Sabeel
is launching a new project honoring the ministry of its co-founder,
Rev. Naim Ateek. By the end of the year, we plan to publish a collection
of over 150 homilies from Rev. Naim, Palestinian Christians,
and Sabeel friends, organized by the three-year lectionary cycle. These
homilies come from virtual Thursday Bible studies hosted since 2020 and
will be made accessible globally. This project is the first to offer a
complete reading of the Revised Common Lectionary through Palestinian
Liberation Theology. It serves as a living, prophetic witness
proclaiming God's liberating love and justice. For more than 40 years,
Rev. Naim and Sabeel co-founders have guided the path to liberation, and
this resource aims to inspire and guide believers in hope and justice.
Holy
God, we thank you for Rev. Naim, the co-founders of Sabeel, and the
many friends who have participated in the weekly Bible studies, helping
to bring this project to life. We pray that this new resource will equip
the church to resist theologies of exclusion and domination and embrace
the way of Jesus, which is the way of justice, mercy, and life. Help us
to listen attentively that we may be become people of courageous hope
who demand for justice and only justice for the people of Palestine
until that day comes.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Last
week was Eid Al Adha for Muslims around the world. During the first day
of Eid, Israel struck a residential building in al-Rimal neighborhood
west of Gaza City killed at least 10 people and wounded 20 others. Four
children are among the dead. According to reports, Israel has violated
the U.S.-backed ceasefire 3,000 times since agreeing to the deal last
October, killing more than 900 civilians since then.
God
of the oppressed, like the Psalmist, our tears have been our food day
and night. Help us bear witness to the children of Gaza and work to
end their hunger, thirst, and oppression. Lord, deliver the oppressed
with your liberating justice and love.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last
week, Israel approved a plan to turn the headquarters of UNRWA in East
Jerusalem into a settlement that contains a museum, recruitment office,
and headquarters for the Israeli Army. This plan is against
international law and comes after years of attacks on UNRWA and the
dismantling of UNRWA in East Jerusalem.
Holy
God, we pray for the over 800,000 refugees in East Jerusalem and the
West Bank who live in insecurity and worsening oppression. Help us to
tear down the false idols of violence and to seek instead the paths of justice, mercy, and peace.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Over
the last two weeks, as students graduate from university in the United
States and around the world, many used their graduation speeches and
ceremonies to continue to draw attention to
their institutions’ complicity in genocide and the fact there no more
universities in Gaza. many schools attempted to silence pro-Palestine
speech at the commemorations, including canceling speakers
and eliminating live speeches by students altogether, the students found
creative ways to protest including interrupting their own graduations.
Holy
God, we are thankful of the courage of your Holy Spirit working through
those who resist and speak truth to power. We pray for those who risk
their livelihoods and careers for the sake of advocating for the
living and the suffering. Through their example, guide us to be better
advocates and witnesses to injustice. May we be agents of your
liberating love in a world in dire need of it.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
This
past Sunday was Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday
after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the
Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity. Trinity Sunday celebrates
the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Holy
Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are one in love and diverse
in communion. In a divided world, teach us that unity does not require
sameness and that diversity is a sacred gift. Draw us into solidarity
without domination, justice with compassion, and peace rooted in dignity
for all people. Help guide us through your transforming love to seek
freedom and the flourishing of every human being.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Angola and Mozambique.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayers
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