nation,rivalries have bubbled upand tensions have boiled overand your creatures are being burned.Identity, home, the souls you have made for yourselfare under threat from the forces of evil.Come now with deliverance.
Father Who Brings Order from Chaos,quiet the unrest that is ruling on these streets.Spirit of Peace,subdue the violence that crushes your image bearers.Son Who Forgave His Most Bitter Enemies,interrupt cycles of hatred with radical love.
Bring hateful and violent dehumanizations to a sudden end;stabilize those who are mourningloss of life,trampled identity,daily instability and danger,and collapse of livelihood.Give national and local leaderswisdom and humility to pursueorder, safety, and dignity for all people.Strengthen law enforcement to walk in righteousness and courageas they meet resistance from their own countrymen.Empower local courts for impartiality and discernmentas they seek justice for their communities,and help the international communityengage constructively for the flourishingof these peoples and the entire region.
Father Who Brings Order from Chaos,quiet the unrest that is ruling on these streets.Spirit of Peace,subdue the violence that crushes your image bearers.Son Who Forgave His Most Bitter Enemies,interrupt cycles of hatred with radical love.
As community differenceslike history, descent, faith, and homelanddrive the desperate to threaten and kill their neighbors,we celebrate the unity of Christ’s body—gathered by his blood into one family,one treewith many wild, diverse, in-grafted branchesthat grows to shade and hostall the families of the world.By your grace, protect our unity—based not on common interests or shared historyor ethnic bloodlines or personal affection,but built by the bonds ofa common Father,shared Savior,and indwelling Spirit.May we be people of surprising forgiveness and peaceso that the world may know youby how we love one anotheragainst the odds.
Amen
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Praying the News
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