FAST FOR GAZA
A call from our Christian sisters and brothers in Jerusalem to spend a day in prayer and fasting for Gaza.
Image credit: Hosny Salah
In May, as starvation spread across Gaza, Christians around the world took up the call from our Christian sisters and brothers in Jerusalem to spend a day in prayer and fasting for Gaza to raise awareness of the critical food shortages there and urge world leaders to take action. Although a ceasefire is now in place, we still need to raise our voices to ensure that critical aid gets in and that the ceasefire becomes permanent.
Food aid is now coming into Gaza but we need it to be sustained and in large enough quantities to alleviate the disastrous consequences of war and starvation. The ceasefire must become permanent and long-term humanitarian support, reconstruction assistance, and access to both physical and mental healthcare are essential.
The official Fast For Gaza campaign has now ended, but please continue to take action to help ensure the citizens of Gaza get the food and essential support they still desperately need. You can do so through a dedicated day of prayer and fasting, by raising awareness on social media, or by writing to the Foreign Secretary.
You can also give a donation to our Gaza Crisis Appeal to support the work of our Christian partners in the Gaza, who are continuing to provide vital healthcare services and humanitarian support across the strip.
WRITE TO THE FOREIGN SECRETARY TODAY
We encourage you to write to the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper about the Fast for Gaza campaign and to call on the UK government to play its part to ensure a permanent ceasefire, the necessary humanitarian support for reconstruction and to ensure accountability over crimes committed on and since 7 October 2023.
You can use this form to do so - just add your name and email. It’s easy, quick and will help amplify our call for action.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD
If you’re taking part in the Fast for Gaza campaign, please help spread the word by posting a picture of yourself on social media holding a piece of paper with the words #FastForGaza. Don’t forget to tag us - @followembrace.
Types of Fasting
‘Fasting’ can look different for everyone. If you are able to fast safely, use the time when you would normally eat to pray. If you are not able to fast from food, perhaps you could give up something else? Instead of watching TV, could you use that time to pray? You might also like to use any money you might save to donate to our Gaza Appeal.
Prayer Suggestions
Below are some prayers that you can use. You might find it helpful to reflect on this painting, created for the fast by Ramone Romero and titled, 'I was hungry...'
God of goodness and love,
we lift before you the people of Gaza,
each one made in your image.
***
God, whose Son Jesus called the little children to him,
we pray for Gaza’s children and young people.
***
God of compassion,
who sent your son Jesus to set the prisoners free,
we pray for the hostages and their families.
***
God of hope,
we pray for a softening of hearts and minds that will allow a flow of aid,
food and medicines to reach the people of Gaza
***
God of healing
we pray for what’s left of the medical facilities in Gaza,
for their staff as they work day and night to try and save lives.
We pray for the Al Ahli Anglican Hospital,
who despite huge damage to their facilities are still treating people.
***
God of peace,
we pray for all those involved in the fighting
that they might be given eyes to see as you see.
KEEP IN TOUCH
For the latest news on the situation in Gaza and other ways that you can help, as well as news of Embrace’s wider work across the region, sign up to receive our weekly email updates.