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, July 8, 2010
The New York Times reported that in the past decade the American Treasury Department has approved $200,000,000 of tax-free charitable donations to Israeli settlements. Such support funds building projects, weapons and security equipment, and makes withdrawal even more difficult. We pray that support for illegal activities such as these will be ended and all governments will uphold justice.
According to a recent report by the Israeli organization B'Tselem, 500,000 Israeli settlers currently control 42% of the West Bank. Settlements rob Palestinians of land and resources, restrict movement, choke economic development, entrench the military occupation, and make impossible the establishment of a self-determining Palestinian state. We pray for an end to imperialism. O Lord, hear us.
Around the world, people appear to be more aware than ever of the need for justice in Palestine and Israel. We are thankful for this change and pray that it will continue to grow. May we not lose hope for peace in this land.
This week, Sabeel is organizing a joint community program for people from the Galilee and Jerusalem to spend time together, strengthening ties between various communities. The group will meet with local clergy, hear about work being done to prevent domestic violence, travel to Banias Springs and visit a village on the border with Lebanon. May their time of fellowship be nourishing and fruitful.
This week we join with the World Council of Churches in praying for:
Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela
http://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/week-28-colombia-ecuador-venezuela.html
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