Category: Wave of Prayers Home

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Wave of Prayers Home
Both Jewish Israeli and Palestinian activists recently marched together in Jerusalem, to protest the Israeli government’s neglect of organized crime-related violence in Israel’s Palestinian-majority cities. Since the start of this year, 16 people have been killed in organized crime-related violence in Palestinian towns and cities, including most recently a 15-year-old boy by gunfire in Nazareth. The situation is spiraling due to years of neglect, racism, and inaction by the Israeli government, leaving Palestinian citizens of Israel without adequate policing, resources, or protection.
Loving God, in times when the injustices feel great and overwhelming, you remind us that our collective pursuit for freedom is greater than fear. We worship you whenever we work together to restore dignity to the oppressed and victims of violence. Strengthen us to build and sustain this movement until justice belongs to all.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

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Wave of Prayers Home
Christmas season in Palestine and Israel continues, with Orthodox Christians celebrating last week on 7 January. On the 19th of January, Armenians in Jerusalem will celebrate Christmas. While Armenians around the world celebrate Christmas on 6th of January, Armenians in the Holy Land are the only group to mark the holiday on the 18th and 19th of the month, according to the Julian calendar.  As the Armenian community in Jerusalem celebrates Christmas, efforts to defend and preserve their land in the Old City continue through Save the ArQ.
Emmanuel, the third Christmas in Palestine bears witness to the diversity of your church and the beautiful mosaic of Jerusalem. We pray for a revolutionary and hopeful Christmas to our Armenian siblings. As we welcome your incarnation in our midst, we ask that you provide the community with continued steadfastness, hope, and courage to pursue peace in the Holy Land and beyond.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

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Wave of Prayers Home
The Israeli Knesset gave final approval to legislation that will cut electricity and water supplies to the offices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jerusalem, with the law entering into force immediately. UNRWA provides services to more than 110,000 refugees in Jerusalem alone. The attacks on UNRWA will thus continue to have devastating effects on communities already marginalized. UNRWA and UN officials condemned Israel’s decision, noting it as a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and international norms and agreements.
Good God, protect all the people of this land as they face more uncertainty and oppression.  We feel unable to do anything in the face of an empire that discards all the pretenses of human rights and international law. Answer our feeling of powerlessness with the courage of the Holy Spirit which reminds us that if only we have “faith the size of a mustard seed,” we can do much. (Matthew 17:20) Help us be better witnesses to the many refugees who suffer displacement and neglect.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

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Wave of Prayers Home
Many communities are suffering state and military violence throughout the world, from the United States to the United Kingdom to Palestine to Iran to Lebanon to Venezuela. International law continues to be ignored and discarded, with the United States recently dropping from several international bodies, including UNESCO, the WHO, the UN Human Rights Council, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Holy God, in the face of militaries and states who legitimize themselves through violence, we declare that you are the Prince of Peace. Have mercy on the powerful who dehumanize themselves through their cruelty. Until the day all is restored, help us to reclaim sanctity and holiness through ending oppression in all its forms and standing in solidarity with the marginalized.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

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Wave of Prayers Home
Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza, bombing a tent in Khan Yunis. While the military said it was targeting an “imminent threat,” the airstrikes killed a 5-year-old girl and her uncle and wounded two other children. The death toll from the airstrikes was at least 7 people.
Loving God, we put our faith that you dwell with all who are targeted by weapons and bombs. Lord, our shelter in the storm, hear the cries of the oppressed suffering from the cold, from massacres, and from aid blockades. Lord, help us to remember the oppressed and bear witness to their loss.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

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Wave of Prayers Home
Last week, Israeli forces stormed Birzeit University, using live ammunition and teargas at students and teachers and trapping at least 8,000 students inside.  Over forty people, mostly students, were injured. The raid came after students organized a solidarity event for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention. Education throughout Palestine has been facing increased repression and attacks, with Birzeit University being one of the most targeted. More than 150 Birzeit University students are currently held in Israeli prisons, while the campus continues to face repeated military raids.
Holy God, although the powers of empire may kill, imprison, assault, and silence, we declare that you are sovereign and that your righteousness and love for humanity conquers all. We pray for the students of Birzeit and all students and educators who bear witness to injustice. Hold all partakers and enablers of injustice accountable. Help us to build a world where everyone has the right to learn in dignity and freedom.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

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Wave of Prayers Home

Sabeel’s first online Thursday Service for 2026 begins on 8th January at 6 PM Palestine time featuring Rev. Don Wagner. Those interested in attending the weekly services can register at tinyurl.com/sabeelworship. Playbacks of Thursday Services can be found weekly on Sabeel’s newsletter, at tinyurl.com/sabeelnewsletter. 

God of light, we thank you for the unity of our movement, functioning as one body with many parts. We pray for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit as we meet weekly to discern your Gospel and humbly make sense of it in the face of empire’s oppression today. Through our discussions and bible studies, strengthen us to be active agents of your liberation and love.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

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Wave of Prayers Home

Last week, 201 Jewish extremists stormed the Al Aqsa mosque compound in morning and evening incursions. Israeli police and soldiers accompanied the intruders offering them protection. Under the status quo, non-Muslims may visit the site in coordination with Mosque authorities but not allowed to perform religious practices. Therefore, actions by Israeli officials to illegally storm the site are an attempt to provoke Palestinians and cause fear among them that Israel intends to take over the site.

God of justice and peace, we pray that places of worship may never be used to justify theft, domination, or oppression. Guard holy sites from provocation and violence, and protect all who seek to pray without fear. Teach us to honor one another across faiths, to respect the law and international law, and to uphold the dignity of every people.
Let love overcome hatred, restraint replace provocation, and peace prevail over power.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

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Wave of Prayers Home

News of settler violence in the West Bank continues to be constant and horrific. Near Bethlehem, Illegal Israeli settlers, backed by army forces, injured at least 15 Palestinians and stormed a mosque. In a village near Hebron, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported that settlers killed three sheep and injured four more, smashed a door and a window of the home, and fired tear gas inside, sending three Palestinian children under the age of 4 to the hospital. Injuries, deaths, and property damage are becoming a daily and frequent reality.

Good God, we come before you grieving this news. We remember that “in arrogance the wicked persecute the poor— let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.” (Psalm 10:1-2) In the face of injustice, we declare you are a just and righteous God who sees all evil deeds and will deliver us from our oppression. As we pray to you in lament, we ask you to be with the displaced and suffering. Help us to be better witnesses to the injustices occurring in the West Bank.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

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Wave of Prayers Home

Last week, amid the rubble of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, a cohort of 168 Palestinian doctors, received their advanced medical certifications in a graduation ceremony symbolizing their resilience and determination for life. The graduates had studied and sat for examinations while working nonstop inside Gaza’s hospitals for over two years, with many being injured, arrested, or having family members killed. The ceremony included empty chairs displaying photographs of healthcare workers killed during the war.

Holy God, we give thanks to the doctors and healthcare workers of Gaza who teach us how to love. Be with them and protect them and their families as they work tirelessly to rebuild. May their example ignite in us a determination to show life and hope to others.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer