Find a solution now for all those recent conflict situations you have created

I AM at present on sabbatical, but I cannot be silent in the wake of developments the Ukraine and Gaza in recent days.

Both situations need urgent and intentional intercessions, and I urge you to uplift in prayer those who have been devastated by war.

The blowing apart of a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine, the aggressive killing of God’s people – so soon after the disappearance of another over the Indian Ocean – is almost unpardonable.

We pray for the souls who died in this unnecessary conflict, we extend our condolences to the families of those who died, and we pray for the safety of airline passengers and for an end to this costly war.

Similarly, the conflict in Gaza is a senseless, unnecessary conflict. No war will bring peace and security to Israel and Palestine, in particular not when it involves the heartless use of brute force which has been deployed in the past week.

I condemn the killings and the occupation, and join those who are calling for a conversion of brief suspensions of hostilities into a permanent ceasefire.

We pray for those who have died and send our condolences to all who have lost loved ones, and we pray also for the international leaders and diplomats who are seeking long-term solutions.

The Israelis and the Palestinians can find a solution – now they must find one, and the international community needs to bring maximum pressure to bear on both to ensure they do.