Photo by Dieter K on Unsplash

On this 366^th day of the current Israeli-Gazan conflict, we, as Mennonite Church Canada, lament the ongoing violence.

We lament the loss of life:

• The lives of children and with that, the hope for the future
• The lives caregivers: mothers, health care providers, farmers, producers of food
• The lives of hostages; Israelis captured by Hamas and Palestinians detained by the Israeli government
• All lives lost and impacted in the ongoing conflict; lives in Gaza, lives in the West Bank, and lives in Israel.

We lament the destruction of places of worship, homes, schools, health care facilities, and the very land that sustains Gazans.

And we lament the escalation of violence into Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran.

We pray for peace, a deep and lasting peace that recognizes the complexity of the region and finds ways to welcome all into sustainable lives.

We pray for the cessation of violence, the restoration of homes, places of livelihood, and the land.

We pray for reconciliation that bridges historical and religious conflicts and prepares a way for the healing, hope, and flourishing life for all.