Lord Jesus, we look at the world
around us this week and see many storms: from weather storms to political
storms to religious storms. But you calmed the storm – the winds and the waves
obeyed you – and today we hope in that.
Lord, we bring before you
Hurricane Sandy and all the victims suffering in its path. We pray for families
of more than 60 people killed in the Caribbean and at least 40 killed in the
U.S. We ask your mercy on all who suffer from extreme weather conditions,
damaged crops and homes, electrical dangers, sanitation problems, fires,
flooding, power outages, and fallen debris. Please halt the storm and its
effects and bring necessary workers and resources to respond as quickly as
possible. Lord, in your mercy...
We lift up persisting storms of
political struggle and violence. God, in impending U.S. elections, would you
provide a leader who, acknowledging the U.S.’s influential role in world
affairs, would also look beyond national interests to the peace and well being
of the world. We pray for those who are already working towards peace, today
remembering all conscientious objectors within Israel who refuse to serve in
the Israeli Defense Force and face imprisonment and social exile for their
choices. We especially pray for 23-year-old Moriel Rothman who declared his
refusal on Wednesday of last week and is currently serving a 10-day sentence,
after which he will face potential re-imprisonment. We pray also for Omar Saad,
courageous 18-year-old Druze Arab Israeli, who is similarly refusing to serve
with occupying forces. Lord, may we see violence diminish, human dignity
respected, and quick release of those who are imprisoned because they stand for
peace. Lord, in your mercy...
We lift up storms of religious
intolerance and extremism, especially asking for a reprieve of violence in
Burma, Nigeria, and Palestine-Israel. Lord, please deliver those caught in
escalating religious clashes in Burma; and please comfort, heal, and calm the
fears of the community affected by the church bombing in Nigeria last Sunday.
Lord, in your mercy...
God, in the midst of these
things, please use all who work for peace as a healing balm. May we all desire
peace deeply and transform injustice through truth, forgiveness, and love. May
the programs of Sabeel contribute to greater understanding, mutual respect, and
a just peace. We lift up this weekend’s Board meeting, the Clergy Retreat, the
three Sabeel Witness Visits, the many outside groups visiting Sabeel this week,
and the Study Circle with Father Testa on National Struggle and Personal
Forgiveness. Please bless these efforts and all that go unmentioned. Open
participants’ hearts to truth and strengthen their wills toward love. Lord, in
your mercy...
Finally we pray alongside the
World Council of Churches for the countries of Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives,
Mauritius, and Seychelles. Lord, in your mercy...
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