As the world is engulfed in a new wave of war in the Middle East, the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) seeks to lift up the voices of the oppressed —one grounded in our calling to communion and commitment to justice.

We believe Christian faith means responding to God’s call to foster justice and meet the spiritual needs of all people in the transformation of the world, through the love of Jesus Christ. In our diversity, we seek to be a living expression of “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

It is from this place that we observe with profound concern the rapidly escalating military attacks in the Middle East. The Israel Defense Forces have announced a “new stage” in their campaign, with strikes reported in Tehran and Beirut, while US officials indicate that military operations may intensify. Israeli forces have conducted renewed strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs, with hundreds of thousands of people being ordered to leave their homes, causing scenes of widespread displacement and fear.

The Human Catastrophe in Lebanon

We are particularly concerned by the human catastrophe now inflicted once again upon Lebanon and its people. For a nation that has long known instability, the ground now shifts constantly beneath the feet of its people. Families who once built lives, planted gardens, and raised children in their ancestral homes now find themselves once again gathering what little they can carry, fleeing with nothing but uncertainty ahead. The constant shift of grounds—the unbearable reality of waking each day not knowing if your neighbourhood still stands, if your neighbours still live, if your home will be there when darkness falls—has become the daily bread of too many.

The Wider Regional Toll

Beyond Lebanon, the conflict continues to claim lives and shatter communities across the region. We mourn the lives of 160 girls killed in a school that was bombed in Minab, Iran —young lives extinguished, families forever changed. Essential infrastructure, including Qatar’s largest liquefied natural gas plant, has been affected, leading to warnings of potential global economic repercussions that would impact the most vulnerable among us. 

Our Call

As a communion committed to discerning, confessing, witnessing, and being reformed together, we believe that disputes between states must be resolved through dialogue, consultation, and adherence to international law. Military confrontation and retaliatory escalation cannot bring sustainable security or peace. Instead, they multiply suffering and increase the risk of broader regional conflagration with unpredictable global consequences.

Standing in Solidarity

The WCRC stands in prayerful solidarity with all people and churches of the region, including emerging communities of Iranian and Lebanese descent within our member churches. We hold in our hearts those who have lost loved ones, those who have been displaced from their homes, and all who live in fear and uncertainty. We hold especially the people of Lebanon—a people of resilience and hospitality, of ancient faith and enduring hope—who now face yet another trial.

We urge political leaders everywhere to act with restraint, responsibility, and a renewed commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes. The path forward must be one of de-escalation, dialogue, and respect for human dignity. Violence will not secure the future of the region; only justice, accountability, and sustained diplomatic engagement can lay the foundations for lasting peace.

As many believers around the world observe seasons of prayer and reflection, we offer this prayer:

Holy One, we seek your mercy.
For those in fear, bring safety.
For those in pain, bring consolation.
For those awaiting news, nurture hope.
For those providing care, bring resilience.
For those who flee their homes, provide shelter.
For those who have lost everything, provide comfort.
For the people of Lebanon, and for all who suffer in this region, we pray.
Loving God, we seek your peace that passes all understanding.
May the violence cease and your deep peace come.
Amen.