An Invitation to Prayer in a Time of War
February 28, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
Grace and peace to you.
In the wake of recent U.S. military strikes against Iran, we write to you as the Armed Forces Chaplains of the Diocese of Long Island—pastors who walk daily alongside service members, veterans, and families, and who also stand with you in prayer as members of the Body of Christ.
Moments like this often arrive through an unrelenting stream of alerts, images, commentary, and speculation. The pace itself can become its own source of distress. We invite you, first of all, to pause. To take a breath. To pray.
Prayer in a time of war is not escape. It is grounding. It steadies us when fear seeks to scatter us. It reminds us that behind every uniform and every border are human beings—beloved children of God—on all sides of conflict. It calls us back to our deepest identity before any other name claims us.
We also encourage a gentle attentiveness to how we take in the news. Consider limiting your intake. Choose trusted, measured sources rather than endless scrolling or reactive commentary. Ask yourself why you are checking the news in a given moment: Is it to stay responsibly informed, or is it feeding anxiety, anger, or helplessness? Information has its place. So does restraint. Wisdom often lies in knowing when to turn toward the light of prayer rather than the noise of speculation.
As chaplains, we are reminded daily that readiness is not only a matter of strength or preparedness. It is spiritual. It is the quiet, faithful work of tending the inner life so that anxiety does not isolate us, grief does not harden us, and fear does not eclipse compassion. Return to the practices that root you: prayer, scripture, silence, honest conversation, time with those you love.
Be gentle with one another. Many around you may be carrying unspoken worry. Reach out. Stay connected. Listen deeply. These small acts are not small at all. They are how peace is practiced.
For Christians, prayer in times of war is also an act of faithful resistance. We follow Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose life reveals that love is stronger than violence and mercy deeper than fear. To pray for peace is not naïve. It is courageous. It is to align our hearts with God’s future even when the present feels uncertain.
We invite you to pray:
For all who live under the shadow of violence.
For those who serve, and for those who wait and worry at home.
For leaders, that wisdom, restraint, and humility may guide their decisions.
For the wounded in body, mind, and spirit.
For a world aching for peace, and for the grace to be instruments of it.
If this moment stirs deep anxiety or distress, please do not carry it alone. Reach out to your clergy. If you are clergy, reach out to a colleague or your spiritual director. Reach out to trusted friends. Seek help when you need it. Caring for our spiritual and emotional well-being is an act of faithfulness.
In this season of Lent:
May the God who brings light out of chaos breathe calm into troubled hearts.
May the Christ who stretched out his arms in love hold all who suffer.
May the Spirit who hovers over the waters guide us in the way of peace.
With prayer and solidarity,
The Armed Forces Chaplains of the Diocese of Long Island
The Rev. Canon Landon Moore, The Rev. Jenn Pilat, The Rev. James Reiss, The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Shambaugh, The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Sniffen