Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of May 2, 2016
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.
This week, The Palestinian Authority declared the Christian Easter Holiday a nationally recognized holiday in Palestine. The declaration came as the fruit of lobbying by local grassroots clergy in Ramallah. Palestinian Christians constitute less than 1.5% of the entire Palestinian population. In previous years only Christmas and Muslim Holidays were considered a Palestinian National Holiday.
Lord, we thank you for the tolerance and understanding among our Palestinian community. Actions such as this lord bring hope and emphasize the beauty of unity. When many around the world tend to construct walls of security we are thankful for your people who are engaged in building bridges. Lord in your mercy…………..
Sabeel is organizing an international witness visit from the 10th to the 18th of May 2016 with the theme Living Together – An Interfaith Mosaic – A Window into the Religious Communities Living in The Land of The Holy One.
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…………..
A Palestinian woman, Maram Abu Ismayil, 23, and her brother Ibrahim Salah Taha, 16, were shot dead by Israeli security forces at the Qalandia checkpoint in the West Bank last Wednesday morning prompting clashes in the area. Maram, a mother of two and pregnant, was crossing into Jerusalem for the first time, on her way to a Jerusalem hospital. The police refuse to release the video that record the senseless killings accusing them of wielding knives.
Lord we walk on our streets in fear and without protection. The Palestinians living under occupation have long been asking for international protection against the Israeli security forces and the wild settlers who constantly attack them. Lord, we pray that our cries for protection be answered and that the 49 year old occupation will come to an end. Lord in your mercy…………..
France announced recently that it intends to hold a preliminary international meeting on May 30 in preparation for an international peace conference to discuss the parameters of a peace deal between the Palestinians and Israel. Israel officially rejected the idea insisting on bilateral direct talks between the two sides, something that has been going on for 23 years without any results except the continuation of illegal settlement building on stolen Palestinian land.
Lord, “Peace, peace” they say when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 6:14 ). In steadfastness, Lord, we pray and hold our ground and await your judgment. Lord in your mercy…………
We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Eritrea, Ethiopia