Prayer Petitions: 24 September 2017
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 DSPR for contributing to this month’s prayers.
ACT Palestine Forum Prayers
24 September 2017
Prayer Focus: Health Care Access
The army’s severe restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank gravely affect the ability of Palestinians to obtain proper medical treatment. The hundreds of physical obstructions and dozens of checkpoints result in very limited access to medical treatment, and sometimes none at all. The problem is especially grave among residents of villages and outlying areas who need to get to hospitals in the large cities. For example, persons living in villages around Jerusalem who need to get to hospitals in East Jerusalem for treatment require a permit to enable them to reach their destination. To obtain a permit, patients have to provide medical documents testifying to their illness, as well as confirmation that they have an appointment at the specific hospital and that it is the only facility where the needed treatment is available. These policies also affect patients from Gaza who are seeking medical care. According to WHO records from this past month, approximately 60% of permit requests for patients from Gaza were denied. Often patients who need to cross the Erez checkpoint to leave Gaza and travel to Jerusalem for treatment are in serious condition and the vital services they are seeking are not available in Gaza.
Dr Gerald Rockenschaub, Head of WHO West Bank and Gaza, stated: “The right to health is a fundamental right of every human being and the ongoing and enduring occupation is having a detrimental effect on the right to health for Palestinians. Occupation impacts on the underlying determinants of health, such as access to safe drinking-water, adequate sanitation and healthy working and living conditions. It also severely affects the availability, accessibility and quality of health services.”
http://applications.emro.who.int/docs/Coun_pub_doc_2017_EN_19900.pdf?ua=1
Prayers
Prayers for a Sick Person
Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, You became man and died on the cross for our salvation. You healed people of sickness and affliction through Your love and compassion. Visit me, Lord and grant me strength to bear this sickness with which I am afflicted, with patience, submission to Your will and trust in Your loving care. I pray that You will bless the means used for my recovery and those who administer them. Grant that my sickness may be to my spiritual benefit and that I may live the rest of my life more faithfully according to Your will. For You are the source of life and healing and to You I give praise and glory, now and forever. Amen.
A printable version of the prayers can be found here: 24 September 2017 Prayer Vigil