God of justice and mercy, we continue
to pray fervently that a Gaza-Israel cease-fire will hold and the bloodshed
will permanently end. We grieve the loss
of all human life. We worry for the wounded, the displaced and the
traumatized. We weep for the surviving
families, many who lost multiple family members, who must now move through life
with such heaviness in their hearts.
Lord in your mercy…
As the international community debates
their future, the people of Gaza yearn for the ability to trade, fish in their
sea water, rebuild their homes, and leave to visit family or pursue education
and work opportunities. We pray, Lord,
that the illegal blockade will be lifted and your people in Gaza will come to
know the human rights that have been withheld from them for much too long by
the powers that be. Lord in your mercy…
Lord, the massacre in Gaza has affected
all of Palestine and Israel, exposing injustice and discrimination, and causing
increased tensions. In the West Bank, at least 16people have been killed by
live fire over the last monthfrom Israeli soldiers during protests in
solidarity with Gaza. God of love, we
pray that these unjustified killings end so that violence does not spread
further and some healing can begin again in this troubled land. Lord in your mercy…
The Middle East is in turmoil, Lord, with
atrocities happening daily in Iraq and Syria, especially in minority
communities. Give your people there strength
and protection, merciful God, and let your peace spread faster than hate and
war. Lord in your mercy…
God of grace, we continue to ask for
your blessing on Sabeel staff and volunteers who work tirelessly for peace and
justice. Give them wisdom and insight as
they plan programs and events during the coming months. Lord in your mercy…
We pray alongside the World Council of
Churches for the countries of New Zealand and Australia. Lord in your mercy…
Sabeel’s Wave of Prayer will take a
break and resume on September 4, 2014.
During this time, please continue to pray for peace and justice in
Palestine and Israel.
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