Lord, we begin this week with a
light heart and thanksgiving for the unforeseen fame of Palestinian Mohammad
Assaf in the popular reality TV show, Arab Idol. We lift up our joy at the
unique story of Mohammad’s difficult journey from Gaza, his serendipitous admittance
to the show, and the amazing way in which his songs and story are uniting the
Arab World in hopeful excitement. Assaf has “I will keep singing until the
world hears the cries of the children of Palestine.” Now in the final rounds,
we pray that he would be able to continue using this platform to share the
beautiful culture of Palestine with the rest of the world and to raise
awareness about the injustices Palestine and especially Gaza endure. We pray
that you would bless him in his efforts, and bring about more unexpected
opportunities for creative, nonviolent responses to unjust systems of
oppression. Lord, in your mercy…
God, for five years in a row now,
the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem has organized a “Festival of Lights” in
and around the Old City of Jerusalem – installing decorations that pass through
the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian Quarters. Each year the event has commenced
on the anniversary of the 1967 War and continued until June 11, which marks the
anniversary of the demolition of the Moghrabi neighborhood, which was destroyed
in 1967 to create the plaza in front of the Western Wall. Though the show can
seem unobtrusive and light-hearted, it leaves a strong impression on local
Palestinian communities about the dominance of Israel over the Palestinian part
of Jerusalem. Lord, we pray that Israel would realize that the only way that
will lead to the peace of Jerusalem is to share the city between Palestine and
Israel. Lord, in your mercy…
Even in the immediate vicinity of
Sabeel, we see injustice taking place day-by-day and hear the stories of it
from friends and neighbors. As the Israeli government continues to expand
settlements in Jerusalem, they build new roads to connect these settlements to
each other, isolating Palestinian communities from each other, demolishing
Palestinian homes, and confiscating property in the desired path. Lord, we pray
for all the people affected by the new settlement road being constructed behind
the Sabeel offices, the area of which will incorporate 80-100 dunams of
Palestinian East Jerusalem land. Lord would you bring justice to all who have
lost homes, properties, and olive groves to this “development project,” and
help us in raising international awareness about the impossible circumstances
these families face and about Israel’s invasive, colonial policies. Lord, in
your mercy…
We continue to pray that you
would bless the work of Sabeel with fruitful ministry and peace amidst the
chaotic challenges of our context. For the upcoming Study Circle next Tuesday, June
19, we pray for wisdom and good dialogue as participants study the Church of
Scotland’s Report “The Inheritance of Abraham? A Report on the Promised Land.” We
pray also for Sabeel Nazareth’s Community Program trip to the village of Iqrit,
and for Sabeel’s young adult festival as final preparations are made and
participants ready themselves for this new experience. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, we pray alongside the
World Council of Churches for the countries of Angola and Mozambique. Lord, in
your mercy…
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