Phil over at Signposts has made some interesting comments about the ongoing Israeli/ Lebanon conflict. In referring to the article “The new war in the Middle East” by Jim Rice (editor of sojourners), Phil shares how he finds the whole thing too hard and is paralyzed by the complexity of the beast.

The article and Phil’s comments are definitely worth a read (free article registration). While the essential message is one of peace and the Christians role peacemaker, I really like Jim’s practical application at the end of the article.

What can be done?

1. Be consistent in denouncing the violence of both sides – especially when it is deliberately aimed at civilians (or targets where great civilian “collateral damage” will be the result).
2. Pray for the emergence of new political leadership on both sides – both of which seem bereft of creative, courageous, moral, or even pragmatic leadership.
3. Challenge any religious voices that seem utterly one-sided, completely neglecting the suffering and legitimate grievances of both sides.
4. Pray for new ways for Christians and our churches to join our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters in finding real and practical solutions for a just peace in the Middle East where two states can live with security and democracy.
5. And pray for better solutions than endless war to solve the real threats of terrorism in our world, because if we fail, all of our children will be at risk.

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 22nd, 2006 at 7:41 am
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