Beloved sisters and brothers:
“How long, O Lord?”
7 October is the tragic anniversary of a new chapter of unprecedented violence and loss of life in the lands called Israel and Palestine and in the larger region.
Amid growing violence, Christians in Palestine released a statement and a call in November 2025: “Kairos Palestine 2 – A moment of truth: faith in a time of genocide.”
“We address our appeal to Christians around the world. We address this call from Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth…. From the land of suffering, death and resurrection – the land of redemption and hope – from where humanity’s call to repentance and a return to the foundations of faith has come. From here the faith spread to the ends of the earth. It is a call to “learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed” (Isaiah 1:17).”
“We look at our reality and take a renewed stand, responding to the voice of the Holy Spirit deep within us, listening to the call of faith in this time of genocide. We renew our message of faith, hope, and love – offering a faith-inspired vision for the time after genocide.”
“This is a time for solidarity and mutual support – a time to take clear and courageous positions.… We affirm that what has been built upon falsehood and historical injustice can never yield peace or sustainability. True solutions begin with dismantling oppressive, racist systems.”
Confronting injustice and oppressive systems is a task for MWC member churches around the world, not only in the Middle East but also in the histories of our own nations, churches and mission organizations.
“More than ever, now is a time for costly solidarity…. It is a faith-based stance, a human commitment and a moral responsibility. True solidarity is also the embodiment of our shared humanity and fraternity. Either we live together – or we perish together.”
“We are witnesses to the Resurrection and to the empty tomb from which the light of life burst forth. We believe that the final word belongs not to death, but to life. Not to darkness, but to light. Not to injustice, but to truth. We proclaim with the Apostle Paul: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).”
God, embolden us with courage to bear the cost of true solidarity.
Guide us to be peacebuilders who combine humble learning, prophetic discernment and clear-eyed truth speaking with the love of Christ that knows no barriers.
Equip us to confront injustice with transformation in our churches, in our countries, on behalf of our Anabaptist family members around the world and in the places of greatest injustice.
Our words seem small and inadequate in the face of the crisis, yet we reaffirm our conviction that
“The Spirit of Jesus empowers us to trust God in all areas of life so we become peacemakers who renounce violence, love our enemies, seek justice, and share our possessions with those in need.”
(Shared Conviction 5)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.
Henk Stenvers,
president,
Mennonite World Conference
Andrew Suderman
secretary,
Peace Commission
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