Suggested points for prayer: (updated 5th February 2024):
- It is now estimated that 136 hostages remain in captivity, although not all are alive. Pray for them: strength of character, strengthening of faith for those who have it, turning to God for others, physical and mental stamina, divine mercy and compassion upon them.
- Healing for wounded Israelis, thought to number more than 11,000.
- Physical, emotional and psychological healing for the 109 hostages released so far. More testimonies are being released of the deep trauma they have suffered.
- Comfort for the family and friends of more than 1,200 Israelis who have been killed; especially those of the 3 hostages killed in the tragic error by the IDF on Friday 15th December.
- Safety for the civilians of the Gaza Strip in the midst of fighting – most of them now in the south where there is fierce fighting between elite Israeli troops and the remaining terrorists.
- Strength of faith, courage, and a strong desire to care for others in all believers in Jesus within Israel and the Gaza Strip – Jews, Arabs, and other Gentiles.
- Compassion for all Israelis traumatised by the 7th October attack – some were under siege by terrorists for more than 24 hours. Since the attack, many Holocaust survivors are experiencing flashbacks to their experiences at the hands of the Nazis.
- Compassion and aid for all the Gazan civilians struggling to survive the war and suffering as a result of the evil actions of terrorists.
- Courage for all the Israelis serving in the IDF, and also for their families who are very concerned about the dangerous situations they face in both the Gaza Strip and the border with Lebanon.
- Wisdom, discernment, and guidance for Israel’s leaders – politicians and military – enabling them to demonstrate appropriate restraint.
- Unity among the people of Israel, setting aside their political differences.
- Continued restraint among the Arab Israelis.
- Restraint among the Israelis and Arabs in Judea, Samaria (the so-called ‘West Bank’) and East Jerusalem.
- Restraint of Hezbollah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Lebanon and Syria, so Israel does not have to fight more full-scale wars.
- International recognition of the horrific nature of the terrorists’ actions, which cannot be justified by Palestinians’ grievances. In particular, that the testimonies of rape will be accepted.
- International recognition that Hamas is a terrorist organisation dedicated to Israel`s destruction, and that there is no hope of a negotiated peace with such an organisation.
- Truth will prevail in the worldwide information battle in the main media and social media.
You might also like to use the prayer linked here.