28/7/11 - English

As the lives of the 1.6 million people in the Gaza Strip continue to be vulnerable because of living under conditions of the siege, today, Palestinian fishermen are forced to fish too close to the shore line. Because when they venture too far into the deeper water, they are attacked by Israel.  We pray for the end of the siege of the Gaza Strip so that the people will be able to meet their daily needs with human dignity with peace and justice.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Last week, a young Norwegian man, a Christian extreme religious fanatic, who driven by hatred of Muslims killed 76 people including youth and young adults at a summer camp.  We pray for an end of religious fanaticism in all religions and that religious faith will lead to tolerance rather than hatred.  We pray for a country in mourning and confusion.  We pray for the families whose children were taken from them.  We pray, for all children who strive each day to live in peace with one another.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

More than 12 million people are affected by the worst drought in 60 years, which has wreaked havoc on war-torn Somalia and parts of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.  UN officials say the drought has killed tens of thousands of people over the past few months, and has forced desperate survivors to walk for weeks in search of food and water.  We pray that the drought will come to an end and that those with abundance will share with those in need.  We pray for human dignity of all of God’s children who live under harsh conditions.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We continue to pray for the second week of Sabeel’s 6^th International Young Adult Conference “Christianity in the East, Islam in the West:  Prophetic Voices from Palestine and Israel.”  As the 50 participants and leaders continue to process their experiences, we pray that each person will be a strong witness to your truth for peace and justice.  As the international participants prepare to return to their home countries, we pray that their travels will be uneventful.  We pray for the Sabeel staff who will be on vacation in August.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago