Pressure from settlement expansion, encroachment on Al Aqsa
Mosque, and Israeli crackdowns on nonviolent protests are bringing Jerusalem
close to a breaking point. The tension in the city is higher than it has been in
many years. We pray that justice will prevail and peace can be found before
tension erupts in violence.
As Christians experience conflict and bloodshed with their Muslim
neighbors in Egypt, Iraq and Nigeria, we pray that peace can be restored. May
Christians and Muslims around the world draw together and refuse to allow
misunderstandings to lead to further violence. Merciful God, bring your
children together in their shared humanity.
On Thursday, Sabeel will host a young adult conference in Jericho
for over 80 Palestinian student leaders representing 7 universities. The
Muslim, Christian, and Samaritan participants from the West Bank will focus on
the “Arms Down” disarmament campaign from Religions for Peace. We pray that
this experience will encourage collaborative relationships and will equip young
leaders in their pursuit of peace.
We give thanks to God for the lives and witnesses of The Reverend
Leonard Shaheen, Anglican priest and friend of Sabeel, and Gene Stoltzfus, founding
director of Christian Peacemaker Teams. Both men died last week and leave
behind legacies that inspire us to remain true to Christ’s radical message of
justice, peace and love.
No comments:
Post a Comment