In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, we pray with heavy hearts for the people of Sydney, Australia. Using the words of The Most Revd Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney and Advisor to the Gafcon Primates Council, who has asked us to pray, we embrace our Jewish neighbours in love, friendship, and steadfast support, rejecting antisemitism, violence, and hatred.
We pray to the God of all comfort for the safety of the Jewish community, for those grieving, injured, or traumatised, and for police, medical workers, and authorities responding with courage and care. We give thanks for acts of bravery and compassion shown by ordinary people.
During Hanukkah and as we await Christmas, we thank God that Jesus, a Jewish man, came as the light of life, and the darkness has not overcome it.