English March 7-2019

Sabeel Wave of Prayer
March, 8th 2019

In the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting sites belonging to the Hamas movement. For several weeks, hundreds of Palestinian refugee protesters, have been organizing in night protests, during which they set tires on fire and chant slogans through loud speakers, these refugee protesters are known as the "Night Confusion" unit. The weekly ‘Great March of Return’ protests along the Gaza border continue with dozens being injured by Israeli army gunfire.

·      Lord, we continue to pray for to an end of suffering of the people of Gaza living under impossible conditions.  We give thanks for all the people who use creative methods of nonviolent resistance to obtain freedom. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

Sabeel Nazareth organized a book launch by Johnny Mansour on the life and witness of Akilah Al Hassy. Mr. Akilah played an important role in opposing the Ottoman rule in the 19^th century and in defending the people of Palestine from crime and lawlessness.

·      Lord, we give thanks for the staff, volunteers and participants of Sabeel Nazareth. May the spirit continue to bless the different ministries and work of Sabeel.  Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.

On Sunday, Israeli bulldozers demolished a Palestinian-owned car wash in the Beit Safafa neighborhood, in Jerusalem. The demolition of the car wash came under the pretext that it was built without the nearly-impossible to obtain Israeli permit. Also, on Sunday the Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee turned down some 20 applications for residential building permits submitted by Palestinians, rejecting a long-standing procedure for establishing land ownership in East Jerusalem making it completely impossible to obtain a building permit for Palestinians.

·      Lord, help us not to lose hope in the humanity of our oppressor. We pray for your spirit to give us strength to remain steadfast in the land of our ancestors. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.

Israeli authorities delivered an order to Waqf Council chairman, Sheikh Abd al-Athim Salhab, banning him from entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for 40 consecutive days. Last week, along with other top Waqf officials, Salhab was detained, by Israeli forces as a result of playing an important role in the reopening of the al-Rahma Gate (Mercy Gate), one of the Al-Aqsa Mosque gates.

·      Lord, we continue to pray for all the people who organize and engage nonviolence to bring justice to the people on the margins. May the witness of the different activists continue to inspire our people and especially the young people to commit to nonviolence. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.

The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) stated that: “over the past few months, several black progressive leaders have been attacked for supporting Palestinian human rights; most notably, Angela Y. Davis, Marc Lamont Hill and the Hon. Ilhan Omar. In each case, the charge of anti-Semitism was leveled to silence criticism of the Israeli government, to regulate behavior and to try and mute independent Black political voices that are connected to communities across the country and abroad…”

·      Lord, we give thanks for all who show solidarity, regardless its heavy cost, with all people who face injustice. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.

Thursday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, where we celebrate the accomplishments of women everywhere, and also recognize the need to continue pushing for gender equality worldwide. We remember specifically on this day the women of Palestine, who often bear the brunt of the violence of the Israeli Occupation. It is the women who must remain strong when their husbands and children are arrested, the women who are often left to rebuild their houses after the military demolishes them, and the women who struggle to hold the community together in the wake of continued oppression.

·      Dear God, we thank you for women everywhere, and pray for their continued perseverance and courage. Lay your hand upon them and guide them in their constant struggle towards peace and justice, for themselves, their families, and their countries. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

This week the Kumi Now initiative focuses on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza comes with additional struggles for its women. The Coalition of Women for Peace (CWP) is working to help the women of Gaza.

·      Loving Lord we pray for the Coalition of Women for Peace and their work supporting the women of Gaza. Bless those taking part in Kumi Now and encourage them in their support for the Palestinian people. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.

·      We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.