Praying for Israel 2023

I was recently asked, "Rai, how can I pray for Israel during this time?" I am reminded of a young Moabite woman who had married an Israelite man, when he died, his mother tried to send this young woman back to her family. Yet Ruth begged Naomi, not to send her back to her family. Instead, "Ruth replied: Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." (Ruth 1:16). 

The Jewish people are our people in that we worship the same God. The first thing we need to pray for is the Peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122: 6), that Israel's borders will be secure (Exodus 23:31a), and that Jerusalem will be protected from being divided (Joel 3:2). 

Next, we should be praying for the government, and leaders of Israel. We need to pray that the leaders will be blessed, and will lead well. That they will provide some sense of stability during this time and that they will be free from corruption. Let's pray also that God will give the leaders wisdom, and that they will follow His lead (James 1:5). 

Isaiah 40:1 says Comfort, Comfort my people says your God. We are called to comfort and to pray for the comfort of God's people, both the young and the old. On Saturday, many families saw brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, mothers and fathers, head off to war. Let's pray that all citizens of Israel, will understand that the Lord wants to give them a future of hope and not evil as Jeremiah 29:11 states. 

Let's pray for the enemies and friends of Israel. Let's pray that they will take Genesis 12:3 to hear, to bless Israel means blessings, and that to curse Israel will bring curses upon them. Let's pray that the enemies of Israel will understand the depth of God's wrath against those who don't follow Him (Isaiah 60:12). Let's also pray as Zechariah 12:1-5 and Psalms 91 says that the Lord will keep a watchful eye over his people and that He will bind the schemes and resources that the enemy tries to use against Israel. Let us be reminded that when praying for Israel's enemies we are also heaping fiery coals of shame on their heads (Proverbs 25:21-22). 

Finally, let's pray also for the Christians in Israel. Let's pray for their safety, and that they will be a simple light in the darkness in Israel. Let's pray for their protection, endurance and patience (Romans 5:3-5). 

Am Israel Chai!