UK Christians have prayed continuously for 700 hours about the crisis in the Middle East, as part of a prayer session organised by charities Tearfund and 24-7 Prayer, as conflicts continue in the region.
Tearfund asked people to pray for the situation as conflicts continue in Gaza and Lebanon, and tensions increase between Israel and Iran.
Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s Regional Director for the Middle East, said: ‘The humanitarian suffering in Gaza and across the Middle East is greater than ever so it’s vital that we’re praying for the region.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon
‘In Gaza, more than 43,000 people have been killed and about 90% of the population has been displaced. And so churches and Christian organisations have had to step into their historic role as first responders, but at a time when the need and suffering are on an unimaginable scale.’
Conditions have also become increasingly difficult in Lebanon. Sat-7’s content ministry advisor, George Makeen, said the war has forced nearly a million Shia Muslims to relocate from the south and settle in safer Christian areas, but that this has added significant pressure to the country’s fragile economy and threatens social cohesion.
Makeen told en that, while the church and other Christian NGOs are supporting the humanitarian effort by caring for refugees and supporting marginalised people, many Lebanese people feel disillusioned.
‘As Lebanese, and many others in the region, follow the daily news of death and destruction, they are … questioning God’s love and care for them,’ he said. ‘The core message of the gospel is challenged because of the current escalation that is yet expected to increase and leave us struggling and praying for guidance.’
The rising tensions between Israel and Iran
Tensions have also risen between Israel and Iran. Elam communications correspondent, Chrissy Parkes, said: ‘As conflict in the Middle East has escalated, God has continued to draw many in Iran to Himself. Amid widespread fear and feelings of hopelessness among ordinary Iranians, hearts are open like never before, seeking hope and finding it in Jesus. Iranian believers ask for prayer to be a light in this dark time, for new believers to find discipleship and fellowship, and for many more to discover the peace of Christ in these turbulent times.’
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