Churches pray for peace, end to 'double standards' in Middle East

Churches around the world are praying for a solution to the Middle East conflict as they kick off a week of action for peace in Israel and Palestine on Wednesday.

The week will be launched by an ecumenical service in Jerusalem giving thanks for "every church and parish around the world that is praying with us this day for peace".

From 4 to 10 June, Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox parishes will pray in solidarity with churches of the Holy Land, a region they say is in "much in need of peace".

A statement from the World Council of Churches, which is convening the week, said that it was "time to do away with double standards" and for Palestinians and Israelis to "share a just peace".

"It's time to respect human lives in the land called holy. It's time for healing to begin in wounded souls. It's time to end 60 years of conflict, oppression and fear. It's time for freedom from occupation," the statement read.

A prayer written by church leaders in Jerusalem asks the Lord for His redemption and peace to heal divisions.

"Our Holy City and our land are much in need of peace," reads the prayer.

"In Your unfathomable mystery and love for all, let the power of Your Redemption and Your Peace transcend all barriers of cultures and religions and fill the hearts of all who serve You here, of both peoples - Israeli and Palestinian - and of all religions."

The prayer also asks for political leaders "courageous enough to sign a treaty [...] that puts an end to the occupation imposed by one people on another, granting freedom to Palestinians, giving security to Israelis and freeing us all from fear".

The church leaders are also gathering the responses to an appeal they made in May for churches around the world to send in their wishes and prayers for the region and its believers.

The prayers, sent from as far afield as New Zealand and Cuba, will be used by the churches in Jerusalem throughout the week of action. Some will be read aloud at a ceremony on Sunday in Bethlehem's Manger Square, where a 'Living Clock' will commemorate the 60 years that Palestinians have lived as refugees.

The week, convened by the World Council of Churches, focuses on raising awareness of the Israel-Palestine conflict among churches and the public, and churches are pressing their national leaders to play a more active role in securing a just resolution to the conflict.

In Scotland, Australia, Hungary and South Africa, churches have pledged to speak to foreign ministries and parliamentarians, whilst in Norway the country's foreign minister, Jonas Gahr Store, and a Palestinian church leader will address a multi-religious peace service.

Young people in the Philippines, meanwhile, plan to hold debates on the issue of peace in the Holy Land and sing peace songs at a youth café, and in the Netherlands, church groups are sponsoring intercultural concerts, inter-religious seminars and international documentaries to air different points of view about the need for peace.

Pax Christi and World Vision International are just two of the organisations joining in the action week.