Thursday, August 2, 2012

2/8/12 - English

O 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…

O 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…

O 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…

O 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…

O Lord of Every Season: With the World Council of Churches we pray for the churches and residents of The Caribbean. Lord in your mercy…


No comments:

Post a Comment