Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


'A call to pray for us' 


Baptists are the largest single group of Evangelical Christians in Israel today and offer a unique perspective: as Arab-Israelis they are a minority within a majority Jewish state; as Christians, a minority within the majority Muslim Arab-Israeli population; and as Evangelicals, a minority within the majority traditional churches. They stand in solidarity with all who are suffering.

Here Bader Mansour shares an update of the current situation in the region, alongside a series of prayer points 

Jerusalem


Many of you have sent letters and asked about us during this difficult time. Thank you for your love. Hereby, I am sending an update about the situation and how it is affecting our churches.

This letter is not an attempt to explain all issues or take sides, but rather an update and a call to pray for us.

We are in the middle of yet another round of violence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which comes this time after one year of lockdown because of COVID-19. It also came during a very unstable political situation in Israel (4 elections in 2 years) and the cancellation of elections in the Palestinian authority. Currently, the Israeli Air force is bombing the Gaza strip and the Gaza strip controlled by the militant group Hamas is firing rockets into Israel and there is lots of destruction and many lives have been lost. There is also a lot of unrest in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

What is happening inside Israel is very alarming. Arabs and Jews in Israel are projecting a lot of anger, through rioting and looting which have been going on for a week, and some of the worse sides of hatred have spread from both sides. Many innocent people have been attacked and beaten, and few people were killed. Businesses and homes were burnt down or vandalised and extremists are trying to terrorise innocent people who do not feel safe even inside their own homes. The situation continues to be dangerous.

In addition to the loss of lives and in property, we are mostly concerned about the spread of hatred and the destroying of co-existence that was built with lots of hard work. After all, this will stop, it will take years to build what was destroyed.

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3

We weep with those who are weeping and empathize with all who are suffering. We have called our churches for three-day fasting and prayer for our country. We continue to pray as we call you to stand with us in prayer.

We have the following specific prayer requests:

  1. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, including all its inhabitants and all surrounding areas – for both Israelis and Palestinians.
  2. Pray for leaders and all those in authority that they may peruse peace so we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
  3. Pray for the healing of relationships between Jews and Arabs, especially for our young people who are exposed to this kind of hatred for the first time.
  4. Pray for protection for our churches, communities, and for our families. Some churches had to cancel their services or hold them online because of fear. Pray especially for Haifa, Acre, Lod, Ramle, Jaffa, Cana of Galilee, Turaan.
  5. Pray for us to remember to turn our eyes to God, our refuge and strength, and to Jesus, the prince of peace.
  6. Pray for us to live our faith by loving our neighbours as ourselves and have faith to continue being a prophetic voice amid the chaos and light amid the darkness.
     

Bader Mansour is the Development Officer, Association of Baptist Churches in Israel. Baptists are the largest single group of Evangelical Christians in Israel today with 18 churches and a community of 3,000 people, serving mainly among the Arab population in Israel. It belongs to the European Baptist Federation, to whom this letter was originally written. Bader's letter is republished with his permission. 

 

For more on the current situation:

Pray for Palestinians and Israelis - prayer and action points from Christian Aid

As we look to respond to this call to prayer, you might find these resources helpful. They have been compiled by our friends at Christian Aid, and emphasise a “just peace”, in recognition that there can be no durable political settlement and no lasting peace in the region whilst poverty and injustice remain

Stand with Palestinians and Israelis - call for a ceasefire today - Christian Aid
In addition to praying, Christian Aid is also inviting us to write to the Prime Minister to urge him to:
1. Actively pursue an immediate and unconditional ceasefire
2. Press for international law to be upheld by both sides
3. Support the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a forum in which all those who commit crimes against humanity or war crimes can be held to account. 


Israel-Palestine: Avoiding Antisemitic and Islamophobic Hate Speech - Solutions Not Sides 
Clearly the ongoing conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian authorities is incredibly complex and deeply sensitive for many. This should not prevent us from discussing it in our churches, praying for just peace and standing in solidarity with all any who are suffering or oppressed. You may find these guidelines helpful to ensure any such conversations avoid falling foul of Antisemitic and Islamophobic language and sentiment.
 







 

 

Baptist Times, 19/05/2021
    Post     Tweet
Helping Baptist churches embrace the nations 
2:19 is a charity that helps churches use English conversation classes and cafe initiatives to reach, welcome and share the gospel with speakers of other languages. CEO David Baldwin highlights three Baptist churches it has worked with
'Seeing the Easter story brought to life is a dramatic and moving experience for everyone' 
Have you ever experienced the Easter story through live theatre? This article by the Passion Trust highlights the power of a Passion Play - and several are taking place around the UK this Easter
Golden tears and beauty for ashes for survivors of sexual violence
Hannah Rose Thomas led trauma-healing art workshops around the world, before being invited to paint stunning portraits of the women she encountered. Her new book and exhibition - launching on International Women’s Day - help to tell their stories
Reaching people who are offline
New analysis indicates that almost half of over 65s are either unable to use the internet safely and successfully, or are not online at all. This has important implications for churches, writes Alex Drew - and here are some ideas to consider
‘Our aim is to help participants learn peace-making skills’ 
Baptist minister and mediation trainer Joanna Williams introduces a five-session course she is hosting for anyone interested in transforming conflicts in a church setting – and beyond
What might a Kingdom business look like?
The final part of the series offers two ways to reflect on Lydia, Nehemiah, Solomon and David as exemplars in business
     The Baptist Times 
    Posted: 05/02/2024
    Posted: 16/12/2023
    Posted: 15/12/2023
    Posted: 06/12/2023
    Posted: 27/11/2023
    Posted: 12/09/2023
    Posted: 31/08/2023
    Posted: 13/06/2023
    Posted: 01/05/2023