19/3/09 - English

We pray for healing and comfort for Tristan Anderson, an American shot in the head by the Israeli military with a tear gas canister while participating in a nonviolent protest against the Separation Wall in Ni’lin. This tragedy reminds us of the many nonviolent protests happening regularly in the West Bank. We pray for strength and safety for people participating in demonstrations in Jayyous, Budrus, Bil’in, Ni’lin and Umm Salamonah. May God use this terrible event to prick the consciences of people around the world.

Even as this prayer is being written, the Herbawi home in Beit Safafa—a neighborhood of Jerusalem—is being demolished. We pray that the world will not stand by and ignore the ongoing campaign against Palestinian communities within Jerusalem.

We pray for Sabeel’s four-part Lenten community programs. Each week of Lent, Sabeel has been organizing events designed to expand upon the theme of 2 Peter 3:13: “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” The events are designed to find practical ways to promote righteousness in our daily lives and current situation.

Rev. Naim Ateek travels to Lund, Sweden next week to attend the yearly “Jerusalem Day” event organized by the Church of Sweden. This year’s theme is “Jerusalem: A Shared/Divided City.” We pray that the commitment of the Swedish community seeking a just peace in Palestine and Israel will help result in a Jerusalem that is shared by all peoples and faiths of this region.