This past week, 25 international Friends of
Sabeel have been participating in the Sabeel Spring 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.
They were asked to share some of their concerns in this week’s Wave of
Prayer. Please join us in prayer for the
following:
Some were moved by personal stories.
Lord, we lift in prayer Imad Abu
Shamsieh and his family, who are being attacked for taking the video of the
young man who was shot by the IDF soldier in Hebron; Abed, a shopkeeper
in the Old City of Hebron who is one of the few Palestinians who has been able
to keep his shop open; Bassam and his
wife and 3 children, Sham, Amir and Lamar who reside in Al Aroub refugee
camp; Ahmed, a young boy in Hebron who recently lost his father and is
now the breadwinner of the family; Hedy Epstein, 91 years old who lost
her family in the Holocaust and is near death.
Hedy participated in 2 Gaza flotillas and has been estranged from her
family for her pro Palestinian advocacy.
Lord, in your mercy…
Some were moved by their visit to the
refugee camps.
Lord, we know of your love and concern for
all people who are suffering. We
especially lift up those who have lost their homes and their way of life. We pray for refugees, not just here in
Palestine, but for refugees all over the world.
We pray for living conditions that are clean and healthy, for continued
opportunities for education and nurture.
But, most importantly, we pray that they will one day be able to return
to the homes and countries they’ve been forced to leave.
Lord, in your mercy…
Some were moved by the overwhelming
injustice that they witnessed.
Lord, we pray for all those who have been
the victims of land loss or who are struggling to keep their homes and
livelihood. We think especially of the
Bedouins in the Negev who have had their villages demolished; of the Nassar
family and the Tent of Nations where we witnessed Palestinian sumud, the
steadfast hope that refuses to give up; of families throughout East Jerusalem
and the West Bank who have had their homes demolished and their lives
destroyed. We pray that these acts of
injustice will end and that peace will come to the land.
Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, we also ask that your spirit of
inclusion, justice and love guide those who are attending the United Methodist
General Conference being held in Portland, Oregon from May 10 - 20. Many decisions are being made, including
justice issues relating to Israel and Palestine, that will impact the future of
the denomination. In the midst of
differing opinions, may there be a witness of love for you and for one another.
Lord, in your mercy…
Lord,
We thank you for the ministry being done by Sabeel Nazareth: for their recent women’s program of
eyewitness accounts from the Nakba and for their continued sharing with groups
from around the world. We also ask your
blessing on this Friday’s annual clergy and spouse gathering at the
International Marie de Nazareth Center in Nazareth sponsored by Sabeel
Jerusalem. This annual time together is
an opportunity for clergy and their wives from Israel and Palestine to exchange
post-Easter greetings and to reconnect with Rev. Naim Ateek as he shares
Sabeel’s future plans. May this be a
time of renewal and encouragement for all who attend.
Lord, in your mercy…
We pray alongside the World Council of
Churches for the countries of Kenya and Tanzania.
Lord, in your mercy…
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