Thursday, August 19, 2010

19/8/10 - English

Three weeks have passed since the flood rains began in Pakistan but much of the country continues to be plagued with flooding in what the UN Secretary General is calling the worst natural disaster he has ever seen. More than 1500 people have died and up to 3.5 million children are at risk from deadly waterborne diseases. We pray for relief, and hope that as Christians around the world awaken to this crisis, they will respond with action.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a plan to build 23 new mobile classrooms in West Bank settlements, contradicting his own standing order for a freeze on all settlement construction outside of East Jerusalem. God of peace, grant us the vision to transcend our own narrow needs and see the truth.

This week Sabeel will send a delegate to Alberta, Canada, to be one of ten international resource speakers for a week-long high school camp designed to bring together young adults from different backgrounds and explore issues of peace. Speakers will be coming from Nigeria, Uganda, Columbia, Palestine and Israel. May the gathering inspire the young participants to stand against injustice and live the way of peace.

Pressure to restart direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israel has been mounting in past weeks. But at a time when the world is looking for diplomacy, we pray for action and integrity. We pray for unity among Palestinians, and that any future negotiations are approached with a clear mind and sound heart.



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