Life as a Palestinian Christian

On Wednesday evening, we were privileged to host Shireen, a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, who teaches at the Bethlehem Bible College ("the BBC"!). She described what life is like as a minority - a female and a Christian - in an oppressed territory under constant threat - and how our Christian brothers and sisters there are holding on to faith in God through such difficulties. She also spoke powerfully about their links with Messianic Jews in Israel, reconciliation and their desire for peace for all in Israel and Palestine, including the Jewish hostages. 

​You can hear some of her moving interview here:

We then spent time praying prayers of lament, voicing our sadness, confusion, anger and grief to God at the current situation in Israel / Palestine, using passages like Psalm 143, Psalm 142, Psalm 102:1-11, Lamentations 3:46-51 and Lamentations 5:1-3.

That was followed by praying prayers of healing and blessing over the region, using passages like Psalm 146, Psalm 121, Psalm 91, Psalm 62:1-2, Lamentations 3:22-27 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-6. 

Bethlehem Bible College run a charity called The Shepherd Society, which are helping provide funds for families in Gaza, amongst other things. (Some of our Christmas services collection was passed on to them.) As most of us know, millions of people in Gaza are at risk of starvation. If you want to make a donation towards food aid, that can be done online or via post to the Shepherd Society. 

Please joint us in continuing to pray for peace (shalom).