At the table: World Day of Prayer with snack

As in 1994, Christian Palestinian women have written the World Day of Prayer liturgy for the year 2024. They describe their country as a tiny speck in the Middle East that is significant to the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The country has a painful history. The current situation is a consequence of the political situation in the Middle East after the First World War and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, after the Second World War. What was celebrated as a day of jubilation by Jews persecuted in Europe means a catastrophe for Palestinians who lost their homeland at the time, Arabic: Nakba.

To this day, our perception of Palestine is shaped by news of violent conflicts, terrorist attacks and war. Less attention is paid to reports on various organizations and projects that are actively working for reconciliation and peace. Unfortunately, these initiatives are not encouraged by the policies of those in power on both sides, but, on the contrary, suppressed.

It is in this field of tension that the Palestinian women who are preparing the WGT celebration for us according to the text from the letter to the church in Ephesus (chapter 4, verses 1-7) are moving. In their situation, the admonition "I ask you ... bear with one another in love" as a great challenge. How they deal with this is illustrated by the stories and life goals of three women from different generations.

In the common longing for peace, is it possible to live together instead of against each other "through the bond of peace"?

Dr. Akra was born in Palestine and is an Orthodox Christian.

Collection World Day of Prayer.