Sentinel Watch September 24, 2012 Issue

Middle East unity–beyond sect or nationality

Heather K. Libbe—Perrysburg, Ohio

Courtesy photo

The Middle East is often framed in terms of division: ongoing clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, mistrust between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, ongoing battles between oppressive regimes and insurgent groups. These divisions can seem both inevitable—they’ve persisted, in some cases, for many years—and daunting. How do we pray about such persistent divisions in the Middle East and elsewhere?

Last winter I spent three months in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan as part of a program focused on peace and sustainability. I had the opportunity to visit sites that are holy to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, which inspired me to pray each day for the region—something I’ve continued to do since.

As I prayed in the Holy Land, it stood out to me that the Christ, which Mary Baker Eddy defines as “the divine message from God … speaking to the human consciousness” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 332), is the only communicator, mediator, and unifier—even in an atmosphere of mistrust. Christ communicates to all parties, dissolving the sense of hatred or ego that would stall peaceful resolutions. Christ sees only unity, regardless of sect or nationality.

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