Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Jan. 9, 2017
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.
When the Israeli occupation forces turned up to demolish a home in the West Bank village of Budrus on January 6th they were met with an unexpected obstacle: dozens of Palestinian women protecting the house with their bodies. Over 1100 homes and structures have been destroyed by the Israeli army in 2016.
Lord, we thank you for all the grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, daughters, neighbors and friends who stood hand in hand in solidarity and refused to let the army demolish that family’s home. We pray that such beautiful actions of solidarity and nonviolent resistance will continue to spread in our communities. Lord in your mercy…
Gaza has been suffering from a chronic power deficit for years amid Israel’s blockade – a situation that worsened after the 2014 Israeli assault, which destroyed Gaza’s power plant. Even before the war, Israeli-supplied electricity to Gaza met less than half of the territory’s estimated needs.
Lord, you are the light of the world and Gaza won’t stay in darkness. Thank you lord for the 320 days of sunlight per year. Thank you for the innovative minds and dedications of the “Empower Gaza” initiative- that aims to install solar panels in major hospitals throughout the territory. Lord in your mercy…
A group of Israeli settlers on Sunday morning took over a Palestinian residential building in Silwan, East Jerusalem. The settlers reportedly took over the building while accompanied by Special Israeli forces. The building is the property of a Palestinian man, who is currently in Jordan. The settlers took over his home as well.
Lord, Israeli settlers continue to be blinded by extremism and greed. Grant us Lord the wisdom needed to deal with the settlers, the courage required to defend the Palestinian victims and the full commitment to nonviolence as the only tool of resistance. Lord in your mercy…
Dozens of female cancer patients in the Gaza Strip have launched a protest against Israel’s refusal to allow them to cross to the West Bank to seek medical treatment. The women say the ban or delay of their treatments is a “premeditated death sentence.”
Lord, let the cries of the cancer patients reach the deaf ears of the decision makers in Israel and the world. We have faith in you Lord and in your healing powers. Heal the hearts of the Israeli leaders with compassion and mercy. Lord in your mercy…
We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Iran, Iraq and Syria. Lord in your mercy…