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, November 26, 2009
Sunday marks the beginning of Advent. Throughout the month, Sabeel will be hosting ecumenical events for Palestinian Christians around the theme "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world" (John 1:9b). Although we come from many Christian traditions, we pray that we can find unity in our shared commitment to live according to the message brought by Christ's birth.
On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed two people, wounded four and leveled several buildings. The strikes were apparently in response to projectiles fired into the Negev Desert by unidentified Gazan militants. It is our prayer and our hope that justice and peace will bring an end to the cycle of violence that continues in Gaza.
Next week, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a longtime partner of Sabeel, will mark 60 years of presence in Palestine and Israel. We thank God for MCC's valuable collaboration and partnership with Sabeel and with dozens of other local organizations working in the areas of peacebuilding, education, relief, development and advocacy.
Eid al Adha, the largest feast in the Islamic calendar, begins on Friday. As Muslims around the world celebrate Abraham's obedience to God, we pray that they will enjoy a blessed feast in the company of family and friends. We also pray that Muslims traveling to Jerusalem to pray in the coming week will be granted access to the al Aqsa Mosque.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 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, November 19, 2009
Sabeel-Nazareth is celebrating the 16th anniversary of Sabeel's work in the Galilee by hosting a fundraising concert on Saturday, November 21. We thank God for Sabeel-Nazareth's unique work as Arab-Israeli Christians witnessing for justice and peace. May Sabeel's work in the Galilee, and throughout Israel, inspire many to work for understanding, respect of the other, and equality.
On Friday, Palestinian clergy will meet in Beit Sahour, near Bethlehem, to help in planning for Sabeel's clergy conference that will be held in February. This group of various church leaders will also brainstorm with Sabeel about strategies for interfaith encounters in the West Bank. We pray that this day will be fruitful with many ideas and much engagement.
In the past week in Jerusalem's Old City, tensions between groups of young men have expanded to strain relations between portions of the Christian and Muslim Palestinian communities. We pray that peace will be restored and that this will serve as a reminder of the importance of healthy relations between neighbors of different faiths. We also pray that the incitement of internal disunity will not be used to prevent progress toward a just peace.
Palestinian officials are considering asking the United Nations Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state that is entirely independent from Israel. The new strategy stems from frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations. We pray that whatever decision the Security Council reaches will be based on international law and will bring justice and peace to Palestine and Israel.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sabeel-Nazareth is celebrating the 16th anniversary of Sabeel's work in the Galilee by hosting a fundraising concert on Saturday, November 21. We thank God for Sabeel-Nazareth's unique work as Arab-Israeli Christians witnessing for justice and peace. May Sabeel's work in the Galilee, and throughout Israel, inspire many to work for understanding, respect of the other, and equality.
On Friday, Palestinian clergy will meet in Beit Sahour, near Bethlehem, to help in planning for Sabeel's clergy conference that will be held in February. This group of various church leaders will also brainstorm with Sabeel about strategies for interfaith encounters in the West Bank. We pray that this day will be fruitful with many ideas and much engagement.
In the past week in Jerusalem's Old City, tensions between groups of young men have expanded to strain relations between portions of the Christian and Muslim Palestinian communities. We pray that peace will be restored and that this will serve as a reminder of the importance of healthy relations between neighbors of different faiths. We also pray that the incitement of internal disunity will not be used to prevent progress toward a just peace.
Palestinian officials are considering asking the United Nations Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state that is entirely independent from Israel. The new strategy stems from frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations. We pray that whatever decision the Security Council reaches will be based on international law and will bring justice and peace to Palestine and Israel.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea
Thursday, November 12, 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, November 12, 2009
November 9 marked the 20th anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Since that historic event, various new walls have been erected around the world, including the Separation Wall built by Israel in the West Bank. We pray that this unjust and unquestionably illegal wall will be dismantled. May we come to recognize that all walls of fear ultimately stand in the way of justice and peace.
On Friday and Saturday, Sabeel will be organizing a community program for Christians of Jerusalem and the Galilee. The two day event will center on the theme of "Reconnecting with our roots." Poetry, music and fellowship on Friday will be followed by a day of prayer and reflection on Saturday. During the Second Intifada, the Arab-Israeli communities of 'Arrabi, Dayr Hanna, and Sakhneen experienced several deaths at the hands of Israeli police and military. By visiting and hearing from the affected families, we pray that these communities will know that their pain and continued struggles have not been forgotten.
In these weeks leading up to Christmas, more and more tourists and pilgrims can be found visiting sites in Israel and Palestine. We pray that while experiencing places of historical importance, they will have their eyes opened to the current realities of the people of this land. May they have the curiosity and insight to ask difficult questions and truly see what is around them.
November 15 marks Palestinian Independence Day. Unfortunately, in the 21 years since the state was declared, true independence is still not a reality. We offer thanks for all the people and organizations working to bring about a just peace that will allow Palestine to experience actual independence. We pray for transformation and freedom in this land.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, São Tomé e Príncipe
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, November 12, 2009
November 9 marked the 20th anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Since that historic event, various new walls have been erected around the world, including the Separation Wall built by Israel in the West Bank. We pray that this unjust and unquestionably illegal wall will be dismantled. May we come to recognize that all walls of fear ultimately stand in the way of justice and peace.
On Friday and Saturday, Sabeel will be organizing a community program for Christians of Jerusalem and the Galilee. The two day event will center on the theme of "Reconnecting with our roots." Poetry, music and fellowship on Friday will be followed by a day of prayer and reflection on Saturday. During the Second Intifada, the Arab-Israeli communities of 'Arrabi, Dayr Hanna, and Sakhneen experienced several deaths at the hands of Israeli police and military. By visiting and hearing from the affected families, we pray that these communities will know that their pain and continued struggles have not been forgotten.
In these weeks leading up to Christmas, more and more tourists and pilgrims can be found visiting sites in Israel and Palestine. We pray that while experiencing places of historical importance, they will have their eyes opened to the current realities of the people of this land. May they have the curiosity and insight to ask difficult questions and truly see what is around them.
November 15 marks Palestinian Independence Day. Unfortunately, in the 21 years since the state was declared, true independence is still not a reality. We offer thanks for all the people and organizations working to bring about a just peace that will allow Palestine to experience actual independence. We pray for transformation and freedom in this land.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, São Tomé e Príncipe
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Thursday, November 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, November 5, 2009
On Tuesday morning, settlers and armed guards entered the Rivka al-Kurd home in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem and removed the family and their belongings by force. Israeli police stood by and did not take action to stop the crime. This is the third family to be evicted by settlers in Sheikh Jarrah since August. Almighty God, in our pain we plead for mercy and justice.
Rev. Naim Ateek addressed a gathering of Muslim leaders from Nablus and Bethlehem on Sunday on the topic of Christian Zionism. Rev. Ateek's comments were intended to clear up confusion between the theology of Christian Zionism and the beliefs of Palestinian Christians about the state of Israel. The sheikhs and imams who attended expressed much appreciation for the conference and have already begun planning future dialogues with the local Christian community. We give thanks for this and other opportunities to address misunderstandings and to grow closer ties between different communities.
Early Sunday morning, an armed Israeli man was caught attempting to enter al-Aqsa Mosque. Guards fear he intended to commit a massacre during morning prayers. We give thanks that this disaster was averted and pray that Jerusalem will not descend into violence at the hands of extremists.
November 5 marks the end of Sabeel's Witness Visit. We pray that the participants will return to their communities as informed and inspired advocates of a just peace in Palestine and Israel. May the words and actions of these ambassadors fall upon the minds and hearts of those who can guide decision-makers into ending injustice and the suffering of the oppressed.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Burundi, Congo, Rwanda
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, November 5, 2009
On Tuesday morning, settlers and armed guards entered the Rivka al-Kurd home in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem and removed the family and their belongings by force. Israeli police stood by and did not take action to stop the crime. This is the third family to be evicted by settlers in Sheikh Jarrah since August. Almighty God, in our pain we plead for mercy and justice.
Rev. Naim Ateek addressed a gathering of Muslim leaders from Nablus and Bethlehem on Sunday on the topic of Christian Zionism. Rev. Ateek's comments were intended to clear up confusion between the theology of Christian Zionism and the beliefs of Palestinian Christians about the state of Israel. The sheikhs and imams who attended expressed much appreciation for the conference and have already begun planning future dialogues with the local Christian community. We give thanks for this and other opportunities to address misunderstandings and to grow closer ties between different communities.
Early Sunday morning, an armed Israeli man was caught attempting to enter al-Aqsa Mosque. Guards fear he intended to commit a massacre during morning prayers. We give thanks that this disaster was averted and pray that Jerusalem will not descend into violence at the hands of extremists.
November 5 marks the end of Sabeel's Witness Visit. We pray that the participants will return to their communities as informed and inspired advocates of a just peace in Palestine and Israel. May the words and actions of these ambassadors fall upon the minds and hearts of those who can guide decision-makers into ending injustice and the suffering of the oppressed.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Burundi, Congo, Rwanda
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
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