15/1/09 - English

As the bombardment of Gaza nears its third week, we pray for comfort and strength for Gazans who live under constant threat of attack. We ask God for healing for the more than 4,200 people who have been injured and for comfort for the friends and families of the 930 dead. We pray that Israel will cease using illegal weapons that only add to the pain and human suffering of this tragedy. We hope that Israel will stop this brutal assault immediately.

We thank God for bringing the Christian community of Nazareth together in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Five hundred people gathered at Sabeel’s prayer service at the Maronite Church in Nazareth on Sunday to pray for the situation in Gaza. We are grateful for the generous contribution that were made for families in Gaza.

We pray that God will grant Barack Obama wisdom and a heart for merciful justice as he assumes the Presidency of the United States on January 20. We hope that President Obama will remember the “least of these” when making decisions of global importance.

We ask for guidance and discernment for Sabeel’s staff and board as they make plans for the coming year. We pray that they may find clarity of vision as they seek to understand how best to spend their time and resources in the service of community and in working for a just peace.