A Prayer for Peace
In Israel
and the Palestinian Territories
It is more than 11
weeks now since the surprise terror attack by Hamas on Israel which has led to
retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive into Gaza by the Israeli Defence
forces. As the conflict drags on, innocent civilians and countless Christians
are bearing the brunt of the violence.
The situation in Gaza is extremely
difficult, for all Gazans, but for the small Christian community living there
especially. About 1,000 Christians remain in Gaza today. They live among
between 1.5 – 2 million Muslims. Their numbers have been dwindling as people
seek a way out, from before the October attack by Hamas and the war that has
followed since.
When Israel started bombing and then
invading Gaza, almost all Christians flocked to the Orthodox and the Catholic
churches. They each hold between 400 – 500 believers today. The small
evangelical community of a few dozen believers has sought refuge in the
catholic church. Their church, the Baptist church of Gaza, is located right
across from the main police station, which is an obvious target. The Baptist
church is too unsafe to hide in therefore, Christians fled there, hoping those
churches would not be targeted.
However, just last
week, the Orthodox church was hit by a rocket and 22 Christians who were taking
shelter there were killed. A church leader from the West Bank shared that there
is a deep sense of grief, sadness, and hopelessness among the Christian community
in Gaza.
One of the leaders of the evangelical
community, Shadi Najjar, sent out a clear message: “Pray for us that we may
survive this. We hardly sleep and we live in uncertainty and fear. But our
prayer above all of this is that the eyes of people on both sides of the
conflict will be opened for the Lord Jesus. May His saving truth be revealed
through all of this.”
An unknown number of new believers from a
Muslim background are in Gaza as well. There are dozens of them, but likely
more. They live in hiding among their Muslim families and relatives. They need
our special prayers.
From both the Palestinian and the Israeli
side reports are coming in of the Lord indeed speaking to people through all of
this. And of people seeking Him and approaching believers, churches, and
ministries with requests for spiritual help.
From Gaza reports are coming in that a
growing number of Muslims are receiving dreams in which they see ‘the man in
white’. Most of these reports cannot be verified at this point, but it is clear
that the Spirit is moving.
This came in from One for Israel, one of
Frontline International’s main ministry partners:
“The stories are
starting to come out now. Stories of escapes, miracles, even angels. The hunger
for God is extraordinary. There are prayers on huge banners in public spaces to
help Israelis know what to pray. People are eager to hear about God, and we’ve
heard reports of soldiers in tears when they hear from His word. Just as in the
times of the Bible, God is getting the attention of His people. The Bible isn’t
just a history book, it is still valid today. We are in Bible times right now,
and God is moving in a very powerful way in Israel. We are seeing a huge rise
in darkness, hatred, and violence… but we are also seeing the Lord of Hosts
working wonders.”
Please pray for peace, for God’s strength, and hope to be with those who are mourning. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, their homes, and livelihoods, that they may be comforted.
Please also pray for those who are
partnering with Frontlines, the pastors and leaders who are serving the
Christian community at this time, that they may find strength and resources to
carry on ministry at this very difficult and dangerous time.
