Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Dec. 13, 2021

Kumi Now on Tuesday concentrated on the issue of the right of return for Palestinians forcibly evicted from their homes in 1948. On Tuesday, 21^st December, we will hear about the Syrian Golan.

• Lord, we pray for an end to the injustice which has lasted for more than seventy years. We pray that the Palestinian refugees and displaced Palestinians, wherever they may be, to be granted the right of return to rebuild their homes and their heritage.
  Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

On Friday, 17^th December, Sabeel will hold its annual Ecumenical Christmas Dinner.

• Lord, we give thanks for this joyful event and rejoice that our Palestinian and international brothers and sisters will be drawn together in this celebration as ‘one body in Christ’.
  Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

On Saturday, 11th December, Sabeel, in coordination with the Pontifical Mission and the Jerusalem Center for Palestine Studies, held a conference in Ramallah,  on the Christian History of Palestine.

• Dear Lord, we pray for all those involved in the conference and those who will continue this important work. May they know the guidance of Gods Spirit in all they do.
  Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

Sabeel will hold a Zoom session to present the Christmas story from the perspective of Palestinian liberation theology. 

• At this time of anticipation O’ Lord, we pray for the work of Sabeel to produce this session on the Christmas story from a Palestinian liberation theology perspective. Bless the work of Sabeel and all involved in the struggle for justice and peace.
  Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

During this time of Advent and Christmas, we turn our thoughts towards those for whom this time of year is difficult. Especially this year for those who rely on tourism which has been decimated once again by Covid-19 travel restrictions with no end in sight.

• We “know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy” (Psalm 140:12), at this time of Advent and Christmas we pray for those in need; families who find this time of year difficult, for those who have lost loved ones this year, and for those who rely on tourism in Palestine.
  Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

The plan to build a new settlement on the site of Qalandia Airport (Atarot) in East Jerusalem has been delayed by the Jerusalem district planning and building committee citing the need for an environment study for their delay. At the same time, the US envoy to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that settlement building had “reached a critical juncture”.

• Lord, we are thankful that the settlement plans for Qalandia Airport have been paused, however, it has not been cancelled. We are grateful that the US envoy to the UN has now spoken out clearly against settlement construction, but this must now be followed with action.
  Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

In recent months there have been a number of attacks, both on Palestinians and Israelis. At this time of peace and hope this violence must stop.

• Lord, we pray for the city of peace, our city Jerusalem. May the powerful decision makers abandon tyranny and exclusivity and surrender to your will of justice and inclusivity. We pray for true peace in the city of Jerusalem, the city loved by all its children.
  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.