FAST FOR GAZA
A call from our Christian sisters and brothers in Jerusalem to spend a day in prayer and fasting for Gaza.
Image credit: Hosny Salah
As starvation spreads across Gaza, our Christian sisters and brothers in Jerusalem have called on us to spend a day in prayer and fasting for Gaza. As members together of the one household of God (Ephesians 2.19), we are not helpless or voiceless.
Since the end of May, many Christians have taken up the call to Fast for Gaza, to raise awareness of the critical food shortages there and urge world leaders to take action. Some have pledged to fast every Wednesday until the situation in Gaza improves.
We are inviting people of faith to join us - fasting for a day in any way they can, joining Christian around the world in prayer, and adding their voice to the call for action.
Food aid is beginning to trickle into Gaza. But at the moment it is only a drop in the ocean of need. The trickle needs to become a sustained torrent to have any hope of alleviating the disastrous consequences of months of starvation.
We need to keep up the pressure. Please continue to support this campaign in whatever way you can - through prayer and fasting, by raising awareness on social media, or by writing to the Foreign Secretary.
WRITE TO THE FOREIGN SECRETARY TODAY
We encourage you to write to the Foreign Secretary David Lammy about the Fast for Gaza campaign and to call on the UK government to continue pressing for a full lifting of the aid blockade and recognise that Israel’s actions have breached international law.
You can use this form to do so - just add your name and email. It’s easy, quick and will help amplify our call for action.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD
If you’re taking part in the Fast for Gaza campaign, please help spread the word by posting a picture of yourself on social media holding a piece of paper with the words #FastForGaza. Don’t forget to tag us - @followembrace.
Types of Fasting
‘Fasting’ can look different for everyone. If you are able to fast safely, use the time when you would normally eat to pray. If you are not able to fast from food, perhaps you could give up something else? Instead of watching TV, could you use that time to pray? You might also like to use any money you might save to donate to our Gaza Appeal.
Prayer Suggestions
Below are some prayers that you can use. You might find it helpful to reflect on this painting, created for the fast by Ramone Romero and titled, 'I was hungry...'
God of goodness and love,
we lift before you the people of Gaza,
each one made in your image.
***
God, whose Son Jesus called the little children to him,
we pray for Gaza’s children and young people.
***
God of compassion,
who sent your son Jesus to set the prisoners free,
we pray for the hostages and their families.
***
God of hope,
we pray for a softening of hearts and minds that will allow a flow of aid,
food and medicines to reach the people of Gaza
***
God of healing
we pray for what’s left of the medical facilities in Gaza,
for their staff as they work day and night to try and save lives.
We pray for the Al Ahli Anglican Hospital,
who despite huge damage to their facilities are still treating people.
***
God of peace,
we pray for all those involved in the fighting
that they might be given eyes to see as you see.
KEEP IN TOUCH
For the latest news on the situation in Gaza and other ways that you can help, as well as news of Embrace’s wider work across the region, sign up to receive our weekly email updates.