Sabeel Wave of Prayer
There continue to be new settlements approved in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. There are now plans to evict several Palestinian families from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in order to build new homes for settlers.
- God of justice, we watch in anger and frustration as more Palestinian land is taken for illegal settlement construction and expansion, and as Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem are isolated from each other. We pray for the end of illegal settlement building, which threatens peace with justice in this land, and we pray for the families who are at risk of losing their homes.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer…
The water shortage in the West Bank continues. This is a result of years of Israel’s discriminatory water policies. The amount of water allowed to the West Bank has not been increased since 1995, although its population has almost doubled since then. As a result, the average Israeli has access to 2-3 times the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum water allowance per day, while the average Palestinian living in the West Bank has access to only 75% of that minimum amount.
- Lord, water is a source of life, and we pray for the people living in Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem who continue to live with restricted water supplies, especially during this unusually hot summer, while others in Israel and in the settlements have uninterrupted access to water.
Lord, in your mercy…
Palestinians from the West Bank who work inside Israel are subject to many forms of discrimination. This includes denial of permits, checkpoint closures preventing workers from getting to their jobs, and lack of enforcement of laws intended to protect the rights of workers.
- God, we pray for the many people who pass through checkpoints for work, prayer, medical appointments, and to visit friends and family. We pray that the systems that separate people and restrict their movements will be dismantled, and that all people will be able to have equal opportunity to support their families.
Lord, in your mercy…
We mourn for several tragic deaths that occurred recently. One tragedy was the death of a mother and her five children in a car accident on the way to Nablus. We also mourn the accidental drowning of a young man in Tiberias and the injury of his friend, who is still in the hospital.
- Lord, be with those closest to the people who have died. Comfort their families in this time of grief. We also pray for a quick and complete recovery for the young man who is still in the hospital.
Lord, in your mercy…
Today, Mennonite Church USA is voting on a resolution called “Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine,” which proposes that the church commit itself to advocacy and economic actions such as divestment from companies which profit from the occupation.
- Lord, we think of the Mennonite Church this week as they consider ways to support work for a just peace. Much careful and prayerful work has been done to bring the resolution to this point, and we pray that the delegates will have the courage to commit themselves and their communities to standing with people who are suffering from occupation, violence, and discrimination.
Lord, in your mercy…
We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda. Lord, in your mercy…