We pray for Sabeel Nazareth’s Christmas community
celebration this week, taking place despite recent anti-Christian
discrimination in the region. The mayor
of Nazareth Illit, an Israeli town with a 40,000 population and 7% Arab
Christian minority, decided to ban the public display of Christmas trees. Calling Nazareth Illit “a Jewish city” he
promised to maintain the ban for as long as he is mayor. We pray that all people of good will and
democratic ideals will reject this racism and make space for Christians to
celebrate their holiday in peace. Lord in your mercy…
We pray for the Sabeel Jerusalem Christmas
dinner on Saturday.
Local clergy from different denominations, international workers, and community
members from all walks of life will gather for food, fellowship, and song. We pray that God will be glorified by our
celebration. Lord in your mercy…
Jesus said to the weeping women,
“Oh Daughters of Jerusalem! Do not weep
for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” We join weeping family and
friends who mourn the death of 28-year-old nonviolent activist Mustafa
Tamimi. Killed by a tear-gas canister
fired into his face at close range, Mustafa died in Nabi Saleh protesting the expansion
of illegal Israeli settlements. Lord in your mercy…
Israel constructed more segments of the separation wall around the
residents of Shu’afat refugee camp. This
portion of the wall cuts through the municipal area, separating 40,000
tax-paying Palestinian Jerusalemites from the rest of the city. Access to Jerusalem
from Shu’afat camp is restricted to one entry and exit checkpoint, controlled
by the Israeli Defense Force. We are
discouraged by the wall’s existence, and furthermore frustrated about its path
through the town. So long as the wall
exists peace will continue to be elusive. We pray that the wall will be
dismantled. Lord in your
mercy…
This week, the city of Bethlehem prepares to
welcome Christmas pilgrims from all over the world. We pray that each pilgrim
will be deeply affected by their visit.
We pray that their firsthand experience of the land of the Holy One will
compel them to work for an end to the imperial occupation of this place. Lord
in your mercy…
With the World Council of
Churches we pray for Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. Lord in your mercy…
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