The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, was observed this year on September 11. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of Days of Awe—the period of introspection and repentance that culminates with Yom Kippur. It is a time for reflecting on the past year and looking forward with hope to the year ahead. This year, there were increased reports of settler assaults and arson across the West Bank on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
Holy God, we give thanks to our Jewish siblings who fight against the misuse of your Holy name by doing the work of tikkun olam, repairing the world. May the sacred time of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur recommit us to walking together in your work of love and justice.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
The Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism’s podcast, Bad Theology: Busted, recently wrapped its 10th and final episode for the season. The episodes are publicly available online and represent a rich resource delving into Christian Zionism in a variety of contexts, from US media to South Africa to Latin America, with some of the most knowledgeable and dynamic voices critiquing the ideology today. To support the podcast’s upcoming season, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/bad-theology-busted
Divine Creator, you created us in your image and sustain us with your melodies of life and hope. Illuminate to us how we can be prophetic agents of your love, confronting all systems and theologies that distort your message of life and dignity. We pray for the continued success of ISCZ’s programs.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We lift in our prayers this week the situation of Palestinian political prisoners. We highlight especially the case of Sama Safi, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen and psychology student in the occupied West Bank, who was illegally detained by Israel along with three other female students of Birzeit University in June, and has been imprisoned without formal charges. The other students detained with Sama are Jolan Abu Awad, Laila Nail Khalil, and Natalie Abu Dayyeh, who is a player on the Palestinian women’s soccer team. Sama’s case is particularly acute as she suffers from a chronic health condition which comes with “risk of organ failure” if not properly treated. Her family is calling for her release.
God of love, you alone know the extent of the suffering that Sama and over 10,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons have experienced. Lord, we cry to you to save the imprisoned. As we struggle against physical chains, embolden us to also fight for spiritual and collective freedom: “to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke.” (Isaiah 58:6)
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Israeli occupation forces carried out a new wave airstrikes and demolitions across south Lebanon last week, including aerial drops of explosive-filled containers targeting residential buildings. The continuing attacks come despite the US-sponsored framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in Washington on June 26. The Lebanese Army said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had committed approximately 7,700 violations of the agreement since it was signed.
God of the oppressed, despite the overwhelming events around us, we trust that you are among us, especially those who are suffering alone and abandoned. We pray for an immediate cessation of all violence in Lebanon, Gaza, and throughout our region and the world. We hold onto our faith that you are faithful and your love is everlasting.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Despite the systematic assault on education over the last few years, around 541,000 students in Gaza are already enrolled in the new school year, which started in the West Bank last week but will start in Gaza on September 19. The education ministry has adapted to the circumstances by providing around 700 in-person educational points across Gaza, 25 temporary schools, and virtual schools for students unable to reach educational points. The adaptations reflect the resilience of educators and students to continue asserting their right to education, life, and dignity.
Loving God, may every effort to hold onto life and education, no matter how small or big, be a blessing to the children of the Holy Land. We see how violence and oppression are affecting our children, and we pray that their schooling will give them tools to hope, live, and lead with dignity. Help us, Lord, to participate in the works of your Kingdom though we might not see it or understand it.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Ghana and Nigeria.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers
You can download this WOP PDF here.