Remarks from Larry Kohlenstein: Morning Prayer 11/12/15

The reflections we have shared in the evening have enriched this week for me. With your indulgence, before we pray, I'd like to share a bit of what I was thinking last night on the ride back to the hotel.
Yesterday, we saw:

• A sea that was dead because it takes and does not give
• A fortress that was not a refuge
• A cave that hid God's Word for 2,000 years

All in a land where some are so blinded by hatred, they can not see the humanity of others.

But as we walked where Jesus walked, where he taught us to love one another, and where sometimes we felt his presence, we know there are many--Christians, Jews, and Muslims--who are striving to live in peace and compassion, and trying to understand each other.

• We have been to Augusta Victoria Hospital, a Lutheran facility serving Palestinians, and learned of some of their work there
• I have learned of the efforts of Daoud Nassar, a Palestinian Christian, to promote peaceful coexistence on his farm a few miles from here in the West Bank
• We met a Muslim man, filled with hope, giving away Korans and saying we need to get to know each other
• We have gotten to know our guide, Iyad, a Palestinian Christian, and something about his life.
• And yesterday we saw happy Palestinian boys playing like boys everywhere and eager to get to know us.

What I realized on the ride back to the hotal last night is that I'm going home more hopeful for this region than I was when I came.

Let us pray:

• Lord, may those who are hungry have food.
• May those who have food, hunger for justice.
• May we all seek to understand each other.

As we go home, help us to continue to remember that you have no hands but ours. Give us the courage to be instruments of your peace. Lord, we know you hear our prayer. Help us to hear our prayer. Let it be so.

-Larry Kohlenstein