Last week, in the early hours of dawn, Israel dropped at least 4 U.S. made 2000-lb bombs on 20 tents in Al-Mawasi Khan Younis, which was a “designated safe zone.” The sheer force of the bombs created 10-meter-deep craters and caused an entire camp of tents to disintegrate. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to dig through mounds of sand and rubble to locate any remaining signs of life buried under the crater. After almost a year of death and violence, eyewitnesses say this was one of the most horrific massacres since the genocide started.  

• God of the Oppressed, we come to You burdened and grieved by the evil and destruction. We lift the people of Al-Mawasi Khan Younis, whose suffering echoes the countless cries of the displaced, the oppressed, and the forgotten. In our grief, we can only think of the words of Amos 5:24: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” We pray that the weight of injustice be lifted and that those orchestrating the destruction of a people be judged before You and the world.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Spain announced the organization of the first Spain-Palestine summit, in addition to announcing that the government will continue supporting UNWRA and putting pressure on Netanyahu at the International Criminal Court. Spain formally recognized the State of Palestine last spring.  

God of Justice, we give thanks for the voices among the nations that rise in support of the oppressed, even if it is slow moving. We pray that their efforts to seek accountability will bear fruit, as they call for justice at the International Criminal Court. Let these actions not be mere political gestures, but a true movement towards lasting justice, peace, and righteousness. Stir the hearts of all leaders and nations, that they may pursue what is right and carry Your will throughout the earth.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer  

Last week, Israeli forces killed a U.S.  activist in the occupied West Bank. Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American citizen, was killed by a shot to the head. Active as a student in advocating for the Palestinian struggle in the U.S., she came to Palestine three days prior to her death to protect Palestinian farmers with the same peace activist movement that Rachel Corrie, a U.S. citizen killed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003, was also a part of. In a statement following her death, her family wrote: “Like the olive tree she lay beneath where she took her last breaths, Aysenur was strong, beautiful, and nourishing […] an Israeli investigation is not adequate. We call on Biden, Harris, and Blinken to order an independent investigation.”  

Dear God, we come before You in grief and sorrow for the loss of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a victim of empire violence and hate. We lift up her family, praying for solace and strength as they navigate this unimaginable pain. As we mourn beside them, fill us with the same courage that moved Aysenur Ezygi Eygi, Rachel Corrie, Aaron Bushnell, Shireen Abu Akleh, and many others who, in witnessing injustice, remained as strong and unmoving as the olive trees. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with the fire of Your wrath, just as You were filled with it when You confronted Cain, saying: “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). May we, too, hear the cries of the oppressed and respond with unwavering conviction, guided by Your justice and love.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer  

Last week, as the school year begins for many around the world, it was projected that at least 625,000 students in Gaza are set to miss the start of the school year. In addition to losing a full academic year since October, Palestinian students now face the loss of an additional year and loss of access to education. Since 7 October, nearly 10,000 students and more than 400 teachers and staff have been killed by Israel. More than 85% of school buildings have been damaged or directly hit. All 12 of Gaza’s universities have been bombed or destroyed.  

Great Teacher, lay a blanket of protection over children who cannot attend school and to the teachers who have lost students and cannot teach due to genocide and illness. Despite the difficulties, we have witnessed Palestinians in Gaza maintain their curiosity and creativity, creating opportunities for their community to learn and seek joy amidst violence. Holy God, continue to bless the work of community leaders, students, and organizations in Gaza. Watch over them so that they may have futures filled with promise, peace, and freedom.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer  

Last week, Euromed reported that 10% of Gaza’s total population, or approximately 120,000 people, have been killed, injured, kidnapped, or disappeared by Israel. This number is likely underreported, as other sources such as from reputable British medical journal Lancet have estimated a death toll of at least 186,000. Furthermore, Gaza officials revealed that over 70% of Palestinians killed by Israel were women and children.   

Lifegiving Creator, we cannot fathom the stench of death surrounding Gaza. As we grieve for the victims who are denied the dignity of a proper burial and for the countless lives reduced to mere statistics, we ask You to hold each soul in Your tender care. Grant us the strength to remember their names, their stories, and their humanity. Holy Spirit do not allow us to be numb to the suffering, violence, and death of the people of Gaza, but rather, move us to be even more active in our resistance against injustice.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer  

Last week, a joint report from The Palestinian Prisoner Society and the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees highlighted a widespread outbreak of scabies among Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, namely in Negev, Megiddo, Nafha, and Ramon. They attributed this outbreak to the retaliatory measures imposed by the prison administration on prisoners and detainees after October 7. Among those affected are child prisoners in Megiddo prison. They reported on the deprivation of necessary cleaning materials, restricted access to water, poor ventilation, and the deliberate transfer of infected prisoners from one section to another has accelerated the spread of the infection among the incarcerated.    

Our Father, as our hearts break at the sight of human dignity stripped and defiled, we find comfort in the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.” (Psalm 69:33) O Bringer of Justice, we ask for healing for our brothers and sisters held captive in Israeli prisons, tortured and sick from oppression. We ask that your Holy Spirit come down upon them and be with them until their hour of Liberation. We ask this in the name of the One who was tortured, killed, and rose to save us.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer  

In Israel’s continued invasion of the West Bank, the Israeli military destroyed large segments of civilian infrastructure in the Palestinian cities of Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarem. As Israel declares the West Bank as a second war zone and the second most critical front after Gaza, Jenin has become the epicenter of Israel’s violent incursion of the West Bank. Military forces have deployed armored vehicles, bulldozers, snipers, drones, and aircraft to decimate entire communities, with at least 33 civilians already killed (including young children) by snipers and drones and 70% of streets and infrastructure destroyed.  Journalists and others are pointing out that Israel is rendering Jenin uninhabitable, and just like Gaza, all essential services like water and electricity have been cut off. IOF raids are also expanding to central West Bank areas of Ramallah and Bethlehem.  

Divine Protector, how much despair can our people take? As we lose our loved ones, our homes, and our livelihoods, we cry out before You. Grant us the strength to resist oppression with dignity and the hope to continue striving for peace. We pray for an end to the occupation and for the restoration of justice, asking that international law and human rights be upheld for all. May those in power act with compassion and fairness, and may violence give way to dialogue and reconciliation. End the injustice that plagues our land, and bring forth a just and lasting peace.  

Lord in Your mercy… hear our prayer.  

Last week, New York University (NYU) declared the category of “Zionist” as a protected class, equal to marginalized ethnic and religious groups. The criticism of Zionism now counts as a discriminatory act and prevents any “discriminatory comment” to be made against anyone identifying as Zionist. NYU, like many univeristies, recently adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism which similarly equates any criticism with Israel as antisemitism. Meanwhile, while scholasticide rages on in Gaza, many students worldwide began their first week of classes protesting their universities’ complicity in genocide. Universities like the University of Michigan have already begun brutal crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators, arresting many and deploying mass surveillance methods.  

God of Truth, as we witness our institutions and leaders fail to protect the most vulnerable and weaponize identities to continue profiting from war and violence, we are grateful for the students and young people who refuse to accept this unjust world. In their resistance to systems of domination, they are imagining a new world, one in which Your goodness and light reign. Lord, give courage to the students so that they may continue being bearers of truth and instruments of Your liberating love. Give wisdom to the leaders with hardened hearts, so that they may repent from their self-righteousness and listen to the voices of the young people.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Sabeel welcomed an interfaith delegation, consisting of Christians for Ceasefire, Muslims for Ceasefire, Rabbis 4 Ceasefire, and Hindus for Human Rights. The delegation is visiting communities all over Palestine and Israel to accompany those under attack and draw attention to need to defend human rights and withhold international law.

Holy God, we thank you for the opportunities to share our stories and support our communities during this difficult time. We are grateful for the delegations that come to witness and advocate, despite their own fears of their safety being in the region. We ask You to protect them and make them agents of Your love and justice. Fill Sabeel’s staff members, volunteers, and friends with strength and humility so that they may continue being faithful servants of Your will amidst the hatred and violence.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir continued inflaming religious tensions by calling to alter the status of the Al Aqsa mosque, advocating for building a synoguge inside the mosque. While he has led incursions into Al Aqsa with illegal Israeli settlers and called for allowing Jewish prayers at the site, this is the first time for the minister to openly speak about building a synagogue at the site. Over the last few months, Ben Givir has enjoyed protections from the Israeli police who are under his jurisdiction while he violated the legal and historical status of Al Aqsa. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry warned of grave consequences from Ben-Gvir’s call, citing it as is an explicit and public call to demolish Al-Aqsa and build the alleged temple in its place. 

Lord of All Creation, we reject the actions of those who misuse faith to promote hatred, exclusion, and violence. Protect Jerusalem from those who seek to undermine its diversity and disrupt its peace. We especially ask for Your guidance to respect and preserve the status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque, ensuring that this holy site remains a place of peace and prayer for our Muslim community. Empower all people of conscience to speak out against hatred and discrimination, and to defend international law.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer