Vigil of Prayer for the Innocent Victims of the Gaza Conflict

Saturday, 17th January 2009

On Saturday afternoon after Evensong there was a short vigil of prayer, led by the Canon in Residence, at the Innocent Victims' Memorial for the innocent victims of the current conflict in and around Gaza.

The following prayer was used:

Lord God of compassion and justice,

We pray to you for all the innocent victims of the current conflict in and around Gaza. We pray for those living in Gaza and for those living in Israel. We pray for all those suffering at this time: for those living with terrible fear; for those with no safe place to go to; those who have lost their homes or their livelihood; those needing food and water or medical supplies; and for those courageously working to meet these needs. We pray for those who have been traumatised, those who have been wounded, those who have been bereaved. We pray especially for children caught up in this conflict. We pray for those working to bring peace and reconciliation between divided communities. We pray also for those who have committed themselves to violence and hatred, that their hearts may be turned. We remember before you those who have died: may they find true peace in your eternal presence. And we pray for ourselves that we may play our part in bringing peace, hope and reconciliation to our troubled world,