During previous Israeli aggressions against Gaza, Israeli authorities refrained from demolitions in East Jerusalem to “ease tensions”. However, the pace of demolition by Israel against Palestinians has increased since October, with a 60% surge in demolished homes reported in 2023. Moreover, Israel has increased its demolitions of homes in unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Naqab desert. 

Loving God, our shelter through the storm, may those who are left with nothing, know that they are not forgotten. We ask for the provision of resources so that people’s needs are met. Lord, replace every demolished home with a new home in a liberated land. Lord, provide all Palestinians their daily bread and deliver us from evil. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

On the 12^th of January, after the success of the “Emmanuel” play in Jerusalem and Ramallah, Sabeel in collaboration with Youth of Jesus Homeland, and a professional theater production team, held the play in Bethlehem. Around 300 people attended the play. This play, along with many other voices represents a contextual and meaningful understanding of Christ’s incarnation with the current reality in Palestine. 

Emmanuel, we thank your Holy Spirit who is working creatively to share messages of love, liberation, justice, and steadfastness. We know that you see the hard work of those who made these plays possible. May you reward them with an increase of creative resistance against structures of oppression, bearing true witness to the incarnated Christ who humbles rulers and lifts up the oppressed. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

Last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) heard the arguments for and against the motion that Israel is committing genocide in its war on Gaza. South Africa filed the lawsuit in December, in a move welcomed by several countries amid a global chorus for a ceasefire in Gaza. Since the 7^th of October, more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more injured. The UN Chief has called Gaza a “graveyard for children”.

God of truth, whilst we pray for truth to be exposed and international law to be implemented, we remember that true change requires moral and spiritual transformation. We pray for an increase of voices in all avenues, whether on the streets or in the ICJ, to call for an immediate ceasefire and holding injustice accountable. Lord, we are grateful for the beautiful solidarity of South Africa, who are showing us political love.        

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

Currently, there are 8,800 Palestinians in Israeli jails, including 3,291 Palestinians detained without charges. The Israeli arrests were concentrated in the governorates of Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tubas. Furthermore, according to the Commission and the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS), 23-year-old prisoner Abdul Rahman Al-Bahsh from Nablus has died due to severe torture in Megiddo prison. This marks the seventh Palestinian detainee to die in 12 weeks in Israeli prisons. 

Merciful God, grant all Palestinians, incarcerated unjustly, deliverance, justice, and restoration of honor. Give hope and courage to them and their families in their times of suffering. Let the truth shine through the darkness of deception and may those responsible for their unjust incarceration be held accountable. Heal all oppressed and oppressors from the corruption of evil since everyone, although on various levels, suffers from sin, knowingly or not.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

Following the success of the “Emmauel” theater play in Jerusalem, Sabeel Jerusalem, Youth of Jesus’ Homeland Palestine (YJHP), and the theater production team, held another show in Ramallah. At least 700 people attended the play ranging from all walks of life. The play reflects creatively on the current situation while also focusing on the hope that “God is with us” in the birth of Christ.    

Emmanuel, God with us, we thank you for the efforts and leadership of those who attempt to contextualize the Christmas message to our current reality in Palestine. May the Holy Spirit inspire the attendees to be prophetic, courageous, to foster unity and resilience. May the message of hope and the call for justice be communicated in all spaces and methods, reaching all people and all places.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

On the 7^th of January, the Orthodox Christian world celebrated Christmas Day. Christmas Day is usually marked by Orthodox Christians as a day for feasting and enjoying the company of friends and family members. The Christmas meal usually includes meat and several types of pastries, breaking the long “Nativity Fast”. Furthermore, special liturgies and prayers are made in honor of Christ’s incarnation.

Emmanuel, as the Christian Orthodox world celebrates Christmas, let them center on the real and revolutionary message of Christmas. As gifts are given on Christmas, let us remember the words of Saint Nicholas, “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic Gods giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.” Here in Palestine, we await the gift of liberation from oppression, justice from injustice, peace from war, life from death. Let us imitate God’s gift by giving all oppressed peoples around the world the gift of liberation.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

In the closing week of 2023, Israeli settlers hung a “donkey’s head” on a grave in the Bab al-Rahma cemetery in the old city of Jerusalem. The Bab al-Rahma is an ancient Muslim cemetery that has been an endowment property for more than 1,400 years. It contains numerous graves of notable companions of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad and is considered sacred for many in Palestine and around the world. This marks another religious desecration of non-Jewish sites in Jerusalem in recent years.

Lord Christ, aid us in overcoming the sin of racism in individuals, communities, social and civil institutions, and structures of power. We pray for our Palestinian Muslim brothers and sisters in Jerusalem who face harassment and violence, especially in sacred sites. Move our hearts so that we may move our feet to action.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

On the 2nd of January, a drone attack hit a building in Beirut. This resulted in the killing of several senior Hamas leaders, including Saleh al-Arouri, a former leader of the Qassam Brigades and member of the political bureau of Hamas who coordinated the group’s military and political activities outside the Gaza Strip. This attack has caused great fear of further escalation in the current situation in Palestine-Israel and the wider Middle East. 

God of might, the actions of empires, structures, and other political powers have resulted in the loss of so many lives. We are fearful of what is to come since violence begets violence. Lord, we cry out to you for an immediate ceasefire to halt further lives being lost and for access to aid for those in need.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer    

In the final days of 2023, South Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa alleges that Israel’s conduct since October 7^th in Gaza violates its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. South Africa and Israel will deliver oral arguments in public hearings on January 11th and 12th regarding genocide charges before the ICJ.

God the royal judge, we know that truth is the source of liberation and lies are the source of oppression. We pray that your holy light will be revealed at the hearings before the ICJ. In these overwhelming times, we pray for the gift of discernment by the Holy Spirit to help us possess wisdom and understanding. We have faith that “the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us” (Isaiah 32:22). 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

Israeli media has reported last week that Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for plans to implement “voluntary migration” of the Palestinians in Gaza to other countries. Netanyahu made the comment during a closed-door parliamentary session for his ruling Likud Party lawmakers. Danny Danon of the Likud Party said during the session that there are countries that raised this issue in return for payments.

• God of Mary and Martha, we are witnessing unspeakable evil and great fear of what is to come. The nightmare of 1948 is forever haunting us. Lord, help us resist and struggle the righteous fight for our people, for the oppressed, bearing true witness to our God, true witness to our native land.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer