Bring Them Home

This evening’s prayer from Isaiah 43:

v5 "Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
       I will bring your offspring from the east
       and gather you from the west.

Bring home the Israeli hostages, Yahweh our God;
Omer, Ron, Evyatar, Karina, Bar, and all the others.
All the men, the women, the young, the old,
Gather them from the west in Gaza, O God of Angel Armies.

v6a I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
       and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’

Say to Hamas, “Give them up!”
For the captives are Your possession, not theirs.
Say to the Enemy, “Do not hold them back!”
For they belong to the great I AM.

v6b Bring my sons from afar,
       and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

Bring Your sons out of the darkness,
and Your daughters out of tunnels in the earth.

v7 everyone called by my name and created for my glory,
       whom I have indeed formed and made.”

Creator God, you have formed and made us all
for the glory of Your great name.
Your name is peace;
Your name is shalom.
May it be for all your children in the north and south
in the east and west
in every corner of your creation
Your will on earth as it is in heaven.

Prince of perfect Peace, come quickly! 

Postscript – What a powerful rendition of “Bring Them Home” from my favorite musical.