On the 1st of January, the Gregorian calendar marked the arrival of the new year. It is customary to celebrate the new year by having parties and festivities, singing songs of joy, and creating “New Year Resolutions”. For Palestinians, 2023 has been the deadliest year of our modern history; at least 21,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, 450 Palestinians in the West Bank, and thousands more injured. These numbers are expected to rise with every minute that passes. 2023 has been a year of death, displacement, famine, sickness, and trauma, adding another bloody chapter to Palestinian history.
• Resurrected Christ, you know how terrible the year 2023 has been in Palestine-Israel. You have felt white phosphorus burn your skin and the immense grief of the wretched of the earth. As we enter the new year, help us rise from the ashes since “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Help us be more faithful servants for the year of 2024.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer