Thursday, January 13, 2011

13/1/11 - English


We pray for “the peace of Jerusalem” after the Monday demolition of the historic Shepherd Hotel and planned building of a Jewish-only settlement in its place in the heart of the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. We pray that these actions, criticized by US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton as a  disturbing development [that] undermines peace efforts to achieve the two-state solution” and condemned by the EU and the UN, will be a catalyst to draw attention and put an end to the systematic undermining of the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

At least 165 Israeli professors have declared an academic boycott against Ariel University Centre because of its location in a settlement illegal under international law. We give thanks for this strong statement from Israelis who recognize that illegal settlements in the West Bank are a major obstacle to peace and pray that such important initiatives will continue within Israel and around the globe.

As Sabeel’s 8th International Conference Challenging Empire: God, Faithfulness and Resistance approaches in less than two months, we pray for the spiritual, mental and physical preparation of the participants and speakers, and for strength, clarity, and grace for the organizers. We also pray that more people will be moved to join us for this gathering in Bethlehem before the registration deadline. (See http://sabeel.org/events.php?eventid=167 for more information). 

We give thanks for the hard work of those who redesigned the Sabeel website at www.sabeel.org. We pray that through this renewed website the ministry of Sabeel will continue to grow and serve you, Lord, and the cause of justice, peace, and reconciliation of all the people in this land.

With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: Cyprus, Greece, Turkey

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