Israeli lawmakers voted last week to advance a bill which would retroactively legalize settler homes built on private Palestinian land. All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.
- Lord, the powerful in Israel continue to conspire against Palestine and its people. Our people feel helpless and lack a shepherd capable of defending their rights. Giveus God the energy we need to continue to march and cry out until the powerful see and hear our plight. Lord in your mercy…
On Sunday, an explosion killed at least 25 and wounded another 49 people, mainly women and children, during mass inside a Cairo church near the main Coptic Christian cathedral in Egypt. The Egyptian president declared three days of national mourning after the attack.
- Dear God, the people are crying out “why are you silent?”. We pray for your interference in the Middle East and elsewhere to put an end to this madness. It is not revenge we seek, but comfort for our hearts. We beg you not to forsake us, as the faithful in this troubled land refuse to abandon their faith in you. Lord in your mercy…
- We pray for the Sabeel Jerusalem Christmas dinner on Saturday. Local clergy from different denominations, international workers, and community members from all walks of life will gather for fellowship, food and song. We pray that God will be glorified by our celebration. Lord in your mercy…
Preparations continue for the Sabeel 10thInternational Conference to be held in March 2017. Participants continue to register for this important conference from Australia, Canada, Colombia, England, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, USA and many other countries.
- We pray for wisdom for the conference coordinators. May their work be fruitful and may the conference inspire and motivate many participants from around the world. Lord in your mercy…
On December 10th, the world observed Human Rights Day, established sixty six years ago. It marks the anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948. This declaration states that respect for human rights and human dignity “is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
- We pray that all countries of the world, including the state of Israel and Palestine, will respect and act on the values in this universal declaration. May the powerful respect the rights of the people, and may injustice vanish from our world. Lord in your mercy…
- We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. Lord in your mercy…