Wednesday, August 17, 2016

English 18-8-2016


Kamal Tarazi and Hatem Khrais both live in Gaza and are friends for over 15 years. In the past 5 years Khrais lost his eyesight and relies totally on his Christian friend Tarazi to take him to the mosque for daily prayers and to run errands. The two friends and their friendship have gone viral on social media inspiring today’s divided Middle East.
·         Lord, thank you for this beautiful friendship and servant-hood. We ask you God to continue to bless their friendship as they walk silently hand in hand echoing loudly your love and honoring your commandments. Lord in your mercy…

The 2016 Summer Olympics is being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5-21 August 2016. More than 11,000 athletes from 206 countries are taking part. Ten refugee athletes are participating in the Olympics to act as a symbol of hope for refugees worldwide, and to bring global attention to the magnitude of the refugee crisis. Also, six athletes are representing Palestine this year.
·         Lord, we pray, especially, for the Palestinian and the refugee Olympic teams.  We pray that the participation of the two teams open the eyes of the world and acknowledge our existence and our aspirations. Lord in your mercy…

A group of Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian girl in a west bank village last Thursday. The girl who was herding her sheep in the village, sustained injuries and trauma from the attack. 11 of her sheep were also reportedly stabbed, several of the sheep died of their stab wounds.

·         Lord, they beat the shepherd, and her sheep were killed and scattered. The good shepherd stood her ground and laid her life to protect the sheep, but the wolves were more powerful. Lord, what is happening is not pleasing in your eyes. We ask you open our hearts and minds to find nonviolent creative ways of  resistance. Lord in your mercy…    

According to a recent report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in July 2016 as many as 56 Palestinian structures and homes have been demolished by Israel making 89 people homeless.
·         The Palestinian people are crying out against Israel’s illegal occupation, Lord; set the oppressed and the oppressor free.  Lord in your mercy…


·         We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia. Lord, in your mercy…

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