We are witnessing the devastating escalation of violence in Gaza and the West Bank with Israel’s latest decision to mount a new offensive in Gaza City threatening hundreds of thousands with further forced displacement. The cries of Palestinian church leaders for peace and solidarity have echoed across the global Church, urging us to respond with clarity, compassion, and conviction.

As Christian agencies rooted in faith and justice, we believe the gravity of this moment demands a visible, united Christian witness—one that speaks to our shared commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the dignity of all people.

In response we are calling on churches across Britain to pray for peace on Sunday 21st September, coinciding with UN World Peace Day and the global call to prayer from the World Council of Churches.

Prayer could include holding a minute’s silence; or the prayer from Archbishop Hosam of Jerusalem; or joining the #FastforGaza action. Your prayers might focus on one or more of the issues below:

• An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
• Unfettered access to humanitarian relief.
• An end to violence in Israel and Palestine.
• The release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees.
• A meaningful peace process.

We recognise that our efforts, as agencies, can only go so far. Your leadership is essential.  We need you to help mobilise the scale of response this crisis demands.

We are therefore asking you to:

• Share this call to prayer with your senior colleagues and churches
• Encourage your churches to consider their prophetic witness—what more they might do to stand for peace
• Join with other faith leaders in public witness, amplifying the call for justice and reconciliation

To support these actions, we are working with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to create an accessible online hub of resources for prayer and action. This will include theological materials, liturgical resources, and guidance to help churches engage confidently with the complex realities of the region. www.ctbi.org.uk/middle-east-prayers

We are also discerning a moment for a larger-scale public witness by churches nationwide and will share more details as soon as possible. In the meantime, we warmly invite you to consider joining the Red Line action in Parliament Square on 25th September—a peaceful, symbolic act of solidarity. Red Line for Gaza

We would deeply value any insights, advice, or active involvement you may wish to offer as we move forward together.

In faith and hope,

Christian Aid, Tearfund, Embrace the Middle East, Sabeel-Kairos, Quakers in Britain, All We Can, Reconciling Leaders Network, Difference, Friends of the Holy Land, USPG,  Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World, Commitment for Life