Sabeel Wave of Prayer – Week of Nov. 24, 2025
Advent begins November 30 this year. The Advent season marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year and is observed in various Christian denominations. Many churches throughout Advent will light the Advent wreath, which consists of a circular arrangement of evergreen branches with five candles. The lighting of the first candle on the Advent wreath symbolizes hope.
Loving God, you are our light and salvation. As we ignite the first candle of Advent, help us to commit to the prophetic practice of hope and sumud (steadfastness). This Advent season, teach us to love one another, as you have loved us, by being servants of your hope and light in this world.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
This Advent and Christmas Season, Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) is calling on churches and faith movements to “Preach Palestine” and center the call for justice and peace in the Holy Land and beyond. The free resource guide launched by FOSNA offers prayers, upcoming community events, calls to action, and guiding questions for faith leaders and churches as they worship during Advent season. At the time of release, over 170 communities have already signed up to Preach Palestine this year.
Holy God, you are always present with those who work to make peace, justice, and liberation a reality for all. Continue to give us strength and courage to move the Church closer to the liberatory message of your gospel.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, the head of the settler Gush Etzion Regional Council announced the establishment of a new settlement adjacent to homes in the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour near Bethlehem. Overnight, tractors leveled the ground, and by morning, several caravans had been placed on the site.
Redeemer Christ, we cry out to you in anguish. Like the Psalmist, we feel utterly isolated and forgotten, and with settler-colonial violence crushing us at all angles, it feels as if our “life draws near to death.” (Psalm 88:3-4) Good God, hear our cry and deliver us from oppression. We pray that the international community may be awakened and take immediate action to end the occupation.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
November 20 was Universal’s Children Day, designated to emphasize children’s rights to protection, education, dignity, care, play, and other rights. All across the globe, children’s rights and dignity continue to be violated, and children continue to be exploited and abused. In our context, more than 20,000 Palestinian school children have been killed in the past two years. Hundreds of schools, kindergartens, and children centers have been completely or partially damaged in Gaza and the West Bank since October 2023.
Creator of life, you cherish each child as a precious gift, and we know your heart breaks every time they suffer. We pray for every child injured and abused, every child in Israeli prisons, and all families who have lost a child. Guide us to take action for the safety, justice, and dignity of all children.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, the UN Security Council voted in favor of a US-drafted resolution that endorses US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza. Critics of the resolution have argued that there is little clarity about the key mechanisms’ composition, that it does not ensure the participation of the UN, it fails to explicitly reiterate a firm commitment to a Palestinian state, and Palestinians have no say in their own political future.
God of the oppressed, we are thankful that mass killing has slowed down and at the same time, we know that peace cannot come without true justice and accountability. Help us to be present where you are located, amidst the marginalized and the oppressed. In doing so, we ask for the wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit to confront all colonial tactics that further entrench injustice. We pray that international law and human rights will be upheld for all.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers
Clarification: In our last prayer wave, we incorrectly claimed that many German church and political representatives had left the Reformation Day service in Jerusalem. We have since learned that this was not the case. Only one guest left the service, and the delegation did not attend Bishop Azar’s reception. The participating German bishop subsequently expressed concerns about the wording used. The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) also distanced itself “clearly from the language used by Bishop Azar.” According to the EKD, his use of the term “genocide” contributes to division and stands in the way of understanding and reconciliation. In an open letter, 600 Christians in Germany have contradicted this.
We continue to strive to report accurately and are grateful for any corrections or suggestions from our friends and partners.