Greetings,

This Friday, 1 March, is World Day of Prayer.  Traditionally led by Christian women, people will gather across many nations and pray for a particular place in the world, as well as supporting a shared project.  For decades this global ecumenical prayer service has been an opportunity for local churches in each region to come together to pray.  This year the service has been prepared by Palestinian women, with the theme ‘I Beg You, Bear With One Another in Love’ (Ephesians 4:3).

This years’ service was prepared before the current crisis, but written out of the context of their own suffering as these Palestinian women live as part of a minority faith group in a country where their people are largely oppressed.  It is a timely reminder that with all that has been  unfolding in Palestine and Israel, there is a real need to hold all those in the Holy Land in prayer, joining with all who are seeking a just and lasting peace.

This artwork, by Halima Aziz, depicts three women praying together in a peaceful place in nature.  They sit under an olive tree – a sign of everlasting and abundant life given that these trees can life for thousands of years.  Wearing traditional dress, these women sit above the golden roots of the tree which show that Palestinians will always exist and, as they exist, will work for their rights and freedom.  They hold poppy flowers which remind them of those who have died for their country.

Palestinian Christian women invite us to pray for justice and freedom and a peaceful solution that will bring an end to human suffering.  There is also a call to the task of repairing what has been damaged or destroyed.  Let us hold these people in our prayers at this time.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).