Silent Prayers and Vigils for Peace in the Middle East

In this season of All Souls and Remembrance, our response as a Christian community is to bring this pain and suffering to God’s heart of love in prayer.
Revd Canon Philip Banks, St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Silent prayers and vigils for peace in the Middle East

St Edmundsbury and Portsmouth cathedrals are the latest cathedrals to invite people to join them for prayers and a silent vigil for peace in the Middle East.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral will host a day of silent prayer for the people of Gaza, Israel and the West Bank this Tuesday (14 November)

The cathedral will open its doors from 8am to 6pm for a day of prayer. The day will end with Choral Evensong at 5.30 pm dedicated to all those caught up in the violence in the Middle East.

The Revd Canon Philip Banks, Residentiary Canon at the Cathedral, said: “Seeing the scenes from Gaza and Israel every day on the news can leave us feeling helpless.

“In this season of All Souls and Remembrance, our response as a Christian community is to bring this pain and suffering to God’s heart of love in prayer and we have set aside the whole day on Tuesday (14 November) as a day of silent prayer for the people of Gaza, Israel and the West Bank.

“Everyone – children, young people, adults – is invited to come whenever they wish to bring their prayers, to light a candle and to sit or stand in silence.

“It is for all who wish to express their anguish and prayer at this time,’ he added.

There is a prayer space set aside in the Edmund Chapel for prayers for victims of war and disaster where visitors can light a candle and prayer cards are available, with an additional prayer provided specifically for the current situation in Gaza and Israel.

A Silent Prayer Vigil will be held in Portsmouth Cathedral on Wednesday 15 November from 6-7pm. The Vigil will offer an opportunity for members of the public to come together to pray silently for peace in the Middle East. There will be candles available to light on the cathedral’s peace globe in the centre of the Nave. All are welcome.