Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of July 21, 2025
Last week, Israeli forces bombed the Catholic church in Gaza, killing three people and wounding at least 10 others. Among those killed were the parish’s 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old woman who was receiving psycho-social support. Among those injured is the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.
Loving God, our souls are heavy with sorrow as we watch our Christian siblings in Gaza face continued violence. When we come to you like the Psalmist asking why you are “so far from my cries of anguish” (Psalm 22:1), remind us of your presence in Gaza. Holy Spirit, embolden the Church to act to uphold the dignity of all human life.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in north Gaza, has been in Israeli prison for over 200 days. Previous reports when he was first illegally detained showed that he was being tortured. His lawyer reported last week that Dr. Abu Safiya has lost nearly 40% of his body weight since his detention and that he is currently being held in an underground cell that receives no sunlight.
God of liberation, Christ with the oppressed, we know that you see all evil deeds whether they are in the light or in the dark. Be with Dr. Hussam and all those suffering in their unjust imprisonment, and comfort them in all their tribulations. May their freedom draw near, and may justice and peace soon come to your holy land.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
The West Bank continues to experience an encroaching annexation, with daily military raids and settler violence meant to displace and threaten communities. In Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps, the military demolished hundreds of homes and structures, already displacing 25,000 residents.
God of refuge, amidst the increasing horrors in Gaza, let us not turn our eyes away from the West Bank. We pray for those displaced and under constant threat, that they may find refuge in you, “a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9) Bless and protect the many saints in the West Bank who continue to speak truth against injustice. By their examples, help us to act in solidarity.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, Israel bombed the capital of Damascus in Syria, violating Syria’s sovereignty. Israel claims it has been carrying out the strikes in Syria to protect Syria’s Druze minority, but many experts view it as an escalation and Israel’s continued insistence on military hegemony and extended occupation of Syrian territories including the Golan Heights.
Holy God, we grieve the continuation of violence on the Syrian people and another escalation that threatens the region. Be with those most affected by the violence of empire and transform the hearts of leaders so that they may repent and seek peace. We pray for an end to war wherever it takes root in the world. Help us to be peacemakers in each of our own contexts.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, after a summit in Bogota, Colombia, a coalition of countries announced concrete steps to hold Israel accountable. The 12 countries—Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and South Africa—agreed to a set of six concrete measures, including preventing the transfer of weapons to Israel and blocking Israeli military-linked ships from their ports.
God of hope, we thank you for the steps taken by world leaders to challenge the hypocrisy and selective application of international law. Through these efforts, remind us that we are all your children, each deserving to live in dignity and peace. Holy Spirit, when systems of oppression deny this truth, grant us the courage to speak out and the strength to confront them.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
This weekend, Kairos-Sabeel Nederland is hosting a conference in the Netherlands featuring speakers like Rev. Dr Munther Isaac, Dr. Janneke Stegeman, and Dr. Yousef Alkhouri. The goal of the conference is to invite Western Christians especially from Europe to engage Palestinian theology and take action. This conference is even more important considering the Netherlands is the largest investor in Israel’s economy, making up two-thirds of total EU investment in Israel or €50 billion. The EU has also increased exports to Israel since the beginning of the genocide.
Holy God, we remember Isaiah’s words: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” (Isaiah 5:20) We thank you for the work of our siblings in the Netherlands, who speak truth when empire deceives, who choose justice when those in power choose complicity. May the creativity of the Holy Spirit inspire those at the conference to rise up for the oppressed.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
The famine in Gaza is escalating to unprecedented levels, with only one or two weeks predicted left before mass numbers of civilians start dying from hunger and thirst. Trucks that could feed the entire population of Gaza for three months are currently blocked from entry by Israel.
Holy God, we have no more words to describe the evils that we are witnessing. Our hearts are shattered by the cries of the hungry and the silence of the world around them. We plead with you from the depths of our grief, brokenness, and anger. Yet even in this darkness, we turn to you, because there is nowhere else to turn. God of justice, God of the oppressed, give the people of Gaza both their daily bread that you have promised and help us to lift this inhumane siege.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Djibouti and Somalia.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers