We pray that a complete
cease-fire and end to the blockade of Gaza will come out of the recent lull in
the flare-up between Gaza and Israel which climaxed this past weekend in the
deadliest three days since the war on Gaza in 2008-9, with 19 Palestinians
killed and 120 mortars fired into southern Israel. We pray for an end to the cycle
of violence that has caused so much pain and death in Gaza and fear and damage in
Israel.
As talks between Israel and
Palestine continue to stall, we pray for a renewal of commitment from all parties
to work for peace, in spite of actions that suggest otherwise such as the
approval last week of the construction of 942 new housing units in Gilo, an
illegal Israeli settlement on the edge of East Jerusalem in the West Bank. This
comes as part of a series of recent announcements for new settlement
construction, which is illegal under international law. In addition, the US
postponed a Quartet meeting which was supposed to be held this Friday to discuss
how to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks, saying “it wasn’t the right time.” We
pray for now to be the time for peace.
Our prayers continue to be with
people everywhere challenging their governments to make reforms. We especially
pray for the people of Syria as the month-long protest movement, which includes
calls for an end to the 48 year old emergency law, continues to grow despite
violent government crackdowns. May the courage it takes to protest strengthen
across the Middle East and speak truth to those in power in a way that they
will listen.
We pray for the Holy Week and Easter programs: Sabeel Nazareth’s
children’s Easter Program at the Carmelite Convent on Tuesday, April 12; the Nazareth
Young Adult’s special Easter Bible Study and dinner on Thursday, April 14; and
the Easter Egg Hunt and games for 140 children from disadvantaged families in
Jerusalem and Bethlehem co-organized by Sabeel Jerusalem and the Catholic
Scouts on Friday, April 15.
With the Prayer
Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan
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