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 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.

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