Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of August 7, 2017

Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of August 7, 2017

Sabeel_logo_small.pngSabeel is organizing an international witness visit from the 1st of November to the 9th of November 2017 under the theme: Christian Zionism and Colonialism – A Response from Palestinian Christians. Sabeel Witness Visit trips provide participants with the unique opportunity to experience the reality of Palestinians living under Israeli Occupation.

Lord, we pray for an enriching and fruitful visit that will enable the participants to see and learn firsthand the situation on the ground. We pray that they will go back inspired and encouraged to continue the work of justice and peace for this troubled land. Lord in your mercy…

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, which is the second-largest landowner in Israel – Palestine, has sold a number of prime real estate to private Israeli investors, causing anger and frustration among Palestinian Christians. The deal was done without the knowledge of, and against the best interests of the indigenous Palestinian Christian community.

Lord, we pray for Your spirit to guard the Church against every form of greed. Our Teacher, remind the Church leaders of your parable of “the rich fool” and its lesson that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Lord in your mercy…

In recent months, the Israeli Ministry of the Interior has drastically increased its hostile policies towards East Jerusalem residents. Many Palestinians wait months to schedule an appointment and waste valuable resources on dealing with the added bureaucracy.

Lord, we give thanks for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in East Jerusalem and pray for an end to the hostility shown to them. Lord in your mercy…

In Hebron, an Israeli settler was caught on camera trying to bully and steal a Palestinian ten-year old boy’s bike. Local human rights activist, Issa Amro, interfered and was able to return the bicycle to its rightful owner. Also in Hebron, the heroic Palestinian filmmaker Imad Abu Shamsiyya, was arrested after recording a local youth being harassed at a checkpoint.

Lord, in the rest of the world children have fun and enjoy riding their bikes. In segregated Hebron, bike rides are a dangerous thing. Lord, we pray you would help the children being bullied by the Israeli settlers and army, and strengthen the community in Hebron to defend them. Lord in your mercy…

Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem continue to be the target of Israeli settler organizations. Jewish settlers are stepping up their attempts to acquire new property through deceitful and violent means. Also in Isawiya village in East Jerusalem, 200 families received demolition orders of their homes.

Lord we pray especially for Palestinian communities in Silwan, Shiekh Jarrah and Isawiya who suffer the most. We pray for the families who try to appeal their case in unjust courts that serve the greed of extremist settlers. Lord in your mercy…

We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Sao Tomé and Principe.

Lord, in your mercy…