Sabeel is immensely sad with the sudden passing of our dear friend Eric Merx. Eric was a good friend of Sabeel who often worshiped with us, attended meetings, and helped us with several projects. Last Christmas, Eric helped Sabeel support many Palestinian families in need. Thanks to him, over 100 families were able to access food and cover basic bills. This all-bears testament to his loving and generous heart. Sabeel will dearly miss our friend.  

● Loving Father, we join in mourning with Eric’s family. Comfort all who were close to Eric and assure his family that he is in your presence. We celebrate Eric’s life by continuing our mission and pray that we will continue to learn from his life and legacy. Lord, we are grateful for the ways you worked through Eric, and we were privileged to have known him. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer    

Since the 7^th of October, Israel has stepped up its arrest campaign in the occupied West Bank, and mistreatment of prisoners in its overstuffed jails. Palestinian organizations are documenting abuses by Israel and its forces in the hope that one day they will be held accountable. Several Palestinian prisoners have died in the last few months for unknown reasons. Simultaneously, the Israeli families of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas set out on a four-day march from Kibbutz Re’im to Jerusalem advocating for the release of their loved ones who are being held hostage. 

● God of the captives, we pray for all the hostages, those in Israeli prisons who are considered administrative detainees, and those held by Hamas in Gaza. Lord, protect the Israeli hostages from the Israeli bombs that are dropped in Gaza and ensure their safe and soon release. Lord, protect all Palestinians unjustly held in Israeli prisons and bring an end to their suffering. Lord, help us find a vision in our land where political strategies which use hostages as pawns cease to exist. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

An internal UN report describes widespread abuse of Palestinian detainees from Gaza in Israeli detention centers, including beatings, dog attacks, the prolonged use of stress positions and sexual assault. Moreover, some Israeli soldiers are seen enjoying the abuse of Palestinian detainees by sharing videos and photos of the torture.   

● God of life, for those humiliated, sexuality abused, tortured, and beaten, provide signs of your presence. Grant strength to those who are struggling. For those who have died, embrace them with your arms. Give courage to those who have committed horrific acts to repent and confess publicly for their crimes. Help us bring down the systems and decision makers who have caused so much torment.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

People in Gaza are waiting for the outcome of ceasefire talks while Israeli attacks, starvation, diseases, and hellish circumstances continue, affecting 2.2 million people. Children are dying of starvation in northern Gaza, and many are experiencing severe malnutrition. Aid is systematically denied from entering Gaza, especially the northern part and the aid that does make it through is at times under fire from Israel’s military.   

● God of the oppressed, the full extent of the suffering in Gaza is unknown. Lord, we come to you like the Psalmist asking “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1). Lord, we hold on to our faith that the depths of agony and pain are only truly known by you and the people of Gaza. Lord, deliver the people of Gaza and stop the starvation they are experiencing. Keep us from growing numb to the suffering that is occurring.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

On the 10^th of March, the Muslim world marked the first day of Ramadan. Ramadan is the most important month in Islam which is observed with fasting, daily communal prayers, and recitation of the Quran, amongst other practices. Nearly every year in Palestine the month of Ramadan is marked with violence, provocation, and the obstruction of the freedom of worship by the State of Isarel against the Palestinian Muslim population. 

● Holy God, we pray that all Palestinian Muslims will be able to practice their spirituality this Ramadan without restrictions and violence. We remember that our oppressors enforce rules not to protect, but to restrict. Lord, as millions fast this Ramadan let them remember the people in Gaza who are starving, and as they come together in community to break their fasts, may they be reminded of the collective strength communities possess to challenge injustices.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

Friends of Sabeel France and Christians in the Mediterranean Area issued a letter to the Churches of France and their leaders on February the 21st. This letter calls the Churches of France and their leaders to work for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the provision of essential humanitarian aid into Gaza, an end to all violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the implementation of the measures proclaimed by the International Court of Justice to prevent the act of genocide in Gaza, amongst other requests. 

● Loving God, we thank you for the work the Friends of Sabeel France and Christians in the Mediterranean Area are doing. We pray that their letter spreads across all of France so that more will work for justice. Lord, help the Churches in France rise up to this call and serve as a prophetic voice so that they may be salt and light in the world.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer  

On the 20th of February, Sabeel held a Women’s Bible study as a part of its larger program of Bible Study Groups. This meeting is intended to help Christians use the Bible as a tool to relate faith with their daily life, reflecting a core component in Palestinian Liberation Theology. 

● Word Incarnate, the scriptures are a holy witness to your nature of love and activity in history. Help the Sabeel Bible study program collectively uncover the revelation of your love and the meaning it has for all Palestinians today. Help us, cultivate a contextual theology of love and liberation.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer   

Last month, members of U.S. Congress received more than 500 olivewood hearts made and blessed in Bethlehem from the United Church of Christ. Each wooden heart represents one beating heart of the nearly 12,000 Palestinian children killed in Gaza since October 7th. The hearts were accompanied with a letter urging Congress to “raise your voice for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. True peace can only be achieved through the pursuit of justice for all parties involved.” 

● Prince of Peace, it has been over 150 days with no ceasefire. We come before you bewildered that the Western world has not exercised their power to stop the loss of so many lives, loss which will damage generations to come. Lord, bring an immediate ceasefire and give us courage and wisdom to pursue a just peace in our land.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer    

The 1st of March was the World Day of Prayer. This year, prayers were written and led by Palestinian Christian women. Our sisters, mothers, daughters, and grandmothers reflected collectively on Ephesians 4:1-6 from the context of their suffering as Palestinian Christian women, which reads, “I beg you, bear with one another in love”.

● God of Mary, Martha, and Hannah, we are grateful for the leadership and resistance of Palestinian women, a tradition that spans across centuries. We pray for all Palestinian women who are uniquely oppressed because of their ethnicity and gender. We pray especially for the women in Gaza who are victims of colonialism including sexual violence.   

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

Last week, the Israeli finance minister announced the approval of new illegal settlements in Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem, and said work would continue to authorize further settlements. This is part of a larger plan to Judaize Jerusalem.

● Holy God, we cry like you did over the hatred, corruption, and disgrace in our land. We remember the words of the Psalmist, which encouraged us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Help us bring peace to Jerusalem and all around the world by liberating it from the sins of colonialism, supremacy, and corruption.Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer