Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of May 12, 2025
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 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