Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of June 19, 2017

Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of June 19, 2017

Israeli Occupation forces shot and killed two 18-year-old Palestinians after they attacked and killed an Israeli border policewoman outside the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.

Lord, the people ask how long the streets of Jerusalem will be a battle ground. Why won’t the Israeli occupation end? The decision makers remain silent and unashamed. The weeping of Palestinian and Israeli families are loud and clear, and the anger that thrives on the streets only promises more loss and sorrow. Dear God, we pray for justice; we pray for the day that the occupation will end.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer…

 

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This weekend, our Muslim sisters and brothers in Palestine, Israel, and around the world will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the feast marking the end of Ramadan.

Gracious God, we pray that this time of feasting and celebration may be a blessed time for all who are celebrating and that they will have opportunities for fellowship with friends and family.

Lord, in your mercy…

Last week, Israeli forces demolished the Bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 114th time. The temporary aluminum shelters, which had been put up since the last time the village was demolished, were bulldozed, and the residents of the town have been ordered to pay for the cumulative cost of demolitions. Members of the village committee say that residents will continue to rebuild their homes and remain in the village.

Lord, we thank you for the courage and stubbornness of the people as they continue to rebuild and refuse to be forced out of their land. We pray that you will help the Israeli decision makers accept that truth and justice always triumph over the power of violence.

Lord, in your mercy…

The Israeli Knesset recently extended the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law for another year. This law prohibits family reunification permits allowing people from the West Bank and Gaza to live with their spouses inside Israel or East Jerusalem. The law was originally passed in 2003 and has been extended each year since.

Loving God, we pray for the Palestinian families who are forced to live separately because they do not have permits to live together. We ask for guidance for families who have to make difficult choices regarding their futures, whether that means moving or living separately. As they face the intimate consequences of a law intended to diminish the number of Palestinians in Israel, we pray for their wellbeing.

Lord, in your mercy…

On Saturday, a group from Sabeel will take a trip to the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights to visit a church and villages there. On Monday and Tuesday, a group of Bible study facilitators will meet in the village of Taybeh, in the West Bank, for training on how to lead Bible studies.

Lord, we thank you for these opportunities for learning and fellowship. We are thankful for each person who participates in Sabeel programming. We pray that these programs may be meaningful times of renewal and encouragement.

Lord, in your mercy…

We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Malawi and Zambia.

Lord, in your mercy…