by Susan Brown Snook Beloved in Christ, Like many of you, I awoke this morning to the news that the United States and Israel had launched military strikes against Iran. Amidst deep concern about the possibility of a wider conflict in the Middle East, I ask for prayers for all those affected by the current conflict: innocent civilians in several countries who are at risk of harm; members of the military who have been deployed to the area to support the strikes (including the crew of the San Diego-based aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln); and also a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land from the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut who are reportedly sheltering at St. George’s College in Jerusalem while missile alarms go off around them. Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, asked for “urgent, unceasing prayer” in a pastoral letter today, and called for Christians to “let our message be the unchanging promise of Christ’s peace: to build each other up (1 Cor. 8:1),” and for Christians to be bridge builders and reconcilers in this conflict. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote today to ask the church for prayers especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people, saying, “In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the US government.” I ask all our congregations and people to pray for a quick end to this conflict and for protection of all innocent people who are in harm’s way. I join you in prayer that the conflict may not widen to encompass other countries and peoples. ------- I offer this prayer, which was sent out this morning by the Rev. David Madsen and the Rev. Michael Plekon, the priests at St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs: Heavenly Father, You call us to be people of peace—steadfast, courageous, and grounded in your love. Even as we seek to walk the way of peace, our hearts are heavy for all who live in danger today. We pray for the people of Iran and the people of Israel. We pray for the service women and men of the United States. And we pray for every person, in every land, who finds themselves in harm’s way, whether by conflict, fear, or circumstance beyond their control. Hold them in your light. Guard their lives. Guide the leaders of nations toward wisdom, restraint, and compassion. And make us instruments of your peace—steadfast in hope, generous in mercy, and committed to the flourishing of all your children. Amen. May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In Christ, The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook
The Most Revd Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, has shared a letter about the military strikes on Iran. February 28, 2026 Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church, Here in the United States, we awoke this morning with alarm to the news that the United States and Israel have launched a large military strike on Iran. This violent attack comes despite weeks of negotiations that many of us had hoped would prevent armed conflict in this fragile region, which is home to so many religious traditions and faithful people. Bishop Jeffrey Mello of Connecticut and a group of pilgrims from that diocese are in the Holy Land now, and when we spoke this morning, he let me know that they are safe at St. George’s College in Jerusalem. I ask you to pray fervently for them and their safe return. Pray, too, for all the people of the Holy Land, and especially for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and its leader, Archbishop Hosam Naoum. I had planned to be with Hosam today and tomorrow when he made a long-planned visit to our church. Many Episcopalians who had hoped to see him and assure him of our support will feel his absence keenly in the coming days. I commend to you the letter that he has sent to the people of his diocese this morning. As news reports tell us of fear and panic in Iran, I ask you to pray especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people. In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the U.S. government. As Christians who follow a Prince of Peace, we mourn that today’s attacks will surely mean further hardship for the most vulnerable Iranians and, as retaliation inevitably follows, suffering that will spread across the entire region. Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Most Rev. Sean Rowe Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church See the pastoral letter from the Most Revd Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem and Primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, regarding the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Heavenly Father, You call us to be people of peace—steadfast, courageous, and grounded in your love. Even as we seek to walk the way of peace, our hearts are heavy for all who live in danger today. We pray for the people of Iran and the people of Israel. We pray for the service women and men of the United States. And we pray for every person, in every land, who finds themselves in harm’s way, whether by conflict, fear, or circumstance beyond their control. Hold them in your light. Guard their lives. Guide the leaders of nations toward wisdom, restraint, and compassion. And make us instruments of your peace—steadfast in hope, generous in mercy, and committed to the flourishing of all your children. Amen. Father Dave Madsen and Father Michael Plekon Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church Borrego Springs, CA
by Susan Brown Snook Beloved in Christ, Like many of you, I awoke this morning to the news that the United States and Israel had launched military strikes against Iran. Amidst deep concern about the possibility of a wider conflict in the Middle East, I ask for prayers for all those affected by the current conflict: innocent civilians in several countries who are at risk of harm; members of the military who have been deployed to the area to support the strikes (including the crew of the San Diego-based aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln); and also a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land from the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut who are reportedly sheltering at St. George’s College in Jerusalem while missile alarms go off around them. Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, asked for “urgent, unceasing prayer” in a pastoral letter today, and called for Christians to “let our message be the unchanging promise of Christ’s peace: to build each other up (1 Cor. 8:1),” and for Christians to be bridge builders and reconcilers in this conflict. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote today to ask the church for prayers especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people, saying, “In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the US government.” I ask all our congregations and people to pray for a quick end to this conflict and for protection of all innocent people who are in harm’s way. I join you in prayer that the conflict may not widen to encompass other countries and peoples. ------- I offer this prayer, which was sent out this morning by the Rev. David Madsen and the Rev. Michael Plekon, the priests at St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs: Heavenly Father, You call us to be people of peace—steadfast, courageous, and grounded in your love. Even as we seek to walk the way of peace, our hearts are heavy for all who live in danger today. We pray for the people of Iran and the people of Israel. We pray for the service women and men of the United States. And we pray for every person, in every land, who finds themselves in harm’s way, whether by conflict, fear, or circumstance beyond their control. Hold them in your light. Guard their lives. Guide the leaders of nations toward wisdom, restraint, and compassion. And make us instruments of your peace—steadfast in hope, generous in mercy, and committed to the flourishing of all your children. Amen. May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In Christ, The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook
The Most Revd Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, has shared a letter about the military strikes on Iran. February 28, 2026 Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church, Here in the United States, we awoke this morning with alarm to the news that the United States and Israel have launched a large military strike on Iran. This violent attack comes despite weeks of negotiations that many of us had hoped would prevent armed conflict in this fragile region, which is home to so many religious traditions and faithful people. Bishop Jeffrey Mello of Connecticut and a group of pilgrims from that diocese are in the Holy Land now, and when we spoke this morning, he let me know that they are safe at St. George’s College in Jerusalem. I ask you to pray fervently for them and their safe return. Pray, too, for all the people of the Holy Land, and especially for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and its leader, Archbishop Hosam Naoum. I had planned to be with Hosam today and tomorrow when he made a long-planned visit to our church. Many Episcopalians who had hoped to see him and assure him of our support will feel his absence keenly in the coming days. I commend to you the letter that he has sent to the people of his diocese this morning. As news reports tell us of fear and panic in Iran, I ask you to pray especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people. In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the U.S. government. As Christians who follow a Prince of Peace, we mourn that today’s attacks will surely mean further hardship for the most vulnerable Iranians and, as retaliation inevitably follows, suffering that will spread across the entire region. Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Most Rev. Sean Rowe Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church See the pastoral letter from the Most Revd Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem and Primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, regarding the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Heavenly Father, You call us to be people of peace—steadfast, courageous, and grounded in your love. Even as we seek to walk the way of peace, our hearts are heavy for all who live in danger today. We pray for the people of Iran and the people of Israel. We pray for the service women and men of the United States. And we pray for every person, in every land, who finds themselves in harm’s way, whether by conflict, fear, or circumstance beyond their control. Hold them in your light. Guard their lives. Guide the leaders of nations toward wisdom, restraint, and compassion. And make us instruments of your peace—steadfast in hope, generous in mercy, and committed to the flourishing of all your children. Amen. Father Dave Madsen and Father Michael Plekon Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church Borrego Springs, CA
