12/11/2015 English

This past week, 27 international Friends of Sabeel have been participating in the Sabeel Fall Witness Visit.  For some, this is their first visit to Palestine-Israel; for others this is one of many visits to the area.  All have had their eyes opened and hearts broken by what they have seen and heard.  Lord, on their behalf, we bring the following prayers before you:

•           We pray for the Dawabsheh family  who died when their home was burned by extremist settlers this past summer and for all those who continue to mourn their loss. 

Lord, in your mercy...........

•           We pray for the people of Hebron as they live through this present time of settler violence.  Lord, in your mercy...........

•           We pray for refugees, both  here in Palestine and all through the Middle East. We pray for an end to the violence that has forced them to leave their homes and their livelihoods.  

 Lord, in your mercy...........

•           We pray for just laws in Israel that will be applied fairly and equally to all people, regardless of race, religion or nationality.  Lord, in your mercy...........

•           We pray that Israeli eyes will be opened to the brutal effects of the occupation, that they will see that increased oppression will not bring security, that Palestinian cries will be heard by ears of  compassion and understanding, and that those who hear will have the courage to demand an end to the occupation.  Lord, in your mercy...........

•           We pray for children everywhere, but here in Palestine we especially remember children who have been traumatized by the occupation, who are awakened at night by military house raids, who face arrest and imprisonment for simple acts of resistance. Lord, in your mercy...........

•           We pray for all those who daily defend their land from threatened confiscation,  Lord, in your mercy...........

•           We pray for all those who travel to this land as pilgrims and tourists, that they might not just see the “holy” sites, but engage also the living stones of the land Lord, in your mercy…

Lord, we give you thanks for these Friends of Sabeel who have come to be with us this week and who now take their experiences back to their homes to share with others as they continue to advocate for peace and justice.  Lord, in your mercy……….

Since 1988, November 15 has been designated as Palestinian Independence Day.  We pray with the people of Palestine who continue to live in the hope that one day soon they will be able to celebrate their independence in its full reality. Lord, in your mercy……….

We pray also for Sabeel Nazareth as they plan for a community trip to Old Jaffa this Sunday, Nov. 15 and we give you thanks for their faithfulness and witness.  Lord, in your mercy……….

We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of  Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe.  Lord, in your mercy...........