Uniting Church welcomes ceasefire agreement
President Rev Charissa Suli has released this statement following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, a historic first step towards lasting peace
January 16, 2025
STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA
REV CHARISSA SULI
The Uniting Church in Australia welcomes with joy the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, marking a historic and hopeful first step toward ending the devastating conflict which began on 7 October 2023.
After more than 15 months of profound suffering and loss, this ceasefire stands as a moment of monumental significance as it ushers in desperately needed relief from violence in Gaza, aid and the release of hostages.
We recognize the courageous efforts of peacemakers, negotiators, and leaders who have laboured tirelessly to bring us to this moment. We urge global leaders and all people of faith to uphold and nurture this ceasefire with determination, compassion, and action that reflects God’s vision for peace.
As we give thanks for this vital agreement, we hold in our prayers all those whose lives have been forever changed by the horrors of war—the grieving, the displaced, and those who continue to bear the scars of unimaginable pain.
The Uniting Church in Australia remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for a world where every person can live with dignity, safety, and hope. We pray this ceasefire will be not an end but a beginning – a pathway to healing and reconciliation for a future shaped by lasting justice and peace.
To the people of the Middle East, including the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities, we stand with you in prayer and solidarity in your longing for justice and peace. To the Christian church in Gaza, we hold you in constant prayer as you speak prophetically and witness to Christ’s love in the lands of Jesus’ own birth.
As followers of Christ we are called to be bridge-builders and bearers of hope. May this historic day inspire us all to pursue a world where swords are turned into ploughshares, and peace flows like a mighty river.
A Prayer for Peace in Gaza, Israel and Beyond
God of Justice and Mercy,
We come before You with hearts heavy from the suffering and loss endured through the war that began on October 7, 2023. In this moment of a historic ceasefire, we offer our deepest prayers for healing and hope.
We remember before You the lives lost—children, women, men, human lives—precious souls known and loved by You. We lift up the grieving, the wounded, and the displaced, whose pain cries out for comfort and restoration. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding hold them close.
We give thanks for the courage and persistence of those who have laboured for peace—the peacemakers, negotiators, mediators and leaders who refused to give up on the possibility of reconciliation. Bless them, O God, and strengthen their resolve to continue the hard work of building trust, fostering justice, and ensuring a future where all may live in safety and dignity.
We pray for the people of Gaza and Israel as they begin this fragile journey toward peace. Soften hearts that have been hardened by fear and hatred. Open paths to reconciliation where divisions run deep. Let this ceasefire be a foundation for justice and a future where all people can flourish.
For Your church and all people of faith, Lord, embolden us to be Your instruments of peace. Teach us to walk alongside those who suffer, to speak truth in the face of injustice, and to shine Your light in places shadowed by despair.
Holy Spirit, move among the nations. Transform the hearts of leaders and communities, that they may seek the common good and work together for lasting peace. And may we never cease to hope, to pray, and to believe that You are at work even in the darkest moments, bringing life, renewal, and redemption.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray.
Amen.
Further Reading
- President's Call to Prayer: Week of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East (24 September 2024)
- President's Statement for the Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (16 September 2024)
- More than 100 religious leaders call for immediate ceasefire - 29 March 2024
- Uniting Church holds fresh concerns for Gaza and Rafah - 14 February 2024
- Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages - 31 January 2024
- Uniting Church echoes WCC call for immediate ceasefire - 15 November 2023
- NCCA Statement on Hamas-Israel conflict on behalf of member churches - 24 October 2023
- Read the call for peace and call to prayer from President Rev Sharon Hollis - 11 October 2023
- Read news and statements from the World Council of Churches
- Read news and statements from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
- A prayer for peace shared by the NCCA, 10 October
- Donate to the Act for Peace appeal in support of health clinics run by the Near East Council of Churches in Gaza
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