Sabeel Wave of Prayer
27.5.21
This week’s Kumi Now
online gathering focused on how Palestinians are preserving their history and
culture. Israel continues to build and plant over Palestinian history and
persists in erasing its history from street signs, historical markers and
history books.
Next week, on
Tuesday, the 1st of June, the topic will be the work of the Defence
for Children International Palestine. This group monitors child fatalities in
Palestine and records widespread Israeli military violations against the human
rights of Palestinian children living under occupation.
• Lord, we pray for all the children living in
the Holy Land. So many have been affected by the recent attacks, so many killed
and injured and traumatized while others are assaulted, arrested and
imprisoned. Lord, we pray for an end to their suffering and a hope for healing
in a restored land for those who remain. Lord, in your mercy... hear our
prayers.
After 11 days of
fighting, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire negotiated by Egypt. The
death toll in Gaza reached 232, including 65 children, and 1,760 injured due to
Israeli airstrikes; 50,000 families have been displaced. On the Israeli side,
12 people including two children died as a result of Hamas rocket fire from
Gaza. It is hoped that the ceasefire will hold and that no more lives will
be lost.
• Lord, we thank you for all the people
involved in the negotiations to bring about the ceasefire and to deescalate the
mounting violence. Lord, in your mercy... hear our prayers.
On Sunday, the 16th
of May, Pope Francis spoke out for an end to the violent conflict in
Israel/Palestine during the celebration of Sunday Mass. He called on the
international community to help find a long-term solution to the conflict.
• Lord, we seek your face as we pray for all
those who continue to suffer from the recent violence. We pray for
international support for meaningful peace negotiations and for an end to the
blockade of Gaza and the occupation of the Palestinian Territories. Lord, in
your mercy…hear our prayers.
The Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the attack on an Armenian priest, Father
Arbaq as he walked to the Church of the Resurrection - Holy Sepulchre. A group
of young Jewish extremists assaulted him and he had to receive hospital
treatment for his injuries.
• Lord, our souls long for your righteousness.
We are cast down when we hear of violent attacks on clergy or other innocent
people going about their business. We pray for an end to this spiral of
violence and for the establishment of peace and harmony in the city of
Jerusalem. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
On the 10th of May,
Bethlehem Bible College launched the book ‘The Promised Land: A Theological
Reading in the Palestinian Context’ by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac. The book, in
Arabic, is for every Palestinian and Arab Christian who searches for biblical
answers that challenge Zionist ideology.
• Lord, we give thanks for those who shine a
light on oppressive nationalist ideologies. We pray that Christians around the
world will be aware of the plight of our brothers and sisters in faith living
in Palestine. Lord, in your mercy... hear our prayers.
• Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, strengthen
our faith and revive your Church with the breath of love at this time of
Pentecost. We pray especially for your church in Jerusalem, that all church
leaders will remain faithful to Christ as they continue to work for justice,
peace and reconciliation. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.
• We join with the World Council of Churches in
their prayers for the countries of the Indian Ocean Islands:
Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles. Lord, in your
mercy…hear our prayers.
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