Last week, Israeli raids continued in the West Bank. One of these raids included the town of Halhul, north of Hebron, where soldiers used live ammunition and sound bombs on Palestinians in the town and injured a child. Soldiers also stormed the Old City of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, killing an 11-year-old Palestinian boy during their raid. Meanwhile, settlers continued their violence throughout the West Bank, including destroying electricity sources to the village of Yasuf, east of Salfit.  

• Compassionate God, we pray for the communities affected by the recent Israeli raids, particularly in Halhul and Nablus. We ask for your healing touch upon all those injured and for the families of those who have been killed because of this unimaginable violence. We beseech you to grant wisdom and courage to all those working for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. May the hearts of those perpetuating violence be softened and may the needs of those living under occupation and settler violence be met as they find strength in unity and resilience. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, hundreds of far-right Israeli settlers gathered at a conference near the border of the Gaza Strip to press for the rebuilding of Jewish settlements in Gaza. The two-day conference, organized by far-right settler group Nachala and held under the slogan “Gaza is Ours Forever,” was attended by several government ministers and Knesset members. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Givr, during a speech at the conference, called for the expulsion of Gaza’s Palestinian population to other countries. 

• Creator God, we cry out to you in anguish as voices of hatred and destruction rise once more. Lord, we name the injustice: those calling for the expulsion of Palestinians, the erasure of homes, and the pursuit of domination. Help us to embrace the truth that all your children are made in your image, worthy of life and dignity. We ask for the strength to never grow weary in the fight for justice until freedom and dignity belong to all. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, the Israeli army published the names of six Al Jazeera journalists, claiming they were Hamas operatives. The six journalists accused by Israel are the only remaining journalists in North Gaza currently reporting on the ethnic cleansing campaign occurring in Jabalia. Since October 2023, at least 128 journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. 

• God of the Suffering, in our despair, we recognize the words of the Psalmist, who cries out to you of the injustice done by the wrong doer: “They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, ‘Who will see it?'” (Psalm 64:3-5) In our distress, we know you will see all. Guard the truth-seekers and the innocent in Gaza as they endure these cruel schemes. Strengthen those who stand against injustice and shield them from harm. May their courage pierce through the darkness and may your light triumph over evil. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Sabeel hosted two delegations. They traveled across East Jerusalem and the West Bank, bearing witness to the stories of communities under duress on the ground. They will return back to their home countries this week with renewed commitment and advocacy. 

Gracious God, we give thanks for the two delegations that Sabeel hosted. We are grateful for the stories they heard, the connections they made, and the courage they showed in being present with those living under occupation. As these delegates prepare to return to their communities, we pray for their safety and for the Holy Spirit to bless them in their important work back home. May the experiences they have witnessed take root deeply in their hearts. We pray for the communities they leave behind, that they may feel uplifted by the presence of those who stand in solidarity with them. Strengthen Sabeel in our ongoing mission to foster hope, healing, and justice.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Reverend Sue Parfitt, a longtime friend of Sabeel, was one of the first women to be admitted into the priesthood 30 years ago. She has recently been told that her license will not be renewed because of her climate activism. Friends and supporters are spreading a petition to request that the Bishop of Bristol reinstate Rev. Sue’s permission to Officiate, renews the strong support she has previously given to Sue in her truth telling about the climate crisis over the years, and take a strong lead in demanding significant change in government policy and action on the climate crisis. Sabeel Jerusalem stand with her and ask that our community participate in signing the petition.

Loving and Just God, we lift before you our sister Reverend Sue Parfitt, who has faithfully served you for decades, proclaiming truth and justice. We give thanks for her courage, her calling, and her unwavering commitment to your creation through her activism. May her spirit remain steadfast, knowing that your justice prevails even when human institutions falter. Soften the hearts of those in leadership, including the Bishop of Bristol, that they may renew her license to serve as your faithful priest. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, the United States deployed the THAAD missile defense system and around 100 troops to Israel. Ironically, the increase in US troop presence comes at the same time that the Biden administration verbally threatened to withhold military aid to Israel. U.S. soldiers will be operating from Israeli military bases, deepening direct U.S. involvement in Israel’s war and possible participation in war crimes. 

Merciful Creator, we come before you with heavy hearts, grieving the deepening conflict and the risk of further suffering for all peoples in this region. Lord, we lift up all people caught in the crossfire—those living under occupation, those fearing for their lives, and those struggling to find hope amidst violence. We ask that your spirit of peace dwell among us. Empower the voices calling for justice and peace to rise above the noise of war. Transform the hearts of soldiers, leaders, and all in power so that they may become instruments of peace rather than participants in harm. May your will, which is peace for all people, be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, the United Nations reported that Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are facing increasing attacks from Israeli settlers and more violence from the Israeli army as the crucial olive harvest season begins. The agency documented 32 settler attacks on Palestinians and their property related to the olive harvest since early October. Around 600 olive trees have been destroyed, vandalized, or stolen by settlers, the report noted. Additionally, the army has been using war-like tactics on Palestinian farmers. One of the most notable incidents occurred when Hanan Abd Rahman Abu Salameh, a 59-year-old woman, was killed by a soldier with 10 bullets while harvesting olives near Jenin. 

Loving God, the whole of creation groans for justice and liberation. We know you care “even for the sparrows.” Yet, we continue to witness the destruction of olive trees and land, as well as the violent deaths of those caring for your creation. We ask that you would strengthen and protect Palestinian farmers and all those caring for the land of Palestine and that we would have the courage to join them in their sumud.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, an Israeli attack on Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital complex in Deir el-Balah resulted in flames engulfing a tent, sheltering many people. Four people died,including Shaban-Al-Dalou, a nineteen-year-old engineering student who was attached to an IV drip at the time, and his mother. Both were burned alive.Shaban’s father, uttered these final words to his son, “Forgive me my son, I Couldn’t save you:”

Jesus, your Mother Mary is sometimes called Our Lady of Sorrows, because she bore witness to your painful and tortuous death. Today we share in this heavy sorrow, as we grieve with Shaban’s family the horrific deaths at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Our words fail because there are no words that can do justice at this moment. Today, we echo the words of Lamentation, “[Our] eyes are worn out with tears” (2:11). Like Shaban’s father we say, “forgive us, for we have not yet been able to stop this genocide.”

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israel reported that it had killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar via a drone. Israel’s leaders have vowed to continue the war on Gaza with no end in sight. Jabalia and other areas in North Gaza have been subject to a mass extermination campaign, with thousands of civilians burned alive, starved out, and killed by snipers and drones. 

As the genocide in Gaza continues, we cry out with the Psalmist, “we face death all day long; we are considered like sheep to be slaughtered” (44:22). It is hard to find you, Jesus, at this moment, amid immense suffering and death in Gaza. Yet, we know you are there, among those who are starving, buried, burned. God of justice, we ask for an end to all forms of oppression and the courage to stand with those suffering under it.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Many Friends of Sabeel networks have been planning events to mark one year since October 7th. Canadian Friends of Sabeel is holding a webinar on November 4th, 2024 titled: “One Year Later: Our Response to Genocide and Occupation in Palestine” featuring Palestinian theologian Daniel Bannoura and Palestinian peace activist Shadia Qubti. To register either in person or online, please visit the CFOS website. 

God of justice, we thank you for the work of our friends around the world, and we pray that they may continue to be guided and protected by the Holy Spirit as they lead with prophetic action and imagination. May this event and all the advocacy efforts by Friends of Sabeel networks continue to move the Church towards compassion, peace, and justice. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer