conflict in the world

If you listen to/read/watch the news, you know that the world's attention is focused on Israel - Gaza - Hamas. 

If you follow evangelical American commentators, you might think that that is the only conflict happening in the world right now.

These maps highlights multiple places where there is conflict... global conflict [I almost didn't use this map, because one of the factors it highlights is "impact on the US" - that strikes me as a far too narrow, self-focused view, that impacts how people see the world] ... in most cases, the conflict has resulted in loss of life and significant disruptions within the countries, including (but not limited to)... 

• death
• starvation
• rape & sexual exploitation
• forced evacuation

Yes, we understand the importance of the Middle East (on many levels): biblically, economically, and politically. But let's not forget, that in every place where there is conflict over land and power, the people involved are people created in the image and likeness of God. The violent death of an innocent Palestinian child is as grievous to me as the innocent death of an Israeli child or a child in Ukraine or in Russia or in Sudan, or in dozens of places around the world. Undisciplined attempts to destroy terrorists will always create future terrorists.

Estimates, as of Friday (20 October 2023), say that more than 4,500 people have been killed in Israel and Gaza. This article on Wikipedia lists more than 162,170 people killed in 2023 in the 6 major conflicts [more than 10,000 deaths in the last year] happening right now (this does not include Israel - Hamas).

• Yes, we need to pray for Israel & Palestine. 
• We need to pray for peace - shalom in the land - not just Israel, but everywhere.
• We need to pray that God's people do not listen to the distortions and misinformation that flows in time of conflict.
• We have to be aware that the conflict between Israel and Hamas may end up involving other actors and increasing hostilities… we also should be aware that unless we choose to end the hostilities we have with each other, war may come to our own neighbourhoods.
• Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-12 "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
  Paul’s statement is straightforward and simple... the enemy in front of us is not the real enemy... it is the power behind the enemy in front of us that demands our attention. We focus on the unseen powers, not on people.
• Daniel 10, tells us that the answer to his prayer was delayed because of battles in the spirit world. It seems to me that hell rejoices when we believe prayer is fruitless.
• Read Romans 8:18-25 and know that groaning is part of prayer... groan loudly, groan often, but groan in hope of the Day when groaning will cease.
• Hope for an alternative future brings us into contradiction with the existing present and puts us against the people who cling to it.