Renew my heart for Jerusalem
We have now entered into a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. After two long and heart-wrenching years filled with pain and sadness, the War of Redemption (formerly known as Iron Swords War) that began on Oct. 7, 2023, might finally reach its end if the ceasefire holds. Perhaps, for a time, the palpable animosity between two peoples can fade.
Israel, as a land, has grown weary in these two years. The trees appear haggard, their limbs drooping under an invisible weight. The traditional blooms of bougainvillea, oleander, and geraniums no longer radiate their vibrant colors. The air seems thick, and even the full, white clouds that once glided gracefully across the sky now move sluggishly. Is this reality, or merely my lens of grief clouding my perception? I can't help but feel that the fatigue of the people has seeped into nature itself.
How do I articulate this?
These two years have been filled with sadness and trauma – a slow, relentless ache. Each morning, anxiety awakens with me, a stark reminder that the battle continues, often intruded upon by the memory of haunting sirens that would send us racing from our beds to stairwells or shelters…if we even slept at all.
For those with children, there's the added weight of steadying their hearts and assuring them that all will be well because the God of Israel never slumbers; He is ever-watchful over His land.
Images have haunted us – desperate hostages trapped in dark tunnels, appearing like remnants of a Holocaust, frail and underfed.
The torment inflicted upon families and the nation is unfathomable.
Confusion reigns as we sift through what happened on Oct. 7 – questioning who was involved and who was not. There's a troubling narrative: Al Jazeera portrays all of Gaza as innocent, all of Israel as guilty, leading many parts of the world to adopt this one-sided view. This places a profound burden on the people of Israel – Who truly initiated this war? Some assert it began long before Oct. 7, rooted in a historical hatred with which I deeply resonate.
Is this a nightmare from which I am just beginning to awaken, still feeling its lingering shadows? If I close my eyes again, will those terrible dreams swallow me once more? Should I remain awake, nurturing hope for change, or has hope become a fleeting dream? Will there come a time when this nation feels no weight of grief? Will I witness the rains that renew the land, allowing trees to drink deeply from the nutrient-rich soil?
"Abba, renew my heart for Jerusalem. Let the autumn and winter rains wash away the deep, horrific pain of this past season. End this nightmare. As a new season emerges, may the flowers bloom anew, and let heavy clouds transform into wisps of white, gliding across the sky in anticipation of life, not death. May new life flourish within the land, its people, and my own heart. Perform a miracle across the nations, shifting hearts to seek and know the truth. Despite our struggles, You have never abandoned Your people, and You will always reach out to reveal Your greatness. The enemy may believe he holds the reins, but that is misguided – You are in control and have declared, "Enough. No more!" Rise, oh God, and manifest Your strength in these days. Renew our hearts so that we may find hope once more." Amen.
To learn more about the author, please visit her website at teresacraig.com
Teresa Craig is a writer, photographer and teacher. She has lived in the Middle East region for 25 years, with eight of those years here in Israel. From this life experience, she has written six books, all available on Amazon. She currently resides in Jerusalem's Old City, where she is researching for her next book on the subject.
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