IOICA Department

NATIONAL INTERRELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

ISNA is one of the founding members of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East and continues to work with other religious organizations in America to strive for peace in the Middle East.

At a meeting of NILI leaders on Friday Nov 9, just before our meeting at the State Department, we decided to encourage nationwide prayers for peace in the Middle East at worship services on the weekend before the Annapolis Peace conference convenes. While the date is not yet announced, since the conference may take place in late November or early December, including prayers for peace in community Thanksgiving Services would also be timely.

Attached are six "Prayers for Peace in the Middle East" by Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders in a format for easy duplication and distribution (copy back to back and cut in half) - for use in community Thanksgiving Services and/or in mosques, synagogues and churches on the weekend before the Annapolis Conference begins. It is suggested that the prayers might also be sent with letters to Secretary of State Rice, members of Congress and the media.

Prayers for Peace in the Middle East
On the Eve of the Annapolis Peace Conference
From the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative
For Peace in the Middle East
usicpme@aol.com

Sustain together in undiminished hope, O God of hope,
those who continue to labor with undiminished determination
to build peace in the land from which, of old,
out of brokenness, violence and destruction,
nevertheless hope emerged for so many of faith. . . .
Bless all the spiritual seed of Abraham together
with the light of your Presence.
For in the light of your Presence
we have found a way of justice and mercy
and a vision of Peace.
We praise you O God, Giver of Peace,
who commands us to Peace. Amen

Rabbi Herbert Bronstein, Emeritus
Northshore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, IL

God of mercy and compassion,
of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:
Jews, Muslims and Christians,
Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen.

The Reverend Said Ailabouni, Senior Pastor
Grace Lutheran Church, La Grange, IL

In the Name of God, The Everlasting Merciful, The Cherisher
Of the Worlds and Worthy of all Praise,
Our Lord: You have created us from a single (pair) of a male
And a female and made us into Nations and Tribes that we may
Know one another (not that we may despise each other) so
Help us to love each other and take the hatred and anger from our
Hearts so that People of The Book (Jews, Christians and Muslims)
In the Middle East may live in Peace and Justice. Amen

Dawud Ahmad Assad
Council of Mosques, USA, New York, NY


O God Source of Life, Creator of Peace. . .
Help Your children, anguished and confused,
To understand the futility of hatred and violence
And grant them the ability to stretch across
Political, religious and national boundaries
So they may confront horror and fear
By continuing together
In the search for justice, peace and truth. . . .
With every fiber of our being, we beg You, O God,
To help us not to fail nor falter. Amen

Rabbi H. Rolando Matalon
Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, New York, NY

Lord God, we turn to you in these trying hours when
conflict is a daily reality for our sisters and brothers
in Israel and Palestine. We promise you to work to our
utmost for peace and reconciliation in the region. But we
know we cannot do it alone. We very much need the strength
of your presence in our midst if we are to overcome the
obstacles before us. So our prayer at this moment is that
you add your support to our efforts, that you show yourself
as a tower of strength in those moments when the barriers
seem impassable. Together we can become beacons of hope
for just and peaceful societies in the land so very dear
to the peoples of your covenant. Amen.

Reverend John T. Pawlikowski, OSM
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL

Almighty God!
After almost a century of mistrust and fratricide,
you inspired Jews, Christians and Muslims
to take the path of reconciliation in the Middle East. . . .
We ask for your forgiveness, O God,
yet we find it hard to forgive our past enemies.
May Your Words touch those who still stray
in the wilderness of vengeful violence,
forgetting your command to "forgive and overlook,
till God accomplishs His Purpose;
for God hath power over all things." Amen

Abdelwahab Hechiche
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

(For more information and/or to become involved in the
Interreligious Intiative for Peace contact: usicpme@aol.com)