English 11/1/2018

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

January 11^th, 2018

A Palestinian teen, Musaab Firas al-Tamimi, was shot and killed by Israeli forces on Friday near the Deir Nitham village, northwest of Ramallah city. Musab's killing makes him the first Palestinian to be shot dead by Israeli occupation forces in 2018.

·         Lord, we remember the family of Musaab Firas Al-Tamimi as they mourn their loved one. We pray for an end to the Israeli occupation that continues to feed our graves with our children. Lord in your mercy…

On Saturday, Palestinian Christians came out in harsh opposition to the Christmas visit of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, to the city of Bethlehem. Theophilos III, is accused of orchestrating the sale of Palestinian land, belonging to the Arab Orthodox Church, to Israeli entrepreneurs belonging to Zionist and settler groups.

·         Lord, we pray for all people who demand reform and transparency in the world, especially in the Church. May the cries of the people remind the powerful that YOUR message of righteousness and justice still echoes in our hearts. Lord in your mercy…    

 According to the “Israeli Peace Now” movement – a watchdog on Israeli settlements – the Israeli Civil Administration’s “High Planning Committee” is expected to approve the promotion of at least 1,329 housing units in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

·         Lord, the greed of the Israeli occupation continues to dispossess our people of their lands. We pray for the international community to continue to condemn and act against the illegal actions of Israel and stand for our Palestinian rights. We give thanks to all the people of conscience in Israel who continue to expose the aggressive actions of their government. Lord in your mercy… 

 On Sunday, Israel published a list of 20 global organizations whose members will be barred from entering the country due to their support for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel’s occupation.

·         Lord, we pray for all human rights organizations of the world who stand firmly for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel. May this action by the State of Israel only serve to embolden those human rights defenders to continue their work for justice and peace. Lord in your mercy…

Last Thursday, hundreds of Palestinians protested in the Gaza Strip against electricity cuts and worsening economic conditions. Gaza’s two million residents have been subjected to a brutal, decade-long blockade by Israel.

·         Lord, we pray for the world to stop living in darkness regarding the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. We pray for strength to continue to speak truth to power and set the Gaza Strip free from this evil blockade. Lord in your mercy…

 The USA administration is threatening to cut aid funding to the Palestinians if they do not submit to the dictates of the USA and Israel.

·         Lord, you have taught us: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. We pray that the Palestinian leadership and our people do not submit to the bullying of the rich and powerful, but remain determined to assert their national and human rights. Lord in your mercy…  

In response to a request from the Friends of Sabeel France, the Chief of Cabinet of the President of the French Republic assured them that President Emmanuel Macron never misses an opportunity to affirm his commitment to the two-state solution and the status quo over the holy places of Jerusalem. “France, a Friend of both Israel and Palestine, firmly condemns the illegal build-up of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East-Jerusalem."

·         Dear Lord, every commitment of a Chief of State to put an end to the unlawful colonization of Palestinian territory by Israel is a source of hope for all of us. May deeds follow promises, and peace with justice become, at last, a reality for all the inhabitants of Palestine and Israel. May the project of President Macron to reactivate the peace process take shape quickly, for the sake of the dignity, the rights and the responsibilities of all people of the region. Lord in your mercy…

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Iran, Iraq and Syria. Lord in your mercy…