SEU Community,
As many of you may already know, Israel has been under attack as of Saturday, October 7, by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, that has been governing the Gaza Strip. Hamas invaded Israel by land, air, and sea in a surprise attack that has killed more than 700 Israeli people and led to a rising total of 1,200 deaths, including foreign nationals and Palestinians killed in retaliatory strikes.
CNBC has reported that this is the deadliest offensive strike that Israel has experienced in fifty years. As a result, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared the country at war.
The people of Israel need prayer now more than ever. As rocket strikes continue to be reported in cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and an unknown number of civilians and soldiers have been taken hostage by Hamas, I ask that we join together as a university community to pray for the peace that only God can provide.
In Psalm 122:6, we read that we are to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” The Bible also emphasizes the power of prayer and the strength in believers uniting together for a common cause. Matthew 18:19-20 (ESV) reads, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Let us pray for the Lord to comfort the countless citizens and fellow believers who have lost friends and family to these deadly attacks and bring a speedy end to this conflict. May God give wisdom to the world leaders who will be making critical decisions in the days to come.
Please be on the lookout for more details coming soon, as we are planning a special service that will be dedicated to this global crisis.
