Sabeel Wave of Prayer – Week of April 7, 2026
April 5th marked Easter for churches following the Western calendar, and Palm Sunday for those following the Eastern calendar. Most Palestinian Christians observe Easter according to the Eastern tradition and Christmas according to the Western calendar as a sign of unity. However, in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, the dates often remain separate. Holy Week in Palestine–Israel is usually rich in tradition. This year, however, celebrations are severely limited: access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is restricted, movement for Palestinian Christians from the West Bank is constrained, and ongoing displacement in Gaza has forced many Christians to scale back their usual observances.
Redeemer Christ, the hope of resurrection lives in our hearts even if we cannot celebrate on the streets. Amid violence and despair, remind us that the tomb is empty and that you have risen from the rubble and are among us. Help us to be daily witnesses to your victory and rise with you.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, the former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital and a physician from Gaza, has been illegally detained by Israeli forces for more than a year. In a recent statement, UN experts said they received reports that Abu Safia’s health condition “remains dire” and that he continues to be subjected to torture and cruel treatment. An international campaign is currently active calling for his release.
Jesus, you, like many Palestinians, were unjustly tortured and humiliated. Assure Dr. Hussam and many like him that you see them. Remind us that if we oppress and torture the weak, we deny our own humanity. We pray for true justice, freedom, and deliverance for Dr. Hussam and all Palestinians who are imprisoned without trial and charge.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, large forces of police and enforcement officers raided the Baten Al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan and evicted two buildings belonging to two Palestinian families, displacing 65 people. In Silwan, 37 families with hundreds of people have already been evicted, and settlers have moved in in their place, including seven homes that settlers entered in the past two years. There are at least four additional eviction lawsuits against at least 12 homes, involving dozens of families and hundreds of residents. This is the unfortunate reality for Silwan and Palestinian neighborhoods near the Old City.
Holy God, we grieve over Jerusalem, a city that has become home of hate and sin. We pray for true justice and deliverance for the many families now turned into refugees once more. Help us fulfill our responsibilities as witnesses to this injustice by resisting empires who are reckless with their power. Lord, sober up the powerful and give us wisdom as we fight for justice.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
The Save Jerusalem campaign, launched by FOSNA, Sabeel, and other partners, is hosting a webinar on April 14th on The Iran War & Annexation of the West Bank. Featuring Dalia Qumsieh from Balasan Initiative for Human Rights (BIHR), this webinar will provide understanding of Israel’s initiation of the War on Iran and its relationship to the Greater Israel plan to annex the West Bank. The link to register can be found here (https://tinyurl.com/dxjcjfz3)
Loving God, we thank you for the love of friends who continue to organize and work for justice. We ask for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, that those attending this event may gain more knowledge and tools to be better witnesses to your kingdom by disrupting the unjust status quo. We pray for an immediate cessation to violence and for a just peace to prevail over our land.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets across the occupied West Bank and went on strike last week after Israel’s parliament passed a measure establishing the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis. Inside Israel, hundreds of protestors gathered to protest Israel’s war on Iran despite wartime restrictions on public gatherings.
Almighty God, your righteous anger heals. Continue to keep the zeal of the Holy Spirit alive in our hearts, that we may never stop protesting and resisting injustices. We pray for the abolishment of the death penalty and the dismantling of all structures that uphold dehumanization and violence.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of the Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers