English 29/3/2018

Sabeel Wave of Prayer
March 29th, 2018

Land Day, on the 30^th of March, marks an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians. In 1976 there was a general strike in Galilee in response to the Israeli government’s plan to expropriate thousands of acres of Palestinian land for “security” and “settlement” purposes. In subsequent clashes with the Israeli army and police, six Palestinians were killed, almost a hundred wounded and hundreds were arrested.

Forty two years later this day is still remembered on the West Bank and in Israel against a background of further land grab violations and illegal settlement building. This activity further encroaches on the borders of any future Palestinian state.

·         Lord of all, we lay before you the wrongs which have been committed in the past and which are still being committed today. It is becoming increasingly difficult to hope that things will ever change in the future. Help us Lord to continue to trust in your Word as we look forward to the joy of Easter Sunday. We ask that you would renew the courage of those in positions of power to help them to speak out against injustice and to work for a just peace. Lord, in your mercy…

Last week, an Israeli settler was filmed releasing his dog, a pit-bull terrier, near a flock of sheep belonging to a Palestinian herder in the southern region of the West Bank. Pictures from Ta’ayush, a left-wing Israeli movement, showed that several of the sheep had had their tails bitten off entirely by the dog.

·         Lord, we pray for an end to the Israeli occupation that continues to spread hatred and evil in our troubled land. We remember the Palestinian shepherds who continue to fall victim to the aggressive behavior of Israeli settlers.  Dear God, grant our people, animals, crops and trees the peace we long for. Lord in your mercy…

Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar will celebrate Easter this Sunday, marking the events of Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection. There will be much rejoicing and excitement in Jerusalem and in the surrounding areas. There will be many processions through the Old City and up on the Mount of Olives, to remind us of the paths Jesus walked on these holy days.

·         Lord God, we are filled with hope at the announcement of your Son’s resurrection at Easter. The celebrations of this day remind us that the victory has already been won, and that in the end good will triumph over evil. However, for Palestinians living here, it can be hard to see the light of the resurrection when every day they are surrounded by the darkness of the grave. Grant them fresh hope in their hearts and the strength to persevere in how they live for Your glory. Lord, in your mercy…

Benjamin Ladraa, is walking from Sweden, across Europe and all the way to Palestine to raise awareness of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

·         Lord, we give thanks for all who advocate for justice and peace around the world. We pray for the safety of Benjamin in his pilgrimage; may his witness help the people he meets to hear and understand the cry of Palestinians for justice and peace. Lord in your mercy…  

Ahed Tamimi, 17-year-old Palestinian activist , who was imprisoned in December for slapping and kicking an Israeli soldier, has received an eight month sentence in an Israeli military prison.Ahed Tamimi and her mother, Nariman, should both be released in July.

·         Lord our children continue to be treated mercilessly and unjustly. We pray for Ahed and for all Palestinian children who are subjected to prosecution in military courts and are sent to serve harsh sentences in military prisons. Lord in your mercy…

On Saturday Reem Banna, the Palestinian artist and well-known singer died of cancer. Reem, who was born in Nazareth in 1966, was known for her freedom songs and for her modern interpretations of traditional Palestinian music and poetry. Reem worked day and night to strengthen the cultural identity and memory of the Palestinians through her music.

·         Lord, we remember the family of Reem, specially her three children. We give thanks for the contribution of Reem to strengthen our resilience and determination to restore our freedom. Lord in your mercy…

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted four resolutions for Palestine last week:

1.             Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, are illegal.

2.             The Palestinian people have the right of self-determination.

3.             Condemning Israel for the abuse of human rights against Palestinians in the Occuipied Palestinian Teritorry (OPT), including East Jerusalem.

4.             Demanding accountability and justice for all violations of international law in the OPT, including East Jerusalem.

·         Dear God, we give thanks for all the people of conscience who continue to bring attention to the injustice in Palestine.  We pray for the day that the international community will implement the many resolutions they pass on Palestine.  Lord in your mercy…

Last Friday, seven thousand Palestinians and internationals from around the world participated in the sixth annual “Palestine Marathon- Freedom of Movement” in Bethlehem. The objective of the Marathon is to open the eyes of the world to the situation of the Palestinians and their limited freedom of movement.

·         Lord, we give thanks to the creativity of the Palestinian people and their friends in raising awareness to the injustice in Palestine. We give thanks for another successful marathon and for all the people who helped to organize it, and who participated in it.

Leader: Lord in your mercy…

People: Hear our prayer

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Lord in your mercy…