Sabeel Wave of Prayer – Week of Sept. 28, 2026
During Jewish holidays, Israel increases restrictions around Al-Aqsa Mosque and throughout Jerusalem’s Old City, making it more difficult for Muslims to access the mosque. Israel also imposes movement restrictions across the West Bank, affecting people’s ability to reach schools, hospitals, workplaces, and other essential services. At checkpoints, people can spend several hours waiting to pass through, and some are unable to reach their destinations at all.
God of love, we grieve with our Palestinian Muslim siblings who face barriers, harassment, and violence as they seek to worship. We remember your tears over Jerusalem and pray for an end to military occupation, respect for international law, and the protection of human rights for all. May Jerusalem be a city where everyone can worship freely and live with dignity, justice, and peace.
Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.
This week, we lift in our prayers the work of Friends of Sabeel around the world. Today, their are over 10 official Friends of Sabeel around the world, with Friends of Sabeel Korea soon to be re-launched later this year in South Korea. Friends of Sabeel is a global network inspired by Palestinian Liberation Theology, working in different countries to promote justice, nonviolence, and solidarity with Palestinian Christians, and to apply Sabeel’s vision within local social and political contexts.
God of love, you call each of us to work for justice, freedom, and peace in our daily lives. We thank you for the work of Friends of Sabeel who are bearing witness to injustice and who are striving for the dignity of all people. Mobilize us, Lord, to continue to act unwaveringly, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
In Palestine and Israel, the olive harvest often begins in October and is an important aspect of our culture, identity, and society and a major source of income for many Palestinian families. However, this year saw hundreds of uprooting of olive trees ahead of the harvest by the Israeli military, targeting 2,093 dunams of land. Many of the trees are hundreds of years old and that uprooting them not only destroys the trees, but also affects the livelihoods of Palestinian families that depend on them.
Divine Creator, the earth and all that is on it are your beautiful creation. We grieve the actions of empires who destroy and uproot rather than honor and steward your gift of life. Lord, be present with all Palestinian families who have lost their olive trees, the source of their dignity and livelihood. Help us to resist the sin of oppression and work for the redemption of all forms of life, human and ecological.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Israel’s election body has voted to ban all Palestinian parties from running in the upcoming general election. Meanwhile, Israeli politicians under ICC arrest warrants or international sanctions remain eligible to run.
Holy God, we cry like you over the hate and hypocrisy that plagues this world. Lord, illuminate to us the institutions, structures, and beliefs that foster racial supremacy and apartheid, and help us to transform them. We pray for accountability and true equality and peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Earlier this month, a Catholic school in Gaza reopened after being closed for nearly three years. Holy Family School, attached to Gaza’s only Catholic church, Holy Family Parish, welcomed approximately 1,000 students back to school on Sept. 15. Holy Family’s parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, said that he hopes the reopening of the school “will bring some sense of normality” to the students and their families, “even though nothing is normal in Gaza.”
Good God, we are grateful for your spirit which works through Fr. Fabriel Romanelli and all involved at the Holy Family Parish to provide hope to the children of Gaza. We pray that you protect the many Gazans who are committed to re-building life against all odds. Lord, help us follow their example by bringing justice to the oppressed, orphan, widow, and the poor.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers