The Custos of the Holy Land as part of its traditional collection for Good Friday is fundraising for Schools in the Holy Land. This is the result of the Pope’s wishes for the bond between all the Christians in the world and the local Christian community and the Holy sites in Palestine-Israel to remain strong. The schools in the Holy Land, which are part of the Churches, are in great financial difficulty due to the events taking place after October 7th.

□ Loving Father, may every contribution, small or big, be a blessing to the children of the schools in the Holy Land. We see how the events in Palestine are affecting our children. We are grateful for your work through the fundraisers and work of individuals, organizations, and churches. Help us Lord, participate in the works of your kingdom though we might not see it or understand it.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

On the 12^th of March, Rami Hamdan Al-Halhouli, a resident of the Shuafat refugee camp in Jerusalem, was shot and killed by Israeli police. Israeli police claim that Rami had pointed the fireworks at them, whilst Rami’s father, who was an eyewitness, claims that this is a false allegation.  Israeli Justice Ministry officials are not expecting the Israeli police to be indicted for the killing of Rami. Rami was only 12 years old.

□ God of justice, your Holy anger heals. Heal our wounded hearts, broken from the killing of Rami. We remember that you were powerless on the cross like Rami’s father in seeking justice. You know how it is to see your son killed. Lord, assure us that not only the shooter of the bullet will be held accountable, but also the policies, decision makers, and ideologies who were responsible for the killing of Rami. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer  

In the last week, Israeli police forces prevented hundreds of Palestinian Muslim worshippers from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound. Some Palestinians who attempted to enter Al-Aqsa were faced with severe beatings as a large Israeli police force permitted only women and men aged over 55. Simultaneously, Israeli settlers have stormed the compound with the protection of the Israeli army.

□ All merciful God, help us to uphold people’s freedom to express and live out their faith for what they believe. May we work for genuine tolerance by being intolerant for what is evil in all spheres of our lives. Lord, comfort those who are unable to express their faith in security and liberty this Ramadan.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

It has been more than 160 days of bombings, starvation, torture, and overall catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to UNRWA, the death toll in Gaza is higher than that of all wars around the world in the last four years. Furthermore, almost daily, aid seekers across Gaza have been killed by Israeli strikes. 

Eternal God, your love to your precious children in Gaza cannot be separated through bombs, starvation, and hatred. Lord, you breathed life into each soul in Gaza that has been taken away by evil. Help us Lord, not to commit idolatry by being fatalistic, but be witnesses that you are a good God who restores justice, loves liberation, and is the source of hope. Multiply the food and aid in Gaza as you did when feeding the 5,000.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer      

Last week, Prime minister Netanyahu announced that the military plan for a ground invasion of Rafah, where about 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering, has been approved. The UN and several countries that have supported Israel uncritically since October 7^th have warned Israel against this plan. The majority of people in Rafah are displaced Gazans who have been living through hellish circumstances.

God of the oppressed, give us sight which recognizes that although structures, governments, and empires have powers to kill, starve, ethnically cleanse, and oppress our people for years, that you are amongst us, even those who are suffering alone and abandoned. Lord, we plead for an immediate ceasefire and hold on to our faith that you are faithful and your love is everlasting.

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

Since the beginning of Lent, a network of autonomous Christian groups have been on a pilgrimage of solidarity for Gaza, also known as the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage. This group has been engaging in a prayerful show of solidarity, where people during Lent are walking the length of the Gaza Strip (41 kilometers long and 6-12 kilometers wide) advocating for an immediate ceasefire. These pilgrimages are taking place throughout Lent across 145 cities in 18 countries. 

● God of mercy, we thank you for those participating in the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages who are praying with their feet. Help us, Lord, here in Palestine, and across the world to, “walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice” (Proverbs 8:20). Let this pilgrimage be a prophetic action which bears witness to the injustice of this world and to the revolutionary love which resists against all odds. Stir in us an unwavering zeal for a ceasefire. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

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