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
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