Israel is under attack from all sides. Whether it is military threats from terrorist groups in Gaza and the West Bank, international threats from global bodies like the United Nations, or a turning of hearts against Israel through the spreading of lies and misinformation through mainstream media outlets and social media, Israel is under attack from all directions.
Adding to this, Israel is currently going through turmoil internally. Netanyahu’s government is seeking to reform the judiciary and the opposition to this has sparked protests throughout the country, both supporting and opposing this reform. And indeed, Prime Minister Netanyahu has also had some health troubles recently with visits to hospital and a pacemaker for his heart being fitted this week.
To say that Israel and her leaders need our prayers is an understatement. In fact, we would say that it is now more critical and important for Christians to pray for Israel and the Jewish people than ever before.
We learn from the Bible how in the time of Nehemiah, the people of Israel were rebuilding the destroyed walls of Jerusalem with a weapon in one hand and a tool in the other. They were required to both build and be ready to defend their city at all times, such were the perilous times they were in. Likewise, Israel today is in the same situation and it has been this way since its rebirth 75 years ago.
Nothing is different between the hatred of Israel’s enemies in the past and the hatred of Israel’s enemies today.
The Bible explains that Israel is a nation whose existence is ordained by God Almighty. As such, the enemies of God seek nothing more than the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. Why? Because if Israel can be destroyed, it means the Bible is not true and God’s promises can be broken (Spoiler: The Bible is true and God’s promises can never be broken). Despite the futility of his efforts, Satan is manipulating mankind in every way he can in an attempt to destroy God’s chosen.
As Christians, we are not called to stand on the frontlines in a physical battle with Palestinian terror groups. The Bible is clear that we Christians do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and power.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Ephesians 6:12
This is why it is vitally important for Christian to pray for Israel, now and always. It is God’s desire for Israel to prosper. It is God’s desire for Israel to have peace. It is God’s desire for Jerusalem to be a place of praise in the earth. God loves Israel and we Christians must pray for its protection, prosperity, and peace, because we are the only ones who can fight this spiritual battle. We are the only spiritual ally Israel has, so we better do our job and pray.
This year, we want to do more to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
We know that as we bless Israel this year, God will bless us, just as He promised in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Now is the time to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
