Pray for Palestinian Christian Believers
An estimated 40,000 to 45,000 Christians live in the West Bank, just over 1% of the population, down from about 6% in 1967. More than 200 Christian families have emigrated since 2023, driven by economic decline, movement restrictions, and insecurity.
Father, comfort Palestinian Christians, establish them in every good work, and give them reasons to stay and serve.
comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 2:17
Pray for Bethlehem and its churches
Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, remains one of the main centers of Palestinian Christian life. Pray for its churches, families, and the many who depend on visitors for their livelihood.
Lord Jesus, let the town of Your birth be a place where Your name is honored and Your people flourish.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Micah 5:2
Pray for Taybeh and communities under threat
Taybeh, the last entirely Christian town in the West Bank, has about 1,200 residents, down from 3,000 in the 1980s. It has faced repeated attacks by settlers, and more than 15 families have left since 2023.
Lord, be a shield around Taybeh and every vulnerable community.
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm 3:3
Pray for young Christians deciding their future
Church leaders report rising emigration among young Christians. Pray for wisdom for those deciding whether to stay or go.
Father, guide every young Christian, and show them Your way.
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’
Isaiah 30:21
Pray for hearts that overcome evil with good
Pray that Christian Believers would refuse bitterness and hatred, and answer hardship with goodness and love.
Lord Jesus, help Your people overcome evil with good.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Main cities: Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin
Population: approximately 3.4 million Palestinians, alongside Israeli communities
Dominant religion: Islam, overwhelmingly Sunni
Language: Arabic
People groups (West Bank and Gaza together): 8
Unreached people groups (West Bank and Gaza together): 6
The West Bank stretches from its central hills down to the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. It holds many places from the story of Scripture, including Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, and Shechem.
Palestinian Muslims
The great majority, living in cities, towns, villages, and refugee camps.
Palestinian Christians
Concentrated in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, and nearby villages, belonging to Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and evangelical churches.
Bedouin and Domari communities
Small communities, some living in the Jordan Valley and on the edges of the desert.
Life in the West Bank is shaped by checkpoints, movement restrictions, economic decline, and insecurity. A journey of a few kilometers can take an hour or more.
The West Bank and Gaza together have 8 people groups, 6 of them unreached. More than 99% of the population lives in unreached groups.
The West Bank has ancient churches and a long Christian presence, yet most Palestinian Muslims have never had a Christian friend explain who Jesus Christ is.
For most, faith is bound up with family and community, and leaving Islam can bring serious pressure.
The Christian community itself is shrinking. As families emigrate, the churches that might have reached their neighbors are growing smaller and older.
Yet Palestinian Christians have stayed through generations of hardship, and their quiet faithfulness is a powerful witness.
Pray for Palestinian Muslims
Pray for Palestinian Muslim families, that they would encounter the goodness of God in Jesus Christ.
Father, let Palestinian families taste and see that You are good.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8
Pray for Bedouin and Domari communities
Pray for small communities on the edges of the desert, often overlooked, that they would hear the Gospel.
Lord, bring living water to the dry places.
He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings.
Psalm 107:35
Pray for young Palestinians
Many young Palestinians face unemployment, restrictions, and uncertainty about the future. Pray that they would find a living hope in Jesus Christ.
Father, give young Palestinians a living hope that cannot be taken away.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3
Gracious Father,
We bring the West Bank before You: Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born, and every city, village, and refugee camp. You know every Palestinian family, every Christian who has stayed, every young person deciding whether to leave, and every person who has never heard the Gospel.
Protect the vulnerable and bring peace. Be a shield around Taybeh and every threatened community. Strengthen Palestinian Christians, comfort their hearts, and give them reasons to stay and serve. Help them overcome evil with good.
Let Palestinian Muslims taste and see that You are good. Give young people a living hope, and let the land where Jesus Christ was born know Him again.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
