03 Oct On the Anniversary of October 7, 2023
Dear Upper Midwest Family,
I am writing to you a few days before the one-year anniversary of October 7, 2023. As you know, on this day a year ago, over 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered by Hamas. Also, more than 240 were kidnapped. One hundred and one hostages still remain in custody or have been killed.
Tragically, the anti-semitism that was blatant last October 7 has continued in numerous expressions throughout our own country, especially on American university campuses.
As followers of Jesus in the Upper Midwest, this anniversary deeply matters as a grave crime against humanity. It also deeply matters because this slaughter was systematically and intentionally against the Jewish people because they are Jewish.
As Christians, we are unashamed, indeed profoundly grateful, to share a deep bond with the Jewish people, and we are thankful for our Jewish roots. Our first bishops were Jewish, the vast majority of our Scriptures were written by Jews, and, of course, our Lord was a Jewish man.
Simultaneously, we care deeply for the suffering of the Arab Muslims of Gaza, West Bank, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. Many Arab Christians are also grieving these days; they are fellow family members in the Body of Christ. We stand with them as they remain steadfast as witnesses to Jesus. We are blessed as a diocese to have Arab Christians who are members of our congregations.
As you observe this day, here are a few suggestions:
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
- Pray for the safety of Jewish communities, in Israel and around the world, as they observe the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this month.
- Pray for the overcoming of the evil and terrorism of Hamas and Hezbollah.
- Pray for relief from suffering for the Palestinian people.
- Pray for Jewish believers in Jesus in our diocese. While we have many ethnicities and backgrounds in our diocese, we especially want to remember and pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters these days.
- Pray for a supernatural work of unity among Jews and Arabs who know the Lord.
- Pray this collect that Archbishop Steve has commended to our Province:
“God of all comfort and hope, who in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, proclaimed good news to the poor, bound up the broken-hearted, and set the captives free: We remember before You this day all who are affected by the violence of October 7, and we ask You to heal the wounded, comfort those who mourn, and bring justice and peace to the land of Israel. Look with mercy upon the peoples of the Middle East, that, in Your great compassion, the light of Christ may shine in the darkness and bring hope to every nation. As Simeon rejoiced to see Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel, so we pray that Jesus, the Messiah, would be known as the true hope for all the earth. May Your Kingdom come, and may Your peace reign in every heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
With Much Love,
+Stewart
Bishop Stewart Ruch III
