Faith
UK Churches Unite in Prayer for Middle East Peace
Faith Facts
- September 21 has been set as a special day of prayer for peace in the Middle East.
- This call to prayer coincides with the UN’s International Day of Peace and is supported by several Christian organizations.
- Churches across Britain will observe a minute of silence and are encouraged to join in fasting in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza.
Churches throughout the United Kingdom are being invited to unite in prayer, seeking God’s intervention for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East as conflict continues to affect countless lives.
This initiative, led by Christian charities and faith-led agencies, encourages believers to be a visible witness for justice and unity rooted in the teachings of Christ.
“We are witnessing the devastating escalation of violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
The cries of Palestinian church leaders for peace and solidarity have echoed across the global Church, urging us to respond with clarity, compassion, and conviction.
As Christian agencies rooted in faith and justice, we believe the gravity of this moment demands a visible, united Christian witness — one that speaks to our shared commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the dignity of all people.”
Believers are also called to participate in #FastForGaza and pray for the release of captives, aid for the hungry, and God’s healing for the region.
The Archbishop in Jerusalem, Dr. Hosam Naoum, penned a prayer for the occasion, lifting up the people of Gaza and the Holy Land to the Lord’s mercy and peace.
“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: In your mercy, provide for all those in Gaza and beyond who suffer from hunger and starvation, that they may be given both physical bread to nourish their bodies and heavenly bread to sustain their souls. By the power of your Spirit, bring a speedy end to this cruel war, the release of all captives, care for the sick and wounded, comfort for those who have lost loved-ones, and the opening of a pathway for a just and lasting peace here in the very homeland where your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ministered during his earthly life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
Stand in prayer and faith for God’s peace to prevail and comfort all who suffer, trusting in His promises and upholding Christian hope for reconciliation and healing in the land where Jesus walked.
Faith Facts
- A Christian missionary and seven others, including a toddler, were released after being kidnapped from a Haitian orphanage for nearly a month.
- Gena Heraty, an Irish humanitarian and director at the Kenscoff orphanage, had lived out her ministry in Haiti for 32 years at the time of the abduction.
- Heraty’s family expressed deep gratitude and relief for her safe return, prioritizing her health and the children’s well-being.
The hostage ordeal began when armed men broke into the orphanage compound, taking nine people captive, including Heraty and several local staff.
It is believed that a criminal alliance active in the region may have orchestrated the attack, seizing on Haiti’s ongoing turmoil and unrest.
The Kenscoff orphanage cares for about 270 children, demonstrating a powerful witness of Christian compassion in a nation facing severe hardship and violence.
“Gena is a respected humanitarian and deeply courageous person who has dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable people in Haiti.”
Irish government officials and Heraty’s family thanked supporters and requested privacy as they focus on recovery and healing.
The dangerous climate, caused by criminal gangs and violent crime, has prompted warnings from Ireland’s foreign ministry to avoid travel to Haiti.
Recent United Nations reports show thousands killed and kidnapped in Haiti this year, with gangs displacing over a million families and contributing to a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Faith compels believers to continue praying and working for those affected by chaos in Haiti and to advocate for peace, protection, and Gospel hope for all vulnerable communities.
Let us join together in prayer for the safety and restoration of all those still suffering in Haiti, remembering our calling to care for the afflicted and stand for freedom and faith.
Faith Facts
- The Africa Sings Festival in Benin brought together 20 diverse ethnic groups, promoting peace and unity through Christian values and local art.
- Ethnodoxology, central to the festival, supports integrating indigenous music and dance into Christian worship, making the Gospel resonate more deeply with local communities.
- Through intercultural dialogue and faith-inspired arts, the festival inspired reconciliation and spiritual renewal among Christians and non-Christians alike.
In the village of Bethlehem, Northwestern Benin, the 10th Africa Sings Festival fostered harmony by blending cultural traditions with the message of Christ. Bringing together various ethnicities, the event highlights how faith can offer peaceful solutions to deep-seated social tensions.
“The general objective of the festival is to promote social cohesion, peace, and non-violence in the coexistence of communities through intercultural exchanges and the celebration of ethnoarts,” said Dr. Daniel Dama, founder of Africa Sings.
Rooted in biblical values, ethnodoxology empowers believers to proclaim Christ through their heart language and traditional expressions, demonstrating that the Gospel transcends all boundaries. Dr. Dama emphasized the importance of incorporating songs, dances, and instruments native to each community, encouraging authentic worship.
For example, Dama explained, African Christians are no longer hesitant to use traditional instruments and dances in church, allowing more souls to encounter and accept Christ in a way that honors their heritage.
This ministry approach moves beyond Western models, aiming for worship that honors local identity, draws people closer to God, and builds unity in Christ.
Each festival day encouraged unique audiences to explore faith, culture, and community. Intellectual and spiritual exchanges among church leaders, missionaries, and artists set the tone on day one, while day two’s vibrant exhibitions brought people of all backgrounds together in joyful celebration.
Day three’s worship and music competition revived Christian faith among attendees and introduced the Gospel to non-believers, opening church doors to all who sought hope and reconciliation.
Testimonies revealed the festival’s God-honoring impact. One local king, visiting a church for the first time, felt truly welcomed as traditional music led him to a place of spiritual curiosity. A Muslim attendee, initially hesitant, was moved by Christian hospitality and the universal language of song and dance.
Together, this Christ-centered festival reflected the power of faith, family, and freedom to build bridges, heal divisions, and strengthen communities in God’s light.
Faith Facts
- Police in North Khartoum arrested Pastor Peter Perpeny and four other South Sudanese Christians during a funeral prayer.
- The arrested Christians are detained without charges and face threats of heavy fines or imprisonment, while fears of persecution run high among the Christian community.
- Sudan’s conflict has escalated violence and oppression against believers, with recent years seeing a rollback of religious freedoms.
Faithful Christians in North Khartoum were targeted as they gathered to honor a loved one, highlighting the cost of Christian witness in hostile environments. Police detained them as foreigners allegedly in the country illegally, pressing on with tactics that stoke fear among Christians in Sudan.
The crackdown extends to door-to-door searches, leading many believers to remain in hiding for safety, while women face demands for exorbitant payments to secure release. Extremists now use social media to encourage further arrests, amplifying the sense of vulnerability within the Body of Christ.
“In fact, there is a growing fear among the South Sudanese Christians, so they remain indoors in order to avoid being arrested,” said the area church leader whose name is withheld for security reasons.
The region’s ongoing violence, including attacks on churches by both government and paramilitary forces, has devastated Christian communities who suffer as the conflict rages on. The 2025 World Watch List cites Sudan as one of the deadliest countries for Christians, reporting targeted attacks, displacement, and the destruction of homes and places of worship.
The struggle for control between rival Islamist military factions has kept the nation in turmoil, reversing prior gains in religious liberty. Christians now face renewed oppression reminiscent of previous eras of harsh Islamic law and are once again targeted by both politicians and radicals.
“Christians of all backgrounds are trapped in the chaos, unable to flee. Churches are shelled, looted and occupied by the warring parties,” the Open Doors report stated.
Government changes, from fleeting reforms after Bashir’s fall to restrengthened persecution after the 2021 coup, serve as stark reminders of the fragility of freedom when it is not rooted in respect for God-given rights.
Despite comprising only 4.5% of the population in a nation of over 43 million, Sudan’s Christians continue to stand firm in faith while calling for prayer and international support. As scripture calls us to remember those in chains for the Gospel, let us not be silent.
Stand with our brothers and sisters in Sudan by sharing the truth, praying for their deliverance, and advocating for religious liberty rooted in Biblical principles.
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