Prayer Vigil for
Peace in the Middle East

PRAYER CANDLE PROJECT

During a meeting of the Lutheran World Federation’s Council, Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and Palestine called upon churches world-wide to undertake a "plan of action" for the church and the peoples of the Holy Land. Noting the weakening of the church in Palestine due most recently to violence-induced emigration, Bishop Younan stated, "The wider church must not leave us alone. Yes, we are weak, but we are strong when we know our sisters and brothers are with us for a just peace. We must never allow Christianity to end from Palestine, Jordan and the Middle East." (Ecumenical News International, 15 June 2001)

Many congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other denominations have responded positively to the national and international Ecumenical Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East currently underway.  In the ELCA, congregations are asked to pray at least monthly on a specific day according to state.

An additional way to enhance a congregation’s prayer ministry for Palestine is to join in the prayer candle ministry, a growing project in U.S. churches. Some suggestions for participating in this project are:

  • that a candle be lit and prominently displayed during worship services to symbolize the congregation’s on-going prayer for peace with justice in the Holy Land.
  • that weekly prayers be offered for the leaders of Palestine, Israel, the United States and the United Nations, that imaginative and courageous steps be taken to achieve a just and lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.
  • that prayers for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and Palestine (ELCJ) and other Christian communities in Jerusalem be offered weekly. One approach could be to lift up on succeeding weeks the ELCJ bishop that he remain steadfast and courageous, pastors and congregations that they continue to worship and care for one another, teachers and schools that students continue to be educated, and all the members that they remain safe and not lose hope.
  • that the ELCA homepage be checked regularly, going to Middle East Resources and then the Prayer Vigil page for additional prayer suggestions.

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