Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Jan. 24, 2022
On Wednesday 19th January, Israeli occupation forces evicted the Salhiye family from their home and plant nursery business in the East Jerusalem area of Sheikh Jarrah. In previous days attempts to force the family out had failed due to the peaceful resistance of the family and others, however, the forces arrived in the very early hours of Wednesday morning, evicted the family and demolished their house and several surrounding structures.
- Lord, we weep to hear of families evicted from their homes and businesses once again. Grant solace to the Salhiye family and strengthen and encourage the international community to act rather than speak against these ongoing evictions and demolitions. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
After 13 days in a coma, South Hebron Hills community leader Suleiman al-Hathalin (Haj Suleiman) passed away in hospital. 75-year-old Suleiman had been run over by a tow truck operating for the Israeli occupation forces and had suffered head injuries and broken bones.
- Dear Lord, be with Suleiman’s family and the communities of Umm al-Khair and other places nearby to whom Suleiman was so important. Grant him eternal rest. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
This week marks the Week of Prayers for Christian Unity in Jerusalem where many churches come together for a week of ecumenical prayer services (a week later than everywhere else due to Orthodox Epiphany). On Monday 24th January, Sabeel, in cooperation with the catechetical office of the Latin Patriarchate, Jerusalem held a worship service for 10 Christian schools. The service was held in the Latin Patriarchate cathedral in Jerusalem.
- “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Lord, strengthen those who are willing to put their differences aside and come together in unity for peace and justice. Bless all the services taking place in Jerusalem in the name of unity this week. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
Rasmia Barbur, 28, from the northern city of Nof Hagalil became the 6th victim of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian community this year after being killed by her husband. Violence in the Arab community in northern Israel has been on the rise in recent years with 126 Israeli-Palestinian citizens killed in 2021. Police investigation of these killings is not always completed with only 23 percent solved compared to 71 percent in the Jewish community.
- Lord, be with the family of Rasmia and all those who have lost loved ones in violent ways. Encourage and strengthen the Israeli police to investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
Jewish settler extremists from the illegal outpost of Givat Ronen attacked Palestinians and left-wing Israeli activists, including some from Rabbis for Human Rights, as they planted olive trees in the area of Burin, near Nablus in the West Bank. In an unusual move, the Yesha Council which represents much of the settler leadership, condemned the attacks as ‘aberrant’ and said that ‘such grave conduct is against the values of the people of Israel…It is not our path. We call for authorities to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
- Lord, we see the olive branch as a sign of peace, grant a swift recovery to those injured during the attacks and guide justice in the way of the attackers. Strengthen the hearts of those in positions of power, that they may work to eliminate such violence from their communities. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
UN agencies, including UNICEF, UNWRA, and OHCHR, have called upon Israeli occupation authorities to immediately release Palestinian teenager Amal Nakhleh. Amal, who suffers from a severe autoimmune disease requiring continuous medical treatment and monitoring, has been held in an Israeli military prison on administrative detention without charge or trial for over a year.
- Lord who said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14) grant those holding Amal the foresight to see the wrongs in their actions and the compassion to release him to his family. Strengthen Amal and his family as they wait and wonder if and when he will be freed. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
- We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.