{"id":336,"date":"2012-11-22T10:45:07","date_gmt":"2012-11-22T15:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/commonwordcommonlord\/?p=336"},"modified":"2012-11-22T10:45:07","modified_gmt":"2012-11-22T15:45:07","slug":"a-thanksgiving-prayer-for-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/a-thanksgiving-prayer-for-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"A Thanksgiving Prayer for Peace"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Infinitely Merciful\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I can only share in a tiny amount of the elation of the people of Israel and Palestine over the cease-fire that was negotiated today. That both Israelis and Palestinians can breathe a little sigh of relief that no more rockets and bombs will rain down upon them is a very good thing. Yet, sadly, we have seen this before. We have seen the crying faces of parents, children, and loved ones before. We have heard the screams of innocent people many times before. When will it end? When will the leaders of both sides gather the courage to finally forge a lasting peace so that both Palestinians and Israelis can look toward a future full of hope?<\/p>\n

A cynic (or realist) will say that this day is still a long way off. Yet, with God all things are possible. Thus, during this season of giving thanks, I raise my hands up in prayer:<\/p>\n

Precious Beloved and Beautiful Lord our God!
\nBeautiful Holy One on High in Whose Hand lies all of our souls!
\nAll Praise and Thanks go to You, Mighty King of Kings!
\nLord! Precious Beloved! I thank Thee for the cessation of violence in the Holy Land.<\/p>\n

Lord, I look at the crying faces of mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters and my heart cries out.
\nLord, the cry of the child is no less heartbreaking whether it was Israeli or Palestinian.
\nLord, the pain of the parent is no less horrific if it was Muslim, Christian, or Jew.<\/p>\n

And so, my Beautiful Majestic Lord, please bring peace to the Holy Land!
\nBring peace to the land which You have blessed for all time!
\nBring peace to the place upon which Your Prophets and Messengers have tread!
\nSilence the guns of hatred and the rockets of malice for all time, O Lord!<\/p>\n

Politicians and leaders do not have the courage to bring peace
\nSo, Lord, give them that courage they so sorely lack!
\nPrecious Beloved, let the smiles of children reign supreme in the Holy Land!
\nLet the laughter of children be the only noise that disturbs the silence of Peace!<\/p>\n

Lord our God, both sides in this conflict raise their hands to You in prayer!
\nSo, Bring the children of Abraham together in peace as the brothers and sisters they were meant to be
\nBring an end to the violence and let the Holy Land be a place of safety and sanctuary
\nLet not the Holy Land ever be a place where the thud of bombs and rockets are commonplace<\/p>\n

Let the Holy Land be a place of peace and solace
\nLet the Holy Land ring with the praises of Your Holy Name
\nLet the Holy Land be a place where we can all be one in Your Love<\/p>\n

In Your Most Holy Name I do ask these things. Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Infinitely Merciful\u00a0 I can only share in a tiny amount of the elation of the people of Israel and Palestine over the cease-fire that was negotiated today. 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Hassaballa","description":"Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago doctor and writer. He has written extensively on a freelance basis, being published in newspapers across the country and around the world. He has been a Beliefnet columnist since 2001, and has written for the Religion News Service. He is also a columnist for Patheos. His articles have been distributed worldwide by Agence Global, and he was also a guest blogger for The Chicago Tribune and has blogged on ChicagoNow\" . In addition, Dr. Hassaballa has appeared as a guest on WTTW (Channel 11) in Chicago, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and National Public Radio. Dr. Hassaballa is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday), and his essay, \u201cWhy I Love the Ten Commandments,\u201d was published in the award-winning book Taking Back Islam (Rodale). His latest book, Noble Brother, is the story of the Prophet Muhammad told entirely in poetry, and it is now published in its second edition. 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