Christian leaders have urged prayer for Australia, hours after a mass shooting attack on Bondi’s Jewish community.
Thousands were gathered on Bondi Beach for a Hanukkah celebration, when multiple gunshots rang out.
Eleven people have been confirmed dead, with dozens taken to hospital for injuries, including a child and a police officer. A possible attacker is also thought to be dead, whilst police hunt for other suspects.
Video footage shows people fleeing across the sand, as shots continue to be fired.
The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, said “antisemitism has no place in Australian society”.
“Please join me in praying urgently for the injured and families of victims of the shooting at Bondi Beach. Pray for the safety of the Jewish community and residents of Bondi. Pray for the police and medical teams in their work,” he shared on X, adding: “Lord have mercy.”
Canberra-based faith writer Margaret Joseph shared that she has turned to Psalm 23: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me.”
Keir Starmer described the massacre as “shocking,” and said the government will actively work with CST, the UK’s Jewish security organisation, on the policing of UK Hanukkah events.
Source: Premier Christian News
Pray: We pray for those affected by the Bondi shooting. May God be with the families of those that have dead and those injured. Lord, send your peace and comfort at this time. Amen.
