In The Name of Jesus – Beloved Son

In The Name of Jesus – Beloved Son It has been almost six years since the violent death of Gaza Christian bookshop manager, Rami Ayyad. On that day in 2007, Rami left behind his pregnant wife, Pauline, and two little boys George, aged 2, and Wisam, 9 months. God has used Pauline’s grief to lead her to establish a support group for widows. The group consists of six widows, each with their own story. During their time together, they discuss many topics; one in particular is their concern for the children. Pauline’s children, George, the oldest is now 8, Wisam is 7 and little Sama, who never knew her father is 5. It isn’t easy raising three children alone, shares Pauline, “It drains my energy to give them enough attention. The boys are also having trouble studying and have switched schools a few times.” Her biggest hope is that they stay close to the Lord and will live a life of love. She also hopes that their hearts will not be full of anger adding, “I haven’t told them what  happened to their father yet.” As Pauline visits each widow during the week, she notices that each one processes her loss differently. “Some of the women see no need to come to God for help and others are so hungry for His Word.” Pauline admits that the Lord did not give her an easy task. “Some of the women are really stuck in their grief and are unable to get out. I pray that God will give me wisdom on how to talk to them.” Many people have asked her how she can do this for other women after all that she has been through. “It’s His love,” she replies. “God has put it in my heart to serve Him this way.”  One With Them From the days that Jesus walked on earth until today, Christians living in Palestinian Territories have struggled. Today, there are growing fears among Gaza Christians that their rapidly shrinking community could disappear altogether. Please be One With Them today in prayer, reminding them that they, like Jesus, are Beloved. Pray that the peace that is beyond understanding – that peace that only Jesus can provide – will be present in their lives. One With Them CHALLENGE In their 2009 book, Prayer – The Real Battle, Brother Andrew and Al Janssen talk about the Gaza Strip; “Gaza is a small strip of land, only 30 miles long and 7 miles wide, containing 1.5 million people, nearly all of them Muslim. Serving the estimated 2,000 Christians is one small evangelical church in the heart of Gaza City.” Caught between Jewish and Muslim worlds, this is a difficult place to follow Christ. Learn more about being a Christian in the Palestinian Territories, ranked number 36 on the Open Doors World Watch List of Christian persecution. Please consider leaving a prayer for our fellow brothers and sisters. 2013.07.12

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.” (Matthew 12:18)