Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

Each Thursday at noon in Jerusalem, Sabeel holds a Communion service that is open to the community. It is a time to join together to celebrate the Eucharist, to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives today, and to pray for the specific needs of this region. Following the 2006 Sabeel International Conference, the Friends of Sabeel coordinators met and discussed the idea of "Waves of Prayer." The premise is that in their respective time zones, individuals and groups around the world will pray together at 12:00 on Thursdays, in solidarity with Sabeel in Jerusalem and with "Friends of Sabeel" worldwide. Starting in Australia, passing through Palestine, and on around the world we will pray for Peace with Justice and focus on specific issues each week.

Wave of Prayer for Thursday, January 28, 2010



Next month, Sabeel will host a three-day national clergy conference in Jericho for priests and pastors from Palestine and Israel. The clergy will be joined by Muslim religious leaders for one day of the conference. We pray that this will be a valuable time for building relationships across many divides: borders, denominations, and faiths. May these leaders return to their communities with new knowledge and energy for cooperation.

Israel is preparing to release its response to the UN's Goldstone Report that found evidence of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity by Hamas and Israel during last year's attack on Gaza. We pray that the world will think critically about whatever response is issued. May we honestly seek the truth.

Last week, East Jerusalem was rocked by violence between different family clans which Israeli police did little to resolve. We pray for the healing of the injured and for God's comfort for the families and friends of the dead. It is our hope that there will be a day when all the people of Jerusalem have a government that is willing to ensure their basic security.

The annual international series of events known as "Israeli Apartheid Week" will be held next week in cities across the globe. Designed to educate people about the parallels between South African Apartheid and the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the events will highlight different responses to the injustice. We pray that this week can encourage people to act for justice and peace.



This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

Each Thursday at noon in Jerusalem, Sabeel holds a Communion service that is open to the community. It is a time to join together to celebrate the Eucharist, to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives today, and to pray for the specific needs of this region. Following the 2006 Sabeel International Conference, the Friends of Sabeel coordinators met and discussed the idea of "Waves of Prayer." The premise is that in their respective time zones, individuals and groups around the world will pray together at 12:00 on Thursdays, in solidarity with Sabeel in Jerusalem and with "Friends of Sabeel" worldwide. Starting in Australia, passing through Palestine, and on around the world we will pray for Peace with Justice and focus on specific issues each week.

Wave of Prayer for Thursday, January 21, 2010



In the wake of the devastation in Haiti, we pray for comfort and strength for the injured, the missing, rescuers, and survivors of this tragedy. As aid pours in from around the world (Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel included), we remember that rebuilding cannot happen overnight and that the effects of this catastrophe will be felt for decades. May we commit to the long process of healing involved in conflicts and disasters worldwide.

On Monday morning, illegal Israeli excavations under the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan collapsed and created a 12 meter deep hole in a street. Israeli archaeological digs have resulted in several cave-ins in the area. Other excavations have resulted in cracks in the foundation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, threatening its collapse. We pray that Israel will put the lives of real people before the study of history.

Israel's policy of kidnapping without charge continues unabated. On Monday, alone, seventeen Palestinians were taken from their homes in the West Bank by Israeli military forces. Typically, those captured are released several days or weeks later without going before a judge or learning why they were detained. God of justice, we offer to you our prayers for those unjustly targeted by Israeli forces.

Next week, Rev. Naim Ateek will address a group of Israeli tour guides on Palestinian Liberation Theology. We pray that the guides will be open to hear what he has to say and will share their learning with those whom they will lead.


This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:

Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

Each Thursday at noon in Jerusalem, Sabeel holds a Communion service that is open to the community. It is a time to join together to celebrate the Eucharist, to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives today, and to pray for the specific needs of this region. Following the 2006 Sabeel International Conference, the Friends of Sabeel coordinators met and discussed the idea of "Waves of Prayer." The premise is that in their respective time zones, individuals and groups around the world will pray together at 12:00 on Thursdays, in solidarity with Sabeel in Jerusalem and with "Friends of Sabeel" worldwide. Starting in Australia, passing through Palestine, and on around the world we will pray for Peace with Justice and focus on specific issues each week.

Wave of Prayer for Thursday, January 14, 2010



Monday night, Israeli forces entered the West Bank city of Ramallah to kidnap and deport a Czech national who worked for the International Solidarity Movement. In the last week, several leaders of nonviolent Palestinian resistance have also been arrested. We pray for the men and women who take nonviolent actions to end the Israeli occupation in spite of great personal risk. May God grant them strength while in prison, wisdom when facing their detractors, and courage to continue in their struggle for justice.

George Mitchell, the American envoy to the Middle East, has come under heavy fire for noting that the United States has the option of denying economic aid to Israel. We pray that the day will soon come when Israel and Palestine can be held equally accountable for their responsibilities in the peace process.

While Europe and North America experience record snowfall, very little precipitation has fallen on Palestine in what should be some of the wettest months of the year. Water shortages face much of the region and dwindling supplies threaten to exacerbate tensions as settlements grasp for control of more Palestinian aquifers. God, shower this land with life-giving water and life-sustaining peace.

The new year begins with many challenges for Sabeel-Nazareth's work in the Galilee. We pray that Sabeel's programs, particularly for children and young married couples, will flourish and grow.



This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Cyprus, Greece, Turkey

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Sabeel Wave of Prayer

Wave of Prayer for Thursday, January 7, 2010



As we begin a new year, we pray that the work of Sabeel and its friends will continue to illuminate the need for justice in our world. May we find new and effective ways to meet the challenges that we face in trying to bring a just peace and reconciliation in Palestine and Israel.



In spite of Israel's "settlement freeze," Jerusalem municipal officials have confirmed the approval of 4 new settlement apartment blocks in Palestinian East Jerusalem. This blatant disregard for international law and for the assurances given to negotiators demonstrate Israel's hostility toward a negotiated peace. We pray that Israel's government officials will experience a change of heart and honestly pursue a just peace.



Recently, scores of Israelis have taken part in demonstrations to highlight the need for justice in Palestine and Israel. In Sheikh Jarrah, weekly marches against settlement expansion have resulted in many arrests. Demonstrations along the border with Gaza have also commemorated last year's atrocities and the ongoing siege. We give thanks for the courage of Israelis who stand up against their own government in the name of justice. May these actions prick the consciences of others.



It appears that rival Palestinian political parties, Hamas and Fatah, are close to reaching a reconciliation deal after nearly three years of tension. We pray that Palestinians of all beliefs and backgrounds will find ways to cooperate with one another peacefully. The rebuilding of Gaza and ending the Israeli occupation are great challenges that require unity to overcome.



This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:

Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen