We pray for the inspiring youth
initiative that has motivated thousands to gather in Bethlehem, Gaza, Ramallah
and other cities to call for unity between the West Bank and Gaza governments
and to demand an end to the Israeli occupation, and for the protesters “fasting
for unity” until action is taken by Fatah and Hamas leaders. May the courage
and strength of this March 15 movement continue and bring unity in this divided
region.
We remember the 2.5 million
Palestinians in the West Bank whose daily life is controlled by Israeli military
checkpoints. We especially pray for those who were prevented or went through
great hardship to go to hospitals, schools, work, and the homes of family and
friends this past weekend when checkpoints in the West Bank were fully or
partially closed due to the Jewish holiday Purim. As Easter and Passover
coincide this year, we pray that the peoples of all faiths will be able to
access their holy places during their holidays and for the time when
checkpoints, especially those separating Palestinians from Palestinians, are no
longer present.
Our prayers remain with the
people in Libya as violence and civilian deaths increase from fighting between opposition
forces and international coalition strikes and Gaddafi’s regime, as well as
with the people of Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, and other countries. We pray that all
powers will listen to the people’s real calls for freedom and democracy and for
a swift de-escalation of the violence.
Monday was Mother’s Day for
Palestinians and in most Arab countries. We pray for all mothers and future
mothers who hold the fabric of family and society together under extremely
difficult conditions, for women who work together across nationality and
religion for peace with justice and for organizations that support mothers and
women in the region.
With the Prayer
Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: China, Hong Kong, Macau
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