Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Nov. 17, 2025
On Nov 14th , Kairos Palestine launched the 2nd Kairos document, “Faith in the time of Genocide.” The new Kairos document is a renewed call from Palestinian Christians to the global church amidst genocide, ethnic cleansing, and settler colonialism. Among the many important themes, the document highlights the call to hope as a defiant resistance and affirmation of life over death.
Liberator Christ, through the steadfast witness of indigenous Christians in the Holy Land, we are reminded of Apostle Paul’s words, that “we are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) As we discern the Kairos of our time, help us to embody the theology of liberation professed in the new Kairos document. Give us the courage to name and dismantle the structural sins of settler colonialism and genocide. May the global church rise to the call of hope, sumud, and solidarity.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Despite the ceasefire announcement, the killing in Gaza has not stopped. In addition to aid blockades, Israel has carried out airstrikes and house demolitions in Khan Younis, Beit Lahia, and throughout Gaza. With the winter season coming, many are also at risk of dying slow deaths from disease, starvation, and the cold.
Holy God, as we witness never-ending death, we feel the words of the Psalmist: “My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:3) We insist that you are still present under the rubble, with those who are suffering, and with families who are grieving. Do not let us be distracted by the false promises of empire but rather help us to listen to the voices of the oppressed. Until the day that all is redeemed, increase our commitment and action for the people of Gaza.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
The Israeli parliament recently advanced a bill that would expand the use of the death penalty for convicted Palestinian and individuals found guilty of killing Jewish Israelis for nationalistic reasons. The death penalty bill, championed by far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, passed its first reading by 39 votes to 16. It now moves to a parliamentary committee for further debate and preparation ahead of the second and third readings.
God of the captives, we lament this news and cry out for justice. We pray that those in power would understand that what makes for peace is not violence and fear, but justice and righteousness. Open their eyes to see that cycles of vengeance only breed more suffering.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
During the recent Reformation Day service at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem, Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land spoke candidly about Palestinian suffering, asking what “Reformation” means amid what he described as “two years of genocide,” displacement, and daily restrictions under military rule. His remarks prompted many German church and political figures who attended to walk out, condemning the bishop’s comments rather than the conditions in Gaza that he named.
God of the marginalized, we grieve the complicity of the Western church that remains more fixated on policing prophetic voices than stopping the violence of empire. Help us to challenge the silence of our churches by increasing our solidarity and our voices for the oppressed. We pray for true repentance from world leaders and renewed commitment to justice and peace in the Holy Land.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Friends of Sabeel Australia along with other partners recently helped organized an event featuring Rev. Mitri Raheb on decolonizing Palestine and the weaponization of the Bible to serve Zionist settler-colonialism in Palestine. A recording of the event can be found on Palestine Justice Movement’s Youtube channel.
God of hope, we thank you for the voices around the world who continue to organize their communities in solidarity with the suffering. We pray that these events may continue to educate and bring awareness to our struggle for justice and peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. We pray especially for the indigenous peoples of New Zealand and Australia who continue to experience discrimination, erasure, and racism.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers