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, January 14, 2010
Monday night, Israeli forces entered the West Bank city of Ramallah to kidnap and deport a Czech national who worked for the International Solidarity Movement. In the last week, several leaders of nonviolent Palestinian resistance have also been arrested. We pray for the men and women who take nonviolent actions to end the Israeli occupation in spite of great personal risk. May God grant them strength while in prison, wisdom when facing their detractors, and courage to continue in their struggle for justice.
George Mitchell, the American envoy to the Middle East, has come under heavy fire for noting that the United States has the option of denying economic aid to Israel. We pray that the day will soon come when Israel and Palestine can be held equally accountable for their responsibilities in the peace process.
While Europe and North America experience record snowfall, very little precipitation has fallen on Palestine in what should be some of the wettest months of the year. Water shortages face much of the region and dwindling supplies threaten to exacerbate tensions as settlements grasp for control of more Palestinian aquifers. God, shower this land with life-giving water and life-sustaining peace.
The new year begins with many challenges for Sabeel-Nazareth's work in the Galilee. We pray that Sabeel's programs, particularly for children and young married couples, will flourish and grow.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Cyprus, Greece, Turkey
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