Bishop’s Statement After the Attack on Iran

Beloved in Christ,

Like many of you, I awoke this morning to the news that the United States and Israel had launched military strikes against Iran.

Amidst deep concern about the possibility of a wider conflict in the Middle East, I ask for prayers for all those affected by the current conflict: innocent civilians in several countries who are at risk of harm; members of the military who have been deployed to the area to support the strikes (including the crew of the San Diego-based aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln); and also a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land from the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut who are reportedly sheltering at St. George’s College in Jerusalem while missile alarms go off around them.

Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, asked for “urgent, unceasing prayer” in a pastoral letter today, and called for Christians to “let our message be the unchanging promise of Christ’s peace: to build each other up (1 Cor. 8:1),” and for Christians to be bridge builders and reconcilers in this conflict. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote today to ask the church for prayers especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people, saying, “In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the US government.”

I ask all our congregations and people to pray for a quick end to this conflict and for protection of all innocent people who are in harm’s way. I join you in prayer that the conflict may not widen to encompass other countries and peoples. I offer this prayer, which was sent out this morning by the Rev. David Madsen and the Rev. Michael Plekon, the priests at St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs:

Heavenly Father,

You call us to be people of peace—steadfast, courageous, and grounded in your love.

Even as we seek to walk the way of peace, our hearts are heavy for all who live in danger today.

We pray for the people of Iran and the people of Israel.
We pray for the service women and men of the United States.

And we pray for every person, in every land, who finds themselves in harm’s way, whether by conflict, fear, or circumstance beyond their control.

Hold them in your light.

Guard their lives.

Guide the leaders of nations toward wisdom, restraint, and compassion.

And make us instruments of your peace—steadfast in hope, generous in mercy, and committed to the flourishing of all your children. Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

In Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook