We thank you, Lord, for the beginning of Advent - for valuing humanity enough to become one of us, for taking on flesh and teaching us how to love. As we remember this season, may your love be evidenced among us.
We pray for Peace, for Shalom, for Salaam ... for all of creation. But nowhere more so than in the conflicted world where your Son was born. We ask for freedom, justice and safety for all who live there.
We pray for the families and staff related to the Atfaluna School for the Deaf in Gaza, one of Pal Craftaid's partners and a vendor for needlework. We pray for the students as they have missed school. We pray for those who work on needlework and other crafts that they may get back to providing for their families. We pray for those injured in the bombing, those we know and love and those we've never met. We pray that the cease fire will continue.
We pray for safe travel for the women who navigate Israeli check points to bring their embroidery to Jerusalem so that they will have income to feed their families. We are thankful for the organization that will house these women for a modest fee and offer care for their lives and work.
We pray for the leaders and teachers of Rawdat El Zuhur as they show compassion and understanding to the students and teach them character, honesty and trust as well as academics. We pray for the children, that they may pass through the checkpoints without trauma.
We pray for the people of the YWCA, the directors, leaders, teachers, children and young people as they struggle to survive, grow and learn in difficult conditions. May they all feel your loving presence.
Hear our prayer, O Lord God and grant us your peace.
Amen.
Connie DePond
Pal Craftaid Board Member and Co-founder
Dear Friends,
