Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Jan. 8, 2024
In the final days of 2023, South Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa alleges that Israel’s conduct since October 7th in Gaza violates its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. South Africa and Israel will deliver oral arguments in public hearings on January 11th and 12th regarding genocide charges before the ICJ.
• God the royal judge, we know that truth is the source of liberation and lies are the source of oppression. We pray that your holy light will be revealed at the hearings before the ICJ. In these overwhelming times, we pray for the gift of discernment by the Holy Spirit to help us possess wisdom and understanding. We have faith that “the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us” (Isaiah 32:22).
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
On the 2nd of January, a drone attack hit a building in Beirut. This resulted in the killing of several senior Hamas leaders, including Saleh al-Arouri, a former leader of the Qassam Brigades and member of the political bureau of Hamas who coordinated the group’s military and political activities outside the Gaza Strip. This attack has caused great fear of further escalation in the current situation in Palestine-Israel and the wider Middle East.
• God of might, the actions of empires, structures, and other political powers have resulted in the loss of so many lives. We are fearful of what is to come since violence begets violence. Lord, we cry out to you for an immediate ceasefire to halt further lives being lost and for access to aid for those in need.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
In the closing week of 2023, Israeli settlers hung a “donkey’s head” on a grave in the Bab al-Rahma cemetery in the old city of Jerusalem. The Bab al-Rahma is an ancient Muslim cemetery that has been an endowment property for more than 1,400 years. It contains numerous graves of notable companions of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad and is considered sacred for many in Palestine and around the world. This marks another religious desecration of non-Jewish sites in Jerusalem in recent years.
• Lord Christ, aid us in overcoming the sin of racism in individuals, communities, social and civil institutions, and structures of power. We pray for our Palestinian Muslim brothers and sisters in Jerusalem who face harassment and violence, especially in sacred sites. Move our hearts so that we may move our feet to action.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
On the 7th of January, the Orthodox Christian world celebrated Christmas Day. Christmas Day is usually marked by Orthodox Christians as a day for feasting and enjoying the company of friends and family members. The Christmas meal usually includes meat and several types of pastries, breaking the long “Nativity Fast”. Furthermore, special liturgies and prayers are made in honor of Christ’s incarnation.
• Emmanuel, as the Christian Orthodox world celebrates Christmas, let them center on the real and revolutionary message of Christmas. As gifts are given on Christmas, let us remember the words of Saint Nicholas, “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic Gods giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.” Here in Palestine, we await the gift of liberation from oppression, justice from injustice, peace from war, life from death. Let us imitate God’s gift by giving all oppressed peoples around the world the gift of liberation.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
Following the success of the “Emmauel” theater play in Jerusalem, Sabeel Jerusalem, Youth of Jesus’ Homeland Palestine (YJHP), and the theater production team, held another show in Ramallah. At least 700 people attended the play ranging from all walks of life. The play reflects creatively on the current situation while also focusing on the hope that “God is with us” in the birth of Christ.
• Emmanuel, God with us, we thank you for the efforts and leadership of those who attempt to contextualize the Christmas message to our current reality in Palestine. May the Holy Spirit inspire the attendees to be prophetic, courageous, to foster unity and resilience. May the message of hope and the call for justice be communicated in all spaces and methods, reaching all people and all places.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
Currently, there are 8,800 Palestinians in Israeli jails, including 3,291 Palestinians detained without charges. The Israeli arrests were concentrated in the governorates of Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tubas. Furthermore, according to the Commission and the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS), 23-year-old prisoner Abdul Rahman Al-Bahsh from Nablus has died due to severe torture in Megiddo prison. This marks the seventh Palestinian detainee to die in 12 weeks in Israeli prisons.
• Merciful God, grant all Palestinians, incarcerated unjustly, deliverance, justice, and restoration of honor. Give hope and courage to them and their families in their times of suffering. Let the truth shine through the darkness of deception and may those responsible for their unjust incarceration be held accountable. Heal all oppressed and oppressors from the corruption of evil since everyone, although on various levels, suffers from sin, knowingly or not.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
• We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the countries of Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer