26/6/14 - English

We continue to fervently pray for the well-being of the many Palestinians currently under administrative detention, many of whom are entering their third month of hunger-striking. With the immensely excessive Israeli campaign of arrests over the past week, the number of administrative detainees is set to double; additionally, Israel’s 1999 “ticking bomb” provision gives Israeli interrogators permission to use physical violence against prisoners, and the Knesset is considering a bill enabling the state to force-feed hunger strikers. We condemn these heinous actions, crying out for justice and mercy to reign. Lord in your mercy…

Lord, the Israeli government and military are engaging in collective punishment of the Palestinians under the guise of searching for the missing Israeli teenagers. With house demolitions, mass arrests, the complete closure of Hebron and the southern West Bank, continuous airstrikes against Gaza, the killing of at least five Palestinians (including a 14-year-old), and many other tactics, the Israeli occupation is exerting unjustified total control over the Palestinian people. Lord, open the eyes of the international community so that the world may see the grievous injustices committed here, and inspire people across Palestine, Israel, and the world to demand an end to this disgraceful occupation. Lord in your mercy…

God of justice, we praise you for the recent decision by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to divest from companies complicit in the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The Presbyterian’s decision follows a similar action taken by the United Methodist Church, and previous divestment decisions by the Quaker Church and the Mennonite Central Committee, among others. We are so thankful for these courageous voicesthat support a just peace in the Holy Land. Lord in your mercy…

In the midst of this increased violence, please enable Sabeel to be a light in the darkness through our programs, events, and the lives of our staff. Please bless this week’s activities, including Sabeel Nazareth’s youth meeting. Lord in your mercy…

Lord, we pray alongsidethe World Council of Churches for the countries of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Lord in your mercy…