Broadcasting Prayers of Peace for the Middle East

For more than a week, as bombs have fallen in Gaza and Israel tragically taking innocent lives, SAT-7 has encouraged its viewers to pray for peace. Shortly after the fighting intensified, SAT-7 began running a text crawl at the bottom of its screen asking viewers to intercede on behalf of those who were suffering. SAT-7 has also recorded prayers from Christian leaders and is broadcasting them continuously.

“What’s happening right now is particularly tragic for children in Gaza. In one of the prayers, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of Bethlehem mentions seeking God as a refuge. More than 50% of the people living in Gaza are children or youth under the age of 17, but there is simply no place available for them as a refuge, other than in the Lord,” says Terence Ascott, SAT-7 CEO. “We feel that it’s important for our viewing audience to see that Christians are serious in believing that prayer can change situations, even ones as tragic and serious as that transpiring in Gaza and Israel today.”

The prayers, with recorded audio and an accompanying photo of the pastor, are from leaders of the Evangelical Church in Egypt and the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Three prayers are listed below:

· We pray to God for the women, children, and the elderly people in Gaza who are suffering from a lack of water, electricity and are under attack. We pray to God for real peace in this land and for freedom for the Palestinian people. We also pray for the politicians to have wisdom to seek peace not war. Christians in the West Bank pray day and night for the protection of the people of Gaza, Christians and Muslims, during these difficult moments. We ask our brothers across the world to join us in prayer. Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection changed this land from being a land of war to a land of good news. We pray that He will do the same today in Palestine and particularly in Gaza. God, you are our refuge and to you all the glory and power.
Rev. Dr. Mitri El RahebLutheran Church, Bethlehem

· As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (celebrated in Egypt today on January 7), instead of hearing hymns of peace we hear the sound of fighting in the Promised Land- the land of peace. We appeal to the conscience of both sides and to the global community and to all Peacemakers around the world to stop this bloodshed and save the lives of innocent children. May peace prevail in the land where Jesus was born and may they accept the words of the Savior of the world, who commanded us to make peace. He said, “blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Sons of God.” We pray this land will experience joy instead of tears.
Rev. Dr. Safwat El Baiady Head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt

· Dear God, as we celebrate Christmas, our brothers in Gaza are suffering. God hear our prayers today. You are the God of peace – You are the Lord of peace – You are the Peacemaker. God have mercy on us. We ask this of you not only as a church, but as a community of worldwide believers. Hear our prayers, for you are merciful and compassionate.
Rev. Dr. Sameh MauriceKas El Dobara Church in Egypt
(the largest Evangelical church in the Middle East)

Around 1,500 Arab Christians of several denominations live among the approximate 1.5 million people who inhabit the Gaza strip, though in recent times many have fled because of the increasing instability and violence.