Day of Reflection & Prayer for the Middle East
Tuesday 31st March 2026
As some of you will know, Bishop Mark had planned to visit Jerusalem and the West Bank during Holy Week to show support for friends in the Diocese of Jerusalem and to witness at firsthand how circumstances have changed since his last visit. Sadly, that visit is no longer able to take place due to the ongoing conflict. Considering this, he has asked the church to observe a day of prayer and reflection to be held on Tuesday in Holy Week, Tuesday 31st March, the day on which he would have been on the West Bank. It is to be a day of prayer for peace in the Middle East, and for the churches and all those affected by conflict and insecurity across the region.
St Mary’s Church, Ullapool will be open for private reflection & prayer 10am-6pm. All are welcome to drop in for a quiet moment at any time or to join us for a led time of reflection and prayer at 12.30pm.
For those too far away to come to St Mary’s, or unable to do so, Bishop Mark offers some words and a prayer from his friend Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem and Primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Archbishop Hosam calls for prayerful support from the global Church, urging Christians to be ‘bridge builders’ because ‘even as diplomatic windows seem to slam shut, the Church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbours as enemies, whether they be in Tehran, Tel Aviv, or the military bases in the Gulf.’
He asks us to pray:
God of mercy,
look with compassion on all who are affected by the present conflict;
grant insight to hardened hearts,
comfort to the fearful,
protection to those in danger,
and hope to those who are despairing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen