Advertisement MissioMissio Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Prayers before the 32nd National March for Palestine


The Christian Bloc

The Christian Bloc

More than half a million people took part in Saturday's march for Gaza - the 32nd National March since 7 October. The Christian bloc gathered for prayers before the march at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in Shaftsbury Avenue, (where Martin Luther King Jr gave his his first sermon in the UK in 1961.)

Prayers led by Rev Helen Burnett, CoE Vicar in Chardon, Southwark Diocese. Naomi Orrell from the Student Christian Movement and Colette Joyce, recently Westminster RC Diocese J&P Co-Ordinator.

Our service began with the Taize chant: The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. There was a reading from Isiah 60:17-22: 'I will appoint peace as your overseer and Righteousness as your taskmaster," followed by prayers based on the Sabeel Wave of Prayer.

We particularly named Layan Nasir, a young Christian woman from the West Bank who has once again been arrested and imprisoned without charge, and Shadi Khoury a student from Ramallah Friends School. At the age of 16 in 2022, Shadi was taken blindfold and barefoot from his home and held for 40 days, suffering beating and isolation without contact with his parents. Eventually convicted by a military court on unsubstantiated charges of 'taking part in a protest', he faces sentencing in December.

We prayed for the many thousands of Palestinians, who are awaiting trial or held held in prison - many of them children. We also prayed for the safety and release of all the Flotillas participants attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza and illuminating to the world the oppressive conditions that Palestinians suffer.

Rev Helen Burnett gave the final blessing, before we set out to join the march, saying:

"The world is now too dangerous and too beautiful for anything but love.

May your eyes be so blessed you see God in Everyone.
Your ears, so you hear the cry of the poor,
May your hands be so blessed That everything you touch is a sacrament
Your lips, so you speak nothing but the truth
With love.

May your feet be so blessed you run to those you need you.
And may your heart be opened,
So set on fire that your love
Your love changes everything."

Christian campaigners came to London from around the UK to join Saturday's march. Katy O'Brien from Lichfield told ICN: "The news from Gaza is just so terrible. I don't usually attend demonstrations like this but when I saw there was a Christian group organising prayers and a coach going from Birmingham, my friends and I decided to come."

LINKS

Read Dr Philip Crispin's full report on the march and speakers: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53469

Christians for Palestine: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555041637853

Adverts

The Passionists

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon