Sabeel Wave of Prayer
June 22nd, 2017
Israeli Occupation forces shot and killed two 18-year-old
Palestinians after they attacked and killed an Israeli border
policewoman outside the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.
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Lord, the people ask how
long the streets of Jerusalem will be a battle ground. Why won’t the Israeli
occupation end? The decision makers remain silent and unashamed. The weeping of
Palestinian and Israeli families are loud and clear, and the anger that thrives
on the streets only promises more loss and sorrow. Dear God, we pray for
justice; we pray for the day that the occupation will end.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer…
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer…
This weekend, our Muslim sisters and brothers in Palestine,
Israel, and around the world will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the feast marking the
end of Ramadan.
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Gracious God, we pray that this time of feasting and celebration may be
a blessed time for all who are celebrating and that they will have
opportunities for fellowship with friends and family.
Lord, in
your mercy…
Last week, Israeli forces
demolished the Bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 114th time. The temporary
aluminum shelters, which had been put up since the last time the village was
demolished, were bulldozed, and the residents of the town have been ordered to
pay for the cumulative cost of demolitions. Members of the village committee
say that residents will continue to rebuild their homes and remain in the
village.
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Lord, we thank you for the
courage and stubbornness of the people as they continue to rebuild and refuse
to be forced out of their land. We pray
that you will help the Israeli decision makers accept that truth and justice
always triumph over the power of violence.
Lord, in your mercy…
The Israeli Knesset recently
extended the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law for another year. This law
prohibits family reunification permits allowing people from the West Bank and
Gaza to live with their spouses inside Israel or East Jerusalem. The law was
originally passed in 2003 and has been extended each year since.
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Loving God, we pray for the Palestinian families who are forced to live
separately because they do not have permits to live together. We ask for
guidance for families who have to make difficult choices regarding their
futures, whether that means moving or living separately. As they face the
intimate consequences of a law intended to diminish the number of Palestinians
in Israel, we pray for their wellbeing.
Lord, in
your mercy…
On Saturday, a group from
Sabeel will take a trip to the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights to visit a
church and villages there. On Monday and Tuesday, a group of Bible study
facilitators will meet in the village of Taybeh, in the West Bank, for training
on how to lead Bible studies.
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Lord, we thank you for these opportunities for learning and fellowship.
We are thankful for each person who participates in Sabeel programming. We pray
that these programs may be meaningful times of renewal and encouragement.
Lord, in
your mercy…
We join the World Council of
Churches in praying for the countries of Malawi and Zambia.
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Lord, in your mercy…
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