Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Week of Oct. 28, 2024

Last week, the Israeli army published the names of six Al Jazeera journalists, claiming they were Hamas operatives. The six journalists accused by Israel are the only remaining journalists in North Gaza currently reporting on the ethnic cleansing campaign occurring in Jabalia. Since October 2023, at least 128 journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. 

• God of the Suffering, in our despair, we recognize the words of the Psalmist, who cries out to you of the injustice done by the wrong doer: “They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, ‘Who will see it?’” (Psalm 64:3-5) In our distress, we know you will see all. Guard the truth-seekers and the innocent in Gaza as they endure these cruel schemes. Strengthen those who stand against injustice and shield them from harm. May their courage pierce through the darkness and may your light triumph over evil. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, hundreds of far-right Israeli settlers gathered at a conference near the border of the Gaza Strip to press for the rebuilding of Jewish settlements in Gaza. The two-day conference, organized by far-right settler group Nachala and held under the slogan “Gaza is Ours Forever,” was attended by several government ministers and Knesset members. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Givr, during a speech at the conference, called for the expulsion of Gaza’s Palestinian population to other countries. 

• Creator God, we cry out to you in anguish as voices of hatred and destruction rise once more. Lord, we name the injustice: those calling for the expulsion of Palestinians, the erasure of homes, and the pursuit of domination. Help us to embrace the truth that all your children are made in your image, worthy of life and dignity. We ask for the strength to never grow weary in the fight for justice until freedom and dignity belong to all. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Israeli raids continued in the West Bank. One of these raids included the town of Halhul, north of Hebron, where soldiers used live ammunition and sound bombs on Palestinians in the town and injured a child. Soldiers also stormed the Old City of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, killing an 11-year-old Palestinian boy during their raid. Meanwhile, settlers continued their violence throughout the West Bank, including destroying electricity sources to the village of Yasuf, east of Salfit.  

• Compassionate God, we pray for the communities affected by the recent Israeli raids, particularly in Halhul and Nablus. We ask for your healing touch upon all those injured and for the families of those who have been killed because of this unimaginable violence. We beseech you to grant wisdom and courage to all those working for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. May the hearts of those perpetuating violence be softened and may the needs of those living under occupation and settler violence be met as they find strength in unity and resilience. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, Father Gustavo Gutierrez passed away at age 96. A Peruvian Catholic priest known as the champion and father of Christian liberation theology, Father Gustavo deeply influenced church doctrine and practice in Latin America. His teachings and example also influenced movements throughout the world. When Gutierrez turned 90 in 2018, Pope Francis wrote him a letter thanking him for his contributions to “the Church and to humanity, through your theological service and your preferential love for the poor and the discarded of society”. 

• Merciful Creator, we thank you for the wisdom, courage, and unwavering love that Father Gustavo shared with the world. May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus give comfort to his family and loved ones. Holy Spirit, help us embody liberation theology in the way Father Gustavo did. Bless us with the humility and steadfastness to always walk alongside “the poor and the discarded of society” and to challenge the theology of empire wherever it takes root. We ask that you use each of our unique gifts and talents to carry forward Father Gustavo’s legacy. May we strive to fulfill your vision of a world where the dignity of all creation is honored. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Because of ongoing developments on the ground, Sabeel Jerusalem recently reconfigured the format of the previously announced conference and preconference tour in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, “Challenging Religious Extremism.” Sabeel Jerusalem is excited to re-announce the conference as “a Solidarity Pilgrimage”, to take place on November 16-21, 2024 (with Pre-Pilgrimage Tour on November 10-16). The Solidarity Pilgrimage will put the principles of Palestinian Liberation Theology into practice as we visit, accompany, and listen to Palestinian communities that are suffering ever-escalating injustices. Though these events are being reconfigured to be more action-oriented than conceptual, the conference’s original subject matter, the concern with religious extremism, will still be integrated into the program, including in debriefings and discussions from scholars and activists in the evenings. 

• As we embark on this Solidarity Pilgrimage next month, we thank you for the opportunity to walk alongside our brothers and sisters. May our hearts be open to listening, learning, and witnessing the struggles faced by those who suffer injustices. Holy Spirit, guide our steps as we put the principles of Palestinian Liberation Theology into action at and beyond the pilgrimage.  Protect all in the Sabeel community as they journey to and from the Holy Land. Merciful Creator, bring healing and liberation of all who are oppressed. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

Last week, over 2000 Palestinian Christians celebrated the Feast of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine, the main patroness of the Diocese of Jerusalem. His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the yearly celebrations with a Solemn Mass and procession at the Shrine of Our Lady in Deir Rafat. Among those celebrating in prayer were clergy, religious men and women, Seimnarists, Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulcher, the Knights of Malta, students from the Christian schools of Jerusalem, and faithful from various parishes of the diocese. 

• Loving God, we give gratitude for your protection over our brothers and sisters as they prayed during this sacred time. We pray alongside them as we ask the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts with courage, faith, and love. Holy Spirit, help us walk in the path of the Queen of Palestine as she did in the days of Nazareth. Like the Virgin Mary, teach us to listen attentively to your voice and be faithful servants of your will. In the face of adversity, we pray for the triumph of truth and justice in the Holy Land. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer

We join with the World Council of Churches in their prayer for the islands of Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer