Praying for Palestine and Israel
I was thrilled and honored to give a talk at Dar al-Kalima University's Conference, "Land, People and Culture". I spoke on "Postcolonialism, Hybridity and Resistance: Working Towards a Hybrid Theology". I am so grateful to Dr. Mitri Raheb who made this all happen.
It was a fantastic conference which began with an initial tour for some of the participants to Palestinian land which has been taken away from them. We learned a lot about Palestinians living under occupation and settler colonialism.
After the initial tour, the Land, People and Culture conference started with over 200 participants from all over the world. As an outsider, I felt incompetent to give a talk about colonialism and resistance at the conference. But I did my best from my understanding of living in America where Native Americans lost their land due to Manifest Destiny and colonialism. Manifest Destiny is the understanding that white settler Americans were divinely ordained to take over and settle in North America. They removed or destroyed Native American population.
This morning, many around the world woke up to the news of unrest in Palestine and Israel. War and killing is never good. But we must understand the past to understand the present. I write today with a broken heart and worry for my Palestinian friends in Bethlehem with whom I shared meals, laughter, joy and kindness during this past week. Their overwhelming hospitality towards us was immeasurable and unforgettable. Some of the conference participants and attendees are still there and I pray for the safety of all our friends.
Below is a prayer from my friend, Rev. Mark Koenig for Palestine and Israel.
A Prayer for Palestine and Israel
God of peace, God of justice, God of love, we pray for Israelis, Palestinians, and all the people living in Palestine and Israel.
We grieve for the violence that has broken out.
Comfort all who mourn for those killed in Israel and in Gaza. Work healing in all who are injured. Turn all people from overt violence. Guide leaders and people to work to end the ongoing violence of occupation.
Draw the people to live together. Show the world how to be helpful. Speed the day when justice rolls down for all, allowing peace to finally prevail in the land so many call holy, the land where Jesus, in whose name we pray, walked and taught of peace. Amen.
May we all pray and work for peace in Palestine and Israel, and around the world.
Dr. Mitri Raheb who is the Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University was a guest on Madang Podcast. You can listen to him here:
Special Events:
1. I will be at Homebrewed Christianity’s Theology Beer Camp. Please join me and use discount code “madanggodpod” to get 25.00 off registration.
2.I will be preaching at Knox College, Toronto, on Nov 14th followed by a book signing. Please meet me at Knox College.
3. I will be speaking at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada Nov. 16th, 7pm. Please come to my talk and book signing.