Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Sept. 1, 2025
In recent weeks, Christian communities in the Holy Land continue to experience challenges. The Jerusalem Municipality froze the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s bank accounts and imposed steep taxes on its properties, disrupting its work managing churches, schools, hospitals, and welfare services for Palestinian Christians and pilgrims. Meanwhile, the Armenian community faces pressure over a renewed controversial deal between the Armenian Patriarchate and private firm Xana Gardens Ltd., which seeks to take over the historic Armenian Cow Garden without the community consent.
Holy God, we pray for the Christian communities of the Holy Land, the living stones who have borne faithful witness to you for two millenniums. In this time of renewed hardship, we ask your protection and peace over the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate as they face unjust financial pressures that threaten their ability to serve the community. We also pray for the Armenian community, steadfast in their struggle in protecting the diversity of the Old City. May your peace prevail in the land where you once walked.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Just days after the assassination of the entire Al Jazeera crew in Gaza City, Israel carried out a “double-tap” strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, killing 21 people. Following the initial missile, a second strike targeted rescue workers and five journalists. Nasser Hospital is the largest remaining functional medical facility in southern Gaza, an area where Palestinians are being forcibly displaced from Gaza City.
God of mercy, before we can even breathe from the last massacre, another one strikes. Like the Psalmist, we suffer distress and anguish. “Out of the depths we cry to You, O Lord.” (Psalm 130:1) Do not let the innocent be forgotten, and do not let the world turn its face away. You are still our refuge, even now. Be near to the brokenhearted, and bring justice and accountability to the land and its people.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, the United Methodist Church officially divested from Israel bonds and other bonds of governments that engage in illegal and prolonged occupation, becoming the world’s first church to do so, although much progress has been made in other churches as well. The United Methodist Kairos Response was an instrumental leader within the United Methodist Church in raising awareness and pushing for this change.
God of justice and liberation, we give thanks for the courageous witness of the United Methodist Church. Bless all churches and communities working for peace rooted in justice. Holy Spirit, with this action, inspire in others an urgency to examine their complicity and to act with integrity. Strengthen all who seek to follow the way of Christ in the work of truth-telling, solidarity, and faithful resistance.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
On 31 August, dozens of small civilian boats with activists, doctors, artists, trade unionists, and people of conscience from more than 39 countries set sail to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza. This mission is the largest people-led maritime mission in solidarity with Gaza since 2010.
God of all nations, we thank you for the ways your Spirit moves among us through the solidarity of those risking their safety to challenge the unjust blockade of Gaza. May their courage stir the hearts of leaders and bring hope to the oppressed. Strengthen us, too, O God, with the courage to deepen our own acts of solidarity, wherever we may be.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
In Palestine, the school year typically begins in early September. This year, however, the Palestinian Ministry of Education has postponed the start of classes in the occupied West Bank a week, citing a financial crisis caused by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s freeze on Palestinian clearance funds. Meanwhile, in Gaza, education has been devastated, with academic institutions destroyed and an average of a classroom of children killed each day.
God of wisdom, we mourn what should be a time of new beginnings. We pray for every child still longing to learn, for every teacher clinging to hope, and for the restoration of dignity through education. Holy Spirit, unite us in the struggle for liberation, that together we may build a future where all children can thrive in freedom and peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We invite all people of conscience to join us in praying for an end to famine in Gaza and Sudan, and for the cessation of genocides and wars everywhere.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer