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Sabeel Wave of Prayer – Feb 7 2013
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – February 7, 2013
Lord, we thank you for your justice – at the moments when we can see it strongly evidenced, and even when we cannot. This week, we celebrate a visible evidence of justice in the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s fact-finding mission. Thank you for the declaration that Israel should put an end to all its settlement activity and that all private companies and member states should terminate business interests in or related to settlements. Even as such statements were made, Israel dismantled another Palestinian non-violent protest village constructed on confiscated Palestinian land. Lord, please may both Israel and the international community pay heed to the UN’s words. Lord, in your mercy…
Jesus Christ, we pray for all those who would call upon your name, especially lifting up our Messianic Jewish brothers and sisters. May Messianic Jews follow you to a just love of neighbor, even amidst this complex political reality. Help them to work for justice, to seek true peace, and to reject any theology that would undermine international law or allow racism to persist. Lord, in your mercy…
Internationally, we pray against gun violence everywhere, particularly in the United States where so many mass shootings have taken place in recent years. Lord, please heal the mental illness and confusion of people that would shoot down so many innocent lives. Please comfort those who have lost loved ones, and please give leaders wisdom to bring about any needed policy reforms. Lord, in your mercy…
At Sabeel this week, we lift up gratitude for a blessed time at Tuesday’s prayer service for all those affected by the situation in Syria. Lord, we continue to ask for flourishing to return to the region. We pray also for this week’s youth meetings in Nazareth and Ramallah, asking your blessing on the Sabeel young people, that they would dedicate themselves to your work. We pray as well for the Sabeel Nazareth women’s meeting that it would be a rich and life-giving time as they visit the Franciscan Convent in Tiberias to conclude their book study. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, we pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the people of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – Jan 2013
Lord, we praise you for the hope that you bring in the midst of tragedy. Still we find ourselves horrified by the violence and death the world has witnessed in the last week. Here at home, we mourn the loss of two more Palestinian young people in the West Bank, who were shot recently by Israeli soldiers. We pray for the family and friends of 21-year-old Lubna Hanash and 16-year-old Saleh Amareen. Be with them in their grief and be with the rest of us as we repudiate and stand against this occupation, which allows for the destruction of such young, innocent lives. Lord, please sustain us with hope and bring an end to this occupation soon. Lord, in your mercy….
We pray also for the neighboring countries of Egypt and Syria, where violence, upheaval, and division still appear to prevail. We pray for Egypt as the anniversary of the revolution last week has seen renewed protesting. God, would you accompany the Egyptian people – both those involved and those merely trying to carry on normal life. May there be only peaceful protesting, and may Tahrir square be a place for democratic revolution in the best sense – not for violence against protestors, lawlessness, sexual assault, or power grabs. We pray for Syria as the civil war continues. Please bring relief from the violence and provide for the basic needs of those displaced by the war. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, we also pray for the people of Santa Maria, Brazil, where over 230 people were killed in a fire that started in a nightclub last weekend. Please comfort the bereaved families and bring your healing to the 80 or so people still suffering in the hospital. As this disaster ravages the community, Lord, may they rely on each other and would you provide hope for them for each new day. Lord, in your mercy…
Here at Sabeel, as we desire to bring hope, a just peace, and reconciliation, please help us and anoint our work. May we always find our inspiration and strength in Jesus. God, we lift up next Tuesday’s prayer service for the people of Syria & all who have been affected by the war. We ask that many people would come together in solidarity and intercession for our neighbors. We pray also for this week’s strategic planning meeting, that Sabeel would be guided by this process toward faithful and fruitful ministry. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, in unity with the World Council of Churches, we pray for the countries listed this week in the ecumenical prayer cycle: for Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – January 17, 2013
Holy Lord, you alone know what is just and true in the fullest sense. This week we ask for goodness, justice, truth, and peace in every arena of life, and especially in the lives of those who govern over others, whose choices affect so many. As the elections in Israel occur next Tuesday, please move in the hearts and minds of voters and candidates, that we might have politicians whose principles would oblige them to truly seek peace and justice for every single person living in this land. Lord, in your mercy…
God, this week we reflect on Bab Al-Shams, a completely non-violent protest village set up on Palestinian land, in the E1 area which has been illegally confiscated by the Israeli government for strategic settlement building. We cry out against the shocking irony of the rapid and brutal dismantlement of Bab Al-Shams compared with the continuous protection and planning of Israeli settlements on West Bank land. We pray for all the peace activists involved in this demonstration, for future similar projects, and for an immediate end to the illegal, unjustifiable mass building of settlements, which are so obviously counter-productive to peace. Lord, in your mercy…
We pray for people around the world who are courageously choosing to resist injustice in creative ways, like hunger strikes. We pray especially for the Palestinians Samer Issawi and Ayman Ash-Sharawna who have been detained without charge or trial and thus on hunger strike for over 170 days. Lord please sustain them and all fellow hunger-strikers, and protect Samer’s family who has been repeatedly abused in various ways including arrests and the demolition of a family member’s home. We pray also for Canadian First Nations Chief Theresa Spence and two fellow hunger-strikers who have been on hunger strike for almost 40 days, effectively bringing awareness to their cause, but still yet to bring about the desired end. As they face both support and pressure to end the strike, give them strength, clarity of mind, and devotion to a just peace. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, we pray in unity with the World Council of Churches for the countries listed in this week’s ecumenical prayer cycle: Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – January 10, 2013
Lord, as we begin the New Year, we come before you grateful for all your gifts from last year – for daily needs met, for voices and actions of peace, for individual and communal choices to act justly and love all people. We continue to ask for your Kingdom come, that all people might flourish and have their needs met. We ask your blessing on this New Year, that it might bring a just peace for Palestinians & Israelis, for the region, and for the whole world. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord we pray for the physical needs of everyone suffering this week from severe weather conditions that have arisen in the Middle East and Australia. Please be with Syrian refugees stranded at the Syrian-Turkish border in this bitter wind and rain, and for all refugees who currently lack adequate shelter, like those living in tents in Lebanon, Turkey, and other places. Please also bring relief from the extreme heat and quell the catastrophic wildfires raging in parts of Australia & in Tasmania, and protect people who have had to evacuate their homes. Lord, in your mercy…
We pray also for women around the world, especially in India, Pakistan, and Palestine – for their rights and dignity to be respected as they face varying challenges in their different contexts. Lord, would horrible events like the gang rape of the woman in India and the Taliban’s attack on Malala not end in despair. Would you transform these evils into active change for good. We also continue to pray for Palestinian mothers under occupation who fear daily for their children. Lord, in your mercy…
God, having given us at Sabeel this ministry of truth-speaking and work for peace, would you please strengthen and embolden us for the task. May we embody your hope and your reconciliation in this world, acting justly, loving mercy, and dwelling always on your goodness. Please accompany us in our preparations for Sabeel’s involvement in three conferences this year and sustain all our ministries, in both Nazareth and Jerusalem, and the work of Friends of Sabeel around the world. Thank you for Hiba Dahdal, who will be leaving us soon, and for her dedicated work over the past year. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, we pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran, and Iraq. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – December 6, 2012
After much praying and hoping, today we offer up profound gratitude that Palestine was granted its request at the United Nations bid. Lord, we thank you for this historic event. May it truly be a step towards peace for all, and may Israel recognize that its own welfare is tied up also in Palestine’s welfare. Thank you, for the many nations that stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their request, and we pray for continued and even stronger solidarity from the international community. Lord, in your mercy…
Father, you are the giver of good gifts who knows what your children need. We ask boldly now that you would not allow the building of the recently announced 3,000 new settlement housing units approved for the E1 area of East Jerusalem. Your children need respite from this pro-longed conflict, so we ask that Israel would not be allowed to build illegally on this Palestinian land, essentially cutting off Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank and nullifying the option of a two-state solution. Give us rest; give us enduring peace. Lord, in your mercy…
With Christmas approaching, we remember the Advent of Christ – the astounding moment when God condescends to dwell with man and ushers in His Kingdom of peace, joy, love, and justice. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the gift of your presence already transforming the world. Yet we also pray for places all over the world that are currently immersed in conflict. We especially lift up the people of Syria, Egypt, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria as they battle through internal political turmoil, regime changes, civilian casualties, and violence from religious extremists. Please speed the arrival of peace and justice to those in need. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord of the Harvest, you send us out as workers, and now we ask your blessing on the many things going on at Sabeel this month. Thank you for another successfully published Cornerstone edition. We ask that it, along with Thursday’s Interfaith Conference, would build new bridges for uniting people across religions. Lord, we also pray for good attendance and rich shared fellowship at both Sabeel’s Ecumenical Christmas Dinner and Kairos Palestine’s three-year anniversary celebration this Friday. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally we pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the needs of people in the countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Lord, in your mercy…
The Fear of Others has Corrupted the Australian Soul
The Fear of Others has Corrupted the Australian Soul
By Andrew Dutney
ABC Religion and Ethics 27 Nov 2012
EXTRACT: We’ve become comfortable with treating vulnerable “others” as we would never want to be treated.
Measured against the Golden Rule, it points to a neglected, enfeebled, imperilled Australian soul.
READ MORE…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – November 29, 2012
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Lord Most High, we run willingly to your shelter, calling out for you to protect all the communities in Gaza who now face an appalling lack of shelter from last week’s bombings. Lord, would you provide material resources as people seek to rebuild homes and infrastructure and heal the injured. Would you bring comfort for those who grieve, and psychological healing for the many who experienced trauma – especially the children. Oh, that Gaza’s pain would not be forgotten and that peacemakers would rise up to work for justice. Lord, in your mercy…
God, we long to see this long-lasting conflict in Israel-Palestine ended and a just peace established in all the land. Today as Palestine’s bid for non-member observer state status goes to the UN, we hope for a step towards recognition of Palestinian legitimacy and right to self-determination. We pray that the human rights of all people would be respected, and we pray against any unforeseen negative consequences of this action. Lord, in your mercy…
We pray also for our neighbors in Egypt after President Morsi made a strong decree increasing his powers last week. Lord, please bring about a speedy and peaceful resolution to the conflict that would usher in true democracy, with representation for all and a stabilized situation. Lord, in your mercy…
We thank you, Lord, for the beginning of Advent this weekend – for valuing humanity enough to become one of us, for taking on flesh and teaching us how to love. As we remember this event, may your love be evidenced among us – especially as we begin the season with a Sabeel Women’s visit to the Orthodox Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany, and later as we join together for the Ecumenical Sabeel Christmas Dinner. Lord, please use these events as well as the upcoming Interfaith program on school curricula & religious discourse to build true community and further your kingdom. We pray also for Sabeel Nazareth’s programs, especially for the conference on “Nazareth in the eyes of its people.” Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, we pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – November 22, 2012
Jesus of Nazareth, you once cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” As violence increases day by day in Palestine & Israel, especially within Gaza, we cry the same. You yourself experienced this kind of darkness; walk with us in our grief. Lord, turn your face towards the forsaken people of Gaza to shelter them from violence, fear, hunger, and cold. May Israel’s policy of siege and blockade against Gaza end, so that its leaders might speak truthfully about self-defense. Lord, teach us to sow hope and not despair as we lament all the lives lost. May the current chaos cease, and may just reconciliation be advanced soon by courageous peacemakers who would address the root problems of the situation instead of merely managing the conflict. Lord, in your mercy…
As Palestine prepares for the November 29th UN bid for permanent observer state status, we continue to pray for a favorable outcome. May recent turmoil not distract from the legitimacy of the request in the eyes of the international community, and may the Palestinian people be granted proper rights and just representation. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, as we experience protests in Palestine, we pray for a stop to the use of violent force against non-violent protesters across the region. At home, we mourn the loss of several people in protests about Gaza, especially remembering our friend Manal Tamimi who lost her cousin Rushdi al-Tamimi on Monday because of protest injuries. In light of recent protests in Jordan concerning fuel prices, we pray for relief in the form of a stabilized situation and a stabilized economy. Lord, in your mercy…
Prince of Peace, who blesses us with the task of embodying peace in the world, we ask a blessing on Sabeel’s on-going ministry. May we speak truth prophetically, may we live justly, may we love our neighbors readily. We thank you for multiple successful Witness Visits within the last month and for advocacy events already being hosted by recently returned Sabeel visitors in the U.S. We are grateful for the opportunity to come together with Christians and Muslims to pray Tuesday for the situation in Gaza, and we ask for on-going encouragement from this. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, we pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer – November 15, 2012
Sovereign God of justice and peace, our hearts are broken once again by this week’s escalation of violence in Gaza. Please bring about a just peace between the two sides. Lord, we mourn everyone killed in the attacks, especially lamenting the loss of several children. We cry out that the lives of these people, are not dispensable, but are valuable beyond measure. We beg you, God, to calm the senseless storm of violence, and move politicians to make real and diligent progress toward peace. Lord, in your mercy…
As we mourn events in Gaza, we also pray for general movement toward peace with regard to every aspect of the conflict. Lord, would you work in the hearts and minds of Israeli politicians and impress upon them the irrevocable harm which illegal settlement-building causes to the work towards peace. May they recognize the need to stop all such building. Lord may we all remember that our lives are bound up together as members of one shared humanity, and may we never seek only our own interests, but also those of our neighbors and of the whole world. Lord, in your mercy….
Father, in light of these needs, please mold us into agents of peace and effective witnesses to the Gospel – that we may love our neighbors in action and in truth. We pray specifically that you would bless this week’s Sabeel programs and the U.S. women’s witness visit led by Reverend Ann Franklin. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, we look beyond the struggles in our home region to other corners of the world that are suffering. We specifically lift up the citizens of Guatemala and Myanmar, many of whom were impacted by significant earthquakes last week, including terrifying aftershocks that exacerbated damage and injuries. Lord would you heal the wounded, provide emergency relief for victims, and comfort the families of the dozens who lost their lives. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally, along with the World Council of Churches, we pray in solidarity with the people of the Republic of Congo, Gabon, and São Tomé e Príncipe. Lord, in your mercy…
Sabeel Wave of Prayer, November 1, 2012
Lord Jesus, we look at the world around us this week and see many storms: from weather storms to political storms to religious storms. But you calmed the storm – the winds and the waves obeyed you – and today we hope in that.
Lord, we bring before you Hurricane Sandy and all the victims suffering in its path. We pray for families of more than 60 people killed in the Caribbean and at least 40 killed in the U.S. We ask your mercy on all who suffer from extreme weather conditions, damaged crops and homes, electrical dangers, sanitation problems, fires, flooding, power outages, and fallen debris. Please halt the storm and its effects and bring necessary workers and resources to respond as quickly as possible. Lord, in your mercy…
We lift up persisting storms of political struggle and violence. God, in impending U.S. elections, would you provide a leader who, acknowledging the U.S.’s influential role in world affairs, would also look beyond national interests to the peace and well being of the world. We pray for those who are already working towards peace, today remembering all conscientious objectors within Israel who refuse to serve in the Israeli Defense Force and face imprisonment and social exile for their choices. We especially pray for 23-year-old Moriel Rothman who declared his refusal on Wednesday of last week and is currently serving a 10-day sentence, after which he will face potential re-imprisonment. We pray also for Omar Saad, courageous 18-year-old Druze Arab Israeli, who is similarly refusing to serve with occupying forces. Lord, may we see violence diminish, human dignity respected, and quick release of those who are imprisoned because they stand for peace. Lord, in your mercy…
We lift up storms of religious intolerance and extremism, especially asking for a reprieve of violence in Burma, Nigeria, and Palestine-Israel. Lord, please deliver those caught in escalating religious clashes in Burma; and please comfort, heal, and calm the fears of the community affected by the church bombing in Nigeria last Sunday. Lord, in your mercy…
God, in the midst of these things, please use all who work for peace as a healing balm. May we all desire peace deeply and transform injustice through truth, forgiveness, and love. May the programs of Sabeel contribute to greater understanding, mutual respect, and a just peace. We lift up this weekend’s Board meeting, the Clergy Retreat, the three Sabeel Witness Visits, the many outside groups visiting Sabeel this week, and the Study Circle with Father Testa on National Struggle and Personal Forgiveness. Please bless these efforts and all that go unmentioned. Open participants’ hearts to truth and strengthen their wills toward love. Lord, in your mercy…
Finally we pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Lord, in your mercy…