General Conference Coverage: The postponed 2020 General Conference will be held April 23–May 3.

United Methodists are praying for peace in the Middle East. Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant Palestinian group invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.

United Methodists pray for peace in the Middle East

Our United Methodist Bishops call on “all United Methodists to renew a deepened commitment to pray for those who have been injured, abducted, or killed, and to deepen our prayers for those who have suddenly lost a loved one.”

As Christians “we believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy.” (2016 Book of Discipline, Social Principles ¶165.C). See some of the ways United Methodist leaders, organizations and individuals are responding to the war in the Middle East.

More about our view of war

Council of Bishops logo, rectangular (1935x1290)

Press Center

United Methodists urged to renew a deepened commitment to pray.

Read More
The dome atop the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is framed by archways inside Jerusalem's ancient walled city. The church is considered to contain the sites of Christ's crucifixion, entombment and resurrection. Holy Land pilgrims from the U.S. had to change their plans because of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. 2000 file photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Violence

Holy Land pilgrims from the U.S. are safe after war broke out just before they reached Israel, and the Rev. Adam Hamilton reports their concerns were focused on the victims of the Hamas-Israeli hostilities, not their compromised journey.

Read More

Social Media Graphics

Use these coordinating graphics to post on your social media channels and website. There are two designs and each version is available in several sizes.

Light shines in the darkness (Jn. 1:5)

United Methodists are praying for peace in the Middle East. Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant Palestinian group invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Light breaking through clouds social media image (1080x1080). 

Download graphics

God is our refuge (Ps. 46:1)

United Methodists are praying for peace in the Middle East. Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant Palestinian group invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Candle social media image (1080x1080). 

Download graphics

Statements

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2024 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved