Reflections on war 

3rd March
How to reflect on the Israeli and American Middle East War?

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have Mercy.

Firstly, I’m offering pastoral support to our small but growing number of Iranian folk.  Some Iranian Christians are saying, “God has used Donald Trump to overthrow Ayatollah Khomeini.” (That does not necessarily mean they are supporters of the Trump Administration.) If I am hearing them correctly, their theological reflection is much deeper than that. I listen attentively and deeply. Their years of suffering for their faith and having to leave their country mean they are thoughtful people. They are recognising that God can use even degenerate people to bring about some of his purposes, even as they pursue a degenerate agenda. From Old Testament passages, we know that this does happen.

But I pray together with my Iranian Christian brothers and sisters that a more tolerant and open Iran where Christianity is tolerated may come, and for the safety of their family members and all the people of Iran, where both schools and hospitals have been hit.

My Muslim friends are not supportive of the hard-line theocratic regime in Iran because they value Western democratic and tolerant values, and are not supportive of the Trump Administration either for obvious reasons.

And me? I’m unconvinced that Military intervention will achieve regime change. Uncertain that the motivation is rational or good, and concerned that the UK have breached international law, even though technically they are only supporting defensive measures by allowing the US to use British Bases, because the offensive initiative was American. The case made by the British Government is a null and void legal argument, since you can’t have a defensive offensive.

So I’m praying for the people in my care and for their relatives back in Iran, and for everyone who is affected by this escalating conflict and economic disruption. As so often in life, the best prayers of the heart spring from liturgical spiritual formation so the words are loaded with the cries of our hearts.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have Mercy.