Thursday, May 19, 2011

19/5/11 - English



We pray for the family and community of Milad Ayiash, a sixteen year old Palestinian boy who died Saturday morning after being shot in the stomach during East Jerusalem’s Friday demonstrations to commemorate the Nakba, the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes during the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. We continue to pray for a just and lasting solution to this conflict that has brought such pain the last 63 years, so that future generations may live in peace.

Nonviolent mass protests on Nakba Day, Sunday May 15, in Gaza, the West Bank and along Israel’s borders with Syria and Lebanon left as many as 16 dead, hundreds injured and many arrested. We pray for all those affected by the military’s violence and that this grassroots movement will inspire the political activity and discussions in the US, Israel and the Palestinian territories this week towards bold and positive change that will bring an end to the suffering all around.

We pray for the participants in the joint Jerusalem-Nazareth Sabeel Clergy and Women program on Tuesday, May 24. Women from Jerusalem, Nazareth, and several villages in the West Bank will visit Kufur-Qud, Burqiin and Zababdeh to discuss challenges facing women, study the Bible and worship together. We pray that this time of fellowship and learning from each other will lead to closer relationships among these Christian communities. We also pray for Sabeel Nazareth’s programs this week: a lecture with Mr. Foud Farah about the Christian Presence in the Holy Land on Wednesday, May 18, as well as a children’s program about the Nakba on Saturday, May 21.

Our prayers are with the organizers, speakers and participants of the Friends of Sabeel UK Conference and Annual General Meeting titled “Christianity, Zionism and Justice?” on Saturday, May 21, 2011. We pray that speakers Prof Ilan PappĂ© and Rev Stephen Sizer will inspire new conversations and actions towards a better understanding of the nature of the conflict and ways to a peaceful resolution. We also pray for safe travels and open audiences as Rev Naim Ateek speaks in Germany this week.

With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: Malawi, Zambia

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