Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Feb. 20, 2018

Israeli authorities have completed the construction of a watchtower/checkpoint at the entrance of Damascus Gate, the main gate into occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

Lord, we pray that your spirit will watch over the people of Jerusalem as they make their daily visits in and out of the Old City of Jerusalem. May the powerful who insist on living by the sword, understand that “what makes for peace” is justice and equality, not control and dominance. Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer

Palestinian youth in Hebron held their 9th annual “Open Shuhada Street” campaign last week. The campaign included nonviolent demonstrations, art exhibitions, and cultural events to raise awareness about the 24 years of increasing restrictions on Palestinians living in Hebron and the human rights violations they suffer.

Lord, we cry out at the injustices experienced by those living in Hebron, particularly the economic and social violence caused by the sustained closing of Shuhada Street. We pray for healing of the land, and for peace to those who must currently live with so much fear and persecution. Lord, in your mercy…

Two Palestinian teenagers were found killed in the southern area of the besieged Gaza Strip following waves of Israeli air raids. Israel said it had targeted 18 Hamas positions, in response to an “improvised explosive device”, that detonated near the border with Israel last weekend, wounding four Israeli soldiers.

Lord, we pray for the besieged Gaza strip, and its suffering inhabitants. We also pray for an end to the violence that continues to harvest lives, the violence that will never deliver peace. May people of good will around the world help to set Gaza free.  Lord in your mercy…  

In France, Israel’s embassy will boycott the March 13 opening ceremony of the Israeli Film Festival. During the festival, the Israeli film director Samuel Maoz’s movie, “Foxtrot”, will be screened. The movie depicts the Israeli army covering up the deaths of Palestinian teenagers.

Lord, we give thanks for all people who use all forms of culture and art to shed light on the injustices in our world. We pray for the movie screening to be well attended and successful. Lord in your mercy…  

On Sunday, Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian bus driver who works for the Israeli transportation company Egged, near Hebron. The driver, identified as Salah Abu Jamal from occupied East Jerusalem, was severely beaten by fanatic settlers near illegal Kiryat Arba settlement. Settler violence against Palestinians, and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely investigated by Israeli authorities.

Lord, we pray for the speedy recovery of Salah and for his attackers to be brought to justice. Dear God, grant us the courage and determination to focus on our liberation and not to give in to the temptation of hatred and violence. Lord in your mercy…

Last week, more than 450 Palestinian administrative detainees in Israeli jails began a general and open-ended boycott of all Israeli courts. The administrative detainees are held without charge or trial for prolonged periods of time that sometimes reaches many years.

Lord, we pray for all our Palestinian prisoners who are deprived of justice. In the name of the Holy One, who was a prisoner in Roman jails, we pray for the release of our freedom activists and the dismantling of the corrupt Israeli military courts. Lord in your mercy…

We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of France, Germany and Monaco. Lord in your mercy…