Prayers for the Middle East

With the International Red Cross warning of a “full-blown” humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Bible Societies in the Holy Land have appealed to Christians to pray and support those caught up in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“Our hearts are broken as we witness the escalation of hostilities in Gaza and southern Israel,” said Victor Kalisher, Director of the Bible Society in Israel, in a joint message issued by the Bible Societies of Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories.
“Israelis and Palestinians are at war; we are not. Through our single identity in Christ and his lordship we experience his peace, practice his love, and hold on to him as our hope.
“We are committed to serving our communities with the gospel of peace and forgiveness. We will sweat for that which Christ bled for, and labour for that which Christ died for,” Victor added.
Bible Society ran a bookshop in Gaza City until 2007 when it was destroyed in a bomb attack. After re-launching its work in the city last year, it now focuses on building relationships with key leaders as a way of demonstrating the Bible’s message of hope.
Bible Societies in the region are now working to bring humanitarian aid to people in Gaza and comfort those in need of hope by sharing the Bible’s message through a new scriptural initiative.
Labib Madanat, development director at United Bible Societies, said, “As a result of ten years’ work building relationships and trust with both Hamas and Israeli political leaders, Bible Society has access to people in need.”
Ian McKay, Bible Society’s International Director, added, “We are committed to bringing the Bible’s life changing message to the region. With love, care and compassion staff in Gaza and Israel are living out the Bible’s message of hope.”
The Bible Societies are asking Christians to pray for a “speedy end” to the war and respect for the sanctity of human life, as well as for Bible Society staff in the Holy Land as they continue to reach out to communities with the Word and practical aid.

Prayer for the Day

Two of the most important phrases in any language are "Thank you" and "I'm sorry". All our relationships depend on the ability to say them and mean them.
No action is too small for a "thank you". When we don't give it, we treat others as tools.
None of us is too important to say sorry. We should say it to our children when we're wrong; it shows humanity, - and humility.
Saying sorry is on the minds of Jewish people because Saturday was the Day of Atonement.
If apologising is hard, forgiving is even harder. I don't believe in 'forgiven and forgotten'. The mind doesn't work like that; we remember plenty of things we wish we didn't. Equally, there are many matters in any human life, and in history, which mustn't be forgotten. Forgetfulness condemns us to repetition, of our worst mistakes and greatest atrocities.
At the heart of forgiveness is the ability to let go of anger and bitterness. That's why, as Judaism teaches, we can only forgive wrongs done to ourselves. Otherwise, forgiveness is a meaningless word.
That still leaves plenty for us to do. We all bear wounds, inflicted by other people or by life itself. Do we nurse thoughts of vengeance? Or do we try to accept and comprehend, or even enter in imagination into the minds of those who hurt us and, without justifying their deeds, ask "Why?"
I admire those who use their very wounds to create understanding and healing, like those bereaved Israeli and Palestinian parents whose grief has brought them together. They don't forget, or romantically forgive. They listen and strive for peace.


God, give us the courage to make our hurts our teachers.





Jonathan Wittenberg Radio 4