A CALL TO PRAYER FOR ISRAEL

Beginning Saturday, the 7^th day of October, 2023 the axis of evil unleashed carnage and savagery against the people of Israel. We call on God’s people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel. 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 say first of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all men, for the kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. 

Points of prayer for Israel

Psalms 46: 1 says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 124: 8 says our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Our points of prayer may include:

1. A prayer to awaken Israel that our God is able to save them. Psalms 121:2-5 say my help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.  

2. A prayer that God should keep Israel focused on God. Jeremiah 1: 19 says they will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you. Nehemiah 4: 20 says our God will fight for us. 

3. A prayer that Israel should not be afraid. Joshua 10: 25 says do not be afraid or dismayed, be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight. Joshua 23: 10 says one man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, as he promised you. Job 11: 20 says but the eyes of the wicked will fail; all ways of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.  

4. A prayer of assurance that God will preserve Israel’s inheritance assured Abraham. Psalms 37: 34 says wait for the LORD, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to possess the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked. Do not believe those who say Israel will be annihilated.  Jeremiah 27: 10 says it is lying prophesy that I will remove you from the land.

5. A prayer that Israel shall not be in darkness but in God’s light. Isaiah 60: 20-21 say your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the shoot of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. Amos 5: 14 says focus on God and he will be with you.

6. A prayer that Christ Jesus should be Israel’s captain in battle. Barak said in Judges 4: 8, if you (God) will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15: 57, but thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

7. A prayer of faith that Israel is not alone in battle. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 20, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Hebrews 13: 5 says I will never fail you nor forsake you.

8. A prayer that Israel will not be anxious but allow God’s plan to unfold. Philippians 4: 6 says have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.

9. A prayer that God should provide a way of escape to victory for Israel. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 says no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

10. A prayer for Israel to receive God’s sufficient grace to sail through. Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Psalms 20:7 says some boast of chariots and some of horses; but we boast of the name of the LORD our God.

11. A prayer of faith in the name of Christ Jesus to save Israel.  Acts 4: 12 says there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Philippians 2:9-11 say God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12. A prayer that God should remain as Israel’s stronghold. Proverbs 18:10 says the name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe. Psalms 50:15 or Psalms 91:15 says call upon his name in the day of trouble and he will deliver you and honour you. Psalm 91:1 says he that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.   

Christ Jesus calls us to prayer

This is the time to sleep less but to pray more. Matthew 26:41 says watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. This attack is by no means remote, it may continue globally. It is spiritual in nature and evil no matter how the carnage is packaged. 2 Corinthians 11:14 says and no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

Prayer and faith in God are our greatest weapons of warfare though not carnal. 2 Corinthians 10: 4-6 say for our weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and very high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when you obedience is fulfilled. Israel is the seat of our faith which is under attack.

We must be vigilant in prayer and for Israel in particular. 1 Peter 5:8 says be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The devil may come at us any time soon. WE MUST PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we invite you this moment to save, comfort and preserve your people Israel to your glory and honour. We rest our faith in you to comfort the bereaved; to heal the wounded in body and soul; to be a companion to the lonely; to help the helpless; and to give sight to the blind in body and spirit. Cover them with your blood and save them today by your mercy, grace and love.

Please Lord Jesus Christ, show the way to the lost; give peace to the afflicted; give inner strength to the weak; restore hope to those without hope; and feed the hungry with your bread of life. Provide love where there is hate; restore the region and the world unto yourself; be the Father to the fatherless; and courage to the faint hearted. Be Israel’s eternal home of victory in your holy name. 

For the innocent lives in the region of Gaza who are affected by the consequences of the savagery of Hamas, please locate them in your mercy and be their help in times of need. Let them acknowledge you as the King of kings and the Lord of lords and save their souls in your holy name through the precious blood of Christ Jesus, Amen!!