Persecuted Church - Gaza
A six-month truce between Hamas and Israel expired on 19 December 2008 leading to an intensification in hostilities in Gaza.
After several weeks of bombings and fighting, on January 17th a ceasefire was announced and Israel withdrew their troops. Subsequently, the BBC reported that more than 400,000 Gazans were left without running water, 4,000 Gazan buildings were razed and 20,000 severely damaged and more than 50,800 Gazans were left homeless.
Articles on the web site persecutioninfo.blogspot.com say that even before the recent escalation in hostilities, the estimated 3,000 Christians in Gaza have been living in fear from threats from Islamic militants. However, they have been drawing strength from their faith in God. In an email, Suhad Massad, wife of pastor Hanna Massad and leader of the Palestinian Bible Society’s ministry in Gaza, wrote: “The church building (Gaza Baptist) was damaged when the police station opposite the church was bombed. In the attack 40 people were killed instantly but to the church only damage was done. The windows of the library fell down, but no members of the church were hurt.”
A Call to Prayer for Gaza
Open Doors has close contact with both the Palestinian Bible Society and the Bible Society in Israel. The leaders of both Bible Societies issued the following joint statement about the situation, requesting prayer:
“Our hearts are broken as we witness the escalation of hostilities in Gaza and southern Israel. We invite you all to join us in praying for a speedy end to this terrible war; for God’s peace and mercy, for the prevalence of godliness, and for respect for the sanctity of human life. Israelis and Palestinians are at war; we are not. Through our single identity in Christ and his lordship we experience his peace, practise his love, and hold on to him as our hope. We value our fellowship in him and with you all. We are committed to serving our communities with the Gospel of peace and forgiveness. We will sweat for that which Christ bled for, and labour for that which Christ died for.
We value your prayers and solidarity. “
Hamas MP’s Son Becomes a Christian!
The Anglican Friends of Israel report the amazing story of the conversion to Christianity of the son of a Hamas MP:
‘A moment before beginning his supper, Masab, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, glances at the friend who has accompanied him to the restaurant where we met. Masab knows that he has little hope of returning to visit the Holy Land in this lifetime. They whisper a few words and then say grace, thanking God and Jesus for putting food on their plates.
It takes a few seconds to digest this sight: The son of a Hamas MP who is also the most popular figure in that extremist Islamic organization, a young man who assisted his father for years in his political activities, has become a rank-and-file Christian. “I’m now called Joseph,” he says at the outset.
“I know that I’m endangering my life and am even liable to lose my father, but I hope that he’ll understand this and that God will give him and my family patience and willingness to open their eyes to Jesus and to Christianity. Maybe one day I’ll be able to return to Palestine and to Ramallah with Jesus, in the Kingdom of God.”’
Open Doors suggest the following prayers for this troubled part of the world:
• for God’s comfort for the wounded and the bereaved
• for the Christians in Gaza who are facing loss of water, food, electricity and peace
• that godliness will triumph over political gain in the hearts of Israeli and Palestinian leaders and that a permanent ceasefire will soon be reached
• for unity within the body of Christ. Pray that this war would not drive a wedge into the body of Christ, with groups pro and contra.
Blessed are the peacemakers!
