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| Image by Linda Tanner |
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Prayers for the war in Iran.
A GREETING
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry;
do not hold your peace at my tears.
(Psalm 39:12)
A READING
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to prepare for his arrival, but they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem.
(Luke 9:51-53)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
May righteousness flourish and peace abound,
until the moon is no more.
(Psalm 72:7)
A POEM
Let us believe,
let us believe in the dawn of the cold season.
Let us believe in the ruin of imaginary gardens,
in idle inverted scythes,
in confined seeds.
Look how it snows...
Perhaps the truth was those two young hands,
those young hands
buried beneath snow—
and in the coming year
when spring mates with sky behind the window,
fountains of green saplings will erupt—
saplings that bloom, beloved, my truest friend.
Let us believe in the dawn of the cold season...
- from "Let Us Believe in the Dawn of the Cold Season," by Forugh Farrokhzad
found in Sin: Selected Poems of Forugh Farrokhzad
VERSE OF THE DAY
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.
(Psalm 34:14)
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| Untitled painting by Iranian artist Alireza Karimi Moghaddam (Click to enlarge) Moghaddam created the image in 2022 after the start of the most recent war in Ukraine. Using digital arts, the artist has set Vincent Van Gogh (his muse and inspiration) in a nameless Ukrainian town ruined by war, to paint his famous sunflowers. The sunflowers, also known to be a nationally cherished flower of Ukraine, were offered as a sign of hope. What is the art that we would make for the people impacted by the new war taking place in and around Iran? |
At the halfway point in the journey of Lent, when we mark the moment that Jesus chooses to go to Jerusalem knowing all that will follow, we look for the ways that Christ is with us in the midst of the profound brokenness that is war. Today, we set aside the journey we have been on to pray with and for the people of Iran and all those affected by the unfolding events in the Middle East. We reflect on how much has taken place since Ash Wednesday, and we look ahead with anxiety at what we may still see before Easter. Into this frightening landscape, how can we be inspired to lean into the fear we have with an equally robust trust in the deep shalom of God’s love?
Since the new year, we have witnessed a frightening escalation in the amount of military action and violence all over the world. On the one hand, government security forces killed at least seven thousand protestors in Iran, just in January of 2026. A war has been waged by the US and Israel with its own devastating agenda. One attack struck an Iranian school for girls killing 168 children and teachers. The retaliatory closing of the Strait of Hormuz has meant that much needed fuel is not reaching homes in many parts of the world, including Ukraine, where another devastating war has depleted energy resources. Throughout Europe and around the world, people are feeling immediate impacts. Meanwhile, in North America, a surge of aggressive security forces in Minnesota and other states has led to thousands of arrests, even of citizens.
How do we confront our own fearful responses? Today’s music selection, called “The Named Angels”, was written by Arab-American composer Mohammed Fairouz. It is performed here by the musicians of the Shepherd School of Music inside an art installation called “Intersections” by Pakistani-American artist Anila Agha. The installation design reflects “geometric patterns and ornamentation found in Islamic art and mosques.” (Youtube notes.) The artists invite us into a space that re-imagines how we as diverse individuals can be present to each other in the intersections of our faith and spirituality, our culture and communities.
In the ancient world, to "set one's face" meant unwavering resolve to do God's will. At a time when wars are being justified by religious imperatives, how can we set our own faces toward peace?
To serve God is a surrender to God’s love living in another person. It is acting on a desire to give of oneself for someone else’s well-being. When we serve God we enter into the heart of someone's suffering and dwell alongside it. When we embrace someone’s pain, we dismantle hate. We grow love. And we live in hope.
How will you let your love grow today? Who do you know who is impacted by war, even at a distance, who might benefit from a sign of your caring today?
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| Image by Bill Tyne |
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Scripture passages are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition.
The next devotional day is Monday, March 16th.
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LC† From Dust, Still Holy is a devotional series of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help support the ongoing work.
Thank you and peace be with you!