During Easter weekend, many Palestinian Christians participated in festive traditions including the Holy Fire ceremony
on Holy Saturday. In recent years, Israeli police have sought to
restrict the number of Christians entering the Old City for the Holy
Fire Ceremony, and families who are allowed to go must obtain a ticket
and it is not a guarantee an entire family gets to go together. Israeli
police also crowd inside the Holy Sepulchre, the courtyard, and at
around 30 metal makeshift checkpoints where Palestinian Christians get
stopped and checked for tickets. During Holy Saturday, Israeli police
were recorded violently assaulting scout groups and restricting festive processions.
Liberator
Christ, as we walk and reflect on your journey to the tomb and your
resurrection, we remember that oppression cannot last forever, for you
have risen and the tomb is empty. Give us the fire of the Holy Spirit
that reminds us that even if the might of empire makes us afraid, you
are sovereign and above all. Protect us and remind us of our mandate to
practice revolutionary love.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last
week, Israel bombed Lebanon more than 100 times within 10 minutes,
causing over 800 injuries and 250 deaths including children. This was
done shortly after a fragile two-week ceasefire was
announced between Iran and the U.S./Israel. Thus far, Israel has made no
plans to stop encroaching on Lebanon’s territory, killing over 1,739 people in Lebanon over the last few weeks alone.
Holy
God, the oppressed continue to cry out: “My God, My God, why have you
forsaken me?” Lord, remind us that you are present with those under the
rubble, and help us to see you. We pray that the leaders dictating
policies of death may repent and that a just and lasting peace will be
upheld.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Under the distraction of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, Israel has just approved the
establishment of dozens of new Jewish settlements in the West
Bank. This decision also comes at the helm of unchecked settler and
soldier violence against Palestinians; last Wednesday, a 28-year-old
Palestinian was killed in a settler attack in the village of Tayasir,
near Tubas in the West Bank's north.
God
of the oppressed, every day crimes are being committed at such a
rate that we have lost count. We cry out for your justice in a world
that is numb to injustice. Remind us that even though the leaders of the
world seem to function with double standards, all are seen equal before
your eyes, and all will be judged accordingly before you. Protect the
people of the West Bank and Gaza as they experience further displacement
and violence.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
FOSNA’s Executive
Director Jonathan Kuttab recently spoke at Red Letter Christians' 3rd
annual Good Friday vigil at Lockheed Martin, the world's largest weapons
contractor. The vigil protest brought many people of faith to come
together and take direct action against Lockheed, and 26 protestors were
arrested.
Holy
God, we worship your name whenever we use our voices and privilege to
fight for the most vulnerable. May those who participate in the
structural sins of violence seek forgiveness and may those
who participate in the good work of your Kingdom continue to act as
prophetic witnesses to the oppressed. Continue to give us the courage of
the Holy Spirit which reminds us that if only we have “faith the size
of a mustard seed” we can move mountains.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last
Thursday, Maundy Thursday according to the Easter calendar, Palestinian
Christian activists distributed brochures highlighting Palestinian
Christian prisoners held in Israeli military prisons. Among the
prisoners are children and journalists, many of whom are held under
Israeli administrative detention. Under this system, Palestinian
prisoners can be detained for months without charge, trial, or access to
lawyers. As of today, there are close to two thousand Palestinian
political prisoners held under administrative detention. An English
version of the brochures can be found on the website, and we invite you
to use them to pray for the prisoners.
Arabic brochure can be downloaded here.
English brochure can be downloaded here.
Man
of Sorrows, you know what it is like to be imprisoned and to be met
with injustice. We lift up to you all political prisoners, especially
children and journalists, who suffer behind bars. Be their strength in
moments of fear, and their hope in times of despair. Comfort their
families who wait and long for their return. May your justice break
every literal and figurative chain of dehumanization and bring us into
freedom and dignity.
Lord in your mercy... hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayers
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