Wednesday, August 26, 2009

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, August 27, 2009

Students in the West Bank and Jerusalem will soon begin the new school year. In spite of the severe shortage of teachers and classrooms, we pray that these students will have a productive and educational year. May their teachers have the creativity to inspire, the compassion to anticipate difficulties, and the wisdom to teach in meaningful ways.


Nine members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Middle East study team are visiting Jerusalem this week as part of their trip to the region. The team was asked by the PC(USA) General Assembly to "prepare a comprehensive study, with recommendations, that is focused on Israel Palestine within the complex context of the Middle East." We pray that their meetings will be beneficial and that the Presbyterian Church (USA) continue to pursue a peace based on justice.


For more information: http://www.pcusa.org/oga/newsstories/israel_palestine_apr17_09b.htm


As "swine flu" continues to spread through the Middle East and millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca during the month of Ramadan, we pray that the Hajj pilgrimage will not rapidly escalate the transmission of the H1N1 virus. We also pray for strength and wisdom for the professionals who are working to eradicate the disease and bring healing to the sick.

This week, Rev. Naim Ateek is meeting with churches, individuals, and peace groups in Scotland to discuss the contemporary theological and political issues facing Palestinians. We pray that this tour will reach many people and will encourage many communities in their struggles to bring about a just peace in Palestine and Israel.



This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html

Thursday, August 20, 2009

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, August 20, 2009

This weekend marks the start of the Islamic month of Ramadan. The month of fasting will begin in the heat of summer and we pray for safety and health for all our Muslim brothers and sisters who will participate. May this month be a joyful time of worship and fellowship.

Israeli border officials have stepped up their pressure on people traveling to Palestine. Recently, Israel unilaterally began issuing some travelers "Palestinian Authority Only" visas at the Allenby crossing from Jordan, thus making it impossible for the visa holders to travel from the West Bank into Israel. We pray for those affected by this violation of international law and hope that pressure on Israel will stop this arbitrary and unjust action.

For more information: http://thefastertimes.com/Palestine/2009/08/06/is-this-what-an-israeli-apartheid-stamp-looks-like/

The rise in violence and crime within Israel has caused a record number of Israelis to apply for gun permits. We pray for an end to corruption, hate crimes, organized crime, and domestic violence in Israel, and in all countries around the world. May we seek peace by establishing just societies instead of carrying more and more weapons.

Last week, Nora Carmi of Sabeel spoke to the United Church of Canada as the Church considered boycotting Israeli goods in order to help end the Israeli Occupation. Although the Church chose not to pursue a boycott, the option was left open for individual churches. We pray that this decision will motivate many people and churches to pursue grassroots actions in their local communities to help bring about justice.

For more information: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/The-United-Church-Of-Canada-1030587.html

This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for the many countries of the Pacific islands: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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, August 13, 2009

We pray for Palestinian unity. The Fatah Bethlehem conference last week was an opportunity for all members of Fatah to meet and address the future of the Palestinian people. We pray that the different factions unite around common goals to work together for a just peace.


We pray for relief for Gaza. On Monday, Israel has bombed Gaza tunnels along the border with Egypt. For Palestinians, the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt have become the only conduit for essential supplies, made scarce by Israel's blockade of the territory.

We pray for a resolution of the fundamental problem of the closure of Gaza and we pray for the strength of the people of Gaza as they suffer during this hot summer.


We pray for the Sabeel clergy trip as West Bank clergy, those who could get permits, traveled together to the north to meet with fellow clergy from around Israel to speak about the current situation in Shuf'amr as well as next year's Palestine-Israel clergy conference.


We pray for the United Church of Canada as they discuss the question of how to respond to the Occupation as a denomination and in particular, their consideration of boycott, divestment and sanctions as a church.

We pray for thoughtful dialogue and results that lead towards a peace rooted in justice.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

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, August 6, 2009

Before sunrise on Sunday morning, Israeli forces evicted seventy Palestinians from their homes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli forces also demolished the al-Kurd family protest tent for the sixth time. The al-Kurds were evicted from their home last November. We pray that Israel will end this campaign against the citizens of East Jerusalem. We thank God for the strong condemnation from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and from churches around the world and encourage them to stand firm and act to end this injustice.

The Israeli Knesset passed a "land reform" law on Monday that allows for privatization of state owned land. This threatens to result in the sale of real state expropriated from the Palestinian Arab population in 1948. Such action would violate the property rights of Palestinian refugees. We pray that this law will be overturned in court and that justice will prevail.

For more information, visit: http://www.adalah.org/eng/pressreleases/pr.php?file=09_08_03

This week, Fatah is holding its first conference in the West Bank in two decades. Approximately 2000 delegates are meeting in Bethlehem to discuss the party's new political platform and to hold elections for leadership positions. In spite of the absence of many representatives from Gaza, we pray that the week's events will strengthen Palestinian unity across political divides and will result in positive progress towards achieving a just peace for all.

Summer is a time of transition at Sabeel. In this season, we must say farewell to some of our international volunteers and greet new people who will be joining our staff. We thank God for the hard work and personal sacrifices offered by our friends. And we are grateful for the unique strengths and experiences offered by each individual who joins us for some time before returning to their homes to share Sabeel message of justice and peace.


This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Canada and the United States
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html

Wave of Prayer for Thursday, July 30, 2009

This month, during the hottest part of the summer, a new water tax will go into effect in Israel and Palestine. Established due to the growing water shortage in the region, the tax will add a significant burden to families already struggling in this weak economy. We pray that people will recognize the need to share this region's limited resources fairly amongst all people.

Currently, four very high-ranking American diplomats are visiting Israel and will engage in talks about settlements. We pray that the United States will have the courage to demand a freeze to settlement growth and a withdrawal to the 1967 borders of Palestine and Israel. May these diplomatic meetings be productive in the establishment of a peace based on justice and law.

A friend of Sabeel recently addressed a gathering of ministers in Jakarta, Indonesia about the work of Sabeel and the current situation in Palestine. The group was very receptive and discussed starting a Friends of Sabeel chapter in Indonesia. We thank God for all friends of Sabeel around the world and for the work they do to educate and advocate for a just peace.

Sabeel's International Young Adult Conference is underway! In the process of learning about "Palestinian Christians and the Challenges of Today," the 38 participants have worshipped in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, visited Hebron, enjoyed meals with refugee families, and met with various Israeli and Palestinian peace groups. May God bless their time together as the group travels to the Galilee to learn about the situation facing Palestinian citizens of Israel. We offer thanks for the many generous donations from individuals and organizations that have made this conference possible.


This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
the island nations of the Caribbean
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html