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 11, 2011
► We invite you to come and meet the local Christian community in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Friends of Sabeel Witness Visit is scheduled for 14-23 September, there is still place for you to come and join the group. Experience the realities of the Palestinian community living under Israeli Occupation: the Wall, settlements, checkpoints, confiscated land and demolished homes, refugee camps, and environmental degradation. Meet and reflect with Palestinian Christians and Muslims as well as with Jewish Israelis and internationals who partner with Sabeel in non-violent resistance to the breaking of international and humanitarian law. We pray that those who will come and those who are considering this opportunity will be blessed by the experience. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
► As the Palestinian people from Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, are working together on plans for a unified Palestine, we pray for their leadership during this process. We pray for clear and wise direction of the leaders as they discern the right path to take. As plans move forward for the recognition of Palestinian as a full member State of the United Nations in September, we pray, O Lord, that Your will be done with peace, justice and reconciliation. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
► As the revolutions for democracy in the Arab countries continue in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria, we realize that the struggle for and process of democracy are not easy. We pray that the revolutions will lead to freedom, democracy and human dignity of all of God's children. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
► The Sabeel office will be closed the rest of August, we will resume full programming and the Wave of Prayer in September, thank you for your continued prayers. We pray for Sabeel's staff who are on vacation. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
New Zealand, Australia
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, August 4, 2011
► As the month of Ramadan begins, we pray with our Muslim brothers and sisters that they be given the strength to endure their fasting during the long hot days of the month to come. For Muslims in the occupied territories, we pray for peace and easy movement as people seek to travel between their homes, work and places of worship. In Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
► As the protests in Israel's streets and squares over housing shortages and high prices, wages and working conditions of doctors, and the high cost of living, have grown in number and gained momentum, the government is forced to respond. We pray that the Palestinian Arab citizens of the state will be included in any reforms to come, as they are the most disadvantaged sector of the population. We pray that the protests will also turn against the occupation of the Palestinian territories and the subjection of its people to unbearable living conditions. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
► As the revolutions for democracy in the Arab countries continue in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria, we realize that the struggle for and process of democracy are not easy. In Syria, and outbreaks of shelling continue, since mid-March more than 2,000 civilians and members of the army and security forces have been killed. We pray for the people of Syria, for the end of bloodshed and police brutality, for peace with justice, and for the end of oppression in all forms. We pray for democracy and liberty. We pray for human dignity of all of God's children. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
► We pray for Sabeel's Young Adult local weekly Bible Study. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Canada, United States of America
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, July 28, 2011
► As the lives of the 1.6 million people in the Gaza Strip continue to be vulnerable because of living under conditions of the siege, today, Palestinian fishermen are forced to fish too close to the shore line. Because when they venture too far into the deeper water, they are attacked by Israel. We pray for the end of the siege of the Gaza Strip so that the people will be able to meet their daily needs with human dignity with peace and justice. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
► Last week, a young Norwegian man, a Christian extreme religious fanatic, who driven by hatred of Muslims killed 76 people including youth and young adults at a summer camp. We pray for an end of religious fanaticism in all religions and that religious faith will lead to tolerance rather than hatred. We pray for a country in mourning and confusion. We pray for the families whose children were taken from them. We pray, for all children who strive each day to live in peace with one another. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
► More than 12 million people are affected by the worst drought in 60 years, which has wreaked havoc on war-torn Somalia and parts of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. UN officials say the drought has killed tens of thousands of people over the past few months, and has forced desperate survivors to walk for weeks in search of food and water. We pray that the drought will come to an end and that those with abundance will share with those in need. We pray for human dignity of all of God's children who live under harsh conditions. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
► We continue to pray for the second week of Sabeel's 6 International Young Adult Conference "Christianity in the East, Islam in the West: Prophetic Voices from Palestine and Israel." As the 50 participants and leaders continue to process their experiences, we pray that each person will be a strong witness to your truth for peace and justice. As the international participants prepare to return to their home countries, we pray that their travels will be uneventful. We pray for the Sabeel staff who will be on vacation in August. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, July 21, 2011
► As water is a source of life, we pray for the people living in Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem who continue to live with restricted water supplies, especially during the hot summer days, while others in Israel and in the settlements have uninterrupted access to water. We pray for the Palestinian farmers and people affected by Israel's recent destruction of water wells and water pumps in the Jordan Valley. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
► Last week, Israel passed a new law against individuals and groups who support Boycott against Israeli and settlement products. We pray, for all those who will courageously continue to use non-violent methods to resist the injustice of the occupation - that your grace and justice will prevail. We pray that the non-violent actions will help bring the occupation to an end. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
► Since 2009, Israel ceased processing family-reunification applications in the West Bank. This has forced many Palestinian families to live separately because of being denied proper papers. Thousands of babies have been denied registration and birth certificates. We pray for the children of God who continue to live without full human rights and dignity. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
► We pray for Sabeel's 6th International Young Adult Conference "Christianity in the East, Islam in the West: Prophetic Voices from Palestine and Israel." We pray for the leaders and participants from 11 countries that will encounter Your presence in their lives in a most profound manner as they meet and speak with local Christians, Muslims, and Jews. May they be witnesses to your truth. We pray for the Women's Pot-luck gathering this evening, may your grace and peace be present with those who seek to be closer in their walk with you. We thank You, God, for the opportunities proffered people who seek to make a Christian difference with their lives. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Thursday, August 11, 2011
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