Having seen and heard about the horrifying violence in Israel and Gaza, you might wonder what ordinary Christians and local congregations can do.
You can find statements and prayers released by our member churches and partners here.
Below are some examples shared by our member churches, partner organisations and international counterparts which, as an individual or as part of a church each of us could think about taking part in.
Pray
‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’ – Psalm 122:6–9
Day of Fasting and Prayer – Friday 27th October. At 6.00 pm in St. Peter’s, Rome. (5pm in Ireland). In a spirit of penance, there will be an hour of prayer to implore peace in this world. Local Churches are invited to participate, by organizing similar initiatives that involve the people of God.
Christian Aid has also created a powerpoint presentation for use in churches or community groups to inform people and help them to pray.
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land.
Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths – Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land.
While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples.
Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for to all of us you are our Heavenly Father.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
World Evangelical Alliance is encouraging Christians across the world to pray Psalm 122 over this conflict.
Educate
Challenge the narrative – look further into what the media is saying, choose carefully which media (traditional and social) to listen to and intentionally critique it through a lens of love for neighbour, not forgetting that every person was made in God’s image. So much of what we read and watch is quick to regard some groups as less human than others, or to sweepingly categorise them under a particular label.
If you know someone with ties to the area ask them more about the situation if it is appropriate.
Learn more about the region through podcasts and share with your church.
Read Christian Aid’s blog post Voices from Gaza to understand the reality of life there. And then share it with your networks. It’s not easy reading but so important for us to face the reality of what people are currently experiencing.
Trocaire have release a statement on the crisis and shared ways that people can act.
Lobby
Christian Aid encourages writing to your local TD or MLA asking them to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages and access for humanitarian aid.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, please sign and share the Christian Aid petition to the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly. It asks him to ensure the UK government does all it can to influence and protect innocent civilian lives.
For those of you in Republic of Ireland, the Government has called for a humanitarian pause to meet the urgent basic needs of the people in Gaza and announced additional funding for humanitarian assistance.
Support
If you can, please give to an emergency appeal:
