Prayer

Praying for our Christian family in the Holy Land is central to our work, in partnership with those who live and witness where Jesus prayed, taught, healed, died and rose again.  

As we know Jesus to be with the Father, always interceding for us (The Letter to the Hebrews chapter 7, verse 25) we invite you to pray, with us, for our brothers and sisters in his land, as together, we strive to support the Christian community in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan.

Jesus calls us ‘friends’ (St John chapter 15 verse 15). Please join us as a Praying Friend of the Holy Land.

Here are some prayers for peace and healing in that troubled land, and a short form of prayer for regular use.

Please click the link below to join our prayer bank and to receive further prayer resources.

A Form of Prayer for Epiphany

Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth;
break into singing and make music.

Sound praises before the Lord, the King.
In righteousness he shall judge the world.
(Ps.98)

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
king of the nations,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.
As the Sun of Righteousness dawns in our hearts
anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit
that we may witness to your gospel
and sing your praise in all the earth.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Common Worship)

Reading  
St Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

           “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
           are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
           for from you shall come a ruler
           who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem saying, ‘Go, and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then opening their treasure-chests , they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Please pray for the people of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and across the land that Jesus made holy. Pray for its rulers, that they will be guided by a vision of justice, mercy and peace.

Almighty God,
the light of a star
drew wise men to seek Jesus,
born to be King.
By your grace help us to seek him daily,
and having found him
guide us on a new path,
toward his kingdom
of justice, mercy and peace.

Amen.

Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way,
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds thy glory hide.

(William Chatterton Dix)
 

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

We have our own FHL prayer, asking for guidance in our work supporting the Christians of the Holy Land. Copies can be requested from our office by email or by calling us on 01926 512980.

Friends of the Holy Land Prayer

Almighty Father, Faithful God,
bless our brothers and sisters
in the land of the Holy One.

Grant peace in that land,
peace in their homes
and peace in their hearts.

Inspire the Friends of the Holy Land
to build on your foundations
of justice, mercy and peace,
as partners with our Christian brothers and sisters.

Give to pilgrims a new vision of your Kingdom,
fill them with compassion and love.

Keep the cries of this land in our hearts.
This we pray in the power of the Spirit
and in union with Christ.

Amen.

You can download a copy of the Friends of the Holy Land prayer here