Call to fast for Gaza

I was hungry by Ramone Romero

Source: Embrace the Middle East

Embrace the Middle East writes: As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, our Christian sisters and brothers in Jerusalem have called on us to spend a day in prayer and fasting for Gaza. As members together of the one household of God (Ephesians 2.19), we are not helpless or voiceless.

Launching on Wednesday 21st May, we are inviting people of faith to fast for a day in any way they can and to join us and Christian organisations and denominations around the world in prayer.

We pray that the leaders of Israel and Palestine, and across the world, might have the moral imagination to end the fighting and envision a future where all those who call Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory home might live in peace and safety.

If you're taking part, please help spread the word by posting a picture of yourself on social media holding a piece of paper with the words #FastForGaza. And don't forget to tag us: @followembrace.

We also encourage you to write to the Foreign Secretary David Lammy about the Fast for Gaza campaign and to call on the UK government to continue pressing for a full lifting of the aid blockade, and recognise that Israel's actions have breached international law. You can download a letter template here and can contact the Foreign Secretary by emailing: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk.

(If you can't join us on Wednesday 21st, you can fast in solidarity on a different day.)

'Fasting' can look different for everyone. If you are able to fast safely, use the time when you would normally eat to pray. If you are not able to fast from food, perhaps you could give up something else? Instead of watching TV, could you use that time to pray? You might also like to use any money you might save to donate to our Gaza Appeal.

Below are some prayers that you can use. You might find it helpful to reflect on this painting, created for the fast by Ramone Romero and titled, 'I was hungry...'

God of goodness and love,

we lift before you the people of Gaza,

each one made in your image.

***

God, whose Son Jesus called the little children to him,

we pray for Gaza's children and young people.

***

God of compassion,

who sent your son Jesus to set the prisoners free,

we pray for the hostages and their families.

***

God of hope,

we pray for a softening of hearts and minds that will allow a flow of aid,

food and medicines to reach the people of Gaza

***

God of healing

we pray for what's left of the medical facilities in Gaza,

for their staff as they work day and night to try and save lives.

We pray for the Al Ahli Anglican Hospital,

who despite huge damage to their facilities are still treating people.

***

God of peace,

we pray for all those involved in the fighting

that they might be given eyes to see as you see.

LINK

Embrace the Middle East: https://embraceme.org/