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Aug 22nd, 2024
Last week, during the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av, settlers stormed the Palestinian village of Tuwani with the protection of the army so that they could pray at the site of an ancient shul located in the village. The process included forcing the residents of Tuwani to stay in their homes with soldiers stationing themselves on people’s roofs.
Similarly, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Givr and Knesset member Yitzhak Wasserlauf led more than 1,800 Israelis to the Al-Aqsa Mosque grounds under the protection of Israeli police. Right wing Israelis in both cases enjoyed protection from the state while harassing Palestinians and chanting provocative songs.
O God of justice, we lift our hearts to you for the people of Tuwani and Jerusalem. As they face fear and oppression, grant them courage and protection. We pray for an end to the violence and the Israeli military occupation.
Empower us to stand for justice, to speak truth, and to love beyond barriers. Soften the hearts of those who oppress, that they may turn from violence and repent of their sins.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Last week, in Beit Jala near Bethlehem, Palestinian, ISraeli and international activists were violently attacked by the Israeli military during a demonstration against the current confiscation of land belonging to the Kissieh family, whose land is part of Bethlehem’s last green and open space area and a UNESCO World Heritage site. On July 31st, 2024, a group of Israeli settlers, accompanied by the Israeli Civil Administration, attacked and forcefully evicted the Kissieh family, a Palestinian Christian family from Beit Jala, from their land at Al-Makhrour Valley, located to the northeast of Beit Jala. The owner of the land called the Israeli police to help him confront this attack. However, when the police arrived, they arrested his son, and forced the family to vacate their land, while allowing the Israeli settlers to remain in the land, without any “legal” claims, or eviction notices issued prior to this attack. The Kissieh family continues to confront the military and settlers.
O God of the oppressed, we bring before you the Kissieh family and the people of Beit Jala, who face injustice and violence on their own land. As they endure these attacks, strengthen their resolve and grant them courage in the face of oppression.
We ask for your protection over Bethlehem’s last green space and the heritage it represents. May justice prevail and may those who seek to dispossess others be moved to repentance. Guide us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, to seek accountability of the oppressors, and to uphold the dignity of every human being.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Last week, Israel arrested 30 Palestinians, including a female student, in its latest round of raids throughout the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. Most of those detained were taken from the Hebron governorate. Since October 7, Israel has made more than 10,100 arrests throughout the West Bank, holding many in administrative detention.
God of Justice, you know what it is like to be incarcerated under empire. You were with Joseph when he was imprisoned, and Your spirit visited Paul during his incarceration. Oh Holy Spirit, comfort the victims of cruelty and their families. Be with them in their moments of pain and anguish and kindle in them a light of hope. As we pray for those taken from their homes throughout Palestine, we remember the words of Isaiah 61:1: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.”
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Last week, which also marked the 75th year anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinked approved a new batch of arms sales worth over $20 billion to Israel. This comes at a time of mounting criticism of the Biden administration and in the wake of reports of numerous Israeli violations of international law and human rights, including horrifying massacres of civilians on schools and camps in Gaza, torture of Palestinian detainees , and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
O God of justice, we lift up the Palestinian people who endure unimaginable suffering—children in schools, families in camps, and detainees in prisons. As violence continues, fueled by the sale of arms and the silence of leaders, we pray for your intervention.
Grant justice where there is oppression, peace where there is violence, and strength to those who suffer. May the world awaken to their cries and act with righteousness.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Last week, UNRWA restored a major water well in Khan Younis, Gaza that was destroyed months ago by Israeli military operations. The well now serves as the largest supply of drinking water for displaced Palestinians in the area, pumping out more than 500 cubic metres (17,657 cubic feet) of water per day. Despite its impact, water access in most of Gaza remains scarce, with many families forced to travel long distances in search of water.
O God, the giver of life, we thank you for the restoration of the water well in Khan Younis, a vital source of hope for the people of Gaza. As this well now brings life-giving water to many, we pray for all those who still struggle to access this basic necessity.
Strengthen those who work tirelessly to provide for their communities, and grant relief to families who travel far for water. May justice flow like water across Gaza, bringing peace and healing to all who thirst. In your mercy, sustain and protect the people of Gaza.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Sabeel Jerusalem hosted a delegation of Christians 4 Ceasefire. The delegation visited communities around Palestine and Israel, with hopes of returning to their homes with renewed commitment and advocacy.
Beloved Creator, we are grateful for the opportunity to bring our brothers and sisters to this land called holy, even in these challenging times. We thank you for your protective hand over this delegation and ask that you grant them the courage and wisdom to turn their witness into powerful advocacy when they return home. Lord, make us instruments of your love, bearing witness to Christ the liberator.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer.
We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayer for the countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone.