This
year, Ramadan and Lent fall on the same week, with Ramadan starting on
February 17 and Lent starting on February 18. Both religious seasons
entail special and unique traditions in Palestine, but as with every
year, both Palestinian Muslims and Christians experience
restrictions and barriers of access to worship.
Crucified Messiah,
as we journey through Lent this year, help us to meditate on the image
of the cross, and in doing so, hold onto the hope of resurrection in the
midst of overwhelming affliction. We also pray for a peaceful Ramadan
to our Muslim siblings, that their freedom of worship and dignity are
respected.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last week, Israel ’s security cabinet approved measures
that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank. These
measures include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to
Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land
acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other
sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities,
and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological
matters in Palestinian-administered areas. The office of far-right
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions
would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give
up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian
state.”
God
of the oppressed, we reject the unjust actions and arrogance of empire
that have resulted in the loss of life and uprooting of homes. Aid us in
overcoming the sins of racism and apartheid that have allowed such
policies of violence to be normalized. As you make your presence known
to those suffering in the West Bank, move our hearts so that we may move
our feet into action.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last week, the UK High Court ruled that
the government’s decision to ban activist group Palestine Action as a
terrorist organization last summer was unlawful. While the
ban remains in place pending an appeal by the government, the decision
marked a major victory for campaigners and civil liberties
protestors. Ever since the government proscribed Palestine Action as a
terrorist organization, over 3,000 people, many of them pensioners or
elderly, have been arrested in solidarity protests for holding
signs supporting Palestine Action.
Holy
God, we give thanks to the many protestors and activists, who like the
persistent widow before the unjust judge, have tirelessly fought against
injustice. We pray for the inspiration and courage of the Holy Spirit,
that we as one human family may follow their example and join the
movement for liberation creatively and persistently.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
On
Sunday February 15th, Shadi Khoury, grandson of Sabeel cofounder Samia
Khoury, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison in
addition to a financial fine of 12,000 shekels. He also got a suspended
sentence for 6 months. According to the sentence, Shadi must hand
himself over to the prison authorities to serve his term on the 29th of
March. Friends and family of Shadi have for years fought his unlawful
case and attacks. Sabeel holds him and all Palestinian detainees in our
prayers.
Good
God, we lift to you Shadi, Shadi’s family and friends, and all
Palestinian facing incarceration. We know you identify with the
suffering people, especially the prisoners and captives. We know that
you hear their cry; meet their anguish and despair with justice and
dignity. Deliver all of us from the literal and spiritual chains of
dehumanization.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Norcal Sabeel,
St. John’s Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, and other partners
organized an event on February 17 called "Eyewitness Gaza,” featuring
Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar who was a whistleblower on the activities and
colonial violence of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Loving
God, we give thanks for our friends and partners in the struggle who
refuse to be silent in the face of empire and death. Protect prophetic
voices as they work to lead the church closer to your vision of love and
peace. Help us to be agents of your justice everywhere we go.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayers
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