Prayers

As you most likely know, there was a shooting in Tel Aviv on June 8th.  4 were killed, many others wounded. 2 Palestinians from the West Bank were arrested, raids were conducted at their homes and the homes of their families, and the Ramadan visitation permits granted to 83,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were revoked.  Things will most likely heat up once again, and while I am grateful we are leaving, I am worried for the friends we leave behind.

So if you don't mind, I am about to compose a list of names--all the people we love and want to stay safe in this continuously troubled land.

Father, let there be peace in Jerusalem and protect:

Reuben and Angela Sherman and their children
Ray and Nyki Ramirez and their children
Tiffany Ben-Ari and her family
Jodi Hirsch and her family
Lauren Glen
Ms. Jenny and her family
Ms. Dana and her family
Mr. David and his wife
Jill Stubbs
Ms. Yvette and her family
Ms. Aviva and her family
Ms. Orly and her fiance
Ms. Gaby and her family
Vigi and Lydia Schmidt and their children
Massimo and Sanja Moroldo and their children
Josh and Beth Potter and their children
Deron and Lesley Rupp and their children
Chris and Melissa Vega and their children
Jamari and Maureen Roland
Jeff and Monica Nakagawa
Jacci Grawburg and her children
Bertrand and Theresa Sondjo and their children
Bahram Rajaee and Kelli Barnes and their family
Aaron and Noemi Hellman and their daughter
Axel and Anita Auerbach and their children
Matt Adams and Margaret Cohen and their children
Udi and Mila and their children


And all the names I don't know--all the families of JAIS and Little People Gan, the neighbors who smile and say hello in passing, and all those working to support the mission of the U.S. Consulate.

Here is a prayer for peace from the Book of Common Prayer.  I use it now for the people above, and all the people in our lovely world.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love:
So mightily spread abroad your Spirit,
that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
as children of one Father, to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.