Wave of Prayer
July 7, 2016
Acts of ugly violence continue to target both Palestinians and Israelis. A 15-year-old Palestinian boy, Ra'fat Badran, was shot and killed "by mistake" by the Israeli army while traveling with his family after a family trip. A Palestinian youth stabbed and killed a 13-year-old girl, Hallel Yaffa Ariel while asleep at home in an illegal West Bank settlement. Also a harmless 23-year-old Palestinian, Arif Jaradat with Down Syndrome was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers, who fled after the killing without even looking back.
· Lord, the Israeli occupation continues to thrive on hate, violence and fear while the innocent continue to pay the price. O lord, empower us to put an end to this evil occupation that continues to trigger the darkest sides of human behavior. Help the people of this land not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. Lord, in your mercy…
Sion Asidon, a Jewish citizen of Morocco, is leading a campaign to boycott Israeli dates planted in the occupied West Bank. Also, Tahunia Rubel, an Ethiopian-born, actress, model and Israeli celebrity, spoke out bravely on the racist policies of the Israeli government against Israeli Ethiopians and Arabs. According to a report by the Berl Katznelson Foundation, the interview stirred particularly violent posts against her on social networks.
· Lord we are thankful for all the people who work for justice and speak truth to power. Grant us a vision of your world as your love would have it: a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love. Lord, in your mercy…
This week, Muslims in Palestine and around the world, will be celebrating a major religious holiday, Eid-al-Fitr, marking the end of the month of Ramadan. This past week has also witnessed numerous terrorist attacks in the predominantly Muslim countries of Turkey, Bangladesh, Iraq and Saudi-Arabia.
· May this time of feasting and celebration bring a measure of peace and tranquility to friends and families of this land and to all Muslims around the world. We also remember the victims and their families and loved ones. Lord, In your mercy
Israeli authorities have approved the building of 800 illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank and East-Jerusalem. This comes in the wake of the report of the Quartet (the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia) calling on Israel to end settlement building, if it is serious about a two-state solution to the conflict.
· Lord, the arrogance of the Israeli government is frustrating but we refuse to lose hope. God of justice, we are thankful that the world is recognizing the damage illegal settlements have caused in this region and to the Palestinian people. We ask for your presence and your light in this conflict. Help us good lord, to find the energy to carry on. Lord, in your mercy…
After a drive-by shooting last Friday at an Israeli settler-car that caused the killing of the man and injuring his wife and children; the car they were traveling in lost control and flipped over. At that point they were saved by a Palestinian, formerly imprisoned for political activities, who happened to be driving by immediately after the attack.
· Lord, we continue to read and reflect on the story of the good Samaritan in your land. We are very thankful for the people who do not allow differences to affect their humanity, Lord, in your mercy….
• We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Bolivia, Chile, Peru . Lord, in your mercy…
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