GIVING HOPE
INSIDE:
+ THANK YOU: Celebrating Summer Events Page 6
+ GAZA : Faith Amidst Adversity Page10
+ SCHOLARSHIPS: A Pathway to Employment Page 18
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
CONTENTS
Thank you
4
WELCOME
I am delighted to share with you the launch edition of “Giving Hope”. As you might expect, we have seen unprecedented demand for our work across the Holy Land since the outbreak of the terrible war last October.
So many are more fearful and uncertain about the future than ever before and coming to our offices for help. Of course, the difference being made, and the new projects we are starting, would not be possible without the love, generosity and care that each and every one of you demonstrates. Our team and local partners are bowled over and thankful whenever we speak to them. Sadly, the war has set back the climate for peace, reconciliation and justice for all by many years and devastated the economies of both Palestine and Israel. The situation on the West Bank is no less dire than Gaza; unemployment is reaching record levels; there are no tourists to serve; there is no sign of Palestinian workers returning to jobs in Israel; and tax revenues are not being
released to the Palestinian Authority to pay salaries to their civil servants.
Inside, you will read about our new projects designed to bring much needed hope now and for the years ahead. Once the war ends, we stand ready to build on these plans and breathe life into our Christian communities. We hope you will continue to walk alongside us to foster these fragile green shoots of recovery through your practical support and prayers. Seeing your love, care and compassion, our brothers and sisters are lifted up. +
God Bless,
Brendan Metcalfe, CEO
We
hope you will continue to walk alongside us to foster these fragile green shoots of recovery through your practical support and prayers.
Generosity Changes Lives
Thank you for giving so selflessly to bring practical help and hope to thousands suffering in the Holy Land.
The team here at Friends of the Holy Land is acutely aware of the cost-ofliving crisis that continues to put a strain on families in the UK. And yet, amidst these pressures, you continue to give so generously to support our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. This is the mark of true family – through our struggles, we open our hearts to those facing even greater challenges.
Thank you for responding so quickly to our calls for help. We were overwhelmed by the donations that came flooding in for our Christmas appeal, which brought in £200,000, and our Easter campaign, which raised an additional £200,000. This is the Body of Christ in action!
“This is the mark of true family”
“We have been among the first to respond”
As a result, we have been able to keep children in school and get young people into work, provide medical care and trauma therapy, build wells, install solar panels, and restore dignity. We have been among the first to respond to the emerging crisis – all thanks to you.
Good Financial Stewards
Rest assured that every penny you donate is used to alleviate pain, address inequality, and build hope.
Friends of the Holy Land have always set aside finances to support those in crisis this has increased from £6,000 a month to £15,000 a month now.
Alongside our emergency support, we need additional income to adapt or extend our work to keep pace with demand. It’s important to bear in mind that costs in the region are also increasing. Basic fuel and food now costs 10-15% more in the West Bank and if they can be bought in Gaza, 10 to 15 times what they did a year ago.
Planning Ahead
As we look to the future, we know that greater challenges lie in wait. It’s our prayer that a ceasefire will bring an end to the devastation. Even then, it will take years to undo the damage and restore livelihoods in the region. The task at hand is huge – but let’s not be fearful. We can take courage from all that we have achieved to date, from the expertise we have on the ground, and from the strength we find as a global family. When we stand united, pooling the gifts, skills, finances, and resources God has given us, I believe He will use them to do far more than we could ever imagine. None of us know quite what the future will bring, but rest assured, you are bringing hope and light to a region where darkness threatens to overwhelm. Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. +
UK NEWS
Celebrating SUMMER EVENTS Spread THE WORD in your Church
Our supporters are organising all manner of fundraising events this summer. From summer balls and afternoon teas to music concerts, sponsored events and cheese and wine evenings, there’s something for everyone.
Thank you to all those involved in organising or supporting these events. They provide crucial income and raise awareness for our work, for which we are so grateful. +
SUPPORT US while you shop online
While some churches across the country already support our mission, many more have yet to hear about our work. Despite the fact that events in the Middle East are headline news, few are aware of the challenges Christians face in the region.
Could your church host a talk, organise an event, make regular financial gifts, or pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land? If you’re not sure where to start, then let us help. Arrange an introduction, and we’ll take care of the rest. +
Could you tell your church about Friends of the Holy Land?
Contact us on 01926 512980 or email office@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
Register with EasyFundraising or The Giving Machine, and every time you shop with participating retailers, we receive a small donation at no extra cost to you. We’ve already received £2,400 from the programme and it’s an effortless way to make an impact. +
Find out more at www.easyfundraising.org.uk or www.thegivingmachine.co.uk
Set up a FACEBOOK FUNDRAISER
Did you know you can collect donations for a special event or celebration in Facebook? Just choose the ‘Create Fundraiser’ option from the ‘9 dots’ menu on Facebook, set up a page, and invite friends and family to donate. +
We are so grateful to all our church partners whose fundraising efforts are helping to transform the lives of Christians in the Holy Land. Our special thanks to the following church partners for their recent fundraising:
• St. Benedict’s Parish in Ealing raised a staggering £8,000 through their Lent Appeal.
• St Mary’s on the Hill Parish in Northern Ireland raised £11,500 through a church appeal for Gaza.
• Fr David Borland, from St Margaret’s Cathedral in Ayr, walked the distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem and raised £5,500.
• Holy Family Parish in Esher raised £2,500 for the School of Joy, by running a quiz night and other events.
• St Augustine’s Church in Milton Keynes also raised £2,300 for the School of Joy. +
Earn while you search with BING
If you use Bing for internet searches, you can earn points through Microsoft Rewards which become donations for your chosen charity. Every search makes a difference! +
Visit www.bing.com to find out more.
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate your birthday or anniversary? Instead of traditional gifts, consider asking for donations to support Friends of the Holy Land. By requesting donations in lieu of gifts, your special day can help spread hope and provide practical support where it’s needed most. We can even set up a dedicated fundraising page for you on our website. +
www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/ give-in-celebration
UK NEWS
Host the 50 FACES EXHIBITION
The 50 Faces photographic exhibition showcases the resilience and faith of the Christian community in the Holy Land. Highlighting the lives of the faithful in Israel, Gaza, and the Occupied Territories, this poignant exhibition has already been displayed in the Houses of Parliament and several cathedrals.
Could you host the exhibition and an ecumenical prayer service for the Holy Land in your church? If you are part of a large church with strong community reach, we’d love to hear from you. +
Contact us on 01926 512980 or email office@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
Donate through PAYROLL GIVING
Payroll Giving is a convenient and tax-effective way to make regular donations. Since donations are taken straight from your gross salary (before tax is deducted), you’ll actually pay less income tax.
If you pay UK tax through PAYE, ask your employer about setting up Payroll Giving Scheme if they don’t already have one. It usually doesn’t cost them a penny. Some employers will even match your donations as part of their corporate social responsibility strategy, which can be offset against their profits to reduce their taxes. +
Please remember all those out of work in Bethlehem this Christmas; the guides, the craftsmen, the hotel staff, the waiters and all their families.
Keep an eye out for our 2024 gift catalogue full of unique hand crafted gift ideas. If you’re not already on our mailing list and would like to receive a catalogue please email us at office@ friendsoftheholyland.org.uk or call 01926 512980.
This year’s card selection
“As long as the church stands with us, we are not afraid.”
Faith Amidst Adversity: THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN GAZA
The Christian community in Gaza remains extremely vulnerable. Churches are going to extraordinary lengths to offer spiritual and practical support, but the challenges continue to intensify as the war continues.
The suffering in Gaza has left many of us horrified and devastated. Amidst the turmoil, the Christian community has found refuge, sheltering predominantly in two churches: approximately 500 people are sheltered in the Church of the Holy Family and another 300 in the Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius.
While war rages, the Christians remain isolated and extremely vulnerable – including 70 children with special needs from a clinic run by the Sisters of Charity. Clinging to their faith and each other, the Christian community is working together to find and share supplies and provide spiritual encouragement to their Muslim neighbours.
Through their own pain and uncertainty, they are still finding the courage to reach out and work together. The Latin Church provide the Muslim community with water from their well, while the Orthodox Church
powers the Mosque’s water pump with electricity from its generator, providing water to the entire area. Where many larger international agencies have struggled to find a route to get aid and funding into Gaza, as a local charity with our own bank account, we have sent £125,000 directly to the two churches and the Al-Ahli Hospital for them to buy food, medicines, fuel and other essentials.
EMERGING HOPE
HB Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, risked his own safety to visit Gaza during Pentecost. This is the first visit of an international figure to date. The Cardinal celebrated Mass at the Holy Family Church and spent four days bringing comfort and spiritual solace.
Father Gabriel, the Latin parish priest from the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, who had been stranded in Bethlehem, also made his long-awaited return home.
Cardinal Pizzaballa was profoundly moved by the community’s resilience. “I brought with me the promise of a new life, and I was very surprised that they were the ones who taught me a lesson I will never forget: their steadfast faith, carried with heartwarming smiles, left a mark on me and my life,” he shared. “I saw hope and optimism in their eyes. They told me, ‘We will stay here. As long as the church stands with us, we are not afraid.’”
The Christian community in Gaza is a testament to the enduring power of faith and solidarity in the face of unimaginable hardship. +
A Snapshot of Life in Gaza
Sahar and her 15-year-old son sought refuge in a Latin church school shortly after war broke out in Gaza. She shares their daily struggles and how faith and support from the local church sustain them.
In the first days of the war, I stayed in my house with my 15-year-old son, Ramzi. We had food supplies and electricity. As the war continued more fiercely, we had electricity for only a few hours. As it was dangerous to stay at home, we decided to sleep at the school in the Latin church. It was a strange feeling, but I felt much safer being with other families.
We lived in a classroom with 12 people: three families with kids, a newborn, and a 77-year-old man. We adapted to the hard conditions, handwashing clothes, preparing meals, and waiting in line for a bucket of hot water. We prayed the holy mass and Eucharist daily for peace. I took care of a baby, Mariam, and my injured friend’s daughter, Lola. My son Ramzi helped the church committee. I was so afraid that he would have a nervous breakdown. It’s not a normal life for anyone, but he is a teenager, much more difficult for him to cope with the war.
I thank God for Father Gabriel and Father Yousif, who cared for us. +
“It’s not a normal life for anyone.”
↑ CHILDREN IN GAZA
↑ WORKING TOGETHER AT THE HOLY FAMILY
Your Love will Build a Brighter Future
Christian communities in the Holy Land need your support to sustain them through the ongoing crisis and help them look forward to a brighter future.
Living by faith, we start each year with nothing but the regular pledges from our generous supporters. We are profoundly grateful to those who have increased their giving in recent months to ensure we can meet the growing need. However, the situation won’t be resolved quickly, and as compassion fatigue pushes this crisis out of the headlines, it is crucial that these communities are not forgotten. Our teams have been developing ambitious new plans to reach more people in need of urgent support, respond to the trauma many are experiencing, and build strong foundations for the future. +
Here are some of the ways you can helps support us over the coming months.
1. EDUCATION: We’re opening doors for 50 bright minds through our scholarship programme, shaping tomorrow’s leaders in crucial fields like nursing, IT, and hospitality. Read more about this on pages 18 and 19.
2. EMERGENCY RELIEF: From urgent medical aid to trauma support, we’re expanding our reach to 600 families in need. We’re also aiming to install water tanks and solar panels for an additional 150 families. Find out more on pages 14 and 17
3. EMPLOYMENT: To help restore dignity and hope to those who have lost everything, our Job Creation Programme is providing 40 job placements in schools, churches and the community each quarter. Find out more on pages 22 and 23.
4. EMPOWERMENT: We’re pioneering new routes to peace and reconciliation while mentoring young people to collaborate on social initiatives that support their community as well as providing them with the skills for a successful career.
5. ENTREPRENEURSHIP: From our experience with the AFAQ Programme, which provides vocational support for unemployed graduates, we’re piloting an initiative to provide small businesses with grants for training and equipment. Find out more on pages 22 and 23.
profoundly grateful to
Please give securely online at: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/donate Or scan the QR code. If you prefer, you can send back this form in the envelope provided. Give a gift of HOPE today
I like would to give a one off gift of hope:
There are so many ways you can help us expand this great work.
£35 per month could help a child find relief from trauma in a summer camp.
£80 per month could help someone find dignity through our job creation programme.
£175 per month could fund the launch of a small business for a struggling family.
£2,500 could fund a summer camp to help around 40 young people deal collectively with trauma and gain new companions.
Make a donation online a www. friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/
We will use your kind gifts where they will have the greatest impact during and after this time of conflict. Thank you so much.
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Across the Holy Land, your support is strengthening the local Christian community.
Holy Land existing projects
EMERGENCY SUPPORT
INCREASES WITH DEMAND
Friends of the Holy Land have always set aside finances to support those in crisis. Before last October this was around £6,000 per month. At the outbreak of war, we increased it to £10,000, and then in April to £15,000 due to the volume of cases. Half the grant is used to support emergency requests to cover medical procedures and utility bills, and the other half to support those with chronic health conditions, such as heart conditions and diabetes. At least 25% of those we now support live outside the Bethlehem area. +
ST MARTHA’S HOUSE: A BEACON OF HOPE IN BETHLEHEM
St Martha’s House in Bethlehem has remained a sanctuary for elderly widows who face financial challenges, isolation and loneliness. Thanks to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, the day care facility has remained open, providing essential support and community. Edward, our gardener, has increased his vegetable production to combat soaring prices and ensure a supply of fresh produce for meals. For many of the ladies, the only meal they eat is the one they receive at St Martha’s House. To ensure they continue to receive good nutrition, we are increasing our budget. The mental health of our ladies has worsened since the onset of the war, making the fellowship at St Martha’s House more crucial than ever. The
constant worry for loved ones in Gaza and the turmoil in Bethlehem add to their stress. Margo, one of our ladies, says, “I have found a second family at St Martha’s House; enjoy the chats, prayers, and bingo games with my friends.” +
SCHOOL OF JOY: NURTURING POTENTIAL AMIDST
The School of Joy provides a vital service to children with educational, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. Alongside free education, the school provides specialised therapy, healthy meals and health checks. They even arrange transport so the children can get to school. This year, the number of children enrolling in the school has increased from 60 to 78, highlighting the growing need for our services. The school closed very briefly after the October attacks but has since reopened to provide stability for the children. For 17 children who live in Hebron however, online education is the only option. The dangers involved with getting to school are just too great, so the school is supporting them online for as long as they need. +
TURMOIL
Holy Land existing projects
JORDAN
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH IN AMMAN: SUPPORTING IRAQI CHILDREN
St. Paul’s Church in Amman has been a sanctuary for Iraqi refugees, helping families integrate into the community and education system.
When sisters Swareen (3rd grade) and Sireen (1st grade), arrived in Amman from Iraq with their family last Easter, they were nervous and withdrawn. After a few weeks of attending Sunday School and church activities, both girls began to grow in confidence.
Friends of the Holy Land funds were used to secure school places for the children. The girls’ mother had been hesitant to send them to school.
However, within a month Swareen achieved impressive test scores of 91.5% and Sireen 75%, a testament to their resilience and the support they received.
Supporting young people through their education is a key goal of Friends of the Holy Land. Last year, with your support, we helped 25 students to continue with their schooling. Many are from Iraq, but the church also supports those from Egypt and Jordan. Some attend Roman Catholic schools while others attend Greek Orthodox or Nazarene Evangelical schools, where their academic and spiritual development is nurtured. +
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUE TO BRING JOY
Musical instruments that we bought with kind donations back in 2021 continue to bring joy to children in the region. Music is a wonderful way for the children to express themselves, develop new skills and gain a great sense of achievement as they progress. Alongside the instruments, your support is also helping to subsidise music lessons and one to one tuition so they can explore the gift of music to the full. +
FUNDING BOOSTS DAIRY FARM
In 2018, a generous donation from FHL enabled the Parishes of St. Joseph and Ader in Jordan’s Karak region to establish a small dairy factory, producing high-quality cheeses like pecorino, mozzarella, and ricotta for sale at local markets and use in their own pizzeria. With further support, including a refrigerated van purchased with funding from USAID, the project continued to expand.
The appeal we held last summer raised enough funds to purchase an additional 50 sheep. This has boosted milk production, improved the quality of the cheese and ensured the sustainability of the project. The initiative, which now employ 14 people directly and impacts the lives of 70 indirectly, is the sole manufacturer of Italian styled ricotta and pecorino cheese in Jordan and continues to go from strength to strength. +
↑ PIANO LESSON
↓ VIOLIN LESSON
↓ SHEEP
Through the adversity of the war, we’re continuing to empower young people in the Holy Land to build sustainable futures through our scholarship programme.
A Pathway to Employment
Currently, with your support, we’re funding four nursing students at the University of Bethlehem; eight at the ETVTC (Episcopal Technology & Vocational Training Centre) in Ramallah; and ten at the Salesian College in Bethlehem.
For many years, we have been committed to supporting Christian students in the Holy Land by covering their school and university fees. However, research by the Latin Patriarchate and the Diocese of Jerusalem revealed a concerning trend: over 50% of university graduates remain unemployed a year after graduation. In response, we have shifted our focus to support students pursuing vocational courses, which we know will help them secure employment and fill skills shortages in the region.
8 students are on a two-year course at the ETVTC (Episcopal Technology & Vocational Training Centre) in Ramallah
This centre offers certification in Hospitality & Culinary Arts or Information Technology. Impressively, nearly 100% of ETVTC’s students find employment when they graduate. In the coming months, we’re aiming to double the number of young people we sponsor. +
→ It costs £85 per month to support a student on a two-year course at the ETVTC
10 students are at the Salesian College in Bethlehem
These students typically learn trades so they can work as electricians, solar power installers, plumbers, carpenters, and mechanics. Some students are also pursuing courses in graphic design or digital marketing. +
→ It costs £50 per month to support a student on a one-year course at the Salesian College
4 nursing students are at the University of Bethlehem
The war and subsequent border closures are making it difficult for many students to travel to university.
While lessons have moved online, meaning some are missing out on faceto-face contact, the students are as determined as ever to succeed. +
→ It costs £125 per month to support a student on a four-year nursing course
“The scholarship has been a lifeline for me, providing not only financial support but also a sense of hope and opportunity. It has allowed me to continue my education despite the hardships around us and has opened doors to a brighter future. If anything, the adversity we’ve faced has reinforced our commitment to our education and our resolve to make a positive difference in our communities.”
Dana, a second-year nursing student at Bethlehem University.
If you are interested in supporting scholarship students, visit www.friendsoftheholyland.org. uk/donate
↑ DANA, NURSING STUDENT
↑ ANTON, STUDENT ELECTRICIAN
Learning Resilience and Presence
As we struggle to make sense of the ongoing war, the Most Revd Hosam E. Naoum, Archbishop in Jerusalem, recently shared this wisdom on the importance of resilience and presence for our brothers and sisters suffering the harsh daily reality of violence.
Practicing Resilience
Resilience is the deeply ingrained knowledge or approach to facing and understanding the wounded world. Resilience is confronting reality with steadfastness, both making meaning out of hardship, rather than crying in despair and giving up, and improvising solutions from what is not readily available. The first mark of resilience is a strong acceptance of reality and our submission to the will of God. In both
“Presence is a call to participate in the lives of others”
thought and deed, we must believe that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). Our resilience stems from the living hope that dwells within us, without disconnecting us from our reality, no matter what the challenges may be.
The second mark is how we find meaning in the difficult and painful times we live in. This is achieved by transforming our suffering into meaning for others and ourselves. The resilient person is one who builds bridges between the reality of suffering and a more promising future.
The third mark of resilience is the ability to improvise a solution to a problem without obvious tools. As we say in an Arabic proverb: “Do good with what you have.” Improvisation is considered a virtue in our Middle
Eastern society. In English: “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
Practicing Presence
Presence is a call to participate in the lives of others. It involves personal presence with people that goes beyond the mere speaking of words. It reflects God’s presence among us, where God shares our lives through the proclamation of God’s immanence among us. As Jesus promised His disciples: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
In Galatians 6:2, we find one of the most important ways through which we can serve one another: “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). We therefore fulfil the law by being present with our neighbours in prayer and by offering personal support. Our Christian presence in our beloved and wounded Middle East in particular is of great importance in the resilience of our countries and
“Let’s pray for their continued resilience and be present in their lives”
“Our resilience stems from the living hope”
communities. Our presence in various places, especially where there is poverty, illness, fear and other challenges, serves as a reinforcement for the resilience of the grieving, the wounded, and the suffering.
In conclusion, our individual and collective presence throughout our homelands is a message of resilience to everyone, even in the midst of war, adversity, and death. For it is through all these challenges we are more than victorious through the one who loves us. Amen. +
Taken from the address of the Most Revd Hosam E. Naoum, Archbishop in Jerusalem to the Diocese Majma (Church Council) May 2024.
Did you know you can sign up for our prayer bank?
You can receive prayer requests and reflections via email by signing up at: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/forms/prayer-bank
Responding To Growing Needs
We’ve launched several new initiatives to respond to changing needs in the region. In the months ahead, we hope to continue extending these to support even more individuals and families.
NEW WATER PROJECT ALLEVIATES STRUGGLE IN ZABABDEH
In the heart of the Jenin area of the Northern West Bank lies Zababdeh, a town grappling with chronic water shortages, particularly severe during scorching summers. Thanks to your support, we’re working with a local partner, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, to restore clean water access to 500 individuals, including 90 of the most vulnerable Christian families in the region. Development is already underway to construct six new water wells and distribute 180 high-quality water tanks to the most vulnerable families in Zababdeh. Families within the town have taken ownership of the initiative, raising finances to cover one third of the cost of each water well.+
NEW JOB CREATION PROGRAMME
we are providing work placements for the unemployed from vulnerable families. Individuals are provided with a grant of NIS 1500 per month for three months while they work in local schools, social organisations and churches.
The scheme provides individuals with dignity of work, an opportunity to gain new skills and provides a service to the community. It costs £13,250 per quarter or £54,000 for the year to support 40 people through the programme.+
‘Families within the town have taken ownership of the initiative’
ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL AND PENMEN CLINIC RECEIVE FUNDING BOOST
The current conflict has exacerbated demand for healthcare services at St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus and Penmen Clinic in Zababdeh-Jenin.
Close to 80% of jobs in the West Bank have vanished, leaving countless families without an income. As a result, more people than ever are turning to St. Luke’s Hospital and the Penmen Clinic for affordable or free healthcare.
This surge in demand coincides with a significant drop in income for the Diocese institutions. St. Luke’s Hospital, for instance, has seen a 60% decline in income in recent months, while the Penmen Clinic has had a 30% drop in funding.
Thanks to your support, we are helping to bridge the financial gap, so the healthcare facilities can continue to offer critical healthcare services to the most vulnerable populations. +
SUMMER CAMPS ADDRESS YOUTH TRAUMA
Summer camps have been set up by churches around the West Bank to help children to process the trauma they have experience through the war. So far, we have provided six camps with grants of £2,500 each to help cover the cost of transportation, meals, materials and qualified counsellors for around 40 children each. +
AFAQ PROGRAMME ADDRESSES UNEMPLOYMENT
We’re helping young people gain employment and families to start thriving businesses through the AFAQ programme. Even before the war, 41% of female graduates and 20% of male graduates are unemployed a year after leaving university. Your support has helped young people to access vocational training and internships and small businesses to receive professional coaching, and grants for much-needed equipment so they can establish and grow.
Our budget for entrepreneurial grants next year is £100,000
Applications and interest from women and young people especially have greatly exceeded our budget for Phase 1. With your help, we’d love to give the opportunity to work and set up a business to more people so they can support themselves and their families instead of relying on aid. Could you help us expand the project? +
You can help these projects transform more lives by donating online a www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/donate or return the slip inside the magazine.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Teacher, Healer and Saviour whose kingdom will know no end, empower with your Spirit our brothers and sisters in faith in the land you made holy. Make them strong in faith, hope and love. May they know your presence and peace, as your light pierces the darkness that cannot overcome it.
When suffering and injustice seem unending, we pray for sumud — the steadfast endurance and resilience that we find in you.
As Jesus maintained his faith even unto death on a cross, strengthen the faith of all those in Palestine and Israel, and around the world, who wait and pray and work for the justice that is the root of true peace.
Bless the work of Friends of the Holy Land: enlighten our vision, empower our partnership and make us bearers of good news, for the sake of your holy name. Accompany all who seek to serve you and their neighbours in daily acts of hope and faith.
In this endeavour, make every one of us agents of your peace, O God, so may we join people of good will, who raise before Jerusalem’s gates their insistent prayer: “Peace be within your walls. Peace be within you.” Psalm 122: 7
Amen
You can find a range of prayers and reflections on our prayer page www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/prayer