By Kasey Robinson (Lead Pastor at Westside Family Church in Leavenworth, KS, westsideleavenworth.com). Exclusively for The Leavenworth Times (October 21, 2023 Pastor’s Corner)
A Christian’s Response to Israel and Hamas
There are various opinions regarding the heartbreaking pictures and stories emerging from the Middle East. As Christians, it is essential to maintain a biblical worldview that guides our prayers and provides hope amid these tragic events. I write this not as a theological discourse but as a guide for those Christians who are unsure about how to respond and pray.
The only true answer to these conflicts that will lead to lasting peace is not found in war or policy. Instead, it lies within the Kingdom of God that Jesus established through His life, suffering, death, and resurrection.
The world is in need of a new humanity that possesses a renewed way of thinking and living, firmly rooted in the truth of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God represents this new humanity, which submits to Jesus as the one True King and has accepted Him as their Savior. This is how God's Kingdom is established in our world – by transforming people's thought processes through His truth and changing the way they perceive and treat one another. As Christians follow the way of life demonstrated by Jesus Christ, they love each other and all others— even their enemies, just as Christ has loved them. This is the only answer that can restore peace in our world.
The way Jesus teaches us to pray is precisely what our world needs to undergo transformation, and it is the way Christians ought to live.
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’" (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV)
I invite Christians to pray in this manner and to live out their faith in this way:
"God our Father, we declare Jesus is Lord over all things. Let your kingdom come within us and through us. Make us more like Jesus Christ. May we stand in Christ's righteousness. May that give us the power and boldness to live rightly and to do what is just. May we have a peace that comes from knowing that your Spirit is with us no matter what we face, and may we be peacemakers. May we have a joy that comes from knowing that our identity is Christ and make our joy complete as we honor you in everything we think, say, and do. We want your will more than we want our way. Show us your will for today. We depend upon your provision. Help us be content with all that you've given us and with our extra may we be generous to those in need. We depend upon your forgiveness. We trust in your measure of justice on all sin—including the sins against us—so give us the strength and grace to forgive all others. We depend upon your protection. Lead us to do the loving thing, which is the selfless thing that protects us from doing the evil thing. In Jesus' name, amen.
