19.5.22
Christ at the Checkpoint is inviting people to attend the 2022 conference in Bethlehem, which is entitled, ‘Am I my neighbour’s keeper?’ . It will take place between the 26th-29th of May. (http://christatthecheckpoint.bethlc.edu)
- Risen Lord Jesus, we pray that the speakers at this Bethlehem conference will be guided by your light to seek out new paths of peace in Palestine/Israel.
Lord, in your mercy..
On Wednesday 11th May, Al Jazeera journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh was killed as she prepared to report on Israeli raids in Jenin. Abu Aqleh, a Palestinian Christian with American citizenship is believed to have been shot by Israeli occupation forces. Following her death, Israeli forces attacked mourners at her funeral in Jerusalem, at one point causing her coffin to fall.
- Dear Lord, we pray that Shereen rest in peace and rise in glory. We pray that her family find peace as they grieve her death. May those in the international community speak up against these injustices, work to ensure a full investigation, and bring those responsible to justice.
Lord, in your mercy…
In the UK the Balfour Project will be hosting an online conference over two afternoons, on the 17th and 18th of May. The conference is entitled, ‘Abandoning Palestine: the end of the British Mandate and our continuing responsibility.’ (http://balfourproject.org)
- Lord God, we pray that this conference will help to raise awareness of Britain’s responsibility to fulfil its role to help establish equal rights for the Palestinians, as well as the Israeli people.
Lord, in your mercy…
Kosovo’s Foreign Minister visited Jerusalem on Wednesday, the 11th of May, to sign a co-operation deal with Israel. Kosovo, whose status as an independent country is disputed by a majority of the member states of the UN, declared its intention to open its embassy in Jerusalem. Most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv and are opposed to Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem.
- Merciful Father, we continue to pray for peace in the city of Jerusalem. We pray that any competing claims over the city will be resolved through negotiations based on international law and not dictated by short-term political and economic moves.
Lord, in your mercy..
On Wednesday, the 11th of May, Palestinian residents of Jabal al Tawil, near the city of Al-Bireh were protesting at a nearby illegal settlement, when Israeli soldiers opened fire on them. Thayer Yazouri, 18, was shot directly in the heart and was killed, while another Palestinian teenager was injured in his leg.
- Lord, we pray for the family of Thayer as they grieve his untimely death and pray for the recovery of the other Palestinian boy who was injured. We pray for an end to the policy of the Israeli military to shoot and kill Palestinian protestors.
Lord, in your mercy…
The Israeli government is set to put forward plans for 4,000 illegal settler homes to be built in the occupied West Bank. If the plans are approved, this move will mark the largest advancement of illegal settlements since President Biden’s administration took office.
- Lord, we pray that the international community, including the US administration, will speak out over this further violation of international law proposed by the Israeli government. Lord, we cry out to you as the Palestinians look set to lose even more land.
Lord, in your mercy..
In Gaza Tuesday, the 10th of May marked a grim anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities inflicted on them last year by the Israeli military. According to the records of the United Nations, 260 Palestinians were killed during the Israeli attacks, including 66 children. In Israel 12 civilians were killed as a result of indiscriminate rocket attacks from Gaza.
Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods across the borders of the enclave remain in place and are leading to further impoverishment.
- Lord, we pray for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza so that the area can have the opportunity to recover from desperate poverty and devastation.
Lord, in your mercy..
- We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
Lord, in your mercy..