Thursday, July 31, 2014

31/7/14 - English

Loving God, we pray for all Muslims of the world who are celebrating the end feast of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, this week.  Lord, with so much violence and injustice in the Middle East, some of these celebrations are burdened with heavy hearts and marred with cries for justice.  God, you taught us that all people are created in your image; please grant those suffering the mosta life of dignity that all human beings deserve.  Lord in your mercy…

We continue to pray fervently for the people of Gaza who, in front of the whole world, have suffered devastating destruction and unimaginable loss of life, sometimes to entire families.  Lord, as the world awaits a cease-fire and breathes relief with each humanitarian “pause,” the steadfast people of Gaza wait for something more lasting.  We pray, merciful God,that Israel ends the unrelenting, illegal siege on Gaza so that Gazans are free to live, and hostilities never return to this area.Lord in your mercy…

God of grace, we thank you for the many people who came last weekend for Sabeel’s prayer service in Nazareth for Gaza. We also lift our gratitude for our Friends of Sabeel chapters around the world who have organized, protested, and advocated this week to end the massive operation on Gaza with unwavering commitment for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel. Lord in your mercy…

God of mercy, we pray for the safety of the people of Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem who are experiencing a new phenomenon of violence from Jewish settlers living in nearby illegal Jewish settlements – all ofwhich is exacerbatedby the lack of police protection of these Palestinians.  Not only do these violent incidents stir up fear and anger, they add to the difficulties Palestiniansexperience living under occupation.  Lord in your mercy…

God of mercy, we continue to pray for the Christians in northern Iraq who are being asked to deny their faith in order to live in their homeland and escape death.  We pray that governments and leaders in this part of the world help stop this injustice and speak up for minority religious rights.  Lord in your mercy…

We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for all the countries of the Caribbean. Lord in your mercy…


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