We pray for all people released in the prisoner exchange
between Israel and Palestine. The one Israeli soldier exchanged returned to his
home. Around 1,000 Palestinians will be released, though not all are allowed to
return to their homes. We pray for the successful reintegration of former
prisoners into their families and societies, and that their freedom will release
a collective wave of nonviolent struggle for justice in this land. Lord in your
mercy…
Christian Zionists from all over
the world came to Jerusalem this week to state their belief that “Israel is a
light to the nations.” We are concerned
that Christian Zionists, such as the 10,000 that gathered here for the Feast of
the Tabernacles, are not interested in addressing the injustices Israel and
nationalistic Zionism perpetrate against Palestinians and surrounding nations.
We pray that their eyes will be opened and that they will have the courage to
understand that the message of Jesus is love for all, not a specific
ideology. Lord in your mercy…
We yearn for
the day when everyone will be able to sit under their vine and fig tree, and no
one will make them afraid. Yet despair creeps in as this week the Israeli
government announced a plan to expand illegal settlement building across the
Green Line in Palestine. Over 2,500 new
units were approved this week. We pray for a freeze in settlement building,
especially at this moment while the world debates Palestinian statehood at the
United Nations. Lord in
your mercy…
We are grateful for the pastors, priests, and
ministers who participated in the clergy retreat last week. Through prayers,
challenging Bible studies, and discussions, they reaffirmed the need for church
leadership to take a stand for truth, justice, and peace, regardless of the
cost. We ask God to bless clergy members with spiritual strength, and we
rejoice that their retreat was filled with laughter and space to develop
stronger ecumenical relationships.
We are glad that youth and young adults are learning
about justice and Palestine. From university clubs in the United States, to
#Occupy movements around the world, to the upcoming young adult retreat hosted
by Sabeel Nazareth, young people are experiencing the love of God, and
receiving an invitation to work for true liberation in Palestine and around the
world. We pray for their spiritual growth and wellbeing. Lord in your mercy…
With the World Council of Churches we pray for India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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