Churches in Jerusalem have embarked on a week of prayers dedicated to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that some observers fear may escalate into a new Middle East war.
Warning that "hatred and a desire for revenge is rampant on both sides, Israeli and Palestinian," the church leaders issued an appeal to "all our people, throughout this land, to join us in intensifying our prayers for peace, with justice, and reconciliation."
The week of prayer was launched as Israeli military planners began predicting that the current conflict with the Palestinians might last for years and could escalate into a Middle East war.
Nearly 700 people have been killed since the outbreak of the current violence last September.
"We are greatly concerned at the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Territories of the Holy Land," the appeal said. "Many families have been made homeless; [road] closures have turned towns and cities into detention camps; the number of unemployed has risen dramatically resulting in tens of thousands hungry for the daily bread; whilst our children are confronted daily with a picture of bloodshed, violence, assassinations and murder."
The church services are running from August 15 to 28. Each evening, a service dedicated to prayers for peace is being held in a different church.
Church of Scotland minister Clarens Musgrave, of St Andrews Church in Jerusalem, said the rationale for the week of prayers was clear.
"Christians need to be involved and one of the things they can be doing is praying about the current situation," he said.
Not only those present are encouraged to pray. Church leaders appealed to "brothers and sisters around the world, many of whom have already offered generous support, to link their prayers with ours at this special time."
Anglican Dean Michael Sellors of St George's Cathedral in Jerusalem attended the peace services in the city and called them a great success.
Describing an August 16 service, he said: "The Syrian Orthodox Church [inside the old City] was absolutely full and [with] an atmosphere of peace and prayer."
In his sermon, Syrian Orthodox Archbishop Mar Swerios Malki Murad stressed the important role that church leaders and their congregations play in helping to mediate an end to the conflict, when the parties themselves seemed incapable of ending the bloodshed.
Asked what support the churches were receiving from overseas, Sellors said that the Christian community in the Holy Land had been inundated with telephone calls, faxes and emails containing messages of solidarity.
"For many of us, the knowledge that the people have been praying for us around the world has been most heartening," he said. "We get anonymous cards, say from Australia, saying we are remembering you and the people of the land in our prayers, 'may God grant you peace.'"
Holy Land Roadblocks | Christian pilgrims learn about Palestinians' everyday indignities. (Apr. 9, 2001)
Christian Zionists Rally for Jewish State | More than 600 Christians from around the world flock to Jerusalem to show solidarity with Israel as peace process collapses. (Apr. 9, 2001)
Between a Rock and a Holy Site | Muslims have stepped up their efforts to take control of places revered by Jews and Christians. (Feb. 13, 2001)
The Peace Regress | What's behind the current outbreak of hostilities in the Holy Land? (Jan. 11, 2001)
Conflict in the Holy Land | A timeline of trials for the most contested piece of real estate in the world.
Christmas in Palestine: Hunger and War | Starvation threatens Palestinian villages if U.N. aid continues to be delayed, Vatican official warns. (Dec. 13, 2000)
Lutheran Bishop's Appeal from Jerusalem | Religious leader's letter requests prayer for Christians, Jews, and Palestinians in troubled region. (Nov. 10, 2000)
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