English 23 Dec, 2021

 

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

Thursday 23^rd December 2021

 

The Kumi Now initiative focused this week on the Syrian Golan. Syrians still living in the Golan live under the threat of Israeli military activity as well as the promotion of tourism from illegal settlements in the area. Next Tuesday, Kumi Now will focus its attention on Christians in the Holy Land.

 

·         Lord, we pray for the Syrians who have suffered so much in recent years. We pray that the Syrians in the Golan and in other regions may be granted peace and justice. Lord, in your mercy...hear our prayers.

 

Coronavirus is once again surging around the world with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Travel bans, lock downs, and uncertainties are back in focus over this time of family and gathering.

 

·         Healing Lord, as we once again move forward with uncertainty, we pray for all those affected by Covid-19. We pray for those working in hospitals, who fear being overwhelmed once again, for the scientists who work tirelessly to understand this new variant, and for the politicians and leaders who must decide, if and when, further restrictions are required to save lives. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

 

Palestinian political prisoners are continuing to hunger strike. The hunger strikes are against torture, ill treatment, and medical neglect of Palestinian political prisoners at the hands of the Israeli authorities, as well as Israel’s widespread use of administrative detention, which is only permitted under international law in extremely limited circumstances.

 

·         Lord, we continue to pray for the Palestinian prisoners. May your words on the Mount of Beatitudes “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied” bring comfort to our Palestinian political prisoners. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.

 

On December 15^th and 16^th, Dar al Kalima University held their 23^rd International Conference on the topic of “Art and Citizenship”.

 

·         Lord, we are thankful for all those who took part in this conference, in person, through satellite conferences, or remotely. We are grateful for Rev Dr Mitri Raheb and his prayerful leadership of Dar al Kalima University. We pray that you continue to bless this work and strengthen the staff and students of Dar al Kalima as they work and study. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

 

Sabeel Jerusalem held their annual Christmas dinner last week with 170 people attending. Sabeel Nazareth have also been holding Christmas events with trips to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

 

·         God, we pray with thankfulness at this holy time for the opportunities to gather together and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless those who worked to make these events happen despite the challenges of Covid-19. Lord. In your mercy…hear our prayers.

 

This Christmas we turn our eyes to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and we see a suffering town. The pandemic has hit the economy of the town hard with many people relying on international tourism which has now been largely absent for two years. Some families are having to continue to withdraw their children from schools, forced to make hard choices between education, food, or medicine. Others can no longer afford to pay rent and are having to move back in with their parents and grandparents.

 

·         Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world, (John 8:12). As we have lit our Advent candles you reminded us that we will not walk in darkness if we follow your light. When the darkness of poverty, oppression, illness, and bereavement press in hard, lift our eyes to your light of hope. Lord, in your mercy...hear our prayers.

 

·         We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.