Despite the
complaints and reservations expressed by the international community, such as
France, the US, the UK, and the United Nations, Israel continues to expand
illegal settlements. House demolitions also continue, unabated, and land for a
future Palestinian state becomes smaller and smaller each day.
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God of justice, we are at a loss when we see countries who are in
power ultimately have no power to stop the land-grabbing and illegal settlement
building Israel engages in. Strengthen the voices of the international
community, God, and do not let them give up. Open Israel’s ears to hear and its
eyes to see, so that peace can one day come to this land.
Lord, in your mercy…
Israel cut
power to large areas of the West Bank on Monday, including parts of Bethlehem.
The Palestinian Authority disputes the amount of money they owe to the Israel
Electric Corporation, and so the power is being shut off as both a warning and
a sanction, to try and pressure the PA to pay the debt.
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God of mercy, it is always the people underneath who get crushed
when political systems and organizations battle one another. Though the PA owes
Israel money, it is the civilians who are punished, because they need
electricity to go about their daily lives. Be with those whose suffering will
be increased by this hardship, and help a solution be found soon.
Lord, in your mercy…
Reports have
recently come out that various hospitals around Israel are separating Israeli Jewish
mothers from Israeli Arab mothers in the maternity ward. This is often due to a
personal request by the mother to be moved to another area, but it is against
Israeli law and banned by the Health Ministry.
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God of all, discrimination and fear dominate this land, separating
individuals from one another. Give people the courage to challenge the racism
within this society, and the strength to build bridges, rather than walls.
Lord, in your mercy…
This week Sabeel
is hosting its second session to train facilitators for bible studies. It will
be held in Ramallah, and participants will come from both Jerusalem and the
West Bank in order to learn how to better lead local bible studies.
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Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to continue training leaders
within the community who will be able to reach out to others through their
faith. Send your spirit to watch over those attending this training session,
and help them to hear the message you would like them to hear.
Lord, in your mercy…
We pray
alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Brunei, Malaysia,
and Singapore.
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