United Church offers prayerful support to global partners and emerging Iranian communities of faith and calls for an end to escalation.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”
—Matthew 5:9
The United Church of Canada joins the World Council of Churches (WCC) and regional partners expressing grave concerns about Israel’s attacks against Iran on February 28, supported by the United States.
“As we awake to news of escalating war, we call for prayer for those in Iran, Israel and the region who have been affected by the attack by Israel and the US on Iran and the Iranian missiles fired on Israel,” says Rev. Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa, Acting General Secretary. “We pray for those in Canada and globally who are awaiting news about their families and loved ones. We call on the violence to cease”.
The United Church is in contact with Mission and Service and solidarity partners in the region who are monitoring the situation as it evolves, and the needs of communities as they emerge. The church amplifies the WCC’s call “an immediate cessation of all military action; protection of civilian populations and critical infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law, urgent resumption of diplomatic engagement and political dialogue through established international and regional mechanisms.”
As well as supporting partners in harm’s way, the denomination also expresses care, concern, and prayerful support for our emerging communities of faith in Canada made up of persons of Iranian descent.
All governments, including Canada, should take every step possible, in accordance with international law, to uphold and demand respect for state sovereignty including control of all national resources, and prevent further escalations. The church is concerned by the statement of Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anand that condones the attack on Iran instead of upholding international law and condemning military actions in the midst of ongoing diplomatic talks between Iran and the US.
As many believers around the world observe Lent and Ramadan, the United Church shares the prayer below, inviting our community to pray also for an end to this and all wars, so that God’s peace and justice may flourish for all of God’s Creation.
Holy One, we seek your mercy.
For those in fear, bring safety.
For those in pain, bring consolation.
For those awaiting news, nurture hope.
For those providing care, bring resilience.
Loving God, we seek your peace that passes all understanding.
May the violence cease and your deep peace come.
Amen.