English 20/04/2017

Monday, April 17^th, is the day dedicated for Palestinian Prisoner’s.  In commemoration of this day, over 1,200 Palestinian prisoners launched an open ended hunger strike to protest Israeli measures and demand for their basic human rights to be respected.  We watch with great expectation of God’s mercy on six thousand Palestinian political prisoners held in Israeli jails.

·         Lord, the writer of Hebrews asks us to remember those in prison as if we were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if we are the ones suffering(Hebrews 13:3). Lord, grant Palestinian prisoners the courage to continue with their strike until their rightful demands are met.  Lord in your mercy…

·         We pray to an end to the routine humiliation during roll-calls and transfers of Palestinian prisoners by the Israeli prison guards.
Lord in your mercy…

·         We pray to an end to the arbitrary denial of family’s rights to visit Palestinian prisoners.
Lord in your mercy…

·         We pray to an end to the inhumane use of solitary confinement towards Palestinian prisoners.
Lord in your mercy…

·         God, we continue to remember the Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails. We ask your spirit to guide us to mobilize the efforts of the peacemakers to set the captives free and to put an end to this occupation. Lord in your mercy…

Christians celebrated Easter last Sunday, marking the events of Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The weekend was marked with much jubilation and excitement in Jerusalem and surrounding areas. There were many processions throughout the Old City and along the Mount of Olives, recalling the paths Jesus walked on these holy days.

·         Lord God, we are filled with hope at the announcement of your Son’s resurrection at Easter. The celebrations of this day remind us that the victory has already been won, and that good will always and ultimately triumph over evil. However, for Palestinians living here, sometimes it is hard to see the light of the resurrection when every day they are surrounded by the darkness of the grave. Instill hope in their hearts, God, and grant them the perseverance to continue on.
Lord, in your mercy…

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.
Lord in your mercy…