Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of April 23, 2018

Israeli settlers physically attacked a number of Palestinian students and ‘used foul language against them,’ as they were leaving school last Wednesday in the al-Salaymeh neighbourhood of the Old City of Hebron. On Saturday, a group of Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family and attempted to take over two homes in the Hebron area.

Lord, we give thanks for all the international observers in occupied Palestine who expose and document the violations against defenseless civilians. We pray that the day will come that the people who attack Palestinian children and families will be held to account in international courts. Lord in your mercy…

On the fourth Friday of popular protests in Gaza, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians. One of those who were killed was Mohammed Ayoub, a fifteen year old boy who was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper. This incident was caught on film. The UN Middle East Envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, expressed his anger over the killing of the teenager and the European Union has demanded a full investigation into his death.

Lord, we give thanks for the non-violent protests which continue to challenge the siege conditions suffered by those living in Gaza. We pray for those who take a stand for justice and raise their voices in protest against the oppression they experience. We pray for an end to the occupation and the liberation of the Palestinian people. Lord in your mercy…

Mohammad Al Radie, a Palestinian journalist from Gaza, was arrested by Hamas for a post on Facebook; whilst a Palestinian journalist from the West Bank, Hazem Nasser, has been arrested by the Palestinian Authority for his censure.

Lord, we are thankful that courageous journalists in different parts of the world, including Palestine, persevere in trying to expose the truth even when they face threats from the authorities. We pray for the immediate release of Mohammad and Hazem and that those responsible for their arrests may be held to account for their attack on the right to freedom of speech. Lord in your mercy…  

After the 1967 war Israel seized territory in the occupied West Bank and subsequently gained control over the water supplies in the area. For some considerable time now, Palestinians have maintained that they have not been receiving their agreed share of clean water. Human rights groups believe Israel is deliberately limiting the water supply to farmers in an attempt to force them off their land.

Lord, we pray for the farmers who struggle to keep the fields green, especially during the hot summer season in Palestine. Dear God, help us to remember our Palestinian communities who thirst for water and long for justice. Lord in your mercy…

The Israeli-American actress, Natalie Portman was selected as the 2018 Laureate by the Israeli Genesis Prize Foundation, for achieving excellence and international renown. Last Thursday Portman’s representative notified the GPF that ‘recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her and she does not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel’ and that ‘she cannot in good conscience move forward with the ceremony.’ The Foundation expressed it’s sadness over her decision and cancelled the prize ceremony. It is worth noting that the prize amounts to one million US Dollars.

Lord, we give thanks for all the people of conscience who refuse to give their assent to the crimes of the occupation. We are grateful for the courage of those Israeli Jews who condemn the actions of the government and take a clear stand on human rights. Lord in your mercy…

Nizar Jahshan, a fifty five year old man, sat down to enjoy a meal in a Nazareth restaurant. While he was eating, unknown assailants fired at him from a passing car and he died from a fatal head wound. Crime in the Israeli Arab communities is on the rise, while the Israeli government ministries neglect the basic needs of the Arab sector.

Lord, we pray for the family of Nizar as they grieve for him. We pray for an end to the rising tide of violence among Israeli Arabs which threatens to weaken communal ties. May your spirit, God, guide us to continue to seek equitable treatment for Arab communities from the Israeli government. Lord in your mercy…

This week we remember the many killed during the Armenian genocide, and particularly lift up the Palestinian Armenian community as they commemorate the genocide of 1915.

Lord, may the Armenian community around the world, and especially in Palestine, feel your presence and comfort. As we commemorate this massacre, enable us to recognize injustice wherever it occurs and empower us to act as ambassadors for peace. Lord in your mercy…

Last Thursday, thousands of Israeli Arabs gathered for an alternative march to mark the day Israel claimed its independence. The march is held annually to assert the Palestinian right of return to their villages and towns from which they were evicted, and to express the suffering they endure as a result of the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.

Lord, we give thanks for the Palestinian people who continue to speak truth to power. Help us to remember the millions of Palestinians still living in refugee camps. We pray that the day will come when the international resolution regarding the right of return for these refugees is respected and fully implemented. Lord in your mercy…

We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Lord in your mercy…