Palestinian Territories
Muslims harass and persecute Palestinian Christians with little interference. Christian businesses are bombed and believers beaten. When churches are destroyed in Gaza, they are not permitted to rebuild. “Hamas digs up the bodies of Christians from burial sites in the Gaza Strip claiming that they pollute the earth,” said one Christian leader.
The manager of a Christian bookstore was martyred at the entrance to his shop in Gaza. As the Islamic persecution of Palestinian Christians has increased, their percentage of the Palestinian population has dwindled from 10% in 1940 to 1.4% in 2000.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Palestinian Territories
Persecuted Christian Worker Perseveres
Our ministry partner in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES faithfully perseveres in sharing the Gospel despite poverty, health problems, and the persecution he faces even from his own family.
Pray for his daughter, who is not allowed to talk to him. Ask God to bless his work in evangelism and discipleship. “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.”
Perseverance
“Barnabas,” Smyrna’s ministry partner in the Palestinian Territories, is a tireless evangelist who, despite poverty and illness, has over 100 points of ministry along the West Bank. A convert from Islam, he has suffered persecution from his family. His wife used his baptism certificate as evidence against him in court and divorced him. His daughter is not allowed to talk to him. But no matter what, Barnabas perseveres.
Evangelist Perseveres
Our ministry partner in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES is now in a town with 5 new believers from a Muslim background. He is still suffering from loneliness because his Muslim wife divorced him after his baptism.
Pray that God will encourage him and use him greatly in the lives of these new believers. “After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Children Come to Christ
In the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, a Christian VBS program faced opposition from neighbors and local authorities. The youth center was vandalized and the leaders’ car tires were slashed. Nevertheless, many children attended, and over two dozen accepted Christ.
Praise God for His salvation! “But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”
Martyr’s Widow Faces Challenges
In the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, a martyr’s widow and her children face difficulties in a Muslim society. Her husband was tortured and killed several years ago for running a Christian bookshop. She and her young children continue to persevere, despite the many challenges they face.
Pray that their testimony will lead many Muslims to Christ. “For it is God who works in you…”
Bomb Thrown at Believer's Car
In February in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, a bomb was thrown at a Christian’s car. He survived, but is now receiving text messages warning him to stop his evangelical work. In his region Hamas has been enforcing Sharia law, which forbids evangelism.
Ask God to continue to protect this believer and his family. “Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.”
Terrorists try to drive Christians from Gaza
Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for a bomb near Gaza City's university, with the stated goal of driving Christians from Gaza.
Pray that nothing will prevent the perseverance of the saints of God. "And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you."
Conflict over the "Son of God"
Just before Christmas, Palestinian Muslims in Nazareth raised a banner proclaiming "Allah has no son" -- right in front of the ancient church building commemorating the angel's appearance to Mary announcing that she would give birth to the Savior.
Pray that Nazareth's Muslims will come to know the one God as He has revealed Himself in His only-begotten Son, Jesus. "And behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple."
Christian Graves Desecrated
Muslim mobs in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES went on a rampage and desecrated seventy Palestinian Christian graves. Rioters claimed the attack was in response to the Pope's visit to the region--two weeks earlier.
Pray for peace between these neighbors. "He has told you, O man, what is good."
Gaza Christian school attacked
Gunmen tied down and beat guards at a Christian school in Gaza, threatened the director, and stole a bus.
Pray that in the midst of insecurity Christians will know God as their protector. "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me."