Call to Prayer for the Middle East from the House of Bishops of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui

The situation in the Middle East has grown deeply troubling with the American and Israeli attacks on Iran. The Most Revd Andrew Chan, the Right Revd Timothy Kwok, and the Right Revd Matthias Der of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui have issued a call to all the HKSKH faithful, across all parishes, schools, and social service units, that we may unite in our prayers for the Middle East. May the Lord cease the warmongering hands of national leaders, and guide their hearts towards world peace and cooperation for the sake of all mankind; may the Lord’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Archbishop Andrew has written to the Most Revd Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem and Primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, on behalf of all members of the HKSKH to express our love and concern for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East.

The three bishops are also urging each parish to offer especial prayers during their public worship for the national leaders around the world, for the peoples of the Middle East, for the churches within the affected regions, and for all the injured and dead due to war. May the Lord have mercy on us, and may he grant us peace.

Father of human beings, Lord of all nations,
we pray you to guide and help us,
that all nations may prosper in their search for the common good.
Teach us to dispel envy, hatred, selfishness, and pride,
and to establish justice, love, goodwill and peace,
so that your will may be done and your kingdom may advance.
In Christ we pray. Amen.

(Prayer for International Friendship, taken from the Anglican East Asia Book of Common Prayer)