Sabeel Wave of Prayer – Week of May 4, 2026
On February 15, after over three years of harassment and abuse from Israeli authorities since he was 16 years old, Shadi Khoury (Sabeel co-founder Samia Khoury’s grandson) was sentenced to 32 months in prison and a fine equivalent to $3,836 His family then submitted an appeal against the conviction and sentence, along with a request to freeze the order for Shadi to report to prison. On Sunday March 29, 2026, The Supreme Court decided to suspend the implementation of that order and scheduled a hearing on April 16 to review Shadi’s case. On April 16, the hearing was postponed yet again. The hearing will now be held on Monday, May 11th at 9 AM Jerusalem time. While Shadi was able to spend Easter with his family, the postponements continue to keep him in the limbo he has faced across more than 40 court hearings. His family continues to hold onto hope and is grateful for everyone who has supported them during this difficult time.
God of Justice, we pray for Shadi and his family as they endure the injustice of the Israeli court system. We pray for justice, healing, and freedom for the thousands of other young Palestinians suffering under military occupation and apartheid. Lord, embolden us to dismantle all structures of dehumanization and build a world of dignity and peace in their place.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
One Palestinian man was killed and four others seriously wounded, including a 12 year old child, during an Israeli military raid in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported. Nayef Firas Ziad Samaro, the man who was senselessly murdered, was only 26, and his body was brought to the hospital where his wife was giving birth.
God of the oppressed, we pray for the family of Nayef Samaro as they grieve. Lord, make your presence known to the countless of other families who are persecuted and executed by empire. As we cry out for you amidst the stench of senseless death and evil, provide us with your justice. Liberate us from oppression and from the structural sins of military occupation.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, Israeli military intercepted 22 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla near the Greek island of Crete and detained their crews who were on the way to Gaza. 36 boats are still sailing towards Gaza, which is under Israeli naval blockade. While most activists were taken to Greece, Israeli forces kidnapped two activists to detain them in Israel. Witnesses reported that the two activists, Spanish citizen Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian citizen Thiago Avila, were both tortured and abused on an Israeli military vessel. Spain along with international human rights organizations are calling for their release.
Holy God, we lift up Saif and Thiago along with many people around the world who have risked lives for the oppressed and marginalized. We pray for their safety and freedom and that their sacrifice will continue to draw attention to the inhumane illegal siege on the people of Gaza. Lord, remind us of our fragility and mortality. In doing so, teach us to preserve the precious gift of life by acting in solidarity with those whose lives and dignity are at risk.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Sabeel’s Online Worship Services continue weekly every Thursday at 6 PM Jerusalem time. These worship services, a time to reflect on scripture through Palestinian Christian eyes, started at the very beginning of Sabeel’s ministry over 30 years ago and continue to this day through local bible studies, weekly staff bible study, and for the last five years, an online gathering that brings together friends of Sabeel around the world. Register at tinyurl.com/sabeelworship.
Holy God, we thank you for the hope and love of the Holy Spirit whenever we gather together as one community. We continue to pray for Sabeel’s staff and community as they continue this ministry. Help us to be agents of your peace in this world.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
May 15th is Nakba Day, a day commemorating the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and loss of over 75% of historical Palestine. For the last 8 decades, Palestinians have experienced what they call the “ongoing Nakba” (or catastrophe) – displacement and dispossession, denial of rights., occupation, apartheid, and now genocide. To reflect on ongoing Nakba, United Church of Christ is hosting a webinar on May 13th with executive director Jonathan Kuttab. He will discuss with the current reality in a context of regional war, genocide and occupation in Palestine, and prospects for peace with justice. To register, visit this link. (http://ucc.org/event/whats-next-rooted-in-faith-and-justice-a-vision-of-liberation-with-jonathan-kuttab/)
Liberator Christ, for many years we have witnessed the ongoing Nakba in Palestine and we continue to cry out for justice and deliverance. In the midst of despair, give us active and steadfast hope like that of the persistent widow who never ceases at the sight of injustice. We continue to pray for the creativity and wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we organize under one struggle for liberation and just peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers