Dec 1, 2010 / 01:22 am
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, has asked Christians in the Holy Land to join in prayer and fasting for the relief of a seven-year drought.
Israeli Jews and some Muslims have also been praying for an end to the drought, according to local reports.
Among the Jews and Christians, the seven dry years up to now may recall Biblical events such as the seven years of famine recorded in the book of Genesis, or the three years and six months of severe drought during the ministry of the prophet Elijah.
Patriarch Twal evoked that Old Testament prophet in his message to the priests and lay faithful of Jerusalem, noting that “St. Elijah prayed (for rain) and was answered.”