Dear friend,
We received this message from a Christian who is living in the Orthodox church in Gaza city:
“Finally, the war has ended, and the worst days in the life of every person living in Gaza are over. We thank our Lord for the divine care that was with us every moment. The hand of our Lord was with us, the Lord took care of us in all difficult times. We thank the Lord that we were protected in His church.”
In reference to my earlier emails on this issue, thank you for joining together on 21 September to pray for peace in the Holy Land, coinciding with the UN World Peace Day and the global call to prayer from the World Council of Churches. Many churches around the country, from different denominations, prayed in their services. Thank you for being a part of this. I am so encouraged to see a peace agreement on the table, an end to the violence and humanitarian aid being more easily distributed to those who need it. Praise God!
We are so thankful for your ongoing prayers over so many months and years, and we all recognise that this is just the very beginning of the peace process. The current ceasefire is the first step in a very long road. And so, along with other Christian denominations and agencies, I am asking again for Christians and churches across the UK and Ireland to continue praying for the unfolding situation in the Holy Land:
- For comfort, strength and healing in Israel and in the Palestinian Territories for all those who have suffered and continue to suffer from the past two years
- For food, drink and medical treatment for children and the elderly who have suffered so much in Gaza
- For the negotiators; for wisdom, courage and grace as they bring together all involved in the conflict to seek a just and lasting peace
- For Palestine and Israel to reach agreement on the key issues of Palestinian statehood, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the future of Hamas.
You might like to use this prayer, which was sent to us by a Christian in Gaza city:
“Thank you, Lord, for all those who were protected in your church. Oh Lord, at a time like this, we ask You to comfort the hearts of everyone who has lost someone dear to them; may the touch of the Lord strengthen their weakness and support them. And Lord, stand with everyone who has lost their home and compensate them with all that is good.
“Lord, let Your peace and security prevail in Israel and across Palestine, and may there be no sounds of death, destruction and evil from now on. Lord, You are the King of peace, let Your peace prevail, and please strengthen our church family who are weak because You are our strength.
“You, Lord, are our refuge at all times. Thank You, Lord, for everything. Thank You for answering our prayers, Lord”
Thank you for pressing on with us in prayer, and God bless you,
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