July 25, 2016 –

Prayer Petitions: 24 July 2016

ACT PALESTINE FORUM
PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

24TH of every month

Every day in the month ahead, we continue to pray with and for our sisters and brothers in Palestine and Israel who have called for an ecumenical prayer vigil across the globe on the 24th of every month.

We are called to pray for an end to hostilities and bloodshed, for healing and reconciliation, for the cessation of house demolitions,  for an end to the siege on Gaza, and a just and lasting peace that brings safety and development to all Palestinians and Israelis.

APF encourages its friends and partners to visit the APF website and APF Facebook page often to find, and also contribute, updates, photos, stories, advocacy ideas, and special prayers.

 

PRAYERS for 24 July 2016 and the month following:

Oh God, source of all goodness and compassion, grant that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move among us, giving light and courage to the refugee, the immigrant and the most vulnerable in society, and ushering in the day that all may live in safety and security. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of refuge and strength, when the earth trembles and shakes, when hearts are discouraged and tired, when husbands and wives are not permitted to live together, and when whole families despair because they have been forced from their homes, grant that your love and life-sustaining power will flow, energizing, uniting, protecting and freeing all your children who struggle to keep hope alive. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

O God of many names and many nations, with wonderful diversity of languages and cultures you created all people in your image. Free us from prejudice and fear, that we may see your face in the faces of people around the world. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Gracious God of truth, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, and our universe. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of justice and love, embolden advocates and activists to speak truth to power. Strengthen teachers and social workers, pastors and bishops, doctors and lawyers, farmers and laborers who dare to risks for peace, justice and healing to all of humanity.  Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our leaders, whose daily work and decisions affect the lives of so many around the world. Give them wisdom and show them how to bring security to the world without using evil to try to overcome evil. Give them your grace that, amid the clamor of war, they may seek a new path to prosperity and freedom for all. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of reconciliation, deliverer of the weak and powerless, protector of the widow and orphan, who welcomed the sinners, the outsiders and strangers, and healed the suffering ones: open our eyes and ears and hearts to the suffering of the people in Israel and Palestine. Empower us to use the resources you have so abundantly given us, to bring about the peace that will put an end to their strife. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of hospitality, break down the walls that sever us from one another, so that we may see clearly the image of God in those we have once called our enemies. Grant us an eagerness to forgive and be forgiven and courage to recognize and embrace each other as brother and sister.

All of this, and everything else that is needed for wholeness in the Holy Land, we pray, through your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Please find a printable version here: APF Prayers July 2016