Holding Light for Gaza and Israel: Intentions for Hostages and Civilians

Today we review the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing hostage situation as the second anniversary of their abduction from Israel approaches.

We take stock of recent military actions, civilian suffering, and the stalled peace efforts, before asking what we may actually pray and have focused intentions for in what appears to be a dire situation in which both sides in the conflict are determined to continue fighting.

Intentions and prayers start at 8 minutes 40 seconds.

Suggested Intention Focus for this week

This week, as attacks intensify, famine and massive casualties escalate, and peace prospects appear to be fading ahead of the second anniversary of hostages being abducted into Gaza and the bitter war that followed, we suggest holding as our main intention:

We will that countless miracles will happen to enable the survival and wellbeing of both the hostages captured by Hamas who remain in captivity and all in Gaza who now fear for their lives.

Please join us in holding this.

Chapter markers:

00:00:00                     Introduction

00:01:21                      Current Situation Overview

00:08:40                     Intentions and Prayers

Sources referenced in this episode:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165856

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165881

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165881

https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/humanitarian-situation-update-321-gaza-strip

https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/our-only-choice-whether-we-die-here-or-there-nowhere-safe-israel-forces-civilians-leave-gaza-city

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/16/first-head-of-united-nations-body-declares-israels-gaza-war-a-genocide

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/9/9/live-israel-pounds-gaza-city-as-netanyahu-tells-residents-to-leave-now

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gv881exj2o

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-threatened-hell-hamas-free-hostages-happened/story?id=118932854

https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/what-comes-after-israel-hamas-war

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/18/us-vetoes-un-security-council-demand-for-gaza-ceasefire-for-sixth-time

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/9/18/live-israeli-army-applying-extreme-pressure-as-gaza-toll-passes-65000

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/9/19/live-gaza-war-escalates-as-israel-defies-global-condemnation

https://www.972mag.com/israel-bombing-endangered-hostages-gaza/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8l46m5evo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67053011

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8641wv0n4go

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/israel-palestinian-territories/news/2025/article/united-nations-high-level-international-conference-new-york-declaration-on-the

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/19/nx-s1-5260204/isr