‘This is Israel’s 9/11’
On the front lines of Israel’s war with Hamas, “we…
In Jesus’ hometown, a prayer for peace
With Israel at war in Gaza — and preparing for another conflict with Hezbollah — a Church of Christ in Nazareth prays for its enemies.
NAZARETH, ISRAEL — Arab Israeli Christians gathered in Jesus’ hometown this morning to worship — and pray for their enemies.
Visiting minister Jon Hackett, who preaches for the Lomax Church of Christ in Hohenwald, Tenn., prayed for peace among warring nations.
Women visit before Sunday worship in Nazareth, Israel.
“Lord, help us to follow your example to love our enemies, to pray for them, to forgive them,” Hackett prayed in the presence of 10 others. “Lord, help us to live in peace.”
The Lomax congregation is a longtime supporter of the Nazareth church, having funded the work for more than 50 years, Hackett said.
Jon Hackett preaches for the Nazareth Church of Christ in Israel.
Located in northern Israel, the Nazareth church is less than 40 miles from the Lebanon border, where Hezbollah militants recently fired at least 30 rockets toward Israel — one of which killed a civilian.
In the south, the Israeli military continues its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The war began on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants killed about 1,200 Israeli citizens and abducted 250 civilians.
At least 37,400 Palestinians have been killed over the past eight months, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.
@christianchronicle NAZARETH, ISRAEL — Arab Israeli Christians gathered in Jesus’ hometown this morning to worship — and pray for their enemies. Visiting minister Jon Hackett, who preaches at the Lomax Church of Christ in Hohenwald, Tenn., prayed for peace among warring nations. “Lord, help us to follow your example to love our enemies, to pray for them, to forgive them,” Hackett prayed in the presence of 10 others. “Lord, help us to live in peace.” #israel #israelhamaswarupdate #israelhamaswar #hezbollahthreat #israelwar #nazareth #nazarethchurch #churchofchrist ♬ original sound – The Christian Chronicle
About 80 living Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity, according to Israeli officials.
“I pray for all the those who have been affected with this war,” Hackett added. “Help it to cease soon, quickly. Give those who are hurting comfort.”
Photos of hostages and Israeli flags surround the Great Mosque in Tiberias, Israel.
