In response to escalating tensions and violence in the Middle East, the Philos Project and SpiritualDirection.com have announced an emergency novena prayer titled “Novena for Peace in the Near East.” This novena, scheduled from July 16 to July 24, aims to seek divine protection for Christians and all innocent civilians in the region, particularly in Israel and Lebanon.
The Philos Project, which promotes positive Christian engagement in the Near East, specifically chose these dates to coincide with significant feast days. Simone Rizkallah, deputy director of education at the Philos Project, highlighted the geographical and spiritual significance of the dates: “Mount Carmel in Israel is about 100 miles from Mount Lebanon. There’s a perfect novena in there from the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16 to St. Charbel, a very important Maronite saint, on July 24.”
This announcement comes amid ongoing clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim militant group based in Lebanon. On July 3, an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon resulted in the death of a top Hezbollah commander, the third high-ranking official in the group to be killed in recent months.
Andrew Doran, a senior research fellow at the Philos Project, warned of the severe implications of a potential war between Israel and Hezbollah. “Hezbollah is far more sophisticated. Their weaponry is more sophisticated, and this is a very different and more serious war that is pending here,” Doran explained in an interview with SpiritualDirection.com.
In addition to diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, the Philos Project and SpiritualDirection.com are encouraging people to join the novena and pray for peace in the afflicted region. Rizkallah expressed hope in the power of prayer: “I do believe prayer can keep war off. What I hope is that we really pray with affection knowing that our faith started in Jerusalem and our faith spread initially in these countries.”
Those interested in participating in the Novena for Peace in the Near East and receiving daily prayers via email can sign up here- https://philosproject.org/catholic/novenaforpeace/