Lesa Scholl
27 November 2024
Christians around the world have been urged to pray for the violence in the Middle East to end as the conflict continues to escalate.
Faith organisations including Tearfund UK are encouraging people to join in as they host a series of prayer campaigns for peace.
Tearfund ran a 24-7 global online prayer room throughout October with 720 hours of continuous prayer.
Head of church and supporter engagement Graeme McMeekin said that while suffering around the world could make us feel powerless, Christians could pray for God to bring healing to the region.
Read more: Mystery of prayer powerful in a dark world
Almost half a million people face starvation in Gaza as aid restrictions continue.
Gazans rely on aid to sustain their people. This supply has diminished 95 per cent since the conflict began in October 2023.
Alongside prayer, Christians around the world were asked to support aid organisations and petition their governments.
Anglican Overseas Aid chief executive Jo Knight said the restriction of access to aid caused immense death and suffering.
She urged Australia to use every diplomatic means to call for international law and access to humanitarian supplies.
Read more: Melbourne pilgrims to walk, pray for peace in Gaza as Lent begins
Caritas Australia Humanitarian Emergencies Lead Sally Thomas said the greatest need as winter approached was for food, blankets and hygiene kits.
“We are always looking to provide dignity and support,” Ms Thomas said.
Tearfund’s Middle East regional director Safa Hijazeen said the humanitarian suffering in Gaza was greater than ever.
“Tearfund’s church partners are doing their best to respond across the region, working in very difficult circumstances to provide meals for displaced people, ship vital medicines, and keep schools running,” he said.
In mid-November, the Australian government joined more than 155 members of the international community in a UN resolution calling for Palestine to have permanent sovereignty over their natural resources.
Foreign minister Penny Wong said “While Australia does not agree with everything in the resolution, this vote reflects international concern about Israeli actions that impede access to natural resources, and ongoing settlement activity, land dispossession, demolitions and settler violence against Palestinians.”
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