Thursday, September 25, 2008

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, September 25, 2008

We pray for the political situation in Israel. As the Israeli government is in the process of transitioning its political leadership, we pray for the establishment of a new government that has the courage to make lasting peace that is based on justice.

As tensions between Fatah and Hamas have recently aggravated military clashes in Gaza, we pray for the current negotiations taking place between them. We pray that Fatah and Hamas will walk the path of reconciliation and agree upon a political agenda to work for the common interests of all Palestinians.

We pray for the weekly youth bible study at Sabeel. We raise up the youth and their commitment to studying their faith and deepening their understanding of the biblical texts.

We pray for the Sabeel conference "Peace, Palestine and U.S. Policy" that will take place this week in Detroit, Michigan. We pray for our Friends of Sabeel-North America who are attending the conference so that this will be a time of rekindled commitment to advocacy and just peace for Palestine.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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, September 18, 2008

We pray for all the communities hit by Hurricane Ike. We pray for national governments, relief organizations and churches, that they are able to respond quickly to the sufferings and needs of all.

We pray for the physical safety of Palestinians living in areas near Israeli settlements, especially in Hebron and the surrounding areas. As settler behavior against Palestinians is becoming more and more violent on the weekends and during the upcoming olive harvest, we pray for the restoration of the rule of law and for the Israeli government to take appropriate actions to stop settler violence.

We pray for the annual Sabeel clergy trip that this year will go to Qumran and Jericho. We pray their time together as an ecumenical group will have opportunities for educational and spiritual growth.
We pray that it will also be a time to share the needs of local churches and communities, and find solidarity in each others work.

We continue to pray for the IFOS chapters around the world who are working to send representatives to the Sabeel International Conference on the Nakba in November.

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, September 11, 2008

We pray for the government of Israel. As the elections come close for new leadership, we pray for a leader who is committed to working for peace for all peoples in the land -- both in Palestine and Israel.

We pray for the Muslim community in Palestine, Israel, and around the world, during the fasting month of Ramadan. We especially pray for the safety of the local community on Fridays as security measures and aggressiveness of Israeli soldiers intensify while people try and access the Haram ash-Sharif.

We pray for the local community building program this weekend who will be attending the festival of the ascension of the cross. We pray for spiritual renewal and strengthening of relationships among them.

We pray for the international theological consultation on Israel/Palestine that will be held this week in Bern, Switzerland by the World Council of Churches. We pray for member churches to commit themselves to responding ecumenically and ethically to the situation in Palestine and Israel.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

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, September 4, 2008

We pray for the millions of people affected by flooding in India, and those in the Caribbean and southern United States who are in the path of Hurricane Gustav. We pray for justice in the face of the structural poverty and racial division that is exposed by these natural disasters

We pray for the Muslim community in Palestine, Israel, and around the world, as they enter into the fasting month of Ramadan. May this be a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to strengthen ties between families and friends.

We celebrate all of the many visitors to Sabeel this week and pray that their work for justice and peace will be fruitful.

We raise up the delegation from Friends of Sabeel Netherlands who arrive this week. We pray that their visit will be a meaningful journey encouraging them to become effective advocates for justice and peace.