English 12/10/2017

Sabeel Wave of Prayer
October 12^th, 2017

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.

    

·         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…

Rev. Naim Ateek, a co-founder of Sabeel, has published his third book “A Palestinian Theology of Liberation: The Bible, Justice, and the Palestine-Israel Conflict”.

·         Lord, we give thanks for the successful publishing of Rev. Naim Ateek’s new book. We are grateful for all the people who helped in the process to finalize the book. May the prophetic words of Rev. Naim continue to echo in the Churches around the world and bring attention to the need for justice in Palestinian and Israel. Lord in your mercy...  

Last week, Israeli forces demolished the Bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 119th 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.

·         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…

Around the world, the month of October is dedicated to raise awareness on Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women in Palestine. Also, Gaza has only four mammography machines – one of which is out of order – for a population of two million.

       

·          Lord, on the cross you worried about your mother (John 19:27).We pray for our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives who are struggling with breast cancer. We ask you to strengthen them and give them healing in body and spirit. Lord in your mercy…

On Thursday night, October 5^th, 2017, several Israeli settlers attacked with stones Palestinian cars in the city of Hebron, wounding a child. Yaffa Jaber, a seven year old child, suffered various cuts in her face and head.

·         Lord, we pray for the speedy recovery of Yaffa Jaber. We give thanks for the doctors who continue to provide Yaffa with treatment and care. Dear God, be the companion of Palestinian children, guide and protect them in their journeys. In You we place our hope and trust. Lord in your mercy…

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama.
Lord in your mercy…