A Prayer for the Tent of Nations by Alex Awad

Mighty God, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving for the Nassar family and for their patience and endurance as they struggle to stop the injustice that is threatening their land and their lives. We also thank you for their commitment to nonviolent means of resistance and for refusing to call their oppressors “enemies.”

Merciful God, the Nassar family’s struggle with the settlers who want to grab their land has been going on for many years and they have experienced numerous painful attacks by the settlers during these years. Lord, we pray for an end to the attacks on the Nassars’ land. And although under the Israeli judicial system there is no expectation that the Israeli government would stand with a Palestinian family, we recognize that you are the higher judge of all, and you can change the hearts of those who are doing harm.

We pray for your continued protection of the Nassar family.

We pray that you will continue to give them wisdom as they deal with those who attack them.

We pray that you give courage to the Friends of Tent of Nations here in the US and around the world as they continue to stand in solidarity with this just cause.

Gracious Lord, since the situation at the Tent of Nations is a microcosm of the larger injustices against the whole Palestinian nation in the West Bank and in Gaza Strip, we pray for the end of all hostilities between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. We pray that you will hasten the day when Israelis and Palestinians will live in the land in total peace and harmony.

We call on you to hear our prayers because all authority, power, and glory belongs to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray.

Amen

Rev. Alex Awad, is a retired United Methodist Missionary, who with his wife Brenda served for many years as Dean of Students and faculty members at Bethlehem Bible College. Alex is co-chair of the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP).