Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity
“When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
We are joyful.
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
As the streams in the South.
Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting.
One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
(Psalm 126)
It’s amazing how a Scripture depicting the joyful return of Israel’s captives coming home can be as relevant today as when it was first written.
This week we have seen some amazing scenes of hostages returning from Gaza after two years in Hamas captivity. Scenes of families shouting and for joy as they run towards each other and embrace each other with all their strength as the tears flow. It is wonderful to see such joy as families and friends are reunited together.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended.”
(Isaiah 40:1-2a)
Equally, this has also been a time when there is heartbreak as the bodies of those murdered by Hamas are returned. Families can finally grieve for the loss of their loved ones. However, as Hamas fails to keep its end of the deal, with the majority of the bodies yet to be returned, dozens of Israeli families are unable to properly grieve. Their torment continues as they continue to await the return of all the hostage bodies.
With all this in mind, here are this week’s prayer points:
Praise the Lord that the twenty living hostages have been returned safely to Israel: There are many people to thank in the process of their release, and we thank God for all of them. However, it is ultimately the God of Israel who deserves all the glory. May God be glorified in this, and may Israel know that He is the One who they should rely upon for their help.
Pray for the wellbeing of the returning hostages: Pray for these precious men as they begin the long process of healing physically and mentally from the torture, starvation, and horrors of the past two years. May they get back to full health with strength to their bones and their minds renewed.
Pray for the hostage families who are welcoming back loved ones: Pray for their families as their loved ones adapt to life back in Israel after going through such an ordeal.
Pray for the families who are burying their dead: As the Scripture above says, we are asking God, “Comfort, comfort YOUR people, O Lord!” May the families who have buried their loved ones finally be able to grieve their loss and begin the process of healing after such a long period for all of them.
Pray for the families still waiting for their loves ones to return: We pray that these precious people will continue to have the strength to keep going as their trauma continues. We pray that every family will eventually be able to bury their loved ones. But we also pray that God will help them come to terms with whatever scenario happens. May He sustain them.
Pray that Israel will be at peace: We pray that Israel will have a time of respite following this disastrous war. We know it will not last forever, but we pray that Israel will have a period of calm in the days and weeks ahead. Pray that Hamas will keep its end of the deal. That they will disarm, and be dismantled, and they will stop murdering their own civilians. Pray that the world’s eyes will be opened to both the evil of Hamas and the goodness of Israel.
