Sabeel Wave of
Prayer
3rd
December 2020
The Kumi Now Initiative focuses on the work of the
Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling, (WCLAC). The group seeks to
provide e-counselling and protection for victims of abuse, while also documenting
human rights’ abuses of Palestinian women living under Israeli occupation. They
report that Palestinian women, who already face challenges in a patriarchal
society, are having to deal with higher levels of domestic abuse during the
COVID-19 lockdown.
•
Lord, we thank
you for the work of the WCLAC as they seek to provide protection and support
for vulnerable Palestinian women. We thank you for their witness to the human
rights’ violations suffered by Palestinian women under the occupation. Lord, in
your mercy... hear our prayers.
Global Kairos for Justice is a worldwide coalition of
concerned Christians from different traditions, who have come together to
support the Palestinians in their sufferings. This month they have published
their Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Toolkit to help and inspire others to
take non-violent, economic action to challenge Israel’s human rights’ abuses of
the Palestinian people.
•
Lord Jesus, you
are the light of the world(John 8:12). Shine your light this Advent season so
that your children may witness the truth and walk in the light of life. May we
walk in your way and bring joy, not suffering, to others in how we steward the
resources you have given us. Lord in your mercy... hear our prayers.
The Episcopal Church in the US has now divested from
five companies as a result of the investment screen they adopted last year. The
companies were found to be violating human rights through complicity by
profiting from the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories.
•
We give thanks,
Lord, for the commitment of the Episcopal Church for introducing an ethical
approach to the way their finances are managed. Lord, in your mercy... hear our
prayers.
November 29 was observed by
the United Nations as International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian
people. Responding to the Cry for Hope from Palestinian Christians, FOSNA is
calling on Christian leaders across the World to commit their congregations to
"Preach Palestine" on November 29th.
.
•
Lord, our hearts are united with
all people everywhere who say “enough” to the ongoing
occupation and the violence and oppression that has kept its hold on this land
for too long.
May this day not just heighten the world’s awareness of
the injustice that is part of daily life in Palestine but also give those in
positions of leadership the will and courage to act in ways that lead to a just
peace. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
Reema Dodin has been named as the first
Palestinian/American to serve as a senior member of staff in the Office of
Legislative Affairs on President-elect Biden’s team. This appointment has been
an encouraging sign of hope to many, but it has also drawn criticism from right-wing
activists.
•
We pray for Reema and the other
members of the new presidential team in the US that they may bring goodwill and
compassionate hearts to meet the challenges they face in the year ahead. Lord,
in your mercy… hear our prayers.
The United Nations has voted overwhelmingly to approve
a draft resolution in favour of Palestinian self-determination, with Israel and
the US voting against it. The resolution
‘stressed
the urgency of achieving without delay an end to the Israeli occupation that
began in 1967 and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement between
the Palestinian and Israeli sides, based on a two-state solution.
•
Lord, we pray for an end to the
occupation and that peace and justice will be established in Israel/Palestine.
Lord, in your mercy ... hear our prayers.
Maher al-Akhras
was finally released from his administrative detention order on Thursday, the
26th of November and has returned home to Jenin. Maher started his hunger
strike on the 27th of July and refused to end it until he received a clear-cut
official ruling that the order was finished.
•
We give thanks for Maher’s release
from his detention order and we pray that he may recover his health after his
extended hunger strike. We pray that the Israeli authorities will cease
imposing administrative detention orders on Palestinian prisoners, a practice
that is illegal under international law. Lord, in your mercy... hear our
prayers.
On Saturday, the 21st of November three young
Palestinian men were stopped by Israeli soldiers at a flying checkpoint just
outside the village of Beit Fazzar, south of Bethlehem. This was just one of
the hundreds of surprise flying checkpoints set up to control the movements of
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The soldiers beat the Palestinians so
severely that all three of them had to be admitted to Beit Jala hospital to be
treated for extensive cuts and bruising.
•
Lord we pray for an end to the
abuse and humiliation suffered by Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli
authorities. We pray for the dismantling of the entire web of Israeli closures
and checkpoints which imprison and harm the lives of the Palestinian people.
Lord, in your mercy... hear our prayers.
•
We join with the World Council of
Churches in their prayers for the countries of Myanmar and Thailand. Lord, in
your mercy... hear our prayers.
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