English 17/08/2017

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

August 17^th, 2017

In Gaza, the ongoing humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate drastically. This week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed their “deep concerns” for the intensifying humanitarian crisis.

·         Lord, we hold the people of Gaza in our prayers as they try to survive against all odds. It is true by bread alone one does not survive, but without bread and clean water they will perish. God, open the eyes of the decision makers of our world and soften their hearts to show mercy and grant Gaza justice. Lord in your mercy…    

Four U.S. Senators, including Bernie Sanders, urged U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to monitor the case of Issa Amro, a prominent Palestinian activist from Hebron. Issa, was indicted by Israeli army prosecutors for a range of offenses, most of which occurred three years ago.

·         Lord, we give thanks for the steadfastness of Palestinian activists who continue to resist the evil occupation using nonviolence. We give thanks to the people of good will who refuse to be silent and question the actions of the powerful. Lord in your mercy…   

The annual tour of the Palestine Youth Orchestra, a flagship project of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, started in Amman, Jordan last week. Despite the difficulties and obstacles of bringing young Palestinian musicians from all over the world, concerts at Birzeit University and Al-Najah University were extremely beautiful and inspiring and went very smoothly.

·         Lord, we give thanks for the talents, enthusiasm and energy of those young musicians who uplifted the spirit of the audience and cast a mood of optimism and pride in the halls. Lord in your mercy…

On Wednesday, the Jerusalem local planning and building committee removed the unjust proposal for the construction of 200 new housing units for Israelis on the ruins of the village Lifta. Lifta, is one of over 530 Palestinian villages that were depopulated in 1948 to pave a way for the establishment of the state of Israel.

·         Lord, we pray for all Palestinian refugees to be able to exercise their right of return to their homes. God, give us the needed strength to continue to raise awareness to the unjust actions of the state of Israel and for the state of Israel to respect and implement the United Nations resolutions. Lord in your mercy…

local and international criticism continue to mount against the Palestinian Authority(PA) restrictions on the freedoms of expression in the occupied West Bank. Seven Palestinian journalists imprisoned by the PA have begun a hunger strike after being detained under the controversial Cyber Crimes Law, approved by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last month. Although the Journalists have been freed, the law is still present.

·         Lord, help us, Palestinians, to convey to our leadership your words: “if we remain silent the stones will cry out”. We pray that the powerful may understand that freedom is neither negotiable nor compromisable, but is a God given right. We give thanks for the release of the journalists and pray for the freedom of speech in Palestine and every corner of this world. Lord in your mercy…    

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.  Lord, in your mercy…