Wednesday, February 11, 2015

29/01/2015- English

In light of upcoming elections in Israel and a stricter electoral threshold, the Arab political parties in the country struck a unity deal last week.  Lord, we pray that together, they will achieve more representation in the Knesset and be empowered with a stronger voice to further equality and human rights for all citizens of Israel.  Lord in your mercy… 

 

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in a period of 3 days as many as 77 people (over half of them children) have become homeless in East Jerusalem and the West Bank due to Israel’s unjust practice of home demolitions.  Lord, we pray that instead of forcing evictions and carrying out discriminatory planning policies, Israel will fulfill its obligations under international law, protect vulnerable Palestinian families, and help them meet their growing housing needs. Lord in your mercy…

 

More often we hear of social problems, including violence, within Palestinian communities of Israel.  Lord, we lift up these communities and pray they will have relief from economic and political factors contributing to the stress in their lives and affecting their overall psychological wellbeing.  Lord in your mercy…

The Palestinian national football (soccer) team will compete for the first time in the Asian Cup, the farthest they have gone in their history.  Lord, we thank you for the inspiration they give many Palestinians and others, as they were able to achieve this despite checkpoints, the separation barrier,  travel restrictions, and other obstacles imposed by Israel—all of which severely limited their opportunities to train together.  Lord in your mercy…

God of grace, we ask for your blessing on our Sabeel events this week, including a women’s program in Jerusalem and a Nazareth committee meeting to go over the 2015 calendar.  We also pray for our Study Circle in Nazareth with Rev. Dr. Greg Jenks about new archeological insights into ancient Galilee.  Lord in your mercy…

 


We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.  Lord in your mercy…

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