Global Ministries

The ‘Great March of Return’ protest in Gaza continued for its 42nd Friday. A Palestinian woman, Amal Mustafa Taramsi and 14-year-old Abed Alraouf Salhah died and at least 25 other people were wounded by Israeli live fire. Egyptian representatives held talks on the day before with Palestinian delegates to prevent any further escalation of violence along the border with Israel.

Lord, we pray for the family of Amal and Abed who were killed in the protest as they mourn their loss. We pray too for a breakthrough in the peace talks that there will be an end to the blockade of Gaza and to the desperate sufferings of the people under siege. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

A new Congress is now sworn in, and its legislative agenda is full.  Foreign policy is an area often reserved for the Executive branch, but Israel/Palestine has been an area of historically unique bipartisan agreement.  But there are new voices, willing to speak for justice, peace, and equality for all.  Sadly, however, currently stated U.S. policy is working against such an outcome.

In a November 14 ecumenical statement, 16 U.S. Christian leaders outline developments in U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine since the beginning of the Trump Administration, noting their negative impact on Palestinians and the prospects for peace for Israel and Palestine.

January 03, 2019 
Written by Barb Powell, originally posted here

Friday, the 4th of January the ‘Great March of Return’ continued in Gaza leaving over 20 Palestinians injured by Israeli fire.

Lord, we continue to pray for an end to the Israeli military occupation, the implementation of the right of return of Palestinian refugees and for true peace to become a reality in our troubled land. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

The Link, published on a bi-monthly basis, is Americans for Middle East Understanding (AMEU)'s primary education and information tool. More than 175 issues of The Link have followed since the first issue written by Humphrey Walz appeared in 1968. For the first two decades of its existence, The Link was virtually the only national periodical published for a diverse audience by an American non-profit organization that persistently challenged the prevailing myths and stereotypes about Arabs, Muslims and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jerusalem, December 23, 2018

Statement by the Heads of Churches in the Holy Land following attempts to damage the Christian community on the eve of Christmas

On Thursday, Members of the Knesset once again proposed to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation the discriminatory bill which restricts the rights of Christian institutions to deal with their property and threatens the income that sustains the Church’s humanitarian mission and care of Holy Sites. It is now the 5th time that this legislation has been tabled by the committee. However the timing of this latest attempt, just days before the celebration of Christ’s birth, was an intentional act of grave insensitivity. At a time when more than a billion Christians commit themselves to faith, hope and reconciliation and prepare to welcome Christ as the Prince of Peace, it is hard to explain such a stark and cynical action.

The Great March of Return continued on Friday the 30th of December. According to UN figures more than 25,000 Palestinians have been injured in protests along the border between Gaza and Israel and more than 190 Palestinians have been killed since the protest began on the 30th of March. The majority of those who have been killed were young men, aged 29 or younger. The latest victim, Karam Fayyad, was killed east of the Gaza city of Khan Younis and eight others were wounded.

Lord we pray for the family of Karam as they grieve their loss. We pray for a breakthrough in the peace talks and an end to the crippling siege of Gaza. Lord, in your mercy...hear our prayers.

‘The Great March of Return’ continues into its 39th week. Four Palestinians were shot and killed, including Muhammad Muin al-Jahjouh,16, by Israeli forces at the eastern borders of Gaza, while over 40 Palestinians were injured.

Lord, we pray for the families as they grieve over their loss. We continue to pray for the safety of the protestors and for them to continue to espouse non-violent means to achieve their rightful demands. Lord, in your mercy...Hear our prayers

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I make all things new.” And he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev. 21:5)

On December 6-7th, 2018, more than 300 people met in Bethlehem, consisting of Palestinian Christian church and organization leaders, Kairos Palestine leaders, people of faith, representatives of the Palestinian civil society, and around 100 international Christians representing the global Kairos for Justice movement and different church bodies.

Our prayers will be expressed through the Gospel words about the birth of Jesus, our Saviour.

The angel Gabriel came to Mary and said, ‘And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’(Luke 1:31)

The historic renovation of the Church of the Nativity is lifting spirits in the town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Lord Jesus. In 2012 the church was declared a World Heritage Site. In 2013, renovation work with Italian experts began on the fabric of the building and the wall and floor mosaics. It is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Mary said,” Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Lord, as we remember the birth of our Saviour in Bethlehem we think of the many Palestinian children born in the refugee camps in the occupied territories. We pray for hope and a future for them through a just and equitable peace with Israel. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.