English June 28-2018

Sabeel Wave of Prayer
June 28th, 2018

Last Friday marked the eighty fifth day of the ‘Great March of Return’. It has been named officially as the ‘Friday of the Wounded’. Since the Gaza protests began on the 30th of March, at least 133 Palestinians have been killed and 14,600 wounded by the Israeli forces. Last week Israeli war planes bombed more than two dozen sites in the besieged Gaza Strip. This action drew retaliatory rocket fire from the Palestinians.

·         Lord, we continue to pray for the people of Gaza as they raise their voices in protest. May your will be done so that all the people of this land may come to enjoy the fruits of a just peace. Lord in your mercy ……….

On the 20th of June two boats which are taking part in the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza arrived in Lisbon, Portugal. The ‘Al Awda’ (the ‘Return’) and ‘Freedom’ have 25 activists on board and hundreds  of people greeted their arrival. These boats and several other boats are heading towards Gaza in a new attempt to break the eleven- year Israeli siege.
Two other boats arrived in Paris, but the French police prevented them from landing along the River Seine. Nevertheless, hundreds of supporters waved Palestinian flags while standing on the banks of the river, to cheer them on their journey.

·         Lord, we thank you for people who care about those living under siege in Gaza. We are grateful for the actions of those living abroad who seek to give a voice to those who are oppressed. Lord may they depend on your strength for you are ‘a stronghold in times of trouble’ Psalm 9:9. Lord in your mercy...

Israeli activists hung 115 kites along the Boulevard Rothschild in Tel Aviv last Sunday, 17th June. Each kite commemorated a Palestinian who had been killed by Israeli forces during the ‘Great March of Return’ and each kite bore the photograph, name, and birth date of the victim. These tokens of remembrance were displayed to challenge the lack of response from the Israeli public to the killings in Gaza.

·         Lord, thank you for those who care about the sanctity of life and for those willing to challenge indifference. Lord in your mercy ……

The World Cup brings hope and joy to people around the world, including the people in Gaza. A rehabilitation centre in Gaza has formed a football team for amputees called the ‘Heroes Football Club’. This team is seen as a glimmer of hope for many young Palestinians who were injured by the Israeli forces during recent wars and the ongoing protests.

·         Lord, we thank you for our brothers and sisters who continue to call out for justice, and who refuse to give in to despair. Lord in your mercy …

Prince William of the UK will visit the West Bank this week and meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Ramallah Office. His itinerary includes events that focus on the issues facing refugee communities. He will have the opportunity to experience Palestinian culture, music and food as well as having the chance to meet a number of young Palestinians.

·         God, we are so thankful that this young Prince has chosen to visit the West Bank as well as our neighboring countries. We pray that he may enjoy the hospitality of the Palestinian people, while gaining a clearer understanding of their plight. Lord in your mercy...

Last week a group of Anglican and Methodist trainee clergy from Birmingham, UK , visited Sabeel and shared in our Thursday worship. The group is touring the region for two weeks to gain an understanding of how local people are constrained to live in the West Bank. After sharing communion together, Sabeel and the group expressed their support for the revival of the Poor People’s Campaign in the US.

·         Lord, we thank you for the many visitors we meet here at Sabeel, and for our shared prayers.  We thank you for the prophetic witness of the Poor People’s Campaign. We especially thank you for all of those who are ready to stand up for your righteousness. Lord in your mercy …….

A Holocaust survivor and Palestinian rights’ lawyer, Felicia Langer has died at the age 87. Felicia Langer was a human rights activist, first in Israel and then later in Germany, to establish the enforcement of international law in Palestine With her demise the Palestinians have lost a strong advocate for their struggle for freedom and justice.

·         Lord, we give thanks for the life and witness of Felicia Langer. We remember the family of Felicia as they mourn her loss. We pray for all the people of conscience around the world who continue to work for the liberation of oppressed people regardless of their race or religion. Lord in your mercy…

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Lord in your mercy…