ACT Palestine Forum: 24 November 2016 Prayers

Prayer Petitions: 24 November 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.
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.
A special thanks to the ELCJHL for authoring this month‘s prayers.

ACT Palestine Forum Prayers
24 November 2016

Prayer Focus:
“Reaffirming Our Commitment to Fundamental Freedoms and the Protection of Human Rights”

The ACT Palestine prayers for 24 November – 23 December are written to coordinate with two upcoming United Nations international days: 29 November:

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

“Today, 136 countries recognize the State of Palestine and its flag flies at the United Nations next to those of all Member States. However, these advances are not felt by children in Gaza, or by the residents of Nablus, Hebron and East Jerusalem […] let us reaffirm our commitment to bring about the just peace that the peoples of Israel and Palestine deserve.

-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

http://www.un.org/en/events/palestinianday/index.shtml

10 December: Human Rights Day

This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights! Many of us are fearful about the way the world is heading. Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack.

We must reaffirm our common humanity. Wherever we are, we can make a real difference. In the street, in school, at work, in public transport; in the voting booth, on social media.The time for this is now. We the peoples can take a stand for rights. And together, we can take a stand for more humanity.

http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/

Scripture

Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.‘

Genesis 1:26

When he (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor.‘

Luke 4:16-19

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.‘

Revelation 21:1-4

Prayer of Confession

Holy God, we confess:

In the beginning, we were made in your image.

In the beginning, you gave each of us your likeness, so that if we want to see you, if we want to know you, we must only look into the eyes of our neighbor.

In the beginning, we were created to be in relationship: cooperating, co-working, and co-creating your kingdom.

But from the beginning, we have failed to acknowledge your image in our neighbors.

From the beginning, we have created division, built walls, and justified violence and hatred, often in your name.

From the beginning, we have failed to speak out when our neighbors were hungry, homeless, or denied freedoms, but have sought our own comfort and protected our own interests. By what we have done—and by what we have failed to do—we have denied the rights of our fellow human beings.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Let your Son Jesus‘ concern for the poor and the marginalized inspire us. Let the prophet‘s vision of a world with no more pain, no more crying, and no more death, revive our vision of a world with no separation walls, no checkpoints, no war, and no occupation.

And by your Spirit, send us to speak and act for peace, justice, and human rights for all. Let this be a new day, and a new beginning—not only for Palestine, but for all of your beloved creation.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Suggested Music

For Everyone Born – by Shirley Erena Murray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYQus85djK8

For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead, and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For woman and man, a place at the table,
revising the roles, deciding the share, with wisdom and grace, dividing the power, for woman and man, a system that’s fair, and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heard, a part in the song, the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong, and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For just and unjust, a place at the table, abuser, abused, with need to forgive, in anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy, for just and unjust, a new way to live, and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work, to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free, and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

A printable version of this month’s prayers is available here: APF Prayers November 2016.