Thursday, August 7, 2014

7/8/14 - English

God of peace, our prayers for a real and lasting cease-fire and the protection of the civilians are unending.The state of emergency in Gaza includes not only the alarming death toll of civilians and overloaded morgues, but also the public health crisis that is rapidly unfolding inall cities and towns, many of which arefilled with displaced people in already densely populated areas.  From lack of water, electricity, and medical supplies to the onset of diseases, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza has no immediateend.  Lord, comfort your people in Gaza; be with them in the shelters, in their broken neighborhoods, in the overcrowded hospitals, and in the lines as they wait for water.  Lord in your mercy…

Merciful God, we pray for the wounded in Gaza, numbering over 9,000. Many face a long recovery or disability.  Many are now at risk of dying from lack of capacity and equipment at hospitals.  Many are in desperate need to be evacuated from Gaza. We pray for the brave hospital staff and medical workers in Gaza who work fiercely day after day and night after night under the threat of bombardment.We lift our gratitude for them and the doctors and nurses in Jerusalem who have traveled to Gaza to help.  And we pray, God of healing, for the presence of internationals who can safeguard hospitals and work in solidarity with humanity.  Lord in your mercy…

Lord, the Palestinians in this land are outraged watching the death and destruction suffered by their brothers and sisters in Gaza.  Tensions are raised everywhere and more frequent protests in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have led to clashes between the people and Israeli soldiers, resulting in Palestinian fatalities and injuries.  God of love, we pray for a swift end to all violence and a just political solution that will allow all people of the land to co-exist in peace.  Lord in your mercy…

We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Canada and the United States of America.  Lord in your mercy…


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