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Appeal for prayer for Bible Society leaders in
the Holy Land received Friday 13th October.

No doubt the situation will have changed by
the time the Link goes out.

The past week has seen a shocking attack on Israel by Hamas,
which controls Gaza and has fought a number of conflicts with
Israel since separating from other Palestinian groups in 2006.
Hamas forces attacked several towns, committing atrocities and
taking hostages. The Israel Defence Forces have retaliated with
airstrikes and a blockade of Gaza.

‘We are in shock, angry, in mourning,’ said Victor, who leads the
Hebrew outreach in Jerusalem. ‘More than ever we need your
prayers. Our staff are safe, but the situation is very tense. Many are
in a state of shock.’

Dina, who leads the Arab-Israeli team in Nazareth, said: ‘My staff
have not come to work today. They are afraid. There are no cars in
the streets, no schools, no universities. Everyone is at home. We
are told to purchase food and water for a whole week. It might be
even more. There are serious things happening.’

In Jerusalem, Nashat, who shares the Bible with the Palestinians,
said: ‘The situation is bad, and we are sadly and suddenly in war-
time. It is heart-breaking to see and hear the number of casualties.
Please pray for us all and for our team everywhere and for their
families, especially the ones in Gaza.’

Will you pray that Victor, Dina and Nashat are able to lift up the
Bible as the ultimate light in the darkness? They want to present a
countercultural message rooted in God’s love, justice and mercy.
When violence broke out two years ago, the leaders reaffirmed
their shared aim of seeing the word of God impact communities
and transform people into the likeness of Jesus.

Ask God to inspire and empower Christians throughout the Holy
Land to love both Jews and Palestinians. On a practical level, Bible
work in the Holy Land often seeks to break cycles of violence.

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