11/7/13 - English

Lord, we come to you this week with joy and gratitude for the blessing of the Global Young Adult Festival. After a week of learning, building, voluntary work, and fellowship, the Festival ended with a dance performance at Damascus gate, in solidarity with Palestine. At the concluding worship service, the Rev. Bo Forsberg, General Secretary of Diakonia, addressed the participants with a moving reflection on Genesis 9, ”Am I my brother’s keeper?” God, we thank you for all the bonds and friendships that have been formed.  We pray that each and every participant travels safely back home. Help us all, across the world, to continue to be each other’s keepers. Lord, in you mercy...

Dear lord, we pray that the rights of children be respected and upheld. As the detention of Palestinian children by Israeli forces continues, we find their transfer to prisons inside Israel especially alarming since, according to Military Court Watch, this is a violation of “grave breach” status under Article 147 of the 4^th Geneva Convention. Lord, we pray that the occupation of Palestine, with all its violations of human rights, comes to an end, and that all children, everywhere, will be able to live in freedom and dignity. Lord, in your mercy...

As the Holy month of Ramadan is with us, Sabeel extends it heartiest greetings to all our Muslim brothers and sisters. We pray it will be a month of peace and blessings to the whole Middle East Region. We pray, especially, for your guidance that the people of Egypt find an inclusive solution that will save the country from sliding into a civil war. We continue to hold Syria, its people and refugees, in our hearts, as their suffering continues with no end in sight. Lord, in your mercy...

As the Nazareth Sabeel centre winds up its programs before the summer break, we pray for the monthly youth bible study, on the 11^th of July, at the Mount of Precipice to mark the Gospel event. We also pray for your blessings on the women’s book reading session on the 12^th of July. Lord, in your mercy...

Lord, finally, we pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Lord, in your mercy...