English 31/08/2017

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

August 31^st, 2017

This month, Israel revoked the citizenship of hundreds of Israeli Arab Bedouins and left them stateless. Over 500 citizens lost their citizen-status with a single keystroke and with no further explanation.

·         Lord, we pray for equality and justice for all the citizens of Israel. Dear God, may your spirit guide the Israeli government to treat all its citizens with respect, equal rights and to put an end to its discrimination of its non-Jewish citizens.
Leader: Lord in your mercy…
People: Hear our prayers
 

Muslim Palestinians with millions of Muslim worshipers from around the world, are on their way to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj.  At the end of Hajj, Muslims prepare for Eid al-Adha, the most important holiday in the Muslim calendar which falls this weekend.

·         Lord Jesus, with those who build bridges of interfaith understanding, we pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters that they may celebrate Eid al-Adha next week in peace. We also pray for the safety of those who make this pilgrimage of prayer and devotion. Lord in your mercy...  

Last week, Israeli authorities stormed the Silwan neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem and demolished a Palestinian home for the second time. The same home, 60-square-meters, had just been demolished on August 15^th, 2017, by the Israeli army. With the help of fellow Jerusalemites, the family rebuilt a temporary home made of tin sheets, which Israeli forces came to destroy on Tuesday 22^nd of August 2017. The family and their friends are already working to rebuild the house for the third time.

·         Lord, we pray for all the people of Jerusalem who resist the evil of the Israeli occupation. May the people of Palestine continue to plant hope by building what the occupation attempts to destroy. Lord in your mercy… 

A Palestinian brand-new primary school in Jubbet Al-Dhib was razed by Israel just as the new school year was set to begin. The six newly installed steel terrapin cabins were erected in the village of Jubbet Al Dhib so that local children do not have to walk for an hour to get to school. A total of 55 West Bank schools are currently threatened with demolition and "stop-work" orders.

·         Lord, our enemy has lost all semblance of humanity. We pray for all children to be able to exercise their right to education and knowledge. May Palestinian teachers continue to be blessed with courage and wisdom as they commit, under difficult circumstances, to educate another Palestinian generation under occupation. Lord in your mercy…    

This Saturday, Sabeel is organizing a field trip to Bethlehem for 50 young Palestinians from the area of Nablus, Burqin and Tubas. The young people are committed members of three Bible-Study groups that meet on a weekly basis. The purpose of the trip is to visit the Church of the Nativity and build fellowship among the members of the three groups.

·         Lord, we pray for all the Sabeel Bible-Study groups, for all their members, and especially the group facilitators. We pray for safe travel for the young people and a successful event. May all the work of Sabeel glorify your name. Lord in your mercy…

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal.  Lord, in your mercy…