April
5th marked Easter for churches following the Western calendar, and Palm
Sunday for those following the Eastern calendar. Most Palestinian
Christians observe Easter according to the Eastern tradition and
Christmas according to the Western calendar as a sign of unity. However,
in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, the dates
often remain separate. Holy Week in Palestine–Israel is usually rich in
tradition. This year, however, celebrations are severely limited: access
to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is restricted, movement for
Palestinian Christians from the West Bank is constrained, and ongoing
displacement in Gaza has forced many Christians to scale back their
usual observances.
Redeemer
Christ, the hope of resurrection lives in our hearts even if we cannot
celebrate on the streets. Amid violence and despair, remind us that the
tomb is empty and that you have risen from the rubble and are among
us. Help us to be daily witnesses to your victory and rise with you.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Dr
Hussam Abu Safiya, the former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital and a
physician from Gaza, has been illegally detained by Israeli forces for
more than a year. In a recent statement, UN experts said they received
reports that Abu Safia’s health condition “remains dire” and that he
continues to be subjected to torture and cruel treatment. An
international campaign is currently active calling for his release.
Jesus,
you, like many Palestinians, were unjustly tortured and humiliated.
Assure Dr. Hussam and many like him that you see them. Remind us that if
we oppress and torture the weak, we deny our own humanity. We pray
for true justice, freedom, and deliverance for Dr.
Hussam and all Palestinians who are imprisoned without trial and charge.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last week, large forces of police and enforcement officers raided the
Baten Al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan and evicted two buildings
belonging to two Palestinian families, displacing 65 people. In Silwan,
37 families with hundreds of people have already been evicted, and
settlers have moved in in their place, including seven homes that
settlers entered in the past two years. There are at least
four additional eviction lawsuits against at least 12 homes, involving
dozens of families and hundreds of residents. This is the unfortunate
reality for Silwan and Palestinian neighborhoods near the Old City.
Holy
God, we grieve over Jerusalem, a city that has become home of hate and
sin. We pray for true justice and deliverance for the many families now
turned into refugees once more. Help us fulfill our responsibilities as
witnesses to this injustice by resisting empires who are reckless with
their power. Lord, sober up the powerful and give us wisdom as we fight
for justice.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
The Save Jerusalem campaign,
launched by FOSNA, Sabeel, and other partners, is hosting a webinar on
April 14th on The Iran War & Annexation of the West Bank. Featuring
Dalia Qumsieh from Balasan Initiative for Human Rights (BIHR),
this webinar will provide understanding of Israel's initiation of the
War on Iran and its relationship to the Greater Israel plan to annex the
West Bank. The link to register can be found here (https://tinyurl.com/dxjcjfz3)
Loving
God, we thank you for the love of friends who continue to organize and
work for justice. We ask for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, that
those attending this event may gain more knowledge and tools to be
better witnesses to your kingdom by disrupting the unjust status quo. We
pray for an immediate cessation to violence and for a just peace to
prevail over our land.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Hundreds
of protesters took to the streets across the occupied West Bank and
went on strike last week after Israel's parliament passed a
measure establishing the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians
convicted of murdering Israelis. Inside Israel, hundreds of protestors
gathered to protest Israel’s war on Iran despite wartime restrictions on
public gatherings.
Almighty
God, your righteous anger heals. Continue to keep the zeal of the Holy
Spirit alive in our hearts, that we may never stop protesting
and resisting injustices. We pray for the abolishment of the death
penalty and the dismantling of all structures that uphold dehumanization
and violence.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
We
join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of
the Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo,
Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayers
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