Building
plans were frozen in the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Safafa, located in
southern Jerusalem. While a request for the building of homes on Palestinian,
privately-owned land was denied by the Israeli court, a similar request by
Jewish contractors in a neighborhood nearby was readily approved. A petition
requesting a reason be given for this discrimination has been answered with the
excuse of political reasons, that must be kept secret for security.
God
of justice, we lift up our frustration and anger to you at the unfair treatment
Palestinians receive in comparison with their Jewish neighbors. The
discrimination against one side is obvious and painful. Be with those residents
of Beit Safafa who would like to build on their land, but cannot. Help us to
find a way forward that leads to peace.
Lord,
in your mercy…
Human
Rights Watch, an international non-profit organization, recently released a
report documenting Israeli police abusing detained Palestinian children. The
number of children arrested has dramatically increased since October 2015, and
there have been numerous cases of violence and unnecessary force during
arrests, as well as children being questioned without an adult guardian
present, which goes against international humanitarian laws.
God
of mercy, we mourn for these children who have been mistreated by what is
supposed to be a system of justice and law. We mourn too, for those whose
stories have not been heard, and who remain locked in prisons, away from their
families and without proper trial. We ask that you send your Holy Spirit to be
with those who are suffering, and to give them hope that one day this injustice
will end.
Lord,
in your mercy…
The
Palestinian neighborhood of Ras Khamis is located within the municipal
boundaries of Jerusalem, but was geographically cut away from it, due to the
separation wall. Because of this, Jerusalem no longer provides for many basic
services in Ras Khamis, including plumbing, infrastructure, and trash pickup.
To counter this, a group of Palestinian youth formed a local council to solve
these problems, and recently collected over $531,000 from residents, to build a
new road through the neighborhood.
God
of all, we celebrate with the residents of Ras Khamis in their success at
taking matters into their own hands and building a much needed road through
their community. We pray that their determination inspires others who are
living in similar, unjust circumstances, and that it will show youth all over
Palestine that they have the power to enact positive change.
Lord,
in your mercy…
This
Friday Sabeel will host a community Easter egg hunt in Bethlehem for children
living in orphanages. Over 90 kids are expected to participate, and the weather
is predicted to be sunny and warm. The hunt was planned for mid-April so as to
fall between both the Western and Eastern celebrations of Easter.
God,
we thank you for this opportunity to share joy and happiness with children whose
lives have not allowed for much of that. Be present with those who come out on
Friday, and let it be a moment for them to forget the current political
struggles, and instead rejoice in the good news Easter brings.
Lord,
in your mercy…
We
pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of East Timor,
Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Lord,
in your mercy…
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