Christians pray together before 34th National March For Palestine

Campaigners on the steps of St George's Church

Christians For Palestine - Christians from many different denominations - met for prayers, led by Rev Grey Collier, at St George's Church, Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2SA, on Saturday morning. The congregation included people who had travelled from Portsmouth, Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham, and other cities, as well as parishioners from various London churches.

Afterwards we joined more than 100,000 people in the 34th National March to Whitehall - to protest the ongoing genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing being carried out on the West Bank.

During the service, we said the following prayer, written by Palestinian Christians:

Holy God, during these times of hypocritical leaders preaching peace on one hand and waging war with the other, we feel the words of Matthew: 'Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.' ( Matthew 7: 15-16)

As world leaders reveal their colonial ambitions for Gaza, help us to remember that you are most present not in the halls of power but amongst the marginalised and oppressed. Guide us to be true prophetic voices by being in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Lord in your mercy - hear our prayer.

God of the oppressed, the extent of our suffering cannot be articulated . We can only echo the prayer of the Psalmist 'May the groans of the prisoners come before you, with your strong arm rescue those condemned to die, (Psalm 79- 11) Lord Christ who was imprisoned and tortured, we put our faith that you are present with all who are incarcerated . Liberate us from the sins of racism and settler colonialism that allow for such structures of dehumanisation to exist. Help us to act in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners.

Lord in your mercy - hear our prayer.

Liberator Christ, you too were mocked and harmed by the structures and authroties of power. Protect us from the authorities of power today, who through their cruelty and violence , dehumanise themselves. In the face of empire , we pray for your healing, justice, and peace, that surpasses all human understanding. Help us build international relationships of loving solidarity where our oppressors build relationships of of surveillance and militarised violence.'

Speakers at Downing Street included Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, actress Juliet Stevenson, Andrea Egan (new General Secretary of Unison), John McDonnell, Zarah Sultana, Jeremy Corbyn, and Claire Hinchcliffe, mother of one of the Filton 24.

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More reports to follow.