Many Christian denominations refer to the week prior to Easter as Holy Week. It is therefore fitting that we remember the Holy Land (where Jesus lived, suffered, died, rose again and ascended into heaven) and pray for the people of Palestine and Israel who are living at the crossroads.
Merciful God we remember the forgotten faithful of the Holy Land during this Holy season.
Despised and rejected they, like all Palestinians, are living at the crossroads – one way leads to hope – the other to despair. Many are leaving – they can take it no longer – denied their democratic rights they feel betrayed by talk of peace that has only brought more checkpoints, more closures and curfews, more land taken and a huge separation wall that imprisons them and strangles their economy. We pray that the deep suffering of occupation will cease.
May we ignore them no longer – After 40 long years in this wilderness of despair may the world say ‘enough’ and walk with them towards a promised land of hope and dignity.
Israelis also live at the crossroads – carrying the scars of centuries of suffering – may they find liberation from their fears and a way to walk forward.
May International Law be honoured – so both Israeli and Palestinian can live in peace – both live securely – both live in freedom without walls and occupation and fear.
May Muslim, Christian and Jew find a way to live together so this land once called ‘holy’ becomes holy again – so Jerusalem becomes a holy city again ‘where all who will may enter and no one is denied’.
And may we play our part by making sure that we hold all communities in our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer by Garth Hewitt, Amos Trust (www.amostrust.org)
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
