Over the past few days, we have been heartbroken and outraged by the terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas. Throughout the week, reports have revealed that the attacks were even more brutal and inhumane than we can imagine.

No matter what our political views are regarding the Middle East, we all agree that such attacks on innocent families, the elderly, young adults, children, and babies are horrific and barbaric, and must not be tolerated by the world community.

Many of us have friends in the region. Some of us even have relatives in the area. Whatever happens in the Middle East eventually affects the entire world.

Over the years, I have become friends with many Palestinian Christians, and I have developed a growing appreciation for their plight and their heritage. Several years ago, I became friends with the directors of the Baptist Village in Jerusalem and many other missionaries and students who have served there. Additionally, as I have served in a variety of communities as a pastor, I have become friends with many rabbis who helped me better understand Jewish perspectives and traditions. This week I have reached out to my rabbinical colleagues to assure them of our prayers.

Furthermore, as we process the events of the past week, there is the potential for a severe and significant escalation of hostilities.

As people of faith, how should we respond to this crisis? I want to suggest a few things we can do as we process our shock, anger, and grief:

• Pray for the people of Israel and Gaza.
  
  
• Support humanitarian efforts. Consider givingto one of the many groups that are providing aid to those affected by this tragedy. Baptist World Alliance, World Vision, and World Relief are just a few examples of such agencies.
  
  
• Read and study the biblical and historical accounts of the conflicts in this region of the world, and how this region plays into the history of many of the world’s major religions, including the history of Christianity.
  
  
• Engage in age-specific discussions with your children and respond to their questions to the best of your ability.
  
  
• Stay informed. This crisis will not be resolved overnight. It’s essential to stay informed and engaged over the long term. Reading and watching the news during times of war and conflict can be disturbing, but it is important to stay informed about current events without being consumed by them.

The Baptist World Alliance has issued a call to prayer for the people of Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The BWA offered the following prayer points to guide our prayers:

• Pray for a quick end to the conflict and the prevention of escalation into a larger war in the region.

• Pray for the God of all comfort to be with those who are grieving the loss of their loved ones.

• Pray for those who have been wounded during the conflict and for those providing medical assistance to them.

• Pray for the safety and liberation of hostages, and pray for mediators to facilitate their release.

• Pray for wisdom and discernment for the leaders, that they may make decisions that lead to lasting peace and alleviate suffering.

• Pray that Christians from around the world will unite in prayer for peace, demonstrating the love of Christ to all peoples.

• Pray for safety of local followers of Jesus and that they will be shielded from extremism and hatred, especially young people.

• Pray for God to utilize our churches as effective witnesses during this challenging time, through the power of the Holy Spirit, including the Baptist church in Gaza and its ongoing ministry.

• Pray that Christians around the world will give generously as our Baptist family across this area seeks to holistically minister in this critical time of suffering.

• Pray for peace, hope, and security for the entire region, and that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays so that Israelis and Palestinians will experience life lived in peace and freedom with one another.

We understand that the complexities of this situation defy easy solutions, yet our faith calls us to be ambassadors of peace and justice. Let us continue to pray, learn, advocate, and work for a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue, mediation, and, above all, the transformative power of God’s love.

Psalm 121:1 declares, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”