Praying for War’s Many Faces of Suffering
By Dr. David Lawson
Most Americans view the images of war remotely, either through television or the internet. Hurricanes and the fall of the twin towers are the closest experiences many of us have of extreme devastation. For those living in Israel and Lebanon, however, the risks of trauma associated with war are ongoing. For them, Katrina and the twin towers occur too close and too often.
Most Christians have some understanding of the history of Israel and the historic sufferings of the Hebrew people. Yet few realize that Lebanon has endured wars since the Ottoman Empire conquered the area 600 years ago. Many are surprised to discover, also, that there is a large Christian population in Lebanon, nearly 40 percent. This number dropped from 60 percent due to migrations to escape wars.
In God’s timing, a dear Christian brother from Lebanon, Naji Abi-Hashem, is visiting me and speaking to mental health workers and pastors in Orlando. He works with Christians, Muslims and the Hezbollah to develop peace and work toward a cease fire. Here is his experience in his own words:
“All of us connected to Lebanon grieve over this present and unbelievable war. We feel deep anguish, caught in the middle of an ugly madness and beholding unprecedented magnitude of violence and volume of devastation. We are in shock and disbelief at such massive destruction. Once again Lebanon proper is caught in a confrontation between Hezbollah’s Army and the Israeli Army.
The people of Israel also endure severe stress and trauma, living in fear of unpredictable and inhuman rocket attacks by Hezbollah. They are suffering daily with panic from the unknown.
Lebanon proper does not wish to be a part of this ugly conflict. We are witnessing an outburst of anger and hate, involving countries, groups, militias, and powers, using Lebanon as a stage to flex muscles, score points, and vent wrath and ideological hate.
The Lebanese people have been rebuilding, recovering and restoring their livelihood inch by inch, stone by stone, and person by person after years of imported wars followed by long and hard Syrian domination (which was unfortunately allowed by the West and ignored by the rest of the world). Ironically, Hezbollah is a social movement, a political party, and an armed militia at once, and it did not evolve suddenly. It was gradually built, nurtured, and strengthened by Syria and Iran under the watchful eyes of the superpowers.
Please pray for Lebanon, for my ministry, and for all the suffering in the region. Many Lebanese fear that our neighbors do not want a strong, stable, and prosperous Lebanon on their borders. I hope this analysis is wrong but painful experiences of the last thirty years seem to prove it right.”
What can American Christians do?
- Pray daily for peace in Lebanon.
- Pray for strength and courage to overcome the anger and hatred that can develop. Pray that Lebanese Christians can be a Christ-like witness to the Hezbollah and Muslims.
- Pray for emotional needs. Trauma can be devastating, and long term trauma increases risks of bitterness and rage, depression, and suicide.
Dr. David Lawson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at Palm Beach Atlantic University-Orlando Campus. He can be reached through e-mail at: dalawson@earthlink.net. |
