Over
the last week. the war has been spreading and
escalating. Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and Beirut, which
forced more than 300,000 people to flee and killed more than
200 people. In Iran, US-Israeli strikes targeted five key fuel depots
in the Iranian capital Tehran in an act of ecocide and environmental
devastation. More than 9 million people were exposed to toxic chemicals
and chemical rain as a result of the massive fires. More than 1000
Iranian civilians have been killed by US-Israeli strikes, and 10 civilians were killed by Iranian strikes in Israel.
Holy God, we echo the despair of
the Psalmist: “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide
yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10: 1) And yet, like the Psalmist,
we hold onto faith that "you will hear the desire of the meek; you will
strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear, to do justice for
the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror
no more.” (Psalm 10:17-18) We plead, O Lord, for an immediate ceasefire
and deliverance from the yoke of oppression.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
8
March was International Women’s Day. In Palestine, the reality of
Palestinian women cannot be separated from the broader Palestinian
struggle for liberation and resistance against ongoing colonial
violence. The number of Palestinian women and girls killed by
Israel in Gaza is stated to be over 28,000 with over 78,000 women and
girls injured. Women also carry most of the burden of caring for a
grieving community. As war escalates through our region, women are also
the most impacted, enduring multi-layered forms of violence,
patriarchy, and oppression.
God
of Mary we pray for all women, especially Palestinian women subjected
to the many forms of violence and dehumanization by both society and
military occupation. Heal their oppression with empowerment, and help us
all to embody their sumud and courage as we work on dismantling all structures of inequality and violence in our world.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Israeli
Jewish extremists in the occupied West Bank have used the distraction
from the ongoing war between Israel and Iran to increase their attacks
and violence towards Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli
settlers have killed 8 people since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran.
God
of Justice, you know the full extent of the suffering our siblings go
through in the West Bank and Gaza. We plead for your intervention to
stop this cycle of violence and hatred which settler colonialism
creates. Embolden us to be agents of your goodness and light
by continuing to work for justice and accountability.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last
week, in response to the escalating violence and war, Sabeel hosted an
online prayer vigil, gathering around 300 people from around the
world for a time of reflection, prayer, and a re-commitment to taking
action. Prayers used in the service can be found on Sabeel’s website.
Everlasting
God, we are thankful for the presence of friends and those committed to
a different vision of our world as your love and justice would have
it. Protect us from violence and help us to
confront all ideologies of evil and hate that fuel such violence. In
these times of darkness, may our actions show unwavering solidarity to
the oppressed.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Sabeel is hosting an interfaith service this upcoming Saturday, 14th March, at 8PM Palestine time (2 PM EST / 1 PM CST / 6 PM GMT / 7 PM CET). The
service will feature interfaith voices from Jerusalem and beyond for a
sacred space of reflection and action. Sabeel hopes the gathering will
help remind our communities that justice is the essential foundation for
a real and lasting peace and security. Register for the service on
Sabeel’s website or through this link: https://tinyurl.com/Interfaith4Peace
Loving
God, we pray for the presence of your Holy Spirit at this gathering,
that we may be protected from the desire for revenge
and granted a revelation of a just peace guided by your inclusivity and
love. Help our movement to unite so we can better practice costly
solidarity and act as unwavering witnesses to the oppressions of our
time.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
We
join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of
Ireland; United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayers
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