So first of all, I want to say I have been quite apprehensive to release these guides. I made these over a year and a half ago…long before the latest attacks by the Hamas and subsequent attacks on Gaza. I am not an expert on the conflict, and am very much learning.
These guides do not focus on the conflict, but more on the two cultures of this region. They focus on geography, culture, language, and the amazing Christians of this region on both sides, many of which are working to keep unity within the Church and seek justice, peace and reconciliation for their land.
The United Nations has a fairly complete history of the conflict as well as information on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at the moment . I encourage you to check out this information as you pray. Faith Adjacent also has a very thorough analysis and thoughts from a faith perspective.
With that, I also would like to direct you towards Musalaha.
Musalaha is a faith-based organization that teaches, trains and facilitates reconciliation mainly between Israelis and Palestinians from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and also international groups, based on biblical principles of reconciliation.
-Mission Statement from the Musalaha website
To learn more please visit their website, and consider making a donation to the important work they are doing.
I also want to acknowledge and make note that these guides are fairly light-hearted. They do not dive-in to the details of the conflict neither past, nor present. This is largely due to the fact that 1) I created these long before the latest escalation to use with my own children, 2) they are aimed for the under 5 crowd which deserves a level of discernment when discussing such matters with children.
I am posting them now, as I know this region is on the mind of many, including those of us with littles. I pray that these can be used by those of us who are praying, but have littles in tow with us. As we play with our children who we can shelter from the horrors of this world, may we pray diligently for those who have not been given this privilege. May our prayers not only be breaths towards heaven, but words towards those in power, and action to alleviate hurt and oppression. May we stand with our fellow Christians in this area of the world, seeking peace, unity, justice, and reconciliation for their land. May we pray for the oppression of our Palestinian brothers and sisters to cease. While not loosing sight that our Israeli brothers and sisters are still image bearers. And many of them are also opposed to the oppression in their land,, and are doing the work of justice and reconciliation. May we pray for this in both word, and deed.
Palestine Prayer Guide
The Palestine prayer guide focuses on the geographical location, language, culture, and the Church in this region. It includes:
- A map showing the geographical location of Palestine.
- A list of Bible stories that took place in Palestine.
- Facts about Christianity in Palestine, as well as photos of Christian places of interest and iconography from the Palestinian Church.
- Tiny Biography of Sumaya Farhat Naser, a Palestinian Christian Activist.
- An Arabic language lesson as well as a qr code linking to an Arabic counting song.
- Tiny Biography of Palestinian Christian Rim Banna who used her music to advocate for justice and peace in Palestine. As well as a qr code linking to her Children’s Album.
- Book Recommendations
- Salat Falahiyeh Recipe
- A prayer prompt page with a qr code linking to a A Palestinian Hymn
Baby Devotions 