Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Gaza Cease Fire
Prayers from #Jerusalem
Each Thursday at noon in Jerusalem, Sabeel holds a Communion service that is open to the community. It is a time to join together to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives today, to pray for the needs of this region and our world and to share the Eucharist. Starting in the Pacific Islands, passing through Asia, Africa, Palestine, Europe, the Americas and on around the globe, we pray for peace with justice.
God of peace, we lift up our gratitude for the cessation of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket fire. In Gaza, people are uncovering the extent of the devastation to this small region where nobody was untouched by tragedy. Some estimate that it could take as many as 20 years to rebuild Gaza. Lord, as food and medical supplies enter through narrow Gaza border openings, we pray that this will be the last time the Gazans have to rebuild. Show your people there a future with freedom and human rights, merciful God, and let your peace and justice prevail. Lord in your mercy…
The Palestinian children in the West Bank and Jerusalem returned to school this week. Lord, give them safe passage as some cross checkpoints or travel near settlements or walk along busy roads. Many children in Gaza will start the school year late. Loving God, provide Gaza with safe school structures and the capacity it desperately needs so that the children there too can return to school and childhood. Lord in your mercy…
Lord, this week Israel announced the biggest plan in several decades to illegally confiscate Palestinian land (nearly 1000 acres/3799 dunams near Bethlehem) and turn it into land belonging to the state of Israel. Israel intends to build a large Jewish settlement there, which jeopardizes the possibly of establishing a Palestinian state. God of wisdom, we pray that the international community acts on this unjust land grab and others so that a permanent political solution can finally make its way to this weary region. Lord in your mercy…
We thank you for the people from organizations who are taking on the important task of counseling some of the traumatized children in Gaza: listening to their stories, providing creative outlets for expression, and offering support to their families to help them start to feel safe again. These social workers and educators are a light in the darkness, nurturing the littlest of your children. Lord in your mercy…
We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Lord in your mercy…