President’s Prayer Gathering For Middle East

At a time when we are watching a devastating war played out in the Middle East, many of us feel like spectators of appalling violence and destruction. For others here in Australia this is impacting personally on their homelands and families as people are forced to flee and to depend on others for their survival. The attacks on Iran have provoked a response that has threatened the stability of the entire region and beyond. We know these things and we offer up our individual prayers. To be able to come together at the invitation of the President, Rev. Charissa Suli, to hear background from Rev. Dr. Gaby Kabrossi and a story of personal and communal trust in Christ in the face of enormous challenge from Rev. Gerard Ghazarian in Beirut, as bombs were falling, was to be drawn into a collective and focussed space of vulnerability and faith before God.

We were called together in prayer, firstly offered in Arabic by Rev. Dr. Gaby Kobrossi and in Armenian by Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian, then led by the Moderators of three Synods and other leaders in turn, and by two of the 149 participants. The President held the space with grace. We may not be able to do very much and be very aware of our lives of ease while others are exhausted by struggle, but there was a sense of purpose in prayer and an energy of caring in offering these prayers into the heart of God whose way of truth, justice and peace continues to be made known to us through Jesus. This was a community of Christ, as we are called to be.

To read UCA Assembly President’s, Charissa Suli’s statement go to the link below:
https://uniting.church/uca-president-urges-political-leaders-to-back-peace-and-immediate-ceasefire/