The student encampments for Palestine continue to increase around the globe. Although many students, lecturers, and professors have been subject to violence, arrests, threats, and slander, several universities have agreed to divest from Israel or are considering it. Many student encampments have shown strong community building as they have shared food, COVID tests, reading materials on Palestine, and interfaith services. These student movements are shaking up the world.

● Incarnated God, we thank you for the student movement for Palestine who are like the persistent widow who bothers unjust judges. Lord, we are grateful for the movement that is showing unwavering faith and causing the powerful to tremble, mountains to move, and inspiring millions. Lord, illuminate to us where we can bear witness in our lives through creative resistance. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

Last week, the Israeli forces demolished 47 homes in al-Naqab, sending those families into permanent exile and with no promise of alternative housing. The homes demolished belonged to the Abu Asa family. This is one of the largest demolitions in years for the Palestinians in al-Naqab.

● God of protection, in times of trouble we look to you as our shelter through the storm. Lord, restore the homes of the Abu Asa family and all Palestinians who have had their homes demolished. As we pray to you in lament may we remember that “the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2) 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

On the 30^th of April, Kairos-Sabeel Netherlands and the Christian Collective occupied the office of the Christian Union in the Netherlands. This was to demand from the Christian Union in the Netherlands to stop their support for Israel’s military operations, ensure sufficient aid into Gaza, and to engage with their critics in meaningful dialogue. 

● God of inclusivity, we are thankful for all our friends who are challenging unjust and corrupt structures. Lord, help the movement of liberation, justice, and peace in the Netherlands to call for repentance for the active and complicit role the Church in the Netherlands has taken in the ongoing Nakba Palestinians are facing. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer  

On the 23^rd of April, Kairos Palestine and Global Kairos for Justice Coalition issued a statement titled “A call for global Action and solidarity on Nakba Day May 15th, 2024: Israel’s Continuing Apartheid, Ethnic Cleansing, forcible displacement and now Genocide”. This statement calls on Churches, the International Community, and all other groups to use language which reflects the true realities on the ground and to act.   

● God of truth, help us discern the Kairos of our time so that we can bear true witness to your presence with those crucified today. Lord, help our movement maintain mutual love united for one common purpose which is led by the Holy Spirit. Remind us that our capability does not come from ourselves but “our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer   

On the 15th of May, Palestinians around the world mark Nakba day. This day commemorates the Nakba as it is the beginning of the Palestinian people’s dispossession of their peoplehood, land, identity and culture. Although the events of 1948 completely changed the Palestinian reality, the Nakba is not an event but a structure, hence, the Nakba is ongoing. The current genocide in Gaza, the violence in the West Bank and Jerusalem, the realities of Palestinians in historic Palestine, and the refugees in the diaspora, all stem from the ongoing Nakba.

● God of Sumud, we the children of this land have been facing erasure for more than 76 years. The experience of oppression and death continues from our ancestors to our children and now more than ever we ask: for how long O Lord? Help us understand that every life destroyed from settler colonialism is itself a Nakba. We thank you for the Holy Spirit which manifests in the form of Sumud helping us to keep our humanity, our identity, our fight for justice, and our faith.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer    

Earlier last week, Hamas accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediated cease-fire proposal. After the acceptance of Hamas, the Israeli military began bombing Rafah and fighting broke out at the border of Rafah. Many have been killed, including children. Humanitarian aid entering Gaza from Rafah has completely halted. Rafah hospitals are shutting down and according to UNRWA over 110,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah. The true extent of suffering in Rafah is unknown; all eyes on Rafah.

● God who was, and is and is to come, like Jesus, our souls are overwhelmed with sorrow by the actions of the empires. The present circumstances seem to have no end in sight. The experience of loss and pain will remain with us until we die. Lord, ensure us that you are present with those suffering in Rafah and that you see all evil deeds whether they are in the light or in the dark. Lord, teach us how to lament so that we can actively work for an alternative reality.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

The mass student protests in the United States are continuing. Despite facing detention, suspension, arrest, and other punishments, thousands of students have remained steadfast in their demands for a ceasefire, divestment from Israeli universities and companies that profit form the Israeli occupation, and the end of Palestinian oppression. In response, students have been met with military-style crackdowns and assault from Zionist groups.

● Divine creator, we thank you for the students who are acting as good Samaritans working to end Palestinian suffering. Lord, give discernment to these protestors to continue keeping the people in Gaza the focus of the movement and not succumb to the pressures of those attempting to of derail their cause. Lord, block any attempt to disrupt the demands of the students whether by slander or violence and keep the movement going which is shaking up the world.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer    

On the 4^th of May, Palestinian Christians and the Orthodox Christian world marked Sabt al-Nour, which symbolizes Christ’s victory when he descended to hell. Whilst the origins of Sabt al-Nour are unknown, the day has become an indigenous Palestinian Christian practice potent with meanings of faith, justice, liberation, and victory. Sadly, the day was tainted with Israeli police violence which injured one of the Sabeel staff who attempted to receive the Holy Fire. Moreover, for the first time in history, the Holy Fire did not reach those celebrating in Gaza.  

● God of light, ignite in us a Holy Fire which consumes any impurities, fears, self-doubt, pride, so we may bear witness to the living Christ. Lord, remind us not to focus on the tomb of Christ, for it is empty, but focus on the mission to spread the liberating fire of the Holy Spirit, even if there are checkpoints and empires in our way.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

On Thursday the 9^th of May, Sabeel will be holding a special joint English and Arabic zoom service titled “Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness: Orthodox Easter & Ascension Day”. This service marks Ascension Day for the Western Church and Easter for the Eastern Church and will include reflections from Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek, Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah, and Archbishop Atallah Hanna.

● God of love, we thank you for the leadership and actions of Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek, Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah, and Archbishop Atallah Hanna who are part of the prophetic tradition of Palestinian Christianity. Lord, illuminate that your ascension, resurrection, and triumph happened brings good news with the oppressed and those crucified by the empire. Help us understand that if we are to be witnesses to your resurrection and ascension in our land, we ought to descend to the depths of suffering of the Palestinian people and proclaim liberation and peace.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer     

On the 5th of May, Israel shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in the country and seized some of its communication equipment, prompting condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups over Israel’s restriction of press freedoms. This is yet another assault by Israel on the freedom of press since the 7th of October.

● God of truth, we thank all journalists who have given a voice to the voiceless and have given the world a glimpse of dark realities. We remember that, “everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” (John 3:20). Lord, ensure that truth and freedom of press will be restored so that liberation, justice, and peace can be achieved.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer