Difficult Decisions for Christians in Gaza

Join us for 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, March 11-April 9, 2024.

The 1,000 or so Christians sheltering in two churches in Gaza City are faced with difficult decisions at this moment. We are sharing with you today from the heart of Harriet Lawrence, who formerly lived and taught in the Gaza Strip:

The call was issued on Tuesday morning for the Zeitoun neighborhood to evacuate to a designated area further down the Mediterranean coast. Zeitoun is where both the Greek Orthodox and Latin Catholic churches are located.

The Christians are truly pressed in on every side. Afflicted, struck down so low. They NEED us to hold up their arms in these days….

PLEASE PRAY for the Christians safe-harboring in the churches as they consider their alternatives and make the best decision for their families.

Many of these people are elderly and walking long distances would be very difficult…. Many of the elderly have (already) died due to a lack of health care.

We praise You, God, that You are Wisdom. We praise You that You endure forever and Your praises will endure forever (Psalm 111:10). We thank You that You’ve told us that You give wisdom willingly to all those who ask. We ask that You give wisdom to our friends who are making difficult decisions today.

I texted a long time (Wednesday) with a friend who is there. They have made their decision as to what to do. Our friend’s daughter (about 10) has lost many of her friends to the fighting and bombing. The sense of loss is nearly overwhelming.

Please pray for the children.

Of course, through all this time we have known that the trauma must be overwhelming but hearing firsthand how traumatized the children are is difficult… and a privilege. We must do our part in prayng for them.

When we lived in Gaza and things got “difficult,” one seasoned worker told me, “We do this …, we do that …, and God makes up the difference.” As a young mama I took that to heart. My children never lived through what the children in Gaza are experiencing now but they did have their share of trauma. I can say without a doubt that God made up the difference. We have two reasonably healthy adult children whose faith is strongly intact.

Pray for the parents.

Like all parents everywhere, they want the best for their children. They want “normal”. They want to have healing things to say when pressed with questions. These parents want their children to come out of this with their faith intact, KNOWING that God was with them every step of the way.

Pray for encouragement for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask God to give them dreams in which they know the nearness of the Lord. He can come to them in so many different ways. Let’s pray that these dear ones will KNOW of His closeness. Pray that they will have His wisdom. Ask God to help them know how to help their children. Pray that they will be able to encourage one another. And lastly, pray that they will be able to receive the encouragement that comes to them.

Food remains at crisis level for those in the north. Ask God for a miracle for those in that area.

Our friends who are living in tents in the middle area (of the Gaza Strip) have written that it is now about $27 for 2 pounds of flour. Rice is $14 for 2 pounds. Sugar is about $20 for 2 pounds. 8 ounces of coffee is $30 (previously it was $2). He writes that milk is not available at all. Even the wealthiest Gazans can’t afford these prices.

Pray that God will change the hearts (of vendors) so they will be fair with their fellow Gazans.

Heavenly Father, we praise you that you are the God of encouragement. YOU are the God of hope. We pray now that you, God of hope, fill our brothers and sisters with all joy and peace in believing, so that they will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. We praise you that you are present with us all. We ask that you give our brothers and sisters a sense of your presence like never before. We thank you that you are fully able.

As always, we are praying for the hostages and those who are in charge of them. Pray always for their families. And for the families of Palestinians who have also been taken.

Pray for the families (of IDF soldiers) killed. And for all of the Palestinians who are grieving, as well, for the almost a hundred people who were killed overnight.

“Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrew 10:23.

“Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrew 10:23.We praise you again, God, for being our HOPE. You are faithful. We praise you for that. We ask you to show yourself faithful to all of those who depend on you. Teach us to be faithful as you are.

Lord, please give every Christian in Gaza wisdom to know what You are leading them to do at this time. Surround them with Your angel armies and shield them from all harm. For those who will travel, map out their course and get them there safely. Prepare for them a safe place to rest and call “home” wherever that is. Prepare healthy food, medicines and other needed provisions for their journey and also awaiting them when they arrive. Provide shelter for them, blankets, water, a means to wash and to cook. For those with elderly loved ones, give them courage and strength, wisdom and provision. We ask You for miraculous health and strength for each of the elderly and others with infirmities or debilities who must now travel. Protect the children, Lord. Protect their minds from trauma and their bodies from harm. Protect their hearts to know You are good, especially in the midst of so much violence and grief. Fill them with Your Spirit of peace, Lord. Let them see You, feel Your touch, know You are with them. Use them to comfort their parents, and give their parents wisdom to know how to respond to their difficult questions. And as they go out, anoint them to share Your good news with the lost all around them. Fill them with such peace, hope, love and faith, that others will be drawn to Your presence within them, drop all their barriers and choose You ask King.

Visit our Israel-Gaza page to continue praying:

Pray for Israel and Gaza in These Trying Times

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