June 12^th,2025

Palestinians in Gaza spent Eid under siege, enduring starvation and relentless war. The limited aid that is allowed in is tightly controlled at U.S.-Israeli aid distribution points. Over the past 12 days, eyewitnesses and human rights organizations report that Israeli forces have killed 110 Palestinians and injured 583 others—people who were simply waiting in line for food.

Holy God, We remember that you were born under occupation, that you broke bread with the poor, and that your table made no room for injustice but welcomed the outcast and the sinner. We lift up all who are suffering from this war, especially the children of Gaza. Wrap them in your protection. Stir the hearts of the world to rise in their defense. Let not one more life be taken in silence. May your justice break through the rubble, and may we, your people, refuse to rest until every wall of violence falls.

Lord, in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

According to the United Nations, as of June 2025, Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank have injured over 220 Palestinians. Often collaborating or receiving protection from the Israeli military, settlers have contributed directly to the continued and current forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.  

God of justice, we lift up those injured and displaced by settler violence in the West Bank. Amid ongoing attacks and oppression, may your healing presence surround the wounded and your justice dismantle systems that allow such cruelty to persist. Strengthen the resilience of those who resist displacement and stand with the oppressed. May peace and dignity prevail in the land you love.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Sabeel is welcoming multiple delegations this month, with the first delegation made of theological educators who arrived the beginning of June and are returning to their home countries this week. The delegations continue to attempt to bring hope at a time of hopelessness. 

God of accompaniment, we give thanks for the delegation participants who walked with our community this week. Bless their return home with courage to speak truth, wisdom to teach with compassion, and boldness to stand in solidarity. May each delegation that comes and goes sow deeper roots of justice, and may their witness help bring liberation closer for all.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, in honor of World Environment Day, Sabeel’s Kumi Now session featured the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN), who spoke about the importance of supporting green resistance and food sovereignty in the context of settler colonialism. With over 80% of Gaza’s agricultural land now destroyed, APN has been working to rehabilitate Gaza’s agricultural sector and restore local food systems to combat famine, counter the blockade, and build food sovereignty. The link to donate to their “revive Gaza’s farmland” campaign can be found here. 

Creator of life, we thank you for those who work the land with vision and courage. As Gaza suffers war and genocide, we pray for the renewal of what has been devastated. Bless the hands restoring local food systems, and sustain the efforts of those reclaiming the right to grow and eat freely. May the work of the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature and all who strive for food justice break through the grip of blockade and bring nourishment where there is hunger.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Members of Jerusalem Voice for Justice issued a SOS from the Holy Land, decrying Israel’s renewed siege and military escalation in Gaza. The statement condemns the weaponization of aid, warns of ethnic cleansing, and calls on the global community to act with urgency. Drawing on the Pentecost story, they urge people of conscience not to give up, but to renew their efforts to fight for justice and life in Gaza and all of Palestine. The statement can be found here or on Sabeel Wave of Prayers website. 

Spirit of the Living God, on the day of Pentecost, you filled ordinary people with bold tongues and burning hearts. As the members of Jerusalem Voice for Justice cry out from the land of your birth, may their SOS ignite a fire in the hearts of all who hear. Help us speak out, act with love, and keep showing up for justice in Gaza and all of Palestine. May your Spirit lead us in hope and strength.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Eswatini.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

June 5^th,2025

Hundreds took part in an interfaith peace march organized by Rabbis for Human Rights, with participation from religious leaders—both local and international, Israeli and Palestinian—gathering outside Jerusalem’s Old City. The event was held in response to recent unrest during the nationalist Flag March and to mark 600 days since the war in Gaza began. Participants called for a ceasefire, release of the prisoners and for respect for human rights. Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists prayed and sang together in a rare show of solidarity, emphasizing that religion does not contradict human rights but rather calls for love and justice. Sabeel was one of the organizing partners in the march.

God of all people, we come with hearts heavy from war, and souls longing for peace. Bless the footsteps of those who march for justice and the voices that rise in song and prayer against violence and hatred. Let our unity be a witness that love is stronger than fear, that faith can be a bridge, not a barrier and that every human being is sacred in Your sight. Grant us courage to keep walking and marching, wisdom to keep speaking, and compassion to keep reaching across every divide.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Israeli forces shot and wounded more than 20 Palestinians as they attempted to receive aid at a food distribution point in central Gaza; the scenes were horrific and dehumanizing. The limited aid distributed has been provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group that is part of a US-Israeli initiative designed to bypass the UN’s infrastructure for aid delivery and distribution in Gaza. 

Dear God,  we grieve the horror of bodies gunned down while reaching for food. We cry out for the people of Gaza who are made to suffer hunger and violence at once. Help us confront these systems of dehumanization by our own acts of resistance that honor each person as your beloved. Give us this day our daily bread, both physical and spiritual, for a world aching with need. Holy Spirit, strengthen our resolve to demand not only relief, but liberation. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Israel recently approved the construction of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, including at previously dismantled sites. This includes the formalization of nine already constructed outposts, including the Homesh outpost, built on the site of another settlement evacuated in 2005. 

Holy God, we lament the relentless theft of land and breach of international law. As new settlements rise on stolen soil, we ask you to be present with those who face dispossession and to illuminate to the world the machinery of occupation at work. Tear down the walls of injustice and plant in us the courage to resist every act of erasure. May we stand with the uprooted and labor for a future where all may dwell in safety and freedom. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, hundreds of far-right Israelis stormed Al-Aqsa and UNRWA compounds amid the Jerusalem Day march. For settlers and far-right Israelis, Jerusalem Day commemorates the Israeli occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem after the 1967 war.  

Beloved Christ, in your day, you did not hesitate to call out those who neglected justice and the love of God. (Luke 11:42) We raise our voices with you against the injustice happening in our current time, against those who march for hate rather than for justice and inclusivity. We ask you to instill in our hearts the resolve to work for the day that Jerusalem becomes a city that welcomes all. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer 

Kairos-Sabeel Netherlands is organizing a summer conference on Palestinian Liberation Theology from 25-27 July, 2025 in the Netherlands in cooperation with the Bethlehem Bible College. The conference is an opportunity to meet others who are in solidarity with Palestinians in a Christian and European context. The deadline for tickets is June 14 and the link can be found here (if not clickable, visit the Sabeel Wave of Prayers website for the link). 

Dear God, you are  always present with the Oppressed, we give thanks for the work of Kairos-Sabeel Netherlands and Bethlehem Bible College. We ask that you instill in all participants wisdom and humility as they find new ways to heed your call “to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly” with you. (Micah 6:8) Make us agents of your peace, and may the fruits of this conference assist us in centering a just and inclusive liberation. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Amidst countless massacres our people face, we hold onto hope that the people of conscience around the world are pushing their leaders to concrete actions. The World Health Organization voted to raise the Palestinian flag on their headquarters for the very first time. In the United Kingdom, 800 legal experts call on the government to impose sanctions on Israel. Students continue to pressure their universities to cut research and material ties to Israeli occupation. 

Dear God, we give gratitude for the flickers of light breaking through the darkness, knowing your presence is with us in our actions and protests. Strengthen the people of conscience around the world. Let their pressure continue to bear fruit. May our hope not be passive but defiant, rooted in action, and faithful to the vision of a world made whole. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer  

Last week, more than 1,200 Israeli academics issued an open letter urging the heads of Israel’s academic institutions to publicly oppose the ongoing war on Gaza. In a notable shift from other domestic petitions, this letter centers the suffering of Palestinians and calls for immediate action to end the violence. “We cannot claim that we did not know,” the signatories wrote. “We have been silent for too long. For the sake of innocent lives and the safety of all people in this land… if we do not call to halt the war immediately, history will not forgive us.” 

God of truth, we give thanks for the voices rising from within. May their words echo far beyond institutions and borders. Strengthen all who dare to speak against the machinery of war, especially in Israel, and remind us that it is never too late to choose justice, never too late to repent. May their confession lead to the transformation of a Holy Land in dire need of healing. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Angola and Mozambique.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers 

May 29^th,2025

This Thursday, May 29th, will mark 600 days since October 7th and the beginning of one of the darkest chapters in our history as Palestinians. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost. Hundreds of thousands have been injured. Gaza lies in ruins. Two million people are starving. The economy is devastated, and hope feels almost beyond reach.

God of mercy and justice, we cry out for an end to this war and genocide. Bring peace to the people of Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and Yemen. We pray for the release of all captives and prisoners, and for justice—that those responsible for war crimes be held accountable. Hold the grieving in your care. Heal the psychologically wounded, especially the children. Restore hope where it has been crushed. Let justice rise. Let peace prevail.

Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.

Last week, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada released a joint statement threatening to take concrete actions if Israel does not end the war and allow aid into Gaza. 17 EU nations have also agreed to review EU-Israel partnership and consider sanctions, and the UK suspended Israel trade deal talks and put sanctions on 3 settlers.  

God of the oppressed, we give thanks for the recent steps taken by nations, even if they come too little and too late. We pray for world leaders to find the moral courage to move beyond words to real, urgent action and defend human rights for all people around the world. May all leaders repent for their complicity, confront the cost of their delay, and be guided not by politics but by conscience. May this moment mark the beginning of true, accountable solidarity for all.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Palestinian Christian women invite the public to sign on their “call for justice and life,” of which Sabeel is one of the main signatories. The statement speaks to the current dire moment of this genocide where 14,000 children are at risk of dying from starvation amid an over two-month blockade on food and aid. They call upon women of all nations to join in demanding an immediate end to the engineered starvation of Gaza.

God of justice and mercy, we lift up the call of Palestinian Christian women who summon the world to stand for life. Holy Spirit, help us to embody the sumud of Mary, Tabitha, Hulda, Pheobe, and all women named and unnamed in your Gospel who lived the call of your liberatory love. Give us courage to respond with steadfast solidarity. May the cries from Gaza stir our hearts until no child hungers and no life is deemed disposable.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Israel opened fire towards an international delegation of 25 diplomats who were in Jenin to assess the humanitarian situation there amidst Israeli military campaigns on Jenin refugee camp and surrounding areas. France, Spain, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay have summoned Israeli ambassadors due to the incident. 

Holy God, we grieve the violence unleashed on those who came to witness and to listen. As soldiers open fire even on diplomats, may the world’s eyes be opened to the brutal reality Palestinians endure, who often do not have the same privileges and protections as international citizens. We pray that this unfortunate act awakens the conscience of the international community not just to condemn, but to act. Grant us the courage to continue exposing truth and demanding justice with every breath.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Amr Hatem Odeh, 33, a Palestinian father of three, died in Israel’s Sde Teiman military base, which doubles as a prison and torture camp for Palestinians. He was abducted from Gaza in December 2023 during an Israeli ground invasion, along with members of his family. Throughout the war on Gaza and the West Bank, hundreds have been abducted by the Israeli military. Human rights organizations have continued to report that Palestinian prisoners are subjected to torture and numerous policies of dehumanization in Israeli prisons.  

God of the captives, we grieve for the death of Amr Hatem Odeh, whose life was stolen by the occupation. We cry out for the hundreds more torn from their homes, held in silence and pain. Hold their names close, O God, and make your presence known to them. Stir in us a holy rage, a relentless love, and a commitment to dismantle every prison that crushes the human spirit.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Veterans for Peace, along with many groups across the United States and around the world, began their Fast for Gaza on May 22. The action involves limiting one’s diet to 250 calories per day, the average daily caloric intake currently endured by people in Gaza. However, people of conscience are invited to join the fast at any level and for any duration they are able. Organizers urge participants to center their actions and attention on Palestine and the forced starvation of Palestinians in Gaza throughout the fast. 

Divine Creator, you have given us an earth of abundance, but instead of sharing your gifts with one another, we have allowed our greed and complacency to leave others in hunger and despair. We grieve that on your earth, famine is being used as a weapon to deprive Palestinians of dignity and life. As our siblings in Gaza are forcibly starved, we join this fast not only in solidarity, but in repentance. May this act of restraint awaken in us deeper compassion and an unwavering commitment to your justice. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles .

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

On Nakba Day, at least 127 Palestinians were killed by Israel in a wave of attacks across Gaza, marking the deadliest day for Palestinians in Gaza since Israel broke the ceasefire in March. Israel also targeted three hospitals: al-Adwa Hospital in Jabalia, the Indonesian Hospital in Khan Younis, and the European Hospital in Khan Younis.  

Divine Creator, we are in despair for the deaths of our people and for the fact that attacks on hospitals and civilians have become a normal reality. In the darkest of times, we put our faith in you, who is the bearer of light and all goodness. Do not forsake us, Lord, but be present with all those who suffer. Open the hearts of everyone complicit, especially the leaders of this world, that they may repent and work towards peace and justice. Continue to embolden us to put an end to this evil and to work towards a world where every human can live in dignity.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

A pregnant Israeli woman, Tzeela Gez, 30, was shot and killed in the northern occupied West Bank. She was on her way to the hospital with her husband, Hananel, when a gunman opened fire near their home in the Bruchin settlement. Tzeela was critically wounded and later died despite doctors performing an emergency caesarean to deliver her baby, who is in serious but stable condition. Her husband sustained light injuries.

O God of Compassion, we lift up the family of Tzeela Gez. Surround her husband with strength as he walks through grief. Be near to their newborn child—so small, so innocent— grant the baby healing, life, and love. We pray for comfort that no words can give, for peace in a home now marked by loss, and for a future where no parent, Israeli or Palestinian, must bury a loved one due to war.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israeli settlers attacked human rights activist Issa Amro’s house in occupied Hebron with stones in the middle of the night, throwing stones, making fire on his land, and chanting for his death. Before the settlers came, Israeli soldiers came to his house to ensure he was alone, expelling anyone who was with him. This has been a common occurrence for Issa and many human rights defenders in Palestine.

God of sumoud, we lift to you the pain and fear carried by Issa Amro and all those who stand for justice in our land. You see those who stand for justice when the world turns away. You know the weight borne by those who refuse to be silent in the face of oppression. Strengthen all who risk their safety to defend dignity and truth in Palestine and Israel. Let no fear extinguish their voices, and no violence shake their resolve. May we be faithful in standing alongside those who bear the cost of nonviolent resistance.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Every Tuesday, Sabeel hosts our Kumi Now online series which covers issues and topics in Palestine/Israel. This week’s Kumi Now online gathering focused on how Palestinians are working to preserve their culture and history. Next week, on Tuesday, the 27th of May, the topic will be on the gendered impact of the Israeli policies during the genocidal war on Gaza and the unfolding military aggression on the West Bank and Jerusalem.  

Holy God, we thank you for the witness of communities who gather each week to learn, to speak truth, and to honor the stories of the oppressed. We ask you to continue to guide the work of Sabeel and the Kumi Now gatherings. Let these conversations move us to action, to solidarity, and to justice rooted in love.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Veterans for Peace is organizing a 40-day fast for Gaza. Beginning on May 22, people across the country will join in a fast to demand the full resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza and an immediate end to U.S. military support for Israel. This collective act of resistance is open to all Gaza allies and people of conscience. Participants may choose to fast in two ways: by joining a centralized fast in New York City, where fasters will consume only 250 calories per day to mirror the average caloric intake of Gazans under Israeli blockade, or by taking part in a dispersed fast from their own local context. To sign up, visit www.fosna.org/2025gazafast

God of Solidarity, we lift before you all those preparing to fast for Gaza. As they empty themselves in body, fill them with courage, compassion, and unwavering resolve. Bless each person who joins this fast, and let their witness stir the conscience of a nation complicit in violence. May this act center Gaza fully: their lives, their suffering, and their right to live in freedom. Holy Spirit, strengthen us all to stand faithfully for justice and peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, the Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism launched its first webinar featuring Dr. Atalia Omer, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, and Dr. Thandi Gamedze on Christian Zionism and the interruption of black-Palestinian solidarity. The playback of the webinar is viewable at https://studychristianzionism.org/

God of Truth and Justice, we thank you for the years of work that has gone into making the Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism possible. Holy Spirit, continue to guide the team and those involved with the Institute. Through their labor, illuminate to the world the harms of imperial and colonial theologies, and in doing so, move people into theologies that speak to your inclusive goodness, love, and mercy.  Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

Last week, in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first US-born pontiff Thursday and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Before being elected to this role, Pope Leo XIV spent most of his ministry in Peru, one of the largest host countries in Latin America for refugees. His papal name, Leo, is widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII. He is expected to continue much of Pope Francis’s reforms in the Catholic Church.

God of all wisdom and mercy, we lift our prayers for Pope Leo XIV as he steps into this sacred role of leadership. May his papacy reflect the compassion of Christ, the justice of your prophets, and the courage of those who walk with the marginalized. Holy Spirit, as you guide him in his new ministry, may we, too, be strengthened to walk alongside him in the shared work of justice, healing, and liberation. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

May 11th was the 3rd anniversary of Shireen Abu Akleh’s murder. On this day in 2022, Shireen Abu Akleh was assassinated in cold blood by the Israeli military while doing her duty as a journalist. Her funeral was the largest funeral held in Jerusalem in modern history despite the many restrictions imposed by the Israeli government. In memory of her death, a new investigative documentary called “Who Killed Shireen” was released, which identifies the killer and lifts the lid on attempts by the United States to avoid holding Israel accountable for her death. The documentary can be viewed on www.Zeteo.com

God of the Oppressed, we lift up the memory of Shireen Abu Akleh, a daughter of courage whose voice was silenced by the machinery of occupation. Let the memory of your servant Shireen stir within us a fire that refuses to be extinguished. We especially pray for those who continue to carry the spirit of Shireen through their steadfastness, from the journalists risking their lives in Gaza to the medical workers tending to the wounded in Jenin. God, may your Spirit breathe through every act of remembrance, through every cry for accountability, and through every step taken toward the healing and liberation of the land and its people.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, Israel’s far-right government officially approved a plan to carve up and ethnically cleanse Gaza. Under this plan, Israel will expel hundreds of thousands of hungry Palestinians from the north of Gaza and confine them in six encampments, with the goal of occupying Gaza indefinitely. Israel plans to hire two US private security firms, Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions, to provide security and possibly help with food distribution. The UN and many international agencies have raised alarm over this plan, warning that it will lead to more civilians killed and starved and the destruction of Gaza.  

Holy God, we cry out from the depths of Gaza’s suffering, feeling as if we are abandoned by the world. We feel, too, that at times, you are far off and your face is hidden beneath the smoke and rubble. Lord, in such a moment of darkness, help us to put faith in your promise that you will not leave nor forsake us. We ask you to make your presence known to the hungry, the displaced, and the suffering in Gaza. Strengthen the weary, comfort the mourning, and stir the hearts of all who still believe in freedom. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Last week, Dr. Suhaila Tarazi, the director of Anglican-run al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, was awarded an honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary. The al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked multiple times since the genocide on Gaza began, including by a Israeli double missile strike on Palm Sunday, but despite it all, remains steadfast in treating patients. Speaking about the honorary degree, Dr. Tarazi said, “It recognizes the faithful courage of Palestinian Christians in general and Gaza women specifically. This distinction from VTS reaffirms our mission and serves as a testament to the resilience and faith that have sustained our work through decades of conflict and hardship. It honors the legacy of Ahli Hospital, which has stood as a beacon of hope and healing for over 140 years.”  

God of Hope, we thank you for the faithful courage of Dr. Suhaila Tarazi and the staff of al-Ahli Hospital, whose unwavering commitment to healing continues in the face of violence and despair. In the midst of relentless hardship, they embody the resilience of the Palestinian people. May their steadfast ministry be a testimony to your presence among us, even in the darkest hours. Grant them strength, protect them in their work, and inspire us to stand in solidarity with those who bring light to places of suffering.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Voices From the Holy Land (voicesfromtheholyland.org) is hosting a Q&A discussion on May 18th featuring a number of panelists including Omar Haramy, director of Sabeel. The discussion will center on forced displacement. Prior to the discussion, registered attendees are encouraged to watch four featured short documentaries. Registration is required and can be found by visiting tinyurl.com/VFHL-May2025 

God of justice, we pray for this upcoming discussion and all events that seek to speak truth to power during a time where such courage is surveilled and criminalized. May the words of the panelists inspire action and deepen our understanding of the suffering of the displaced. Guide our hearts as we listen to their stories and engage with the documentaries, so that we may stand in solidarity and work toward a future of justice and peace for all. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Sabeel mourns the passing of Paul Verduin, a beloved friend and tireless advocate for peace and justice. Paul co-founded and chaired Sabeel D.C. Metro, the Washington, D.C. affiliate of Friends of Sabeel–North America. He was also active in justice efforts within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Peace Not Walls network, the Metro D.C. Synod’s Middle East Working Group, the National Capital Presbytery’s Middle East Concerns Team, and the Presbyterian Church’s Israel Palestine Mission Network (IPMN). His obituary can be found through this link.

God of peace and comfort, We mourn the passing of Paul Verduin, a devoted servant of justice and peace whose life reflected the depth of your love for all people. We give thanks for his tireless work and as we entrust him to your eternal care, we ask for your comfort for his family, friends, and all who were inspired by his advocacy. May his legacy continue to guide and strengthen us in our commitment to peace, and may his spirit live on in the lives of those he touched.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

May 8^th, 2025

Orthodox Christians for Palestine is hosting their first event in Pittsburgh, USA on May 17 at 1 PM ET, with introductory remarks by Fr. Paul Abernathy and featuring a special talk by FOSNA’s executive director Jonathan Kuttab on the ongoing Nakba. All are welcome and people can register for free using this link. 

God of Peace and Justice, we lift up this important gathering, praying for Fr. Paul Abernathy and Jonathan Kuttab as they share their wisdom, and for all who attend, that they may be inspired to seek justice, peace, and reconciliation for Palestine and its people. With this event and others like this, illuminate to the world that the Nakba is ongoing and that the struggle for freedom must continue. Bless all who gather, and may their commitment to justice grow, spreading compassion and advocating for a just and lasting peace. Amen.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

For the first time since it began in 1998, organizers canceled the annual March of Return due to police restrictions and plans to deploy a drone over participants. Authorities also banned the Palestinian flag and capped attendance at 700, though the event usually draws tens of thousands. Held each year on May 15 by Palestinian citizens of Israel, the march commemorates the Nakba, when around 750,000 Palestinians were expelled by Zionist militias to make way for the creation of Israel. 

God of the oppressed, whose Spirit moves among the suffering of this world, we lament the silencing of the March of Return and for the ongoing Nakba that attempts to robs our people of identity and dignity. When the powerful fear truth and memories more than weapons, we see the violence of empire laid bare. In the face of this violence, stir in us a prophetic solidarity that does not waver, a faith that resists forgetfulness, and a hope that joins the struggle until all refugees come home.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

A ship with over 30 humanitarian workers carrying aid to Gaza to break Israel’s blockade was hit by two drones in international waters off Malta. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the group that organized the mission, said the civilian vessel has been seeking to deliver aid to Gaza following a two-month total blockade of food, water, and medicine by Israel. For months, the group organized the action under a media blackout to avoid Israeli sabotage. 

God of Freedom, we grieve the continual violation of international law and the silence of leaders that has allowed the impunity of empire to go on for so long. We know this is only one crime out of many committed daily in Gaza and beyond. We pray for the safety of humanitarian workers everywhere, and for the breaking of the blockade that has starved the people of Gaza of food, water, and medicine. May the courage of those on this ship inspire others to act, to speak out, and to refuse complicity in systems of siege and silence. Holy God, disrupt the plans of the powerful who seek to crush compassion, and let justice sail freely over every border and blockade. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

May 1st was International Workers’ Day or May Day.  This year, May Day protests across the world called for an end to Israeli occupation and solidarity with Palestinian workers. Palestinian workers have long been systematically targeted by the Israeli occupation through arrests, persecution, and torture, especially since October 7.  

God of Liberation, we lift up the struggles of workers everywhere, especially Palestinian workers who have faced years of oppression and suffering. In the face of global capitalism and systems that exploit, help us to remember that labor is sacred, and that the struggle for dignity is holy. We denounce the powers that imprison, surveil, and silence those who organize for freedom. Ignite in us a solidarity that crosses borders and defies empires, and may we all work together in pursuit of a world where dignity, equality, and peace are shared by all.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israel arrested veteran journalist Ali al-Samoudi during a raid in Jenin. Samoudi, who was shot and wounded alongside the late Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022, was detained, briefly interrogated, and hospitalized.  He is due in Israeli military court next week, part of a system widely condemned as illegal and unjust under international law. Since October 2023, at least 79 journalists have been arrested and 176 killed, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. 

Holy God, you are the God who loves truth and uplifts the truth tellers. We pray for the healing and protection of Ali al-Samoudi, who has risked his life to bear witness, and who now faces unjust detention and trial under a system condemned for its brutality and repression. We pray for the souls of all journalists who have given their lives in pursuit of truth, remembering all those whose voices were silenced by violence. Strengthen all who continue to dare to speak truth in the face of violence. Expose the lies of power, dismantle systems that criminalize truth-telling, and stir the consciences of those who remain silent. May justice rise, and may those who risk everything to report it live to see the freedom they proclaim.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

May 1^st, 2025

Canadian Friends of Sabeel invites the public to a special Solidarity Evening & Art Auction on Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET via Zoom. The evening will feature prayer, poetry, music by Palestinian Canadian musician Samia Odeh, and an online auction of over 20 art pieces, including Palestinian embroidery, ceramics, and artwork from Canadian allies. Funds raised will support CFOS’s work amplifying Palestinian voices for justice and peace. Registration and auction details are available online at CFOS’s website. 

God of justice and compassion, we lift this Solidarity Evening and Art Auction as a gathering of hearts committed to peace and dignity. Bless the creativity offered as a testament to resilience, hope, and the longing for justice. We pray for the people of Palestine, that their voices may be heard and their stories honored. May this event and the work of Canadian Friends of Sabeel deepen our solidarity and advocacy. In our grief and in our hope, may we be moved to act with your courage, humility, and unwavering love.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

April 24th was the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire began its systematic genocide of the Armenian people. Today, the Armenian people still face injustices and dispossession, including the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh/ Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azerbaijan government and land encroachment of the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem by Israeli settlers. 

Divine Creator, you are the God who remembers your people throughout generations (Psalm 105:8), even as the world turns away from the oppressed. We lift up the Armenian people, who have endured unimaginable suffering, and we lament the injustices they still face today. Strengthen those who stand for truth and dignity, and stir the hearts of the world to stand against oppression in every form. May the memory of those who perished call us to defend the living, and may your justice roll down like water for all peoples.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

April 24 marked Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time when people in Israel and around the world honor the sacred memory of the six million Jews, along with millions of Roma and Sinti, people of Slavic and Polish descent, persons with disabilities, Soviet prisoners of war, Jehovah’s Witnesses, those persecuted for their sexual orientation, and countless other innocent victims who were brutally murdered by the Nazi regime and its allies. 

God of compassion and justice,  we lift up the families of all Holocaust survivors.We honor their resilience and pray for their continued healing. We ask for hearts around the world to be awakened:  that no injustice, no hatred, and no call to genocide will ever be tolerated again.  May we stand together against the evils of antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and the dehumanization of Palestinians or any people. Strengthen us to be a people who remember, who resist hatred, and who build a world rooted in dignity, compassion, and peace for all.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Figures released from the Jerusalem Governorate showed that 13,064 radical Israeli extremists forced their way to the mosque in the first quarter of 2025. In addition, governments and international groups have raised alarms of renewed calls by Israeli organizations to attack and demolish the mosque and construct a temple in its place.   

Holy God, in this time of heightened tension, we ask for your presence over our Muslim siblings who seek to worship in peace. We mourn the repeated violations of this holy place and the disregard for its sanctity. We pray for the preservation of the historical and legal status quo, which safeguards the Muslim administration and custodianship of Al Aqsa, as recognized under international law. Grant wisdom and strength to those who uphold justice, courage to leaders to act with compassion and integrity, and resolve to all who stand for dignity, religious freedom, and peace. May your spirit of protection surround every sacred space, and may all people be free to worship without fear, obstruction, or oppression. 

Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.

Amid ongoing massacres and bombardments in Gaza, the director of Al-Aqsa Hospital warned that Gaza has entered the fifth and most severe stage of malnutrition, according to World Health Organization standards, as a result of the Israeli siege.  

God of Mercy, we come before you in grief and outrage. In their hunger, their fear, and their relentless suffering, we ask you to be near the people of Gaza and to answer their cries for freedom, safety, and daily bread. We repent for the ways so many of us living in excessive abundance have turned away from their pain; nourish us spiritually, O Lord, that the world might be awakened from its complacency, stirred to true solidarity, and moved to seek justice and peace. Grant daily bread not only to the hungry but also to the powerful, that their hearts may be fed with compassion and courage to act. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, during Earth Day, Sabeel hosted a Kumi Now session focused on food sovereignty and the political economy of agricultural resistance with Fathi Nimer from Al Shabaka. The recording can be accessed on Kumi’s YouTube channel here. 

God who provides, we thank you for the gift of the earth, for the soil that nourishes, the crops that sustain, and the hands that tend to the land. We repent for our failure to care for your creation as we should, and for the systems of power that exploit the land and its people for profit and greed. Holy Spirit, help us to restore dignity to the earth by taking us out of our comfort and complicity in these systems. May we work for a world where food sovereignty, sustainability, and fairness are accessible to all. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

At least three Palestinians, including two children, were killed last week by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. The fatalities bring the total number of children killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank to 192 since October 7th 2023. 

Holy God, we grieve for all the lives lost in the land we call holy. We pray especially for the children, whose lives are often cut short by violence. As we mourn the deaths, we ask for your comfort and healing for those who are left to carry the pain. Holy Spirit, help us to be like the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), never stopping to call out injustice wherever it takes root. May we not grow weary in our prayers but rather, let our relentless pursuit of justice mirror your unyielding love for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed of this earth. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers

Holy God, we grieve for all the lives lost in the land we call holy. We pray especially for the children, whose lives are often cut short by violence. As we mourn the deaths, we ask for your comfort and healing for those who are left to carry the pain. Holy Spirit, help us to be like the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), never stopping to call out injustice wherever it takes root. May we not grow weary in our prayers but rather, let our relentless pursuit of justice mirror your unyielding love for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed of this earth. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Christians around the world celebrated Palm Sunday on April 13. In Palestine, many marked the occasion by wearing traditional clothing and carrying palm branches as they attended church services to begin Holy Week. This year, however, Palestinian Christians were once again denied worship permits by the Israeli military occupation authorities, preventing many from traveling to Jerusalem to participate in Palm Sunday celebrations. In Gaza, the Christian community observed Palm Sunday amid the devastation and ongoing horrors of war.

God of Resurrection, we, the living stones of this land, call out to you. Though few in number and burdened by sorrow, your people in Palestine remain steadfast, rooted in faith and resistance. In the face of occupation and despair, teach us to trust not in power, but in your justice. Though we dwell in the long silence of Holy Saturday, we proclaim the tomb is empty. Your resurrection is liberation, good news for the oppressed, a promise of new life amid ruins. Help us live that truth with courage until justice and peace rise from the land of your birth.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

On Thursday, April 3, 2025, Sabeel organized a Contemporary Stations of the Cross in the Old City of Jerusalem. This faith walk offered the community a unique spiritual experience, journeying along the path of suffering while reflecting on both the Passion of Jesus Christ and the present-day struggles of the people of this land.

Christ, our companion on the way, you walked the path of suffering with tenderness and courage, bearing not only the weight of the cross, but the burdens of a broken world. Whenever we retrace your steps through the stones of the Old City, we remember your presence in all who walk under the weight of injustice and military occupation, in all creation crying for healing. Strengthen all who carry their crosses today and may your resurrection continue to compel us to labor unceasingly for justice, dignity, and collective liberation.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Ahmad Manasra, a 23-year-old Palestinian from East Jerusalem, was released after nearly a decade in Israeli prisons. Arrested at age 13, he was convicted of attempted murder despite court findings that he did not participate in the stabbings he was accused of. While imprisoned, Ahmad developed severe mental health issues, including schizophrenia and depression, and spent nearly two years in solitary confinement, described by rights groups as torture. His case prompted a 2016 Israeli law change allowing children as young as 12 to be imprisoned.

God of the captives, you know the depths of our sorrow, for like us, you “were despised and rejected; one who knew suffering and was familiar with pain; people despised you and looked away and considered you worthless” (Isaiah 53:3) We lift up Ahmad Manasra, your beloved child, whose youth was stolen by walls and cells, and all Palestinian children who have endured the cruelty of this occupation. We grieve the violence of a system that cages children and strips them of their future. May your healing surround him now, restoring what was taken. Let his release stir us to action, to tear down every structure that dehumanizes, and to build a world where no child is ever imprisoned again.  

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Mike Huckabee was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Israel despite campaigns, protests, and calls to oppose his confirmation. He has frequently supported the illegal annexation of the West Bank, and in the past, he has denied the existence of the Palestinian people, saying there was “no such thing as a Palestinian.” His confirmation as ambassador to Israel is anticipated to bring further conflict and strife to the region. 

God of truth and justice, we cry out as the powerful seek to promote division and hatred rather than work toward dignity for all. You, who know each of us by name, hear the pain of Palestinians whose identity and land are once again dismissed and threatened. We grieve an appointment that signals deepening violence rather than the peace you call us to. Yet you are the God who sees the oppressed. In a world that uplifts injustice, make us steadfast in sowing truth, compassion, and solidarity across all borders. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

Israeli forces bombed al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, the largest remaining functioning hospital in northern Gaza. The  al-Ahli Hospital was treating hundreds of patients when it was hit by at least two missiles. Since October 2023, Israel has targeted 36 hospitals and killed over 1,000 healthcare workers. 

God of mercy, in the shadow of Holy Week, we mourn the bombing of al-Ahli Arab Hospital and all places of refuge turned into graves. We cry out for the patients whose lives were already hanging by a thread, for the doctors and nurses who stayed amid siege and starvation, and for all who ran toward the wounded, only to be wounded themselves. We remember this is not the first hospital bombed, nor the first lives taken, and we refuse to grow numb. God, hold Gaza in your mercy. Stir our hearts, strengthen our hands, and embolden us to act to end this evil. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer 

April 10^th, 2025

April 9th marks the anniversary of the Deir Yassin massacre. On this day in 1948, Zionist militias attacked the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin, killing 107 people and forcing survivors to flee. This horrific violence contributed to the displacement of around 750,000 Palestinians known as the Nakba – Catastrophe. Today, the legacy of Deir Yassin endures in ongoing dispossession, from massacres in Gaza to land seizures and settler pogroms in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. 

Holy God, we remember the lives taken 77 years ago.  We hold in our hearts all who carry the weight of this generational grief. As the legacy of the Nakba endures in ongoing forced dispossession today, we cry out for justice. Holy Spirit, move within us, so that our remembrance will stir a holy resolve to rise up to empire and oppression. Strengthen our efforts to build a future grounded in dignity, liberation, and peace for all.   

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

In the past two weeks, 280,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced amid ongoing massacres, including the targeted killing of 15 health workers from the Palestinian Red Cross Society by Israeli soldiers. Among those killed was a paramedic named Radwan, whose final words, captured in a video, were, “Forgive me, Mother…this is the path I chose to help people.” Radwan and his colleagues were buried by Israeli forces, seemingly to cover up the massacre. Israel has also imposed no-go zones and displacement orders, restricting access to two-thirds of Gaza. 

God of the oppressed, we grieve for the displaced and the killed. We are angered by a world that watches with numb eyes as the powerful wage war. In our righteous anger, guide us to reject the path of violence and choose the way of nonviolent resistance. Holy God, draw near to the innocent people of Gaza in their darkest hour, and strengthen our resolve to hold the leaders of this nightmare accountable.

Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.

Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate, is inviting the global community to accompany her in her 40-day fast in solidarity with the children of Gaza. In a brief video, Mairead explains her reasons for fasting. If you are able to join Mairead’s fast for one day or more, you can sign up here.   

God of compassion, we lift up all those who, inspired by Mairead Maguire, will join her in this fast in solidarity with the children of Gaza. May their bodies and acts of solidarity bear witness to the hunger for peace and justice that fills the hearts of many. Strengthen their resolve, sustain them in their sacrifice, and deepen their connection to the suffering of those they stand with.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

On March 24, Walid Ahmad, a Palestinian child who was 17 years old, died while under Israeli detention. A healthy teenager when he was taken and held without charge or trial, his post-mortem exam showed that he was starved to death while being denied medical care for dehydration, traumatic injuries, and infectious diseases that he got while imprisoned.   

Holy one, you know the name and face of Walid Ahmad and all children and captives caged unjustly. You have said, “Do not despise one of these little ones, for their angels always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) Spirit of Life, disturb the world’s silence and do not let hearts grow numb. As we mourn, we pray for his family’s healing and for every child still living under occupation. We pray for the day that every child is free and cherished.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Patriarch Michel Sabbah, Bishop Munib Younan, and other Palestinian Christian community leaders, including Sabeel’s Sawsan Bitar, released “A Jerusalem Voice for Justice,” a statement reaffirming their Christian faith and urging global solidarity amid deepening violence in Palestine. The statement addresses Palestinians, the international community, and religious supporters of annexation alike, condemning the war in Gaza and the mass displacement in the West Bank. As Easter approaches, they remind us: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The statement can be accessed here.  

God of hope, we thank you for the voices behind this call for justice. As we approach Easter, may we be rooted in the church of the Resurrection, finding our hope in the promise of new life and transformation. In these last weeks of Lent, inspire us to act in solidarity with the oppressed, to seek peace, and to work for justice. May the hope of the resurrection fill us with strength to shine your light in a world in need of healing. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Omar Haramy, representing Sabeel,  was recently awarded the Berrigan-McAlister award by Depaul University. The Berrigan-McAlister Award honors those whose acts of Christian nonviolence resist injustice, transform conflict, foster reconciliation, and seek justice and peace for all. The award celebration will take place on May 12, and people can attend either virtually or in-person by registering with this link. 

God of peace and courage, as we thank you for the recognition of Omar and Sabeel’s work, we lift up all who walk the hard road of nonviolence, especially the unnamed, the unseen, and the ones who pay a price in silence. We remember those who gave their lives for peace, whose names the world may never know, but whose absence is deeply felt by those who loved them. Give strength to the living, comfort to the grieving, and let justice grow from the seeds they have planted.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for The Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

April 3^rd, 2025

March 30th marks Eid al-Fitr for Muslims in Palestine and Israel. This three-day feast marks the end of Ramadan and is usually celebrated with joy, prayers, and festivities. In Palestine, many Palestinians will try to cross Israeli checkpoints to visit Al Aqsa Mosque and in Gaza, people are concluding the Holy Month of Ramadan with the fear of bombardment and death ever since Israel resumed its strikes. 

God of Mercy, you are the One who opens paths where there are none. You are the One who hears the prayers of the oppressed. During this Eid Al-Fitr, be with our Muslim siblings who hunger for freedom as they break their fasts. Be with those who mourn when they should be rejoicing.  We pray for the day that all people of the Holy Land may live in security and peace.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.

Last week, settlers entered the home of a Palestinian family in Tel Rumeida in Hebron and established a new settlement there. The family members went out for an Iftar meal – breaking the fast – and when they returned, they discovered that settlers had entered their home.  The Israeli army prevented the Palestinian family from approaching the house. 

Holy God, we continue to witness settler attacks, we lament the disobedience to your clear commands: “You shall not covet, you shall not steal, you shall not murder.” We pray for the family whose home was stolen and all who suffer ongoing dispossession. Instill in all hearts to respect the sanctity of life and to treat others with mutual respect and dignity.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, in Masafer Yatta, Israeli settlers with the help of soldiers brutally attacked Hamdan Ballal, the Oscar-winning Palestinian director of the documentary “No Other Land.” Soldiers then kidnapped him into a military vehicle. After spending 24 hours blindfolded and beaten in a military base, he was then released the following day. 

God of the oppressed, hold close Hamdan Ballal and protect him and his family as he nonviolently labors for truth and justice.  We pray also for Masafer Yatta, the land and its people. Holy Spirit, continue to give them healing and strengthen their sumud against the machinery of occupation. Embolden us to speak when the powerful refuse and to be steadfast allies in the struggle for liberation. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip killed Hossam Shabat, a beloved journalist who tirelessly documented the horrors in Northern Gaza for 18 months. After his death, his colleagues shared his final message: “If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed—most likely targeted—by the Israeli occupation forces. When this all began, I was only 21 years old—a college student with dreams like anyone else. […] By God, I fulfilled my duty as a journalist. […] I ask you now: do not stop speaking about Gaza. Do not let the world look away. Keep fighting, keep telling our stories—until Palestine is free.” 

God of truth, we lift up Hossam Shabat, who gave his life at 23 years old to bear witness and serve his people. We grieve the brutality that took him and the relentless violence that has turned Gaza into a graveyard of people and dreams. Bring healing to his family and grant strength to those who remain. Holy Spirit, in our grief, help us be faithful to Hossam’s call until our voices shake the very foundations of power. 

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

During this Lent season, Friends of Sabeel Australia, along with the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network in Australia and other partners, is continuing their series of forums discussing Palestinian Christianity. The next one, convening under the topic “Who Owns the Holy Land,” is on 3rd April at St. Paul’s Anglican Church. The panel will bring together Muslim, Jewish, and Christian voices to share their visions for peace. 

O God of justice, in this season of Lent, we remember that you are not bound by borders or claimed by empires. You dwell with the displaced, the oppressed, the seekers of liberation. We give thanks for Friends of Sabeel Australia and all people of faith who bear witness to this truth. May their work shine light in darkness and call the world to justice and peace.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia.

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers