War in Israel.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched its largest surprise attack on Israel in decades. The number of lives impacted continues to climb as new information is received of people who have been killed, wounded, and taken hostage. Please join us in prayer for everyone impacted by these attacks and continue reading to learn how you can support ministries and individuals in need.

As a church, we must have an organized response to this crisis so we can be of assistance and not a hindrance. We ask that you not travel to the affected area unless you have communicated with an organization already involved in relief efforts and they are aware of your arrival.

PRAY

  • Pray for God’s comfort and protection to surround the families affected by these attacks.

  • Pray for wisdom and discernment for leaders who are making decisions regarding responses to these attacks.

  • Pray for protection over every civilian and soldier defending the nation of Israel.

  • Pray for the many Christians and Messianic Ministries in the region who are on the ground and currently responding to the needs.

  • Pray for God’s comfort over those who have lost loved ones from the attacks.

  • Pray for the peace of Israel.

  • Use the detailed prayer guide at the bottom of this page.

STAY INFORMED

There is a lot of information being sent out about the attacks in Israel. It’s important to stay informed by trusted and balanced sources. Here are a few places you can find accurate and up-to-date information about the war in Israel:

Seven Ways To Pray For Israel in General:


Why pray for Israel?

BECAUSE THE JEWISH PEOPLE ARE A “SPECIAL TREASURE” TO GOD
God calls the Jewish people His “special treasure” (Deuteronomy 7:6), His “portion,” and “the apple of His eye” (Deuteronomy 32:9-10). Israel is even called God’s “wife” (Hosea 2:19) and “bride” (Isaiah 62:5) with whom He has entered a marriage-like covenant (Ezekiel 16:8- 14). In the New Testament, Paul builds on this by calling the Jewish people “beloved” of God, and possessing an irrevocable calling (Romans 11:28-29).

BECAUSE THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
King David is just as direct in the Psalms: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper” (Psalm 122:6). The Hebrew word used here for “pray” (ולאש or sha’alu) is in the imperative form, much like a command, directing every believer to engage. These exhortations were not just “for then” but continue to be “for now,” too!


BECAUSE YOU WILL BE BLESSED
When God made an eternal covenant with Abraham and his descendants (the Jewish people), He introduced the idea of mutual blessing: “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). As you bless the Jewish people, God Himself blesses you. Not just materialistically, but in an enriching way. Like a husband and wife, God planned for Jews and Gentiles to bless, love, and serve one another. He knew this would be enriching for both groups. Prayer opens this door!

Pray for the peace.
Yes – it’s that simple! “Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls!” (Psalm 122:6- 7) It might seem too basic or cliché, but this is the best gift God could give all citizens (Jew and Arab) of Israel!

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Pray for forgiveness.
Modern Israel is far from being “holy” in its behavior before the Lord. Israelis commit similar sins as all modern nations—abortion, abuse, injustice, and sexual immorality. In Ezekiel 36, just before God promises to bring the Jewish people back to the Land of Israel, He says: “I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:25-26). Join with this promise in praying for forgiveness and repentance in Israel.

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Pray for influence.
God told the Jewish people: “I will give you as a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). Israel’s “irrevocable calling” (Romans 11:29) is to lead the nations into a knowledge of the God of Israel. Pray that Israel would mature in her calling to influence all nations to honor the Lord.

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Pray for relationships.
The Jewish people descended from Isaac, and the Arab people from Ishmael (Genesis 25:12- 18). In God’s heart as a father is a deep desire to restore a loving relationship to these two “brothers.” Isaiah 19 also prophesies the day when there will be a “highway” in Israel, when the Arab nations to the north and south of Israel will come together in unity to worship the God of Israel. Let’s believe for this miraculous re-uniting to happen in our lifetime!

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Pray for leadership.
The Bible contains numerous stories about righteous and unrighteous leaders of ancient Israel. The same is true today, as Israel’s leaders have a mixed record of following God’s instruction in office. To lead a diverse and complex society, Israel’s leaders need wisdom. Pray the words of Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases.”

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Pray for provision.
When Israel was reborn in 1948, there were less than 200 Messianic Jewish believers in Israel. Today, there are an estimated 20,000 in the Messianic community! Though miraculous, these believers suffer frequent persecution, discrediting, and discrimination in Israeli society. Pray God will provide every need for these individuals, congregations, and ministries, and that He would protect them and their families from injustice.

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Pray for the church’s heart.
For almost 2,000 years, the global Church has devalued and disregarded Jewish identity. But in recent decades, Christians around the world have been rediscovering the Jewish foundations of faith in Jesus.

  • Pray that more churches and pastors would step into an active love for the Jewish people.

  • Pray that they would repent of any anti-Jewish theologies in their congregations.

  • Pray that they would welcome and affirm Jewish believers in Jesus.

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