Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Dec. 7, 2020

The Commission for Detainees and ex-Detainees has issued a statement about an assault carried out by Israeli prison guards on a Palestinian 17-year-old youth. Hani Irmaslat is from Jenin refugee camp and he was arrested last October and taken to al-Jalama Interrogation Center. When he complained of feeling unwell the prison guards beat him severely and he needed hospital attention for the cuts and wounds to his head. He underwent twenty days of harsh interrogation and was then taken to Megiddo prison.

Lord, we pray for Hani and for his recovery from the cruel treatment at the hands of the Israeli authorities. We pray that Israel will start to abide by its obligations to the UN Conventions and will stop arresting, interrogating and detaining Palestinian minors. Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayers.

This week’s Kumi Now initiative focuses on the work of the Christian Peacemaker Teams which supports a project in al Khalil, (Hebron). The team working there, with the help of local Palestinians, is supporting residents in their non-violent opposition to the Israeli occupation. Many military checkpoints have been set up in the Old City making daily life very difficult for the Palestinian residents. Some children have to face four checkpoints to reach school each day and Palestinian adults are often subjected to harassment and intimidation by the Israeli soldiers.

Lord, we pray for the dismantling of the mesh of checkpoints from the occupied West Bank. We pray that the Israeli authorities will start to respect international law and ensure the free movement of Palestinians across their territories. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was marked on Wednesday, the 2nd of December. A report from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics revealed that there are 93,000 people with disabilities in Palestine and one fifth of this number includes children under the age of 18 years. Many children with disabilities struggle to access education and suffer a chronic lack of resources, especially those living in Gaza under the blockade.

Lord, we continue to pray for an end to the Israeli occupation and the blockade of Gaza which makes life so hard for adults and children living with disabilities. We pray that there will be a greater awareness of how they can be supported to fulfill their potential. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

On Wednesday, December 2, two Palestinian workers were killed, and five others were seriously injured when they were struck by an empty bus which was driven by an Palestinian from East Jerusalem.

Lord, we pray for the families of Ziad Abiyat and Jaafar Abiyat as they mourn their loss. We pray for the recovery of the other Palestinians who were wounded in the hit-and-run attack. We pray that the perpetrator will be brought to justice. Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayers.

The Guardian newspaper (U.K.) has published an open letter, signed by 122 Palestinian and Arab academics and journalists, concerning the definition of antisemitism as set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, (IHRA). In the letter they state:  ‘The fight against antisemitism has been increasingly instrumentalities by the Israeli government and its supporters in an effort to de-legitimize the Palestinian cause and silence defenders of Palestinian rights.’

Oh Lord, we pray that the human value and rights of all people in Palestine/ Israel will be respected. We pray for justice and peace in the Holy Land and an end to the Israeli occupation and an end to the statelessness and deprivation of Palestinian refugees. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

The promise of the production of effective vaccines to suppress the global pandemic has brought encouragement to many. However, concerns have been raised that richer countries are buying up vast batches of vaccine doses and poorer nations could get left behind. Covax is a global vaccine plan seeking to ensure an equitable distribution of future vaccines.

Thank you, Lord, for the foresight of those who are planning to help all nations, rich and poor, to have fair access to the coronavirus vaccinations. Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayers. 

There will be four online Sabeel Advent Services to be held on the 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of December. The services will be conducted in English and Arabic and will be led by Reverend Naim Ateek. People can register using this link.

Oh Lord, we praise you and thank you for your faithfulness. In this Advent season we remember how you fulfilled your promise to Simeon, as he held the baby Jesus in his arms and granted him the honour of blessing the Messiah, ( Luke 2:25-30). Please keep our hearts open and full of hope in your promises. Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayers.

Mays Abu Ghosh, a young Palestinian journalism student, was released from prison on Monday, the 30th of November after serving a 15 month sentence. She was charged with belonging to a banned student political group. Mays has spoken out about the torture she experienced at the Maskobiyeh Interrogation Centre in Jerusalem.

Lord, we pray for Mays as she recovers from her traumatic experience under interrogation from the Israeli authorities. We pray for an end to the inhumane and unjust treatment of Palestinians under the Israeli penal system. Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayers.

We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayers.