Thursday, September 19, 2013

19/9/13 - English

Lord, we praise you and offer prayers of thanksgiving for the avoidance of an attack in Syria and the possibility for a diplomatic solution. We pray that the deal to destroy chemical weapon stocks in Syria will be the beginning of a peaceful end to this horrific civil war, and that this marks the beginning of disarmament of the entire Middle East. Lord in your mercy…

Gracious God, this week we wish to remember the thousands of Palestinian refugees massacred at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut thirty-one years ago. Even decades later, Palestinian refugees continue to face dire circumstances and desperately need a political solution based on international law. Lord, we pray for your protection for all refugees in the Middle East: Palestinians, Iraqis, Syrians, and other displaced groups. Lord in your mercy…

 The World Health Organization estimates that more than one-third of women around the world will experience some form of physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and recent events in India and Yemen highlight the urgency of this issue.  Lord, as women across the globe face discrimination and violence, we pray for legal and societal changes which will curb the tide of violence against women. Lord in your mercy…

Lord, we ask for your hand to guide Sabeel’s programs this week, including the Clergy Wives Retreat on Thursday and Friday, and the Ecumenical Prayer Service for peace in Syria and the Middle East on Friday. Please grant us the clarity to finish preparations for these events, and let us embody your peace and love in all we do. Lord in your mercy…



God, we also pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. Lord in your mercy…

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