John Koza

Dear Friends in Christ,

The old testament scripture in today’s lectionary is Zechariah 1: 7-17, which concludes: “Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. Proclaim further: Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”

On Sunday, October 8, the day after war broke out in Israel and Palestine, Justin Appel made the astute decision to change the choir anthem to “O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem,” by Herbert Howells. I was very moved, both by the decision and in singing that beautiful anthem. The anthem quotes Psalm 122: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”

And now, here we are 23 days later and thousands of innocents have been slaughtered.

I think we should pray. I think we should all pray. I think we should pray, not just for the peace of Jerusalem, but for a peaceful resolution to this terrible, enduring and deep conflict.

I think we should pray everyday. Maybe find a time of day when you will remember to pray, to ensure you do it everyday. Just before breakfast, or lunch, or while brushing your teeth, or on a morning walk. Let’s ask friends and family to pray, as well. Let’s create a movement of prayer for peace. And let’s not stop with the Israel/Palestine conflict, let’s include Ukraine, as well as the other more than 50 wars being waged across the globe.  

Heavenly Father, we pray, grant us peace.

Blessings,

—John