Jerusalem remains very tense as Israel continues to belligerently
threaten settlement expansion. In the past week, the West Bank has seen four
killings by the Israeli military and attacks on Israeli soldiers. In Gaza,
Israeli bombings and Palestinian rocket fire have dominated the week’s news. God
of mercy, in this time of darkness, we pray for guidance and wisdom in order
not to destroy the remaining glimmer of hope for equality and peace.
In this Easter season, pilgrims from around the world come to
Jerusalem to mark the death and celebrate the resurrection of Christ. We pray
that the people visiting this land will remember the powerful message of love
and nonviolence demonstrated by Jesus. We also pray that Christians from the
West Bank and Gaza will be able to worship in Jerusalem without hindrance.
This week, Sabeel is leading members of the local Christian
community on a Contemporary Way of the Cross pilgrimage through Jerusalem’s Old
City. While walking the Via Dolorosa and remembering Christ’s suffering, the
group will reflect on the current suffering of people in this land. We pray
that, in Jesus’ response to oppression and death, we will also find ways to nonviolently
respond to injustice with courage and love.
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel
(EAPPI, a ministry of the World Council of Churches) welcomes its 35th
team on Saturday. We give thanks for the important work done by EAPPI, through
accompaniment in areas of conflict here and through advocacy in their home
countries. We pray for steadfastness for team 35 as they begin their term and
for blessings for team 34 as they return home to share what they experienced. Thanks
be to God for the work of all people who work for justice.
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