Pray with Israel/Palestine Sunday, June 16, 2019
Lectionary Selection: John 16:12-15
Prayers for Israel/Palestine:
Gracious and loving God: we praise you for sending us your Son who by his life and death for us has given us confidence in your love and reassurance of your faithfulness; and who by his resurrection has given us faith in your power, peace in your sovereignty, and trust in your promise. We pray that you will continue to speak peace to us and to those who rule the nations of our world.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Israel/Palestine:
The sixteenth chapter of John opens with these reassuring words of Jesus” “I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away.” What was “all this” that Jesus had said to the disciples?
- “Let not your hearts be troubled;”
- “Believe in me;”
- “In my Father’s house, there are many rooms;”
- “I am preparing a place for you;
- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you;”
- “Do not be afraid.”
Those were the words Jesus had spoken to them. Now he says,
- “I have yet many things to say to you;”
- “You will hear them when the Spirit comes;
- “The Spirit will guide you into all truth.”
The Lord has not stopped speaking. He still speaks and will continue speaking plainly to us, through the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth. Always words of assurance to those who believe… and listen!
Jesus does not overlook the fact that we live in a world that will speak untruth to us, and that untruth will cause much suffering. Yet Jesus’ words of assurance continue:
- “I will pray for you;”
- “In the world, you will have tribulation;”
- “In me, you will have peace;”
- “Be of good cheer.”
- “Trust me, I have overcome the world.”
The rulers of this world are not speaking peace. Jesus is still speaking; speaking peace.
He will have the last word.
Prayer and Mission Moment by Victor Makari
Mission Partners in Israel/Palestine:
- B’Tselem
- Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees
- Diyar Consortium
- East Jerusalem YMCA (Palestine)
- Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI)
- Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
- Friends Meeting in Ramallah
- Kairos Palestine
- Rawdat el-Zuhur (Palestine)
- Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center (Jerusalem)
- Tantur Ecumenical Institute
- YWCA of Palestine (Palestine)
More information on Israel/Palestine: https://www.globalministries.org/israel_palestine
Global Ministries Mission Co-worker in Israel/Palestine:
Victor Makari serves with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with the Diyar Consortium of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Victor serves as Regional Consultant for the Religion and State in the Middle East Program. Mission Co-Worker appointments are made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.