On Thursday Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., a student-planned prayer vigil will be held in the Bowld Gym, concentrating around the war in Israel and individuals who have been taken hostage by Hamas.
This event will focus on praying for safety and peace on behalf of those who are being held captive and suffering through the war in Israel.
The event coordinator, Eliana Gordillo, junior elementary education major, shared her goal for planning an event like this on campus.
“I think in prayer, we can plead for the protection, safety, release and mental health of those dealing with the trauma of being held captive,” Gordillo said. “I think it’s really powerful when we come together as believers in unity to pray because there’s power in knowing were all praying to the same God; we’re unified in that way in praying for the nations.”
Gordillo has visited Israel through Union’s study abroad program, Passages, making the news of war more personal after connecting with the community there. As the ambassador for Passages at Union, Gordillo recently attended a leadership conference in Dallas, Texas where conference leaders encouraged those in attendance to dedicate themselves to prayer for the month of November. This led her to organize the event.
Avery Chenault, senior communications major, is assisting Gordillo in hosting this event.
“One of our big motivating factors for doing this event is to take time to pray for those that are being affected by the war that is going on right now,” Chenault said. “But to also pray specifically for those who’ve been taken hostage. There’s over two hundred people that have been held hostage for over a month now.”
“I’ve been to Israel twice, and both times I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Gaza Envelope, so I’ve had the opportunity to visit some of the communities that have been most affected by this tragedy,” Chenault said.
Despite not being close in proximity, Chenault points out that we are not unable to extend support.
“Prayer is the most powerful tool that we have access to,” Chenault said. “The Bible says to mourn with those who mourn and there’s so many people that are mourning right now and so many people that have been affected by this tragedy.”
Gordillo emphasized a focus on remembering God’s sovereignty and the sanctity of life. The event will be one of setting differences aside and praying for peace and healing for all.
“As the Bible says, He holds the nations in His hands,” Gordillo said. “As a Christian, I think that it’s important to be praying for the things around the world. I don’t think it has to be too far into politics to be praying for people both in Israel and Gaza.”
