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Conflict in the Middle East
Original poster

A vigil for the Middle East - please sit with me

109 replies

AngryBirdsNoMore · 28/10/2023 00:12

For all those who will lose so much tonight and have lost so much in the last three weeks. I pray for civilians in Israel and Gaza.

I don’t want to argue, I’m exhausted by it all. I’m just lying silently in the dark, thinking (and praying) for them. Please sit with me.

🕯️

OP posts:
OldPodge · 28/10/2023 07:04

I’m here this morning.
🙏

NmeChngeFail · 28/10/2023 07:04

It haunted my sleep yesterday and this morning. I woke up thinking about it.

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 28/10/2023 07:24

I am here this morning, in tears as I see the news. 🕯️

notsoready4school · 28/10/2023 07:33

I just cannot understand how things this bad can happen in this age. Woken up in tears and feeling helpless. Thank you for this space.

juju99 · 28/10/2023 07:42

I wish I had seen this thread earlier. Thank you for starting it, OP. Haven’t been able to sleep. Keep looking at the clock and thinking about what they must be going through in Gaza. A friend sent a message saying they are using mosque speakers to communicate - they are asking people to pray for them. They are saying they have no one but God. They must feel the whole world has abandoned them.
It is so heartbreaking.

MortifiedSeptember · 28/10/2023 07:43

🕯

IHavetoadmit · 28/10/2023 07:47

Cruel nasty world.
🕯️ With you.

Original poster
AngryBirdsNoMore · 28/10/2023 07:48

Good morning everyone. I couldn’t sleep much, so just constantly wished and prayed for peace and for the leaders of all nations to see the value of an immediate ceasefire - even if a lasting solution is harder to find.

I cannot imagine how Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank must feel. Abandoned, I imagine.

🕯️

OP posts:
WithTheHatToMatch · 28/10/2023 07:48

I am not religious, but I have been praying and meditating on this situation every day. It is terrifying and heartbreaking in equal measure.

I pray for those who lost their loved ones in Israel and who will lose their sons to war.
I pray for the people of Gaza, those poor souls.

There has to be a solution to this conflict. We can’t give up hope. Humans were given brains and hearts for a reason. All this hatred and slaughter cannot be the answer.

Chocolata82 · 28/10/2023 07:52

I was awake last night amd couldn't stop thinking of the people of Gaza, the hostages, the hostages families, everyone caught up in this conflict.
Praying 🙏 here

Original poster
AngryBirdsNoMore · 28/10/2023 07:53

Hate crimes against Muslims and Jews are way up this month in the UK. Consider contacting your Jewish and Muslim friends and telling them you support them without politics?

“Antisemitic hate crime has continued to soar in London, with 408 offences recorded so far this month compared to 28 in the same period last year.

Islamophobic hate crime is also on the rise, up from 65 offences last October to 174 so far this month.”

(source: BBC)

OP posts:
itsallnewnow · 28/10/2023 07:54

It's truly horrendous and my heart breaks for the mummies waking without their babies and the babies who've lost their families. The politics of it is very complex but that pain is very simple and agonising Flowers

Original poster
AngryBirdsNoMore · 28/10/2023 07:55

itsallnewnow · 28/10/2023 07:54

It's truly horrendous and my heart breaks for the mummies waking without their babies and the babies who've lost their families. The politics of it is very complex but that pain is very simple and agonising Flowers

I’m looking at my baby beside me in his cot. Their pain is unimaginable.

OP posts:
Thisworld10 · 28/10/2023 07:56

🕯

Original poster
AngryBirdsNoMore · 28/10/2023 07:57

I really hope the peace rally is peaceful.

OP posts:
itsallnewnow · 28/10/2023 07:58

@AngryBirdsNoMore same, I keep kissing and snuggling my toddler (she keeps patting me away saying 'Mummy I busy') it's just unimaginable for lots of us. The images of the children have done me in. Normally in times of war or struggle I've
Tried to donate to aid agencies but it doesn't even seem like aid is getting in

FrancescaContini · 28/10/2023 08:10

I’d like to join you too, please. Horrifying to see what “human beings” have been inflicting on babies, children, women, men, the elderly since October 7th. ❤️ for the people trapped in Gaza at this very very very black time.

Ylvamoon · 28/10/2023 08:16

No words, just disbelief & prayers .

🕯

FinallyFinalGirl · 28/10/2023 08:23

🕯️

I have only prayers to offer for all those suffering today.💔

upinaballoon · 28/10/2023 10:42

In a completely different context Tennyson wrote "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of", so we never know.

Thank you for starting this thread. I hope it will be a little spot of love and hope. I couldn't find it a few moments ago, having seen it earlier. I was afraid that it had had to be taken down and was pleased, then, to see it here still.

Agrona · 28/10/2023 10:45

Thank you OP.

Parkingt111 · 28/10/2023 10:52

Had a terrible night and woke up scared to even check the news
Those poor poor children

upinaballoon · 28/10/2023 10:54

AngryBirdsNoMore · 28/10/2023 00:46

Yes.

In case it’s helpful, Pope Francis put it as follows (I hope referring to the Pope doesn’t annoy anyone - regardless of religion, I found the sentiments inspiring):

Inspire the leaders of nations to seek paths of peace;
Touch the hearts of those imprisoned by hatred;
Convert those who fuel and foment conflict;
Dry the tears of children, be present to those who are elderly and alone;
Strengthen the wounded and the sick;
Protect those forced to leave their lands and their loved ones;
Console the crestfallen;
Awaken new hope.

Show quote history

I am not Roman Catholic and I am not annoyed by you referring to Pope Frank. He's what I would call a "big vicar". I have no idea whether he prayed this prayer off the cuff or thought about it for a long time, or if it is for all places and times, or this particular crisis, but I'm always impressed when clergymen are so articulate that they sum up what I am unable to put into words.

Roste · 28/10/2023 11:33

I’m praying alongside you. My prayers last night were on behalf of Palestinians who had to miss their prayers yesterday. I will continue to do the same until this conflict ends, don’t know why but it right now it matters to me that I do this.

Original poster
AngryBirdsNoMore · 28/10/2023 13:51

upinaballoon · 28/10/2023 10:42

In a completely different context Tennyson wrote "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of", so we never know.

Thank you for starting this thread. I hope it will be a little spot of love and hope. I couldn't find it a few moments ago, having seen it earlier. I was afraid that it had had to be taken down and was pleased, then, to see it here still.

Yes, we’ve kept it a peaceful quiet space. I totally understand the desire - sometimes the need - to vent and rant and rage against what is happening. But thank you for keeping this as a still small space for calm, hope and prayer.

Shalom, salaam, peace.

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