In recent days, when supporters and staff pray for Israel in this time of war, and while Israelis taken hostage on 7th October remain in captivity, we find ourselves disheartened. From the barbaric acts of the massacre to the present day, six months on, we are so concerned about the widespread bias against Israel.
It seems that TV channels and social media platforms, as well as society itself, all have opinions directly opposed to ours as supporters of Israel. As believers in the God of the Bible, we feel commanded to pray for Israel, her land, and her people (Psalm 122:6-9), and that we have a duty to do so.
There is so much to pray for it can seem overwhelming. But please don’t come under that burden, however heavy it is. We know God will carry out his purposes and continue to love Israel with an everlasting love.
Remind yourself with Scripture:
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.
Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low;
he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust.
Isaiah 26:1-5.
Psalm 121:4-6 says that God ‘neither slumbers nor sleeps.’ So we can turn to prayer in faith, knowing he is fully aware of the smallest details, as well as all the dangers and complications for Israel at this time.
Some urgent matters for prayer;
- Pray for the hostages still in captivity. Hamas now says they can’t list 40 living hostages for the first phase of a potential prisoner exchange. Cry out to our Father God, Israel’s Father. Pray for those still alive to sense God’s supernatural power, presence and comfort, as well as their miraculous rescue or release, in God’s way and in his timing.
- Pray for Israel’s leadership and security services as we are told in Scripture (1 Timothy 2:1-2) to receive great godly wisdom and discernment, as well as an awareness of the place that Israel holds in God’s heart.
- Pray they look to him in all ways as the country is on high alert, due to threats to Israel’s borders rising from many nations and terrorist organisations bent on Israel’s destruction.
- Pray for unity in Israel at this time. Elections are being discussed but that would be very complicated in a time of war. Pray for God’s will to be done.
- Pray against media bias regarding Israel and that true journalism with factual balance will be seen about the war, Israel’s integrity, and the abundance of aid that is going into Gaza every day. Use the CFI UK website at www.cfi.org.uk for up-to-date factual coverage of key stories.
- Pray for those hurt, grieving or being mistreated; Jews, Arabs and people of other cultures who all live in Israel, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Pray for God’s protection of the innocent and for lives to be better for all in Gaza after the war is over, under fair governance and authorities who care for the people.
- Pray that those who lie and hate will be silenced and have to give an account to God.
- Use scriptures to guide you into prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for insight on how to continue to pray in his will.
Genesis12:3, Deuteronomy 7:8, Zechariah 2:8,12, Isaiah 49:14-16, 54:8, 10.
Julia Soakell,
April 2024
