English 20/7/2017

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

July 20^th, 2017

Last Friday, three men from the Palestinian town of Umm al-Fahm inside Israel were killed after shooting and killing two Israeli Druze police officers at the checkpoint at the entrance to Haram Al-Sharif. As a response, Israel has implemented collective punishment through actions like closing Al-Aqsa mosque, requiring that worshippers go through metal detectors before entering it, and closing the Old City.

·         Lord, we lament all violence and mourn the deaths of all those killed this weekend. We pray fervently for an end to the injustices which feed the cycle of violence. We pray for a day when the freedom of movement and access to religious sites becomes a reality for Palestinian communities, and when Palestinians as a group are not held responsible for the actions of a few people who use violence.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer…

The results of the tawjihi exams were released last week, and many families have been celebrating with parties and fireworks. These exams, which are taken at the end of high school, are very important because they determine whether students are accepted into universities.

·         God, we pray for the thousands of young people who are celebrating their achievement and we remember the students who did not reach their target grades. May the students of Palestine use their education to better their communities and to strengthen the society in which they live.

Lord, in your mercy…

The Knesset is considering amending one of Israel’s Basic Laws to make it more difficult to divide Jerusalem in a potential peace deal. This law is intended to solidify Israeli control over all of Jerusalem, including occupied East Jerusalem.

·         Lord, we lament the efforts of the Israeli government to further control Jerusalem in violation of international law. We pray for an end to the illegal occupation of East Jerusalem, and we pray that leaders will seek to work for peace with justice rather than against it.

Lord, in your mercy…

The electricity crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. Due to the shortage of fuel, the last power plant in Gaza has been closed. There have been power outages lasting as long as thirty hours, leaving people without relief from the heat and relying on candles for light.

·         God of justice and mercy, we pray for the people of Gaza, who are suffering from lack of water, electricity, and medical supplies. Give them hope for a better life for themselves, their children and their communities, and an end to their suffering. We pray that the blockade will be broken and the people of Gaza will not be forsaken.

Lord, in your mercy…

Across Palestine and Israel, children are going to summer camps which provide them with activities while school is out for the summer.

·         Lord, we thank you for programs which provide opportunities for children to have fun in the summer and live a normal life even in situations of occupation. We pray for the organizers and volunteers who are working to make this possible.

Lord, in your mercy…

We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Djibouti and Somalia.

·         Lord, in your mercy…