news article
A Call to Prayer, Reflection, and Faithful Witness
March 10, 2026 / By Rev. Alan Kinney, UNY Social Holiness Team Chair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As United Methodists, we share a long and faithful tradition of witnessing to the presence of God in our midst and responding to Christ’s call to work for peace and justice in the world. At times, this witness calls us toprayer, reflection, and action in moments that are complex and difficult.
Recent acts of war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran remind us of the profound human cost of armed conflict. Families are displaced, lives are lost, and communities are left to grapple with fear and uncertainty. In such times, the people of God are called to respond not with indifference, but with compassion, prayer, and a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ’s call to love our neighbors and pursue peace.
Within The United Methodist Church, we recognize that faithful Christians may hold differing perspectives on political and international matters. Our Wesleyan tradition affirms that we can engage difficult issues while remaining united in Christ, remembering John Wesley’s reminder that Christians may sometimes “agree to disagree” in love.
Even amid differing perspectives, The United Methodist Church is called to be a community that prays, listens, and seeks God’s guidance for the sake of the world.
The Social Holiness Team invites United Methodists across the Upper New York (UNY) Conference to respond in the following ways:
Pray for peace.
Lift in prayer all who are affected by war and violence, including civilians, humanitarian workers, and leaders responsible for making decisions that impact the lives of many.
Incorporate prayers for justice and peace in worship.
Congregations and small groups are encouraged to use the “Companion Litany to Our Social Creed,” found in ¶164 of the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, as a resource for prayer and reflection. These practices create space for the Church to lament the suffering caused by war, pray for wisdom among leaders, and renew our commitment to seeking justice and pursuing peace in our communities and throughout the world.
Engage in faithful conversation.
Create opportunities within congregations and small groups to discuss how our faith informs our response to global conflict and our responsibility as Christians in the public square.
Practice Christian compassion.
Seek ways to support ministries and humanitarian efforts that serve those impacted by violence, displacement, and war.
Moments of global conflict challenge the Church to live out its calling as a community shaped by the love of Christ. As United Methodists, may we respond with humility, prayer, thoughtful conversation, and a steadfast commitment to being instruments of God’s peace.
The Social Holiness Team stands ready to support congregations and individuals seeking resources for prayer, worship, and conversation. We invite United Methodists across UNY to join together in prayer and faithful witness during this time.