This month, the Pope invites us to pray for Christian communities who live in war-torn or conflict zones.

Christians “living amidst wars and violence” should never feel alone, “even [when] surrounded by pain,” the Holy Father says. “May they never cease to feel the gentle kindness” of God’s presence, “and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith,” he continues. “May they become seeds of reconciliation, builders of hope in ways both small and great, capable of forgiving and moving forward, of bridging divides and seeking justice with mercy.” 

Even in those parts of the world in which war seems to be the only rule of law, “where harmony seems impossible,” Christians are called to be “instruments of peace.” This goes not only for those living there, but for all of us as well, because Jesus “called blessed those who work for peace.” The Pope asks the Holy Spirit not only to sustain “the faith of those who suffer” and to strengthen “their hope,” but also that he “not allow us to fall into indifference,” and to make us “builders of unity.” 

Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.