Prayer Points for the Holy Land for Your Churches

When conflict flares in the Holy Land, I feel it keenly. My husband and I spent two years in Israel, living in a tiny messianic Jewish village. We worshipped on Shabbat mornings with Israeli brothers and sisters in Christ and travelled extensively in the Land of the Bible. Like other Israelis, we celebrated the rhythm of Jewish holidays and solemnly commemorated the Holocaust.

We now live in an Arabic-speaking country where about half of the population claims Palestinian descent. We hear their perspectives on the conflict, their family histories of displacement and unjust treatment at the hands of the Israeli government. We love Palestinians—not only our brothers and sisters in Christ but also our Muslim neighbors and friends.

Because we’ve had the privilege of living on both sides of the conflict, we feel the responsibility to pray well in these times. We don’t want to simply “take sides” or “show solidarity.” We don’t want to parrot the phraseology of our governments or be caught in cycles of fear as we watch media.

As Christians, we can ask ourselves, “What are God’s priorities for the region? How can we lay aside politics and national interests to intercede in a heavenly minded way for the region?” We want to stand in the gap where Christ stands, reaching out in love and forgiveness to both sides, straining for the reconciliation and peace that only comes through him, the Prince of Peace.

I’m honored to offer these prayer points for your churches in the coming weeks.

Ask the God of all comfort to comfort those who grieve on both sides. Israelis have suffered a terrorist attack unlike any in the history of their state. Palestinian civilians in Gaza are enduring another traumatic war. Hundreds have died, thousands have been injured. We do not condone or rejoice in the destruction of life, no matter the person.
Pray for the growth and thriving of the messianic church in the Land. In 1948, when the State of Israel was established, believers in Yeshua numbered only 23. Now there are about 30,000 believers in congregations around the country. Pray that Jewish-background believers will remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ in times of hardship. Ask that they will be salt and light in their communities.
Lift up the 300,000 IDF reservists who have been called up. There are many believers among them. Ask that the good news of peace might go forth with them, that their attitudes toward their enemy might reflect our Savior and provoke conversations with fellow soldiers who have not experienced reconciliation with their Creator.
Intercede for 150 hostages taken by Hamas militants. As far as we know, they are now hidden in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has threatened to kill them if Israel bombs civilian targets. Please pray for encounters with Jesus for these hostages, that he will protect and deliver them. Ask for Saul-like encounters for Hamas leaders, that they will be transformed by encounters with the risen Christ.
Plead with the Lord to shatter all plans for evil placed by the evil one—that God’s glory will prevail and that many Israelis and Palestinians will find salvation in him in this season.
Pray for our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ. There are three churches in Gaza with about 2,000 Christians. There are about 162,000 Christians in Israel and the West Bank. These continually live as a doubly marginalized community—a minority between Muslim and Jewish contingents. While rejecting violent resistance, they long for justice for their people. Pray for their steadfastness and faithfulness to the gospel of peace.

Pray for the 2 million people in Gaza, who are undergoing a complete siege. There is no electricity (even generators have run out of fuel), no incoming supplies of food and water. Many, many innocent men, women, and children are suffering. The humanitarian situation is unthinkable. Ask for their quick deliverance!
Lift up Palestinians in the West Bank, which has been sealed off from the rest of the land. Many there work in Israel proper or in other parts of the West Bank and are now unable to get to their jobs. This will provoke hopelessness and perpetuate anger and bitterness. Ask that they will find hope and refuge in the Lord.
Please ask that the conflict will not spread regionally, especially to Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based. Lebanon, as well as Jordan, have very large Palestinian populations, so emotions are high in those countries.
Intercede for a just peace in the Holy Land, one that will allow all peoples, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, to live in equality and freedom, without fear or discrimination. This may not be possible before Christ’s return, so please ask for that too. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! And until then, help us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, as you commanded.

Recommended resources:

Prayercast has great prayer videos for Israel and Palestine: www.prayercast.com/israel.html; www.prayercast.com/gaza-strip-and-west-bank.html

For more about reconciliation between believing Palestinians and Israelis, I recommend Through My Enemy’s Eyes by Salim Munayer and Lisa Loden. www.amazon.com/Through-Enemys-Eyes- Reconciliation-Israel-Palestine/dp/1842277480

Son of Hamas tells the story of a Hamas member whose life was transformed by Christ. www.amazon.com/Son-Hamas-Gripping-Political-Unthinkable/dp/1414333080

Lightforce by Brother Andrew describes the Palestinian church. www.amazon.com/Light-Force- Stirring-Account-Crossfire/dp/0800731042

I also recommend the ministry of Musalaha, which is doing reconciliation work among Palestinians and Israelis in the Holy Land. www.musalaha.org/

Also check out One for Israel’s inspiring, hopeful worship music in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtcxE4xF5So