Thursday, March 24, 2011

24/3/11 - English



We pray for the inspiring youth initiative that has motivated thousands to gather in Bethlehem, Gaza, Ramallah and other cities to call for unity between the West Bank and Gaza governments and to demand an end to the Israeli occupation, and for the protesters “fasting for unity” until action is taken by Fatah and Hamas leaders. May the courage and strength of this March 15 movement continue and bring unity in this divided region.

We remember the 2.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank whose daily life is controlled by Israeli military checkpoints. We especially pray for those who were prevented or went through great hardship to go to hospitals, schools, work, and the homes of family and friends this past weekend when checkpoints in the West Bank were fully or partially closed due to the Jewish holiday Purim. As Easter and Passover coincide this year, we pray that the peoples of all faiths will be able to access their holy places during their holidays and for the time when checkpoints, especially those separating Palestinians from Palestinians, are no longer present.

Our prayers remain with the people in Libya as violence and civilian deaths increase from fighting between opposition forces and international coalition strikes and Gaddafi’s regime, as well as with the people of Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, and other countries. We pray that all powers will listen to the people’s real calls for freedom and democracy and for a swift de-escalation of the violence.

Monday was Mother’s Day for Palestinians and in most Arab countries. We pray for all mothers and future mothers who hold the fabric of family and society together under extremely difficult conditions, for women who work together across nationality and religion for peace with justice and for organizations that support mothers and women in the region. 

With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: China, Hong Kong, Macau

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