Lord of Every Season: We praise You for the
faithful witness of our Muslim friends and neighbors during the
holy month of Ramadan. We pray for their wellbeing as they cope with the
high heat of the summer, power outages (especially in Gaza), rising food
prices, and increased waiting time and harassment at the checkpoints. Be with
them as they deepen their devotions to You, in fasting and eating, in
work and rest, in prayer and hospitality. Lord in your mercy.
Lord of Every Season: We pray for all of
those in China and North Korea who have been impacted by the chaos of
heavy rains and flooding. Tens of thousands have lost their homes, hundreds
have died or been injured, inestimably precious agricultural land and
animals have been destroyed. We cannot know what will happen tomorrow; our
lives are but a mist and soon to dissipate; but you Lord are our eternal
refuge (Jas 4:14, Ps. 90, 91). Lord in your mercy.
Lord of Every Season: We mourn the death of
Hasan Badee' Omar, 46, who was killed at al-Zaayyem checkpoint
between Ramallah and Jerusalem on his way to work. The checkpoint was highly
congested that morning. Fearing that any delay might cause him and his 12
companions to be fired, Omar attempted to turn his vehicle back toward
another route. That is when, without warning, Israeli soldiers opened fire
on his vehicle. We pray for Omar's family and friends during this
horrendous ordeal, for the two other men who were injured in the shooting, for all
who pass through checkpoints for work, prayer, medical appointments, and
to visit friends and family, and for Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in
Palestine and Israel volunteers who faithfully monitor many checkpoints. Lord in
your mercy.
Lord of Every Season: We lift up Palestinian
college students and especially the students of Birzeit
University. They pursue learning that they may better themselves and improve the
lives of all Palestinians. Yet recent news of steep increases in tuition has
turned a well deserved summer of rest and play into an occasion for worry
and protest. We stand with them in their endeavors to secure an affordable
education. Lord in your mercy.
Lord of Every Season: With the World Council
of Churches we pray for the churches and residents of The
Caribbean. Lord in your mercy.
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