Resistance to
the occupation and its repressive measures continues, in many instances
violently. On Sunday alone there were eight alleged attacks in the span of 12
hours, resulting in the deaths of five Palestinians, three of whom were under
the age of 16. The situation continues to worsen as despair among young people
increases, and as excessive force to curtail attacks becomes the norm.
·
God of all, we plead for an end
to this violence and for an end to the occupation that is the root cause of it.
We weep for the lives that have been lost, and for those that will yet still be
lost in the near future. Help us to see a way out of this madness we are living
in, and to find hope within you when it does not seem present in the world
around us. Lord, in your mercy…
Approval was
recently granted to begin construction to expand the plaza at the Western Wall
for Jews to pray. This threatens to disrupt the already fragile status quo, as
this construction will involve tunneling beneath the Muslim Quarter, and will
turn land set aside as a secular archeological site into Jewish religious
property. This is yet another instance of Israel creating facts on the ground
within Jerusalem, in violation of international law.
·
Lord, we know you stand on the
side of the weak and oppressed; that your Son preached that the last would be
first and the first last. Yet it is sometimes hard to believe in this when one
encounters the harsh realities on the ground here. Grant us reassurance,
God, that you remain present with those who suffer at the hands of
injustice. Lord, in your mercy…
Many exciting
programs are happening at Sabeel. The Women’s Group in Jerusalem attended a
Lenten Bible study in Jericho on Tuesday of this week, while Sabeel Nazareth
continues their Bible study focused on Liberation Theology.
·
Lord, we give you thanks for the
ability to reach out and connect with the local Christian community here in
Palestine/Israel. Help our ministries continue to grow and allow them to
provide strength and unity among those who attend. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel is
organizing an international witness visit from the 10th to the 18th of May 2016
with the theme Living
Together – An Interfaith Mosaic - A Window into the Religious Communities
Living in The Land of The Holy One.
·
Lord, we pray for an enriching
and fruitful visit that will enable the participants to see and learn firsthand
the situation on the ground. We pray that they will go back inspired and
encouraged to continue the work of justice and peace for this troubled
land.
·
We pray alongside the World
Council of Churches for the countries of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the
Netherlands.
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