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.
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