Friday, October 21, 2016

English 20/10/2016

The olive harvest has started in Palestine. Many Palestinian communities, who earn their living from this harvest, are unable to reach their olive groves due to the separation wall, or their proximity to illegal settlements, or because of military intervention.
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God, we lift our prayers for Palestinian farmers who are taking the risk to harvest their produce. We give praise to you lord God, who through the mouth of your prophet proclaimed that one day "...they shall sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees and no one shall make them afraid" (Micah 4:4) Lord in your Mercy…

B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, is urging the UN Security Council to take decisive action now to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. With the 50th anniversary of the occupation approaching next year, Hagai El-Ad, executive director of B'Tselem, said "the rights of Palestinians must be realized, the occupation must end, the UN Security Council must act, and the time is now."
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    God, we give thanks for all who speak truth to power. We are grateful for all who break the silence surrounding injustice. Dear God, inspire all who have something to give for a just peace, to deliver it now with courage. Lord in your mercy…

Sabeel-Nazareth, will host a lecture and discussion for the community by Monsignor Agapios Abu Saada from the Melkite Church. The title of the lecture will be " The Orient, Cradle of Christianity- Past, Present and Future " This is an important subject as many challenges continue to surface around the body of Christ in Palestine and the wider Middle-East.
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     Dear God, we pray for your Church in the Middle East. Stand with the vine that your right hand has planted and protect us from disintegration. May our women, men and children who are your body in this land, and are the temple of the Holy Spirit continue to shine forth with the light of your love, truth, grace and goodness. Lord in your mercy…

After thirty five years of military service, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, the self-described 'general of the occupation,' slams the politicians for the Israeli-Palestinian impasse. There is, he says, a solution and a partner, but first Israel must release itself from the grip of extremists.
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    Lord, let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair into hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation. God, let the violent encounters be replaced with loving embraces. May your spirit continue to transform enemies to friends and adversaries into partners. Lord in your mercy…


·         We join the World Council of Churches by praying for the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal. Lord in your mercy…

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