Wave of prayer

Dec 2nd, 2025

For the second year, Sabeel partnered with local organizations to develop a play titled Emanuel. The play explores the reality of life in Gaza during the Christmas season, emphasizing how love triumphs over power and remains a more potent force. It was attended by nearly 400 people, primarily teenagers and young adults, in Jerusalem. The play is scheduled to be performed in Ramallah on January 5th and in Bethlehem on January 12th.

Loving God, we thank You for the success of the play Emanuel and for the message of hope and love it has brought to so many hearts. We are grateful for the opportunity to share stories that inspire faith and remind us of Your presence in our struggles. Bless the upcoming performances in Ramallah and Bethlehem, that they may touch even more lives and spread the truth of Your enduring love. Strengthen our belief that love is the most powerful force and that the might of oppression and violence will not prevail.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

In recent sermons and masses, Pope Francis has condemned the deaths of Palestinian children, calling Israel’s actions “cruelty, not war.” His increase in advocacy follows a number of other symbolic gestures, including unveiling a nativity scene with a Palestinian keffiyeh. The Pope has maintained daily contact with Gaza’s Catholic parish since the war began, and last week, the Holy Family Parish hosted mass with a Vatican envoy that included Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The Pope’s actions have prompted Israel to summon the Vatican’s ambassador and for President Isaac Herzog to seek an audience with him, concerned about his influence on global opinion. 

Incarnate Christ, we give thanks for the prophetic voices rising across the world. Lord, continue to guide the Church to sow seeds of revolutionary love, speaking truth boldly and standing with the oppressed. We pray that all church leaders will remain faithful to Christ as they continue to work for justice, peace, and reconciliation. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

On Christmas in Gaza, three babies died because of the cold. In one massacre, five journalists were murdered in a press van while waiting for the birth of one’s child at al Awda Hospital, along with 5 healthcare workers. The names of the journalists are:  Ayman Al-Jadi (Journalist), Faisal Abu Al-Qumsan (Reporter), Fadi Hassouna (Editor), Ibrahim Sheikh Ali (Journalist), and Mohammed Al-Lada’a (Editor). The names of the healthcare workers are:  Dr. Ahmad Samour (Pediatrician), Israa Abu Zayda (Laboratory Specialist), Abdul Majeed Abu Al-Eish (Paramedic), Maher Al-Ajrami (Paramedic), Fares Al-Houdali (Maintenance Specialist). 

Good God, help us to you see the realities in Gaza and put an end to the massacres that happen daily. Lord, Amidst our lament, we cry out for those who were killed while serving others—journalists who sought truth and healthcare workers who gave their lives for their patients. We confess our inability to name all the dead, and we ask you to bring them into your heavenly care. Help us with our faith, help us witness the suffering, and help us see your face in the faces of the fallen. Strengthen our resolve to participate in the work of your revolutionary love despite the suffering. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

The latest destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital and the horrors committed by the Israeli military at the hospital are unfathomable. As the last functioning hospital in Northern Gaza, its violent raid and burning on 27th December, 2024 by Israeli forces left patients and staff displaced, with hundreds of individuals unaccounted for, including hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Survivors interviewed by EuroMed Monitor revealed the Israeli military conducted deliberate field executions, sexual assaults, and physical beatings while abducting over 240 medical personnel. Northern Gaza now stands without any functioning hospitals. 

God who was, and is and is to come, we stand overwhelmed at the latest destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital. We cry out for justice, for the healing of the wounded, and for the safe return of the disappeared. We pray for all medical personnel abducted, and we pray for the safety of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who selflessly served his patients despite threats and violence. In the face of such cruelty, help us to hold on to hope, guide us as we strive to stand in solidarity with those suffering, and grant us the strength to continue working for peace, justice, and compassion. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

The Israeli army is preparing to deploy dystopic technological security systems in the occupied West Bank, which include watchtowers and mechanisms that will fire live ammunition from a distance without taking into account the safety of Palestinians in case of technological errors. This move comes in conjunction with the continuation of Israeli raids and settler attacks on Palestinian cities and towns, as well as official Israeli statements calling for annexing the occupied West Bank and expanding illegal settlements there. 

God of Justice, we decry the technologies of empire used to maim and destroy. As we live in fear of a worsening reality in the West Bank, our souls long for your righteousness. Lord, we pray for the protection of the innocent, an end to the violence, and the softening of the hearts of those in power. Illuminate to the world the plight of communities under durress in the West Bank, and help strengthen the voices around the world that work in solidarity with those suffering.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

The start of the Jewish holiday Hannukah began last week on the evening of December 25. The last night of Hannukah will occur on January 2nd, 2025.  

Lord of light, in this Hanukkah season, we lift our Jewish brothers and sisters standing in courage and solidarity for the oppressed. Despite the suffering we witness, may we never conflate Judaism with Zionism, but instead uphold the true spirit of faith—one of love, mercy, and dignity for all. Continue to bless their work for peace and justice, and may your light change the hearts of those who misuse faith to justify violence and oppression. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for all stateless people. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Wave of Prayer

Dec 26th, 2024

To mark the 15th anniversary of the Kairos Palestine Document, Kairos Palestine released a “Call to our Palestinian people for Collective Actions, Steadfastness, Resilience, and Hope in the Face of Adversity.” The statement calls for Palestinian Christian unity in the Holy Land and reaffirmed the Palestinian steadfastness to remain on the land despite the years of displacement and amidst an ongoing genocide. The statement also highlights the critical importance of the Church’s role in Palestine, calling on the Church to be both a source of spiritual strength and a source of practical support and solidarity. 

Dear God, help us remain resolute in our steadfastness and resilience. Teach us new ways of being in solidarity with one another and with our neighbours. Renew the faith of our people and the Churches all over the world, that they may be instruments of your revolutionary love. Lord, as we struggle for justice, deliver us from the temptation of overcoming evil with evil. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

The United Nations documented 95 Israeli attacks on school buildings in Gaza between 6 October and 15 December. 61 of these attacks occurred in northern Gaza. Gaza’s schools are filled with hundreds of displaced people seeking shelter.

God, help us to not turn our eyes and hearts from the suffering of our brothers and sisters. We confess our inability to stop this genocide and for the numbness of this world that allows schools to be bombed and families to be forcefully separated.  Holy Spirit, bring comfort to the victims of oppression and strengthen our resolve to act in your liberatory love. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, a deadly Israeli raid on the Balata refugee camp near Nablus killed 2 people including an 80 year old woman. Meanwhile, settlers continue wreaking havoc in many West Bank cities and towns. In the latest incident of settler violence, settlers set fire to the Bar al-Walidain mosque in the village of Marda and wrote hateful slogans like “death to Arabs” and “Revenge” on the walls.  

God of inclusivity, we cannot keep track of the crimes committed daily in the West Bank. We cry over Balata and Marda and all places in Palestine dealing with hate and sin. Lord, illuminate to the world that that the injustices committed in Palestinian refugee camps and places of worship are part of a larger system of settler colonial violence. Hold each person and system accountable and be with the persecuted. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

This Christmas, as the world celebrates with trees and gifts, we in Palestine continue a second Christmas forgoing the usual celebrations, instead facing occupation and settler colonial violence. Furthermore, Gaza’s Christian community, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world dating back to the time of Pentecost, continue to face an existential threat as genocide continues. They face a Christmas amidst endless massacres and death. 

Emmanuel, you who were born in a stable and made your home among the oppressed. May your light pierce the darkness of violence and despair. Strengthen us to be bearers of that light, standing in solidarity with all who yearn for liberation and hope. Grant us the courage to proclaim, as Mary did, your promise to lift up the humble, to fill the hungry with good things, and to bring down rulers from their thrones. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Sabeel held its ecumenical Christmas dinner on Saturday, December 21st. The event brought together 150 members of the Christian community in Jerusalem to celebrate the birth of Jesus in an ecumenical spirit, despite ongoing suffering. Proceeds from the Christmas dinner were designated to support student funds in the city. The Christian community in Jerusalem celebrates Christmas on three different calendars: December 25th (Western calendar), January 6th (Eastern Orthodox calendar), and January 19th (Armenian Church).

 Loving God, we thank You for the joy of gathering in unity to celebrate the birth of Your Son, even amidst our challenges and pain. Bless the students who will benefit from this act of generosity, and may their paths be filled with hope and purpose. Unite all who follow You, across traditions and calendars, in the light of Christ’s love and peace.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Wave of Prayer

Dec 19th, 2024

The Israeli occupation continues committing massacres every single day in Gaza and bombing supposed “safe zones.” Just last Thursday, the Israeli occupation committed three horrific massacres, the largest of which was in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp.  

Holy God, we cry out to you as massacres in Gaza erase entire families. Even “safe zones” bring no refuge, and the hungry are struck down while seeking bread. We grieve the loss of so many lives, each one a world unto themselves—precious and irreplaceable. Though we cannot name them all, you know their faces, their stories, their dreams.  We remember your promise: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Be near to those who grieve, to the wounded, and to the weary. Intervene for the people of Gaza, oh Lord, and bring justice to the oppressed. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israel, which already illegally occupies the Golan Heights, recently seized Syria’s Mount Hernon to extend its “buffer zone” after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Along with its continuous bombing in Gaza, Israeli forces have also continued air strikes in Syria and Lebanon. 

God of all nations, you who love justice and defend the oppressed. As the Syrian people stand on the threshold of a new era, we include them in our prayers. We ask for an end to violence and peace for the country. We pray for all who suffer from occupation, war and oppression, that they may soon experience justice and peace. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Tensions in the West Bank continue to worsen. Last week, dozens of Palestinians have been detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. Raids were accompanied by assaults, threats against detainees and their families, and widespread destruction of homes and property. 

God of the Oppressed, we cry out as our brothers and sisters continue suffering under the weight of oppression. Yet you, O Lord, are a God who sees, a God who acts. We ask you to shatter all systems of violence that defy your peace.  In the face of destruction and unjust imprisonment, let the promise of freedom endure. Holy Spirit, strengthen the weary, uphold the imprisoned, and embolden the brokenhearted to hope.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Despite the suffering of our people, the Palestinian Christian community continues keeping hope alive in Palestine and Israel . This Advent season, Churches and Palestinian Christian institutions have been hosting several Christmas bazaars to support the community. Sabeel is also planning its annual ecumenical Christmas dinner, to be held this year on 21st December, 2024. 

Emmanuel, God who is with us, we thank you for the light that shines through your living stones. Despite the trials they face, they continue to keep hope alive in the land of your birth. We lift up the churches and institutions that offer support and solidarity, and we ask for your blessings on the upcoming ecumenical Christmas dinner. May it be a moment of joy, unity, and shared faith. Strengthen the hearts of those who work tirelessly to bring hope to their communities. This Advent, may the peace of Christ reign in the hearts of all, and may the light of your love break through the darkness, guiding us toward justice and freedom.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Friends of Sabeel North America recently launched a campaign to connect congregations in the United States with Palestinian Christian detainees and their families. The campaign aims to personalize and humanize the reality of thousands of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails and prisons. Congregations in the pilot will be matched to a Christian Palestinian detainee and their family members with the goal of building relationships that can be sustained. More details on how to participate can be found on FOSNA’s website

God of justice and compassion, we lift up all Palestinian detainees and their families, who endure separation, suffering, and hardship. You see their pain, and you are near to the brokenhearted. We pray for the campaign launched by Friends of Sabeel North America, that it may build lasting connections of solidarity, love, and hope between congregations and those unjustly detained. May these relationships remind each detainee and their family that they are not forgotten, and that their struggle for justice is shared by a global community. Lord, may the power of your love and justice break through the walls of imprisonment and occupation.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Sabeel joins organizations in Palestine and around the world to endorse the 2025 “Call for a Global Feminist Strike for Palestine.”  Together, we mobilize a global front demanding an immediate ceasefire, ending the apartheid and occupation of Palestine and the oppression of women.   

God of Liberation, we remember the words of Mary in the Magnifcat: “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. “(Luke 1:52-53) Hear the cries of the oppressed and the marginalized, especially the women of Palestine, who bear the weight of suffering with strength and hope. We pray for their liberation, for the breaking of chains and the end of all forms of violence, patriarchy, oppression, and injustice. Like Mary, may we trust in your promise of freedom, knowing that you are at work in the world, even in the darkest times.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We pray with the World Council of Churches for the people of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and mainland China 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. 

Wave of Prayer

December 12th 2024 

Israel continues to kill and starve civilians in Gaza. Among the casualties during Israel’s attacks last week in North Gaza was Chef Mahmoud Almadhoun, a beloved Palestinian chef and the founder of the Gaza Soup Kitchen. Chef Almadhoun was known for feeding the hungry. In the presence of famine and starvation, he crafted new dishes that served over 3,000 people and patients daily near the Kamal Adwan Hospital. Prior to his death by an Israeli sniper, he was reported saying, “We will keep serving our community, remembering that when all else has failed the Palestinians, the land did not.” 

Oh Lord, we witness death everywhere. Like the Psalmist, our souls are in deep anguish, and we cry out “how long, Lord, how long?” (Psalm 6:3) Divine Creator, who multiplies loaves and fishes (Mark 6:41), we ask you to hear the cries of the people of Gaza and sustain them in the face of mass starvation and genocide. We pray for all souls killed in Gaza. Among those lost, we remember Chef Mahmoud Almadhoun, a servant of his people who fed the hungry and nurtured hope. Holy Spirit, strengthen those who remain, comfort those who grieve, and restore the land and its people to peace.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

Last week, Amnesty International released a detailed report confirming that Israel’s actions meet the legal threshold for genocide. While many scholars, activists, and citizens across the world have already used this term to describe Israel’s war on Gaza, Amnesty International became the first major human rights organization to accuse Israel of carrying out a genocide in Gaza.  

Lord, in witnessing the endless suffering of Gaza, we echo the words of the Psalmist: “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” (Psalm 10:17). You are the God of the oppressed and the weak. We seek your intervention in the face of injustice. Lord, let those who perpetrate these crimes be held accountable. We ask for an end to the killing, an end to the suffering, and for the restoration of dignity and peace for all people.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Israel plans to confiscate more than 23,000 dunams (around 5,900 acres) in the occupied West Bank and declare it as “state” territory with the aim of illegal settlement expansion. The move is being described as the largest Israeli land grab since the Oslo Accords in 1993. Several settlements will be expanded and linked together as part of the land grab. 

O Lord, We pray for the protection of the land and all its people. We seek your intervention, righteousness, and justice for those who are oppressed. Lord, we cry out for an end to the Israeli occupation and for the cessation of the ongoing theft of Palestinian land. May justice, rooted in the principles of human dignity and international law, prevail.

Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.

On 5th December, Birzeit University students Layan Naser and Layan Kayyad were released from Israeli prison after Israeli forces abducted them from their homes in the West Bank and incarcerated them for 8 months without charge or trial. They were targeted for their organizing activities at Birzeit University, which included organizing nature walks and visiting students recently released from prison.  

God of Justice, you shatter chains and bring captives to freedom. We give thanks for the release of Layan Naser and Layan Kayyad. We hold steadfast to your divine timing, knowing the days of captivity will not last and that your light will break every darkness. O Emmanuel, as we await this day, we ask you to abide with the weary and the oppressed. We lift up in prayer all those imprisoned and held hostage, including the 3,428 Palestinian administrative detainees in Israel and the 101 Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.

This Advent season, Friends of Sabeel throughout the world continue to hold steadfast in their solidarity and commitment to leading the church towards just peace. For example, last week, Friends of Sabeel Germany and the Kairos Palestine Solidarity Network Germany issued a prophetic letter to the EKD Synod, urging stronger advocacy for justice and peace. They called for acknowledgment of the suffering in Gaza and beyond, a ceasefire, and efforts to end the occupation, highlighting the church’s role in standing with those striving for equality and peace. 

Gracious God, we give thanks for the steadfast witness of those who stand in solidarity with the oppressed. We lift up the prophetic letter from Friends of Sabeel Germany and the Kairos Palestine Solidarity Network, calling the church to act with courage and compassion. As we await the coming of the Prince of Peace, we pray that the church is called upon to speak out boldly and clearly and to act. May the light of Christ shine brightly, leading us all toward a future where peace reigns and every person is treated with dignity and respect. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Wave of Prayer

WOP Dec 2-6

Palestinian detainees are facing alarming conditions in Israeli prisons. Recent visitations to the al-Naqab and Megiddo prisons by The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs revealed that detainees were facing extreme weight loss, malnutrition, and punitive measures. Many who are detained are on administrative detention, meaning they are held without charge or trial, including around 29 Palestinian women and 270 Palestinian children. Some are battling scabies on top of suffering health conditions due to torture and beatings by prison guards.  

Emmanuel, you are the Word made flesh, God who is with us. We know you are present now with the captives and the oppressed. God of the captives, liberate all those imprisoned and have mercy on them and their families as they endure brutal punishment and torture. We pray especially for the situation at al-Naqab and Megiddo prisons. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

Last week, ceasefire talks around Gaza finally resumed in Cairo, after Qatar announced a pause to ceasefire discussions in early November. The announcement comes two days after the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel took effect. 

Sovereign God, you are the peace of the world. Even when the world seems filled with conflict and despair, we trust that you are at work, bringing hope and restoration. We continue to pray for a ceasefire in Gaza and for your justice to come to the whole world. Lord, we long for a day where all theologies of empire are replaced with the theologies of your inclusive, everlasting love. Until this day comes, strengthen our faith in your promises and to walk in your ways.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

As winter season approaches bringing in extreme cold, Palestinians in Gaza are facing horrendous conditions. In North Gaza, Israel targeted medical staff and patients, bombed homes, and abducted dozens of men from school shelters while pushing women and children out. In Central Gaza, bakeries were recently announced non-operational amid rampant starvation due to blockade. In South Gaza, two children were killed when a missile hit a tent encampment in Khan Younis, and four people were killed during a strike on Rafah.  

In this season of expectation, we await the Prince of Peace, yet our hearts are burdened by the cries of those who know no peace. Holy God, as we enter Advent, we remember the cries of the innocent. Just as the children were massacred during the reign of King Herod, the children of today are also perishing amidst violence. Come, Emmanuel, and abide with those who wait in death and despair. Bring warmth to the winter, bread to the hungry, and peace to the world and especially the land of your birth. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

As part of its ecumenical ministry, Sabeel hosted its annual clergy retreat on the 25th and 26th of November. Clergy and individuals from different Christian churches in the Holy Land gathered in Jericho to foster ecumenicism and collaboration.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to gather and work for ecumenicism, justice, and peace in the Holy Land. Holy Spirit, continue to give all who participated wisdom, renewed faith, and protection as they return to lead their communities. Be with all staff at Sabeel working tirelessly as agents of your love. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

This advent, Churches for Middle East Peace and friends are launching the “Advent not Arms” campaign in both the U.S. and UK. The campaign seeks to call on governments to halt weapons transfers to Israel, to reaffirm belief in the sanctity of life, and to push for a ceasefire and just peace in Palestine and Israel. Those interested can participate in upcoming prayer vigils, events, and actions. 

O God, who hears the cries of the oppressed, kindle in us the light of your love this Advent season. As we journey through Advent, we remember the promise of Your Son, the Prince of Peace. In this season of waiting, may we be bold in action and sumud, lifting up the sanctity of every life you have created. Holy Spirit, help us be vessels of hope and instruments of peace in the face of such devastation. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Myanmar and Thailand. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Wave of Prayer

WOP Nov 25-29

Last week, the United States vetoed yet another U.N. Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all hostages, being the only member of the 15-member council to do so. After the presidential elections, the Biden administration continues to provide full cover for Israel, including lobbying Congress to vote against a resolution that would block arms sales to Israel. 

God of Justice, we cry out against the powers and principalities that profit from oppression and favor continued suffering over a just peace for all. Holy God, liberate the hearts of those who veto peace and fill them with your light of truth and justice. Kindle the courage of nations to rise against complicity and demand an end to the slaughter of the innocent. May the Holy Spirit breathe new life into those who seek justice, breaking the chains of militarism and unyielding power.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, at least 66 Palestinians were killed and many others injured from an Israeli strike targeting a residential neighborhood near Kamal Adwan Hospital in north Gaza. North Gaza has been under heavy Israeli targeting and little to no humanitarian aid for more than a month now, severely worsening living conditions in the area.

God of Mercy, we have no words to convey our despair over the ongoing massacres and violence occurring. Lord, hear the cries of your children in Gaza, trapped in darkness without relief. We ask for your intervention against the destruction of homes and lives, against the silence of those who witness and do not act. Strengthen the hands that deliver aid, the voices that speak truth, and the hearts that hold onto hope. Teach us to love in action and to dismantle the systems that perpetuate this endless night. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. The court also issued a warrant for the Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. The official issuing of the arrest warrants came after a request was submitted in May 2024 by Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC).  

God of Accountability, in our gratitude for those who seek justice against the high and mighty, we remember the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” (Psalms 33:5) We know the road to justice is long, but we pray that the issuance of these warrants will be the first fruit of a harvest of righteousness and a step towards realizing your kingdom. Guide the steps of those pursuing truth, and strip away the excuses of those who shield wrongdoers. May impunity find no sanctuary and may your reign of justice and mercy draw near. At every step, guide us to be faithful agents of your will. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, the United Nations Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, highlighted the dire impact of the ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank on Palestinian children. The report revealed a troubling statistic that three children are being killed in the West Bank every week. 

God of the innocent, we are grieved by the death of every child caught in the evil of occupation and injustice. May your mercy flow over this Holy Land, softening hearts and guiding all toward justice. Bring comfort to grieving families, courage to those working for peace, and an end to all forms of oppression. Watch over every child, Lord, for they are your precious creations. Let your light shine in the darkness and bring peace to every corner of the earth. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, Sabeel hosted its international solidarity pilgrimage. Participants from the pilgrimage traveled throughout Palestine and Israel visiting communities under duress and participated in advocacy. 

God of Love, bless these pilgrims for their courage to see, to listen, and to advocate for justice and peace. Strengthen them as they return to their homes, that they may be voices of truth and bearers of hope in their own communities.  May your spirit of justice and love continue to inspire solidarity and bring comfort to the weary. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

We join with the World Council of Churches in the prayers for the countries of Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Wave of Prayer

November 21, 2024

A recent UN report released this month found that 70% of those killed in the ongoing war in Gaza are women and children. Overall, 44% of the victims were children, with the biggest single category aged five to nine. In 88% of cases, five or more people were killed in the same attack, pointing to the Israeli use of indiscriminate carpet bombing. U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Turk called the “unprecedented killing” a “systematic violation of international humanitarian law.” 

God of Justice, we lift our voices in lament for the innocent lives lost in Gaza caught in the horrors of violence and genocide. You who wept for the suffering of the innocent, hold close the souls of the little ones, who should have been dancing in playgrounds, not counted among the dead. Protect the life of all the children in the region and bless the land with your intervention and safety. We pray that your peace will break through the chaos, for the end of violence, and for the preservation of life above all. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, Israel forces detained 12 Palestinians during overnight raids in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that the raids targeted Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya and Salfit. Amidst mass detaining campaigns, settlers continued violent rampages. This included storming a local mosque in the Palestinian village of Marah al-Baqqar near Hebron and setting fires in the Palestinian village of Beit Furik outside Nablus. 

God of liberation, just as your Son turned over the tables in the temple in the face of desecration, so too we ask you to stand against all acts of aggression and protect the vulnerable. Let no evil deed go unnoticed by your divine justice but rather, let your light of justice extinguish the flames and shadows of destruction. Let the cries of all the captives, detained and displaced stir the hearts of the world, moving us to act with compassion, courage, and unwavering resolve. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

 Last week, United States President-elect Donald Trump identified his picks for several positions likely to shape his administration’s role regarding Palestine and Israel. One of the nominees, Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is expected to assume the position of U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch Christian Zionist and has cited the Bible on several occasions to argue that the occupied West Bank is part of Israeli territory, referring to the West Bank exclusively as “Judea and Samaria.” Other nominations, including Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Elise Stefanik as United Nations ambassador, are also known to have far-right pro-Israel stances. 

God of the Oppressed, we cry out against the theologies of empire and Christian Zionism that twist your word to justify oppression. Tear down the walls of all ideologies that seek to replace your kingdom of justice and peace with systems of radicalization and domination. We pray for repentance and guidance of those in power who weaponize your name to displace the vulnerable and harm the innocent. Awaken all hearts to your boundless love and to the truth that your promises are for all people. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

In honor of World Children’s Day on November 20th, Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP) will be hosting a webinar at 7 PM Palestine time (12 PM ET) to hear directly from Palestinian children in Gaza. To attend and learn how you can take action, you can register with this link

On World Children’s Day, we remember all the children, especially those in Gaza. For the voices that will be heard in the webinar, we pray for their protection and that their testimonies will awaken the world to action. Bless the work of organizations like Defense for Children International Palestine, who amplify these voices and call for change. Let this be a day not only of remembrance but of resolve—a global commitment to ensure every child, regardless of birthplace, lives a life free of fear, occupation, and violence.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, the United Church of Canada issued a call to support the work and recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967, and to uphold the work of the UN Secretary General, UNWRA and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The statement explicitly mentioned genocide and apartheid and urged the government of Canada to abide by international law and human rights. 

God of all nations, we give thanks for the boldness of the United Church of Canada in speaking truth to power. May their call for justice inspire governments around the world to act courageously and stand against systems of genocide and apartheid. Strengthen the UN Special Rapporteur, UNWRA, and all who tirelessly document and challenge the injustices in the Palestinian Territories. May the seeds they plant grow into a harvest of accountability and peace. Holy Spirit, let the call for justice echo until it transforms systems and hearts alike.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Friday Nov 15th, Rabbis for Human Rights and participants of Sabeel’s pre-pilgrimage tour attempted to go to Dir Jrir, east of Ramallah, to support Palestinian farmers in their olive harvest. Over 100 volunteers joined the day but were blocked by a large security team who claimed it was a “Closed Military Zone Order” for the fields they had planned to harvest in Dir Jrir.  Security vehicles and the military continued following and threatening the group of non-violent activists to leave. Just a few days before, a Rabbis for Human Rights activist group had been violently attacked by extremist settlers at the same site with the Israeli military turning a blind eye.  

God of Hope, we pray for the Palestinian farmers who work the earth under threat of violence. For those at Rabbis for Human Rights, friends of Sabeel, and all nonviolent activists, we give thanks for their courage to stand in solidarity, even in the face of military blockades and settler violence.  May the olive trees, symbols of peace and sumud, remind us of the deep roots of resilience in these communities and strengthen our resolve. Holy Spirit, give strength to the peacemakers and protect the vulnerable.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

 We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia, and the Philippines.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Wave of Prayer

Nov 11-15 

Last week, amid U.S. presidential elections, Israel officially confirmed that Palestinians will not be allowed to return to homes in northern Gaza, an area that still has hundreds of thousands of civilians unable or unwilling to follow evacuation orders.  For over a month, the Israeli Occupation Forces -IOF has obstructed most humanitarian aid and medical assistance, allowing widespread famine and diseases to spread while it continues indiscriminate bombing campaigns.  

Loving God, we lack the words to fully describe the continued suffering of the people of Gaza, who like the Psalmist, face death all day long. (Psalm 44:22) Amid famine, disease, and genocide, we know you can hear the cries of your people under the rubble of homes, from hospitals struggling to care for the wounded and sick, and from families who know not where to turn for safety. We ask you to intervene for the people of Gaza and be their shield against these unimaginable acts of violence. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with the depths of your justice and awaken the hearts of the international community that we may end the violence that has robbed people of their lives and dignity.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority stated that the Israeli forces have dropped more than 85,000 tons of bombs on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, surpassing the amount dropped during World War II. The Authority added in a statement that “the ongoing Israeli shelling of the Gaza Strip has led to the destruction of vast areas of agricultural land and the contamination of soil with toxic chemicals that will hinder farming for decades.”  

Creator of the Earth, we grieve for the people of Gaza which have borne the weight of violence, and for the generations to come who may never know the land as it was. Lord, we lift up those who have cared for and loved this land for centuries, who are now left without the means to plant, to grow, or to reap. We pray for the families who relied on the soil for their sustenance, for the children who will be denied its harvest, and for all whose heritage and hopes are bound to this earth. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israel sentenced 70-year-old Sheikh Jamal Mustafa, an imam of a mosque in the al-Issawiya neighborhood of Jerusalem, to three years in prison for “incitement to terrorism.” Israeli authorities have also imprisoned two other imams in Jerusalem on similar charges. Unfortunately, the crackdown on religious figures in the region is nothing new. In August, the Israeli occupation banned Grand Mufti and preacher of the al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, from entering Al Aqsa for six months. Sheikh Sabri was arrested the same month after Israeli forces raided his home in the al-Sawana neighborhood of East Jerusalem. He was later released. 

God of Freedom, protect those who worship amid fear, and grant courage to those barred from sacred spaces. Soften the hearts of those in power, that they may choose mercy over oppression. Bring peace to every street and let justice flow through the land. May all worship in freedom and safety, and may peace and dignity be restored to all.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Qatar suspended its mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza until the parties “show their willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war and the ongoing suffering of civilians.” Over the last few months, there has been evidence indicating Netanyahu’s plans of thwarting any ceasefire agreement, and due to the impasse of talks, a top member of Israel’s negotiating team for the release of the hostages had already resigned.  

God of Peace, with no ceasefire in sight, we live in fear of this situation of instability and the spreading of violence across the region. In a world where belief in international law and human rights has been shattered, we ask you to bring light and healing to us. Lord, bring willingness and urgency to those in power to end the suffering of civilians and pursue a vision of human rights. Renew the spirit of all who seek accountability, and soften all hearts that peace may prevail and suffering may end.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, the Israeli Knesset on 6 November voted for a collective punishment law that allows authorities to deport family members of Palestinians who carry out armed operations against Israelis to the Gaza Strip and “other locations.” Parents, siblings, children, and spouses would be targeted by the law. They can also be deported on the basis of expressing “support or sympathy” for the act of “terrorism” committed or for publishing “praise, admiration, or encouragement.”  

God of Justice and Compassion, we cry out for those in the Holy Land facing unjust laws and relentless oppression. We grieve for families torn from their homes and exiled. We see mothers, fathers, children stripped of their rights, their dignity trampled, and we lament for a system that punishes them for who they are. Holy Spirit, awaken the world to the suffering of those crushed beneath the weight of occupation and unjust systems. May your light shine into the darkest halls of power, and may your love bring freedom to the oppressed and courage to the persecuted.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Starting this week, many are arriving at Sabeel Jerusalem for a pre-pilgrimage tour before the actual Solidarity Pilgrimage on November 16-21.  

God of all nations, we ask you to bless those who journey to Jerusalem in solidarity and support of those under oppression and occupation. Protect them and the communities they visit, who welcome them with open hearts amidst great hardship. May their pilgrimage to Sabeel bring understanding, empathy, and a deep commitment to peace and justice. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Wave of Prayer

Nov 7th, 2024

Last week, Israel’s parliament voted to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). UNRWA has for decades provided important services for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank including East Jerusalem in addition to neighbouring Arab Countries.. The ban is expected to severely restrict UNRWA from operating to serve Palestinian refugees.

God of Refuge, we know you are present with the displaced and see the suffering of all. We thus come before you in sorrow as we witness mounting challenges and hardships facing those who have lost both home and homeland. Hear the voices of the Palestinian refugees who yearn for stability, who desire safety, who long for a future free from fear. We ask you to intervene for the protection of all UNRWA workers and the people they serve. We pray for a softening of hearts among those in power who make decisions affecting countless lives, the end to occupation, and the respect of international law. Lord, transform structures of oppression, and dismantle barriers to justice.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week was filled with non-stop massacres and carpet bombing in North Gaza. In one strike in Beith Lahiya alone, at least 93 Palestinians were killed or missing and dozens wounded. Meanwhile, Israeli troops raided Kamal Adwan hospital and assaulted patients and medical staff after bombing cuts oxygen supplies to vulnerable children. The people of North Gaza have received little to no aid, medicine, food and fuel since the blockade on the north began at the beginning of October. 

God of Justice, in witnessing such death and violence on the innocent, we cry out with the Psalmist: “O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, ‘The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.’” (Psalm 94:3,6-7) Hear the cries of those in North Gaza, Lord, whose suffering is immense and whose pain goes unseen by many. Strengthen them in their despair and hold them close in their vulnerability. Let your justice shine forth so that no cry of the oppressed nor deed of the wrong doers goes unanswered. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israeli forces arrested at least 10 Palestinians on Tuesday during dawn and morning raids across various provinces, including Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Jerusalem. The arrests have been characterized by widespread raids and violent treatment of detainees, including severe beatings and threats against both the arrested individuals and their families, along with destruction of property. Since October 2023, the total number of Palestinians detained by Israel in the West Bank has surpassed 11,500 with thousands held with no charge or trial.  

Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We seek comfort in you as we pray for those kidnapped, detained, and abused. Holy Spirit, console the thousands of current detainees and console them and their families. Holy God, we ask you to break the bonds of violence and occupation and to let your love be known even in the depths of suffering. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, South Africa submitted over 700 pages documents of to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) offering “undeniable evidence” of acts of genocide committed in Gaza by the Israeli army and statements by authorities that carry genocidal intent. The evidence will show that undergirding Israel’s genocidal acts is the special intent to commit genocide, a failure by Israel to prevent incitement to genocide, to prevent genocide itself and its failure to punish those inciting and committing acts of genocide. 

God of Truth, we pray for wisdom and strength for those seeking justice on behalf of the suffering. Guide the hearts and minds of those in power, that they may see clearly and act with fairness and compassion. May the truth bring healing, accountability, and the seeds of peace. We pray for an end to acts of harm and for a world that values each life. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, a coalition of Black faith leaders from across the United States held a press conference to share firsthand accounts following their FOSNA/Sabeel delegation visit to Palestine. Drawing on their historical fight against Jim Crow and racialized oppression, they speak to the parallels between these struggles and the racialized discrimination against Palestinians in a system of Jewish supremacy. The video is available to watch using this link

God of Solidarity, we thank you for the voices that speak out against oppression and stand in unity with those who suffer. Bless these leaders and all who work to bridge divides with courage and empathy. May their witness inspire change and lead to a future where liberation belongs to all. Holy Spirit, we ask you to continue protecting the entire Sabeel community and to lead our hearts and minds so we can serve where we are most needed. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayer for the countries of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Wave of Prayer

32 of October

Last week, the Israeli army published the names of six Al Jazeera journalists, claiming they were Hamas operatives. The six journalists accused by Israel are the only remaining journalists in North Gaza currently reporting on the ethnic cleansing campaign occurring in Jabalia. Since October 2023, at least 128 journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. 

  • God of the Suffering, in our despair, we recognize the words of the Psalmist, who cries out to you of the injustice done by the wrong doer: “They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, ‘Who will see it?'” (Psalm 64:3-5) In our distress, we know you will see all. Guard the truth-seekers and the innocent in Gaza as they endure these cruel schemes. Strengthen those who stand against injustice and shield them from harm. May their courage pierce through the darkness and may your light triumph over evil. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, hundreds of far-right Israeli settlers gathered at a conference near the border of the Gaza Strip to press for the rebuilding of Jewish settlements in Gaza. The two-day conference, organized by far-right settler group Nachala and held under the slogan “Gaza is Ours Forever,” was attended by several government ministers and Knesset members. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Givr, during a speech at the conference, called for the expulsion of Gaza’s Palestinian population to other countries. 

  • Creator God, we cry out to you in anguish as voices of hatred and destruction rise once more. Lord, we name the injustice: those calling for the expulsion of Palestinians, the erasure of homes, and the pursuit of domination. Help us to embrace the truth that all your children are made in your image, worthy of life and dignity. We ask for the strength to never grow weary in the fight for justice until freedom and dignity belong to all. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israeli raids continued in the West Bank. One of these raids included the town of Halhul, north of Hebron, where soldiers used live ammunition and sound bombs on Palestinians in the town and injured a child. Soldiers also stormed the Old City of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, killing an 11-year-old Palestinian boy during their raid. Meanwhile, settlers continued their violence throughout the West Bank, including destroying electricity sources to the village of Yasuf, east of Salfit.  

  • Compassionate God, we pray for the communities affected by the recent Israeli raids, particularly in Halhul and Nablus. We ask for your healing touch upon all those injured and for the families of those who have been killed because of this unimaginable violence. We beseech you to grant wisdom and courage to all those working for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. May the hearts of those perpetuating violence be softened and may the needs of those living under occupation and settler violence be met as they find strength in unity and resilience. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Father Gustavo Gutierrez passed away at age 96. A Peruvian Catholic priest known as the champion and father of Christian liberation theology, Father Gustavo deeply influenced church doctrine and practice in Latin America. His teachings and example also influenced movements throughout the world. When Gutierrez turned 90 in 2018, Pope Francis wrote him a letter thanking him for his contributions to “the Church and to humanity, through your theological service and your preferential love for the poor and the discarded of society”. 

  • Merciful Creator, we thank you for the wisdom, courage, and unwavering love that Father Gustavo shared with the world. May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus give comfort to his family and loved ones. Holy Spirit, help us embody liberation theology in the way Father Gustavo did. Bless us with the humility and steadfastness to always walk alongside “the poor and the discarded of society” and to challenge the theology of empire wherever it takes root. We ask that you use each of our unique gifts and talents to carry forward Father Gustavo’s legacy. May we strive to fulfill your vision of a world where the dignity of all creation is honored. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Because of ongoing developments on the ground, Sabeel Jerusalem recently reconfigured the format of the previously announced conference and preconference tour in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, “Challenging Religious Extremism.” Sabeel Jerusalem is excited to re-announce the conference as “a Solidarity Pilgrimage”, to take place on November 16-21, 2024 (with Pre-Pilgrimage Tour on November 10-16). The Solidarity Pilgrimage will put the principles of Palestinian Liberation Theology into practice as we visit, accompany, and listen to Palestinian communities that are suffering ever-escalating injustices. Though these events are being reconfigured to be more action-oriented than conceptual, the conference’s original subject matter, the concern with religious extremism, will still be integrated into the program, including in debriefings and discussions from scholars and activists in the evenings. 

  • As we embark on this Solidarity Pilgrimage next month, we thank you for the opportunity to walk alongside our brothers and sisters. May our hearts be open to listening, learning, and witnessing the struggles faced by those who suffer injustices. Holy Spirit, guide our steps as we put the principles of Palestinian Liberation Theology into action at and beyond the pilgrimage.  Protect all in the Sabeel community as they journey to and from the Holy Land. Merciful Creator, bring healing and liberation of all who are oppressed. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, over 2000 Palestinian Christians celebrated the Feast of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine, the main patroness of the Diocese of Jerusalem. His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the yearly celebrations with a Solemn Mass and procession at the Shrine of Our Lady in Deir Rafat. Among those celebrating in prayer were clergy, religious men and women, Seimnarists, Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulcher, the Knights of Malta, students from the Christian schools of Jerusalem, and faithful from various parishes of the diocese. 

  • Loving God, we give gratitude for your protection over our brothers and sisters as they prayed during this sacred time. We pray alongside them as we ask the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts with courage, faith, and love. Holy Spirit, help us walk in the path of the Queen of Palestine as she did in the days of Nazareth. Like the Virgin Mary, teach us to listen attentively to your voice and be faithful servants of your will. In the face of adversity, we pray for the triumph of truth and justice in the Holy Land. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayer for the islands of Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer