Sabeel Wave of Prayer
June 7th, 2018
June 7th, 2018
An Israeli
sniper shot and killed a 21-year-old Palestinian female paramedic, Razan Ashraf
al-Najjar, as she was treating injured protesters during the demonstrations
along the Gaza border with Israel. Since the “Great March of Return” began in
Gaza on March 30th, 119 Palestinians have been killed, including children and
journalists, and thousands of Palestinians have been injured.
·
Lord, may your
spirit comfort us as we continue to receive distressing news from Gaza.
We pray that the demonstrations remain non-violent. We long for the
Palestinians to regain their freedom and be empowered to return to their
land. We remember the family, friends and colleagues of Razan as they grieve
for her loss. Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayers
There are
hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who are being held under detention by the
Israeli state without trial for up to six months (renewable), for ‘security
reasons’. These prisoners, held under ‘administrative detention’,
are expected this week to launch a hunger strike against this Israeli policy.
Palestinian prisoners held under administrative detention continue their
boycott of the law courts as they have lost hope in ever receiving a just
hearing in an Israeli court.
·
Lord, we continue to pray for the
Palestinian political prisoners. May your spirit give them courage to stand
steadfast and to depend on your justice... Lord in your mercy…
On Thursday the 24th of May 2018, three Israeli Supreme Court
justices – Noam Sohlberg, Anat Baron and Yael Willner – ruled that the state
may demolish the homes of the Palestinian Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar
and transfer its residents forcebly to a different location.
·
Lord, the
decisions of the Israeli judges appear quite merciless and the court
proceedings seem iniquitous. We pray for the Palestinian people of Khan Al
Ahmar that they will not be overwhelmed by despair or by the
coercion of the occupiers. May your spirit Lord, move the Palestinian
community, together with the international community, to stand firm with the
people of Khan Al Ahmar to object to their forcible transfer. Lord in your
mercy…
Once again, the
United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution
condemning Israel’s use of force in seeking to stifle protests at the border
with Gaza. The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, rejected
the Kuwaiti resolution - which sought ‘measures to guarantee the safety and
protection’ of Palestinian civilians.
·
Lord, we give
thanks for all the people who continue to pursue protection and justice for
Palestinians. Dear God, grant the Palestinian people the strength to continue
the struggle to achieve independence and freedom. Lord in your mercy…
The Israeli
government has approved the construction of 2,070 new illegal settlement units
in the occupied West Bank. Since US President Donald Trump came to office,
Israel has permitted the construction of more than 14,000 settlement units.
·
Lord, we pray
that Palestinians may not succumb to despair over the expropriation of their
land. We pray for all the people of conscience who work as advocates for the
Palestinian people around the world. Renew their efforts to call
upon their governments to respect and implement international law. Lord in your
mercy…
This week marks
the fifty-first anniversary of the beginning of Israel’s occupation of East
Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
·
Lord, this week
we lament fifty one years of the occupation of Palestine that has brought
so much loss, injustice and suffering to the Palestinian people. Please hear
the cries of those who love you and who thirst for liberty. Lord, we ask that
this year will be a time to speak truth to power, a time to break the silence
surrounding injustice, a year for peace, a year for Palestine. Lord, in your
mercy…
·
Lord, we join
the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Lesotho, Namibia,
South Africa and Swaziland. Lord in your mercy
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