Sabeel Wave of Prayer – Week of Sept. 21, 2026
As part of World Week for Peace, Sabeel co-organized three ecumenical prayer services with the Catechetical Office of the Latin Patriarchate and the World Council of Churches for school students in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. The services brought together approximately 1,200 students from Christian schools, along with clergy, church leaders, teachers, and choirs. The prayer services focused on justice, peace, and solidarity with children around the world, particularly children in our region and in Palestine and Israel. The first service was held on 10 September at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, followed by a service in Ramallah on 12 September, and a third service in Jerusalem on 15 September.
Gracious God, we thank you for everyone who helped organize these prayer services, and for all those who participated, students, teachers, clergy, church leaders, and choirs. We are grateful for this shared witness of faith, hope, and solidarity. We pray for children around the world, especially those living in places of war and violence. Protect them, comfort those who are suffering, and give them hope for a future of peace. Give us the courage and wisdom to work together for justice, peace, and a future where every child can grow in safety, dignity, and love.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Despite arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is delivering an address at the UN General Assembly on September 23 in New York City. Protests have been planned for his arrival.
Holy God, we remember the Psalmist’s words that “God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.” (Psalm 7:11-12). Even if our systems and institutions fail to deliver accountability and justice, we put our faith that you see and hear all evil deeds. Help us channel our anger which stems from injustice, towards sin. Sober the powerful from their drunkenness.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
International investigative reports recently found that United Airlines is resuming the shipment of military hardware to Israel aboard passenger flights. The airline, one of the biggest in the world, had halted the practice more than six months ago amid the outbreak of the war on Iran. The shipments appear to be a return to status quo for United, which had used civilian passenger flights to transport over 3,000 loads of military cargo to Israel amid its wars in the occupied Gaza Strip and Lebanon, including critical components for fighter jets and tanks.
Eternal God, we pray for peace. Give courage to those who work for an end to war, and strengthen all who seek justice, dignity, and security for every human being. May the systems and institutions that sustain violence be transformed into instruments of peace, and may we each examine our own choices and complicity. Teach us to become peacemakers, to stand with those who suffer, and to bear faithful witness to your vision of a world where weapons are silenced and all people can live in freedom, safety, and dignity.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Earlier this month, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK confirmed their intention to support sanctions against Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law. In response, Israel ordered the UK Consulate in occupied East Jerusalem to close within 30 days.
Holy God, we pray that more and more leaders will act with wisdom and courage to pursue just and lasting peace. Continue to hear the cry of the oppressed suffering from settler violence and deliver us from the many forms of oppression. Lord, we remember the words of Prophet Isaiah: “Help us learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
A recent report published by Israeli human rights organization B’tselem called “Elimination Project” details how Israel is executing a systematic and accelerated campaign to dismantle “Palestinian collective life” and establish permanent Jewish-Israeli sovereignty across the occupied West Bank. To date, at least 75 Palestinian communities have been forcibly displaced. Furthermore, about 33,000 Palestinians have been displaced from refugee camps in the northern West Bank.
God of the oppressed, we are witnessing unspeakable evil and great fear of what is to come. Illuminate to the world, through this report, of the structural sins of settler colonialism and apartheid. Lord, deliver the oppressed and stop the displacement and violence they are experiencing. Keep us from growing numb to the suffering that is occurring.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
World Peace Day is September 21st. This week, we pray for a just and lasting peace and an end to all conflicts in the world. We lift in our prayers those who are working for peace in their daily lives and witnesses.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers