The following responsive reading is intended to be used as a centerpiece for an intercessory church service for peace in the Middle East.  It can serve as the congregational response to a sermon, for example.  In a prayer group setting, it can be used at the start of a meeting to help focus peoples' minds, or it can be the heart of the prayer time (in which case, I would suggest times of silent prayer in between segments).

Leader 1: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace" (Romans 14:19). O God, we ask that Israel and the Palestinians may thrive as two independent nations and as neighbors at peace with each other.

People: Lord, we pray for an end to terrorism and violence, and that both peoples will replace vengeance and retaliation with forgiveness and loving actions.

Leader 2: We pray for an equitable distribution of land, so that both Israelis and Palestinians may enjoy its blessings and call it "home."

People : We pray for Jerusalem, a city holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians. Lord, teach us all to share its streets, protect its history, and safeguard its security.

Leader 1: We pray for Israel to treat its Arab citizens with respect and justice, and for Arab countries to establish fruitful relationships with Israel.

People: We pray for the cessation of religious intolerance and anti-Semitism, and humbly ask that Christians may serve to promote reconciliation between the Jewish and Muslim people.

Leader 2: May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael hear our prayers!

People: We pray that Israel may make peace with Lebanon and Syria, even as it has done with Egypt and Jordan.

Leader 1: We pray for the region’s prosperity, for a revival of tourism and for the development of meaningful work for Palestinians who have been trapped in hopelessness and poverty.

People: We pray for the children throughout the region and for the creation of educational programs that build friendship, cooperation and trust between Israelis and Arabs.

Leader 2: We pray for the democratization of the region, for the growth of independent news media and religious liberty, and for governments throughout the region to respond to the needs of their people in a just manner.

People: We pray for the creation of adequate security safeguards to support a lasting peace.

Leader 1: Lord, we look to the future with faith and hope. We believe You are able to work through us to make the future brighter and more peaceful. Raise up religious, civic and political leaders who will be bold enough to work toward this future.

The following responsive reading is intended to be used as a responsive reading for an intercessory church service for peace in the Middle East.  It can be integrated into the church service's prayer time, for example. 

Leader:  O God, may Israelis and Palestinians thrive as neighbors living in peace with each other.  We pray for an end to terrorism and violence, and for an equitable distribution of land, so that both may enjoy its blessings and call it "home."

People: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace" (Romans 14:19).

Leader : We desire for the peace of Jerusalem, a city holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians. Lord, teach us all to share its streets, protect its history, and safeguard its security.  We ask that Jews and Arabs will treat each other with respect and justice.   We pray for the cessation of anti-Semitism, and humbly ask that Christians may help promote reconciliation between the Jewish and Muslim people.

People: May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael hear our prayers!

Leader: We pray that Israel may make peace with Lebanon and Syria, even as it has done with Egypt and Jordan.  We pray for the region’s prosperity, for a revival of tourism and for a better future for Palestinians trapped in hopelessness and poverty.  Bless programs that build friendship, cooperation and trust between Israelis and Arabs - and their children.

People: We pray for the growth of religious freedom, justice, peace and democracy throughout the Middle East.

Leader: Lord, we look to the future with faith and hope. We pray for the creation of adequate security safeguards to support a lasting peace. Raise up religious, civic and political leaders who will be bold enough to work toward a brighter and more peaceful future.

The following responsive reading is intended to be used as a guide for a conversational prayer meeting for peace in the Middle East.  One leader (a pastor or lay leader) reads the prayer themes, and 2-3 people respond with spontaneous prayer to each theme.  Alternatively, some of the responses can be via silent prayer.  The prayer meeting should take between 30 and 45 minutes.

Leader: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace" (Romans 14:19). O God, hear our prayers as we ask that Israel and the Palestinians may thrive as two independent nations and as neighbors at peace with each other.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for an end to terrorism and violence, and that both peoples will replace vengeance and retaliation with forgiveness and loving actions.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for an equitable distribution of land, so that both Israelis and Palestinians may enjoy its blessings and call it "home."

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for Jerusalem, a city holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians. Lord, teach us all to share its streets, protect its history, and safeguard its security.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for Israel to treat its Arab citizens with respect and justice, and for Arab countries to establish fruitful relationships with Israel.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for the cessation of religious intolerance and anti-Semitism, and humbly ask that Christians may serve to promote reconciliation between the Jewish and Muslim people.

People: May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael hear our prayers!

Leader: Let us pray that Israel may make peace with Lebanon and Syria, even as it has done with Egypt and Jordan.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for the region’s prosperity, for a revival of tourism and for the development of meaningful work for Palestinians who have been trapped in hopelessness and poverty.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for the children throughout the region and for the creation of educational programs that build friendship, cooperation and trust between Israelis and Arabs.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Let us pray for the democratization of the region, for the growth of independent news media and religious liberty, and for governments throughout the region to respond to the needs of their people in a just manner.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: We pray for the creation of adequate security safeguards to support a lasting peace.

2-3 intercessory prayers

Leader: Lord, we look to the future with faith and hope. We believe You are able to work through us to make the future brighter and more peaceful. Raise up religious, civic and political leaders who will be bold enough to work toward this future.