June 29, 2026
Last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Head of the Church of England, Sarah Mullaly, went on a five-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While there, she met with civil society and Palestinian Christians, including Sabeel. After her visit, she issued a joint letter with Hosam Naoum, the Anglican archbishop of Jerusalem, urging Anglicans around the world to press politicians “to take all necessary measures to establish a credible path towards ending the occupation”.
Holy God, we thank you for Archbishop Mullaly’s witness and solidarity with the suffering in your Holy Land. We remember the words of John the Apostle: “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) As you continue to guide Archbishop Mullaly and church leaders to speak out against injustice, help the church also love you through their actions.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, Israel seized land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Silwan district of East Jerusalem and expelled the representative of the Church. Equipment had also been confiscated and trees were uprooted around the property. Over the last few years, Israel has escalated its efforts to take over the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan and turn it into a touristic settlement. At least 300 Palestinian residents have already been displaced from Silwan in the past two years alone.
God of justice and peace, we pray for all who are experiencing displacement, land seizures, and violence in Jerusalem and beyond. We pray that our oppressors may repent and turn away from their ideologies of supremacy and domination. May this military occupation come to an end and international law and human rights be respected.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, over 20 Palestinians were killed and over 69 people were injured in Gaza by Israeli attacks in violation of the so-called ceasefire. The number of deaths since the beginning of the war is now 73,001.
God of justice, we come to you enraged and fearful but we hold onto the truth that all empires fall and that your justice endures. We lift up all the people of Gaza to you who suffer under empire’s violence and persecution. Lord, remind us that your love lasts forever and redeems all things.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
June 26th marked the international day to support victims of torture. According to the United Nations, Israel’s systematic torture of Palestinians has become a defining instrument in its occupation. In 2025, the UN Committee against Torture denounced “a de facto State policy of organized and widespread torture and ill-treatment … that has gravely intensified since 7 October 2023.” The latest report by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese details policies of torture beyond prison walls, through relentless bombardment, forced displacement, starvation, the destruction of homes, hospitals and infrastructure, pervasive surveillance, and terror inflicted by soldiers and settler terror militias.
Crucified Messiah, we remember your words that whatever is done to the least among us is done to you, so whenever the oppressed suffers, you also suffer anew. Teach us to be faithful witnesses to those who are suffering, oppressed, and tortured. We pray for an end to evil and injustice in our world, and that peace will prevail for all people.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We continue to lift up in our prayers the over 10,000 Palestinians prisoners in Israeli detention and prisons. Lord, we pray for your liberating presence, trusting you know every evil deed whether they are committed in the light or in the dark.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Kenya and Tanzania.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers
You can download WOP PDF here.