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, January 28, 2010



Next month, Sabeel will host a three-day national clergy conference in Jericho for priests and pastors from Palestine and Israel. The clergy will be joined by Muslim religious leaders for one day of the conference. We pray that this will be a valuable time for building relationships across many divides: borders, denominations, and faiths. May these leaders return to their communities with new knowledge and energy for cooperation.

Israel is preparing to release its response to the UN's Goldstone Report that found evidence of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity by Hamas and Israel during last year's attack on Gaza. We pray that the world will think critically about whatever response is issued. May we honestly seek the truth.

Last week, East Jerusalem was rocked by violence between different family clans which Israeli police did little to resolve. We pray for the healing of the injured and for God's comfort for the families and friends of the dead. It is our hope that there will be a day when all the people of Jerusalem have a government that is willing to ensure their basic security.

The annual international series of events known as "Israeli Apartheid Week" will be held next week in cities across the globe. Designed to educate people about the parallels between South African Apartheid and the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the events will highlight different responses to the injustice. We pray that this week can encourage people to act for justice and peace.



This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden