Day 11 - Palestinian Territories
For the Palestinians living in the Gaza strip, Nablus (the old Sichem), Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah and elsewhere, life is hard. Economic survival is difficult for most Palestinian families in normal periods, but the conflict between the Jews and Palestinians, as well as the conflicts between the Palestinians themselves, make things much more difficult. Families, the elderly and the handicapped are especially suffering.
Despite their withdrawal from Gaza, the Israeli military presence at sea and on the borders of the Gaza Strip is still commonly perceived by Palestinian Muslims as an Israeli occupation because of the difficulty of importing goods from the outside world into the overpopulated enclave. Gazans can only rarely leave the enclave to travel abroad. On the Egyptian side, the difficulties of getting visas are enormous. Most Gazans have never even been across the frontier with Egypt of Cairo, which is the biggest city in the Arab world, only 350 km away. The West Bank is still under very strict Israeli control as well; however, happily there are some isolated pockets of prosperity. While the Palestinians do get economic help from abroad, some countries also send weapons, shells and rockets that often only make the situation worse. This incites further violence against Israel.
Enormous stress, bitterness and often actual hatred is felt because almost every family had a son, a nephew or other family member who died during the wars, protests, armed insurrections, terrorist efforts and confrontations of the past 65 years. Even among the Arabs, factional fighting between their own political and military groups (Hamas and Fatah) have killed many hundreds of people. (About 600 people died in 18 months in 2006 and 2007 alone.) Ultimately, only God's love can change the people and take away hate and resentment.
About 2,500 people in Gaza call themselves believers. However, the vast majority of them are not practicing, although some believers have been martyred for their faith. Some have actively done things to help the widow, the handicapped and the elderly. The Gazan believers definitely need some encouragement. Visitors to Gaza from the outside tell how their hearts are touched and they are moved to tears when they leave. 'The believers in Gaza say, 'Do not forget us''.
Prayer Ideas:
Despite their withdrawal from Gaza, the Israeli military presence at sea and on the borders of the Gaza Strip is still commonly perceived by Palestinian Muslims as an Israeli occupation because of the difficulty of importing goods from the outside world into the overpopulated enclave. Gazans can only rarely leave the enclave to travel abroad. On the Egyptian side, the difficulties of getting visas are enormous. Most Gazans have never even been across the frontier with Egypt of Cairo, which is the biggest city in the Arab world, only 350 km away. The West Bank is still under very strict Israeli control as well; however, happily there are some isolated pockets of prosperity. While the Palestinians do get economic help from abroad, some countries also send weapons, shells and rockets that often only make the situation worse. This incites further violence against Israel.
Enormous stress, bitterness and often actual hatred is felt because almost every family had a son, a nephew or other family member who died during the wars, protests, armed insurrections, terrorist efforts and confrontations of the past 65 years. Even among the Arabs, factional fighting between their own political and military groups (Hamas and Fatah) have killed many hundreds of people. (About 600 people died in 18 months in 2006 and 2007 alone.) Ultimately, only God's love can change the people and take away hate and resentment.
About 2,500 people in Gaza call themselves believers. However, the vast majority of them are not practicing, although some believers have been martyred for their faith. Some have actively done things to help the widow, the handicapped and the elderly. The Gazan believers definitely need some encouragement. Visitors to Gaza from the outside tell how their hearts are touched and they are moved to tears when they leave. 'The believers in Gaza say, 'Do not forget us''.
Prayer Ideas:
- Thank God that He has not forgotten His promises to the Jews or Arabs. He is faithful to both; some Arab speakers (from Arabia) first heard about the Messiah on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). God obviously wanted them to hear the Good News. Thank God for the Palestinians who have recognized the Messiah already. Ask for more!
- Pray for profound inner healing for many. The scars of decades of conflict destroy lives in the present.
- Pray for the Hamas and Fatah militants. May their hearts be changed. May they come to know the love of the Messiah. Simon the Zealot was among Jesus' disciples. Many zealots at the time of Jesus used violence to accomplish their goals (Matthew 10:4).
- Pray for the brave believers who live among the Muslim Palestinians that they may be a good witness (Matthew 5:16). may they be strengthened in their faith (Ephesians 3:16-17).
- All text from 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
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