Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Advent, and Jerusalem
Weekly prayer concerns from Sabeel in #Jerusalem
Wave of Prayer: This prayer ministry enables local and international friends of Sabeel to pray over regional concerns on a weekly basis. Sent to Sabeel’s network of supporters, the prayer is used in services around the world and during Sabeel’s Thursday Communion service; as each community in its respective time zone lifts these concerns in prayer at noon every Thursday, this “wave of prayer” washes over the world.
Lord, we thank you for the beginning of Advent this weekend – for valuing humanity enough to become one of us, for taking on flesh and teaching us how to love. God, we ask for your guidance so that we not only reflect on this time with hope, joy, peace, love and joy, but also act upon it. Lord in your mercy…
We continue to worry about Jerusalem, including the city’s increased violence and Israel’s forms of collective punishment on Palestinians living there, such as home demolitions, revocation of residency rights and many other measures. We are also concerned with the increasingly negative economic effects experienced in the Palestinian community of East Jerusalem. God, we pray for an end to injustice and suffering in this already economically depressed area. Lord in your mercy…
Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian physician who has volunteered as a medical solidarity worker during the past three Gaza bombardments, has been banned from entering Gaza through Israel, currently the only possible way in. God of healing, we pray that this unjust ban by Israel is lifted and that he and other humanitarian workers are not prevented from doing their critical work in this devastated region. Lord in your mercy…
We are thankful for our friendships and partnerships with many churches worldwide, including The United Methodist Church Global Ministries. We pray that many people will be inspired to give generously as part of the Global Ministries “Giving Tuesday” campaign on December 2nd for Advance projects and partners worldwide. Lord in your mercy…
Lord, we pray this week for our community Advent program in Bethlehem, which will reflect on Luke 2:10 when the angel appeared to the shepherds, and for our Nazareth activities, including a youth retreat for Advent. This Thursday at the Dominican Church, Sabeel will hold an ecumenical prayer service for Jerusalem. Lord, comfort the community as it comes together in prayer. Lord in your mercy…
We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Lord in your mercy…