Confrontations
between Israel and Hezbollah continue despite the U.S.-brokered
ceasefire agreement, with Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon killing so
far 3,613 people, including UNIFIL peacekeepers, and injuring 11,072
others. The violence has expanded regionally, with Iran and Yemen
launching missiles toward Israel and Israel responding with strikes on
Iran.
God
of the poor, we hold onto the Psalmist’s words that “God is a righteous
judge, and a God who has indignation every day.” (Psalm 7:11-12). Help
us to not become immune to death and suffering, but to channel our
righteous anger towards dismantling structural sin. Lord, deliver the
people from their oppression and sober up the powerful who are drunk on
power.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
The Israeli army has detained
four female Birzeit University students following a series of overnight
raids across the Ramallah area as part of a growing pattern of
targeting students and academic institutions in the occupied West
Bank. The detainees were identified as Jolan Abu Awwad, who was seized
after Israeli soldiers stormed student housing in Birzeit, north of
Ramallah; Sama Safi, taken from her family home in Ramallah; Leila Na'el
Khalil, forcibly taken from her home in Beitunia, west of the city; and
Natalie Abu Diah, who was seized from her family residence in
Birzeit. On the same night as the student arrests, at least 31
Palestinians were detained across the occupied West Bank in a series of
raids, including several former prisoners.
Divine
Creator, the full extent of our suffering cannot be fully articulated
to the world. We know you see all evil deeds, whether they are committed
in the day or in the dark of prison cells. Protect those who have been
kidnapped and detained and bring them freedom and justice.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Israel's
finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Wednesday a major
expansion by more than 2,000 homes of three Jewish settlements in the
occupied West Bank. The plans include 1,006 units near Jerusalem, 922
near Nablus and 234 near Hebron.
Holy
God, we identify with the story of Naboth’s vineyard. As our land which
is the source of our dignity and life is slowly being stolen from us,
we cry out for you to intervene. Lord, be with the communities of the
West Bank, and help us steward your good creation by resisting the
expansion of illegal settlements.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
The
Interfaith Action for Palestine is organizing an interfaith coalition
of organizations to counter Christians United for Israel’s (CUFI) Annual
Lobby Summit next month, July 5-7, 2025 in Washington DC. CUFI is the
largest “pro-Israel” organization in the United States that promotes
hawkish, Christian supremacist, and genocidal policies. FOSNA and other
faith organizations joined together last year to mobilize hundreds in
Washington, DC to disrupt CUFI’s supremacist agenda. To sign up this
year, please visit interfaithforpalestine.com
God
of Justice, we thank you for the Holy Spirit who is working creatively
to confront theologies of violence with messages of love, solidarity,
and justice. We know you see the hard work of those who creatively
resist. May you reward them with a stronger commitment towards justice
and embolden them as they work to dismantle structures of oppression,
bearing true witness to the incarnated Christ who humbles rulers
and lifts up the oppressed.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
The
Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism hosts an ongoing podcast
series called “Bad Theology Busted.” In the podcast, ISCZ speaks with
theologians and others on Christian Zionism and ways to combat it. The
podcast can be accessed on studychristianzionism.org.
God
of Peace, we are thankful for the work of the Institute for the Study
of Christian Zionism for the creative ways in which they contribute to
the struggle for liberation, justice, and peace in Palestine. We lift
them up as they continue to fight the good fight. Lord, help us spread
the work of ISCZ and Sabeel, promoting their vision of just peace and
working for that just peace in our world.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Eswatini.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayers
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