22/9/11 - English

It has been confirmed that Friday the 23^rd of September, the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, will submit to the Secretary General of the United Nations the Palestinian bid for the recognition of Palestine as a member state.  We pray that the member states will support that bid wholeheartedly for the sake of peace for both the  Israelis and Palestinians, recalling the  words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “We are tied together in a single garment of destiny; we are caught in a network of mutuality.  And I can never be who I ought to be until you are who you ought to be.”Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayers...

As the Witness Visit comes to an end, we pray for the safe travel of all the participants.  May they return home refreshed by the truth, and may they be inspired to share their witness with others so that they can open their eyes and hearts to the harsh realities of the occupation.  We pray for Nora Carmi who could not accompany the Witness Visit for the Contemporary Way of the Cross as she lost her husband during this past week.  We offer Nora and her family our heartiest condolences. Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayers...

We pray for the runners of Silwan, especially those supporters from abroad who run in order to raise awareness to the grave and violent circumstances in which the children of that neighborhood of  East  Jerusalem pass their childhood, as homes  continue to be confiscated by Jewish settlers.  We pray for a successful campaign as those runners are trying  to help raise funds for the creative center built by the Silwan community for their children.  Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayers...

Now that the summer holidays are over, the Sabeel staff is once again busy planning for the various community programs.  We pray for the safety of the participants, women and young adults, as they hike in the depopulated town of Lifta and Ein Jiddi during this coming week end, and for the youth as they join other youth groups in Ramallah for fellowship.  Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayers...

With the World Council of Churches we pray for Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine

15/9/11 - English

The 21st of September is the day the UN General Assembly starts its new session for 2011. Let us keep this date in our thoughts and prayers, especially that the Palestinian Leadership will be submitting its bid for the recognition of Palestine as a member state.  We pray that all UN decisions will be made on the basis of Justice, and that the powerful will refrain from applying double -standards that discriminate against the weaker states.

Israeli settlers on the West-Bank have accelerated their aggression in the past two weeks.  They set fire to three mosques in villages around the city of Nablus. They also painted graffiti abusive to Islam and the Prophet Mohammad on the walls of the mosques.  In the West-Bank town of Bir-Zeit, settlers sprawled abusive graffiti on the walls of Bir-Zeit University and one of the mosques in town.  Israeli settlers also physically attacked a Bethlehem University lecturer and a female student on their way to University.  We pray that the Government of Israel will take measures to put an end to such attacks, and that the settlers would realize that they cannot continue to occupy another people's land forever.

We pray for the upcoming conference in the Netherlands starting on the 15th of September. The conference is being organized by the "Netherlands Kairos Palestine Group" to discuss, promote and spread the "Kairos Palestine- Document "A Moment of Truth". We pray for all those attending the conference -speakers and participants- that they will speak a word of truth for the glory of God, and for the sake of peace in Palestine and Israel.

The Human Rights organization, B'tselem, draws the attention to the way the Israeli army, violently, deals with peaceful demonstrations on the West-Bank, especially most recently, in the West-bank village of Nabi-Saleh near Ramallah. B'tselem fears that this is an indication of the way the Israeli army plans to deal with further peaceful demonstrations the Palestinians may hold to express the affirmation of their rights to statehood and self-determination.  We pray that the Israeli government will itself recognize Palestinian rights and the right of people to demonstrate peacefully.

With the World Council of Churches we pray for: Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania

8/9/11 - English

We are happy to join you again in the wave of prayer after the summer break throughout the month of August. The Sabeel staff are back from their vacation feeling refreshed and rested, to carry forward the ministry of Sabeel with renewed energy and vigour. We pray that they will be guided by your Spirit in their work and as they do their planning and visioning for the months ahead. 

September is here and with it the beginning of the new school-year. It cheers the heart to see the hopeful faces of the school children as they go back to their school benches.  We pray that this year will be a peaceful one, and that they will be able to reach their schools safely and without delays, despite the obstacles in their way: the wall, the checkpoints, the searches, the gates and the closures.
 
The beginning of September marked the end of the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting and prayer for our Muslim brothers and sisters. Sabeel extends its heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr, to the Muslim and Arab world with our best wishes for peace and prosperity.
 
We pray for the upcoming witness visit from the 14th to the 22nd of September.  This year we have a small group of eight people joining the tour.  We pray for an enriching and fruitful visit that will enable the participants to see and learn, first hand, the situation on the ground.  We pray that they will go back inspired and encouraged to continue the work of justice and peace for this troubled land.  We also remember in our prayers all the people who helped organize this witness visit.
 
The countdown to the meeting of the UN General assembly has started. As we approach this crucial juncture in our history, we pray that the Palestinian Leadership will go well prepared to submit their just petition for Statehood before the international forum.  We pray that the world body of nations will rise to its responsibility and accept Palestine as a member state alongside the other states of the world.

With the World Council of Churches we pray for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia

11/8/11 - Français

Nous vous invitons à venir rencontrer la communauté chrétienne locale des territoires occupés de Cisjordanie et de Jérusalem Est. La visite de témoignage des Amis de Sabeel est programmée du 14 au 23 septembre, il y a encore de la place pour que vous veniez vous joindre au groupe. Prendre connaissance des réalités de la communauté palestinienne vivant sous occupation israélienne : le mur, les colonies, les points de contrôle, les terres confisquées et les maisons démolies, les camps de réfugiés et la dégradation de l’environnement. Venez rencontrer et réfléchir avec des Palestiniens chrétiens et musulmans et aussi des Juifs israéliens ainsi que des partenaires internationaux de Sabeel dans la résistance non-violente à la violation du droit international et humanitaire. Prions pour que ceux qui vont venir et ceux qui envisagent cette possibilité en soient bénis. Seigneur, dans ta miséricorde, entends notre prière.  

Tandis que les Palestiniens de la Cisjordanie occupée et de Jérusalem Est, et aussi de la Bande de Gaza, travaillent ensemble sur des projets de Palestine unifiée, prions pour leurs dirigeants engagés dans ce processus. Prions pour que les dirigeants assurent une direction claire et sage et qu’ils discernent la bonne voie à suivre. Alors que des projets avancent pour la reconnaissance de la Palestine comme état à part entière des Nations Unies en septembre, nous te prions, Seigneur, pour que Ta volonté soit faite avec la paix, la justice et la réconciliation. Seigneur, dans ta miséricorde, entends notre prière. 

Alors que les révolutions pour la démocratie dans les pays arabes se poursuivent en Tunisie, en Égypte, en Libye et en Syrie, nous avons conscience de la difficulté du combat pour la démocratie et du processus de sa réalisation. Prions pour que les révolutions conduisent à la liberté, à la démocratie et à à la dignité humaine pour tous les enfants de Dieu. Seigneur, dans ta miséricorde, entends notre prière.

Les bureaux de Sabeel seront fermés pour le reste du mois d’août, nous reprendrons tous nos programmes et la vague de prière en septembre, merci pour la poursuite de vos prières. Prions pour le personnel de Sabeel qui est en congé. Seigneur, dans ta miséricorde, entends notre prière. 

11/8/11 - English

We invite you to come and meet the local Christian community in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.  The Friends of Sabeel Witness Visit is scheduled for 14-23 September, there is still place for you to come and join the group.  Experience the realities of the Palestinian community living under Israeli Occupation: the Wall, settlements, checkpoints, confiscated land and demolished homes, refugee camps, and environmental degradation.  Meet and reflect with Palestinian Christians and Muslims as well as with Jewish Israelis and internationals who partner with Sabeel in non-violent resistance to the breaking of international and humanitarian law.  We pray that those who will come and those who are considering this opportunity will be blessed by the experience.  Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer. 

As the Palestinian people from Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, are working together on plans for a unified Palestine, we pray for their leadership during this process.  We pray for clear and wise direction of the leaders as they discern the right path to take.  As plans move forward for the recognition of Palestinian as a full member State of  the United Nations in September, we pray, O Lord, that Your will be done with peace, justice and reconciliation.  Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

As the revolutions for democracy in the Arab countries continue in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria, we realize that the struggle for and process of democracy are not easy.  We pray that the revolutions will lead to freedom, democracy and human dignity of all of God’s children.  Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

The Sabeel office will be closed the rest of August, we will resume full programming and the Wave of Prayer in September, thank you for your continued prayers.  We pray for Sabeel’s staff who are on vacation.   Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: New Zealand, Australia

4/8/11 - Français

En ce début du mois de Ramadan, prions avec nos frères et sœurs musulmans pour que leur soit accordée la force de supporter leur jeûne pendant les longues journées chaudes de ce mois. À l’intention des Musulmans des territoires occupés, prions pour la paix et des facilités de circulation lorsque les gens cherchent à se déplacer les uns chez les autres, entre leur travail et les lieux de prière. Seigneur, dans Ta miséricorde, entends notre prière.

Alors que les mouvements de protestation se sont développés en nombre et en intensité dans les rues et sur les places d’Israël à propos des manques de logements, des salaires et des conditions de travail des médecins et du coût de la vie élevé, le gouvernement est dans l’obligation de répondre. Prions pour que les citoyens arabes palestiniens de l’état soient pris en compte dans toutes les réformes à venir, eux qui représentent le secteur le plus désavantagé de la population. Prions aussi pour que les mouvements de protestation s’élèvent également contre l’occupation des territoires palestiniens et la soumission de leur population à des conditions de vie insupportables. Seigneur, dans ta miséricorde, entends notre prière.

Tandis que les révolutions pour la démocratie dans les pays arabes se poursuivent en Tunisie, en Égypte, en Libye et en Syrie, nous prenons conscience du fait que la lutte pour la démocratie et le processus de sa mise en œuvre ne sont pas faciles. En Syrie, alors que les bombardements se poursuivent, depuis la mi-mars, plus de 2.000 civils, de membres de l’armée et des forces de sécurité ont été tués. Prions pour le peuple de Syrie, pour qu’un terme soit mis aux effusions de sang et aux brutalités de la police, pour la paix dans la justice, et pour la fin de l’oppression sour toutes ses formes. Prions pour la démocratie et la liberté. Prions pour la dignité humaine de tous les enfants de Dieu. Seigneur, dans ta miséricorde, entends notre prière.

Prions pour les études bibliques hebdomadaires de Sabeel à l’intention des jeunes adultes. Seigneur, dans ta miséricorde, entends notre prière.

4/8/11 - English

As the month of Ramadan begins, we pray with our Muslim brothers and sisters that they be given the strength to endure their fasting during the long hot days of the month to come.  For Muslims in the occupied territories, we pray for peace and easy movement as people seek to travel between their homes, work and places of worship.  In Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

As the protests in Israel's streets and squares over housing shortages and high prices, wages and working conditions of doctors, and the high cost of living, have grown in number and gained momentum, the government is forced to respond.  We pray that the Palestinian Arab citizens of the state will be included in any reforms to come, as they are the most disadvantaged sector of the population.  We pray that the protests will also turn against the occupation of the Palestinian territories and the subjection of its people to unbearable living conditions.  Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

As the revolutions for democracy in the Arab countries continue in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria, we realize that the struggle for and process of democracy are not easy.  In Syria, and outbreaks of shelling continue, since mid-March more than 2,000 civilians and members of the army and security forces have been killed.  We pray for the people of Syria, for the end of bloodshed and police brutality, for peace with justice, and for the end of oppression in all forms.  We pray for democracy and liberty.  We pray for human dignity of all of God’s children.  Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

We pray for Sabeel’s Young Adult local weekly Bible Study.  Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: Canada, United States of America