Pray for Israel by Ted Slater on 04/03/2008 at 4:00 PM

Things are heating up in the Middle East. OK, they're always hot, and they always seem to be heating up. But with Syria drafting reserve military and amassing forces along its border with Israel, something new and alarming seems afoot.

I asked Boundless author Elisabeth Adams, who lives in Jerusalem, to provide us an update and let us know how we can pray for her and Israel. This is her reply:

It's hard to explain how my perspective has changed after living in Israel for over three years. My personal life is less cushy; my surroundings undergo many more fluctuations -- and I'm becoming very matter-of-fact about it all. The Israelis have had much more practice in this than I have, and for them, the cycle from normal to life-and-death issues and back to normal again is much shorter than it would be back in the States. It has to be. Restaurants are bombed, and reopen. Wars come, and go. It's not a question of whether more violence will come, but when. I'm peaceful in knowing that I'm where God wants me to be, but not all Israelis have that luxury.

If there's anything we can offer "for the peace of Jerusalem," it's prayer. If there's anything I would request, it's that you seek out God's perspective on Jerusalem, and pray in harmony with that.

Why am I asking this? There are many people who have nothing but criticism for this nation; there are many that have nothing but praise. It's as if Israel is only a symbol, rather than a collection of living, breathing, faulty and beloved human beings. How much better to note how many times and in what way the nation of Israel appears in the Bible. God sees them with love, frustration, and long-term vision. He sees you and me as real, multi-dimensional people. My earnest desire is to see the Israelis in the same way.

This is not how the world media sees Israel. You might need to be aware they have never been favorable to Israel, and that historically, the Arab nations have had much more media savvy than their Israeli cousins. I'm not saying that all the news that comes directly out of Israel is correct. I am suggesting that when you hear a news report, you ask who's talking.

Which brings us to the latest news reports. Yes, some Syrian troops are massing at the northern border of Israel. The flashpoint appears to be the recent assassination of Hizbollah terrorist Imad Mughniyeh. The Syrians say they fear that if Hizbollah retaliates on Israel, Israel will in turn attack Syria. Syria's alternative to fearing Israel might be to cease relations with Hizbollah. But from where I sit, Israel's alternative to ceasing the war on terror is ceasing to exist.

This is their home. They don't have the U.S. to go back to when times get hard. I do. They don't have 50 states in which to spread out: They've only got one, and it's roughly the size of Massachusetts. They're not a superpower; their super power lies with God. Thankfully, some Israelis recognize this fact. Tonight at 6 p.m., mass prayers of repentance and entreaty for safety will be going on simultaneously in 40 cities. We'd love to have you join us!

Pray for Israel by Ted Slater on 04/03/2008 at 4:00 PM

Things are heating up in the Middle East. OK, they're always hot, and they always seem to be heating up. But with Syria drafting reserve military and amassing forces along its border with Israel, something new and alarming seems afoot.

I asked Boundless author Elisabeth Adams, who lives in Jerusalem, to provide us an update and let us know how we can pray for her and Israel. This is her reply:

It's hard to explain how my perspective has changed after living in Israel for over three years. My personal life is less cushy; my surroundings undergo many more fluctuations -- and I'm becoming very matter-of-fact about it all. The Israelis have had much more practice in this than I have, and for them, the cycle from normal to life-and-death issues and back to normal again is much shorter than it would be back in the States. It has to be. Restaurants are bombed, and reopen. Wars come, and go. It's not a question of whether more violence will come, but when. I'm peaceful in knowing that I'm where God wants me to be, but not all Israelis have that luxury.

If there's anything we can offer "for the peace of Jerusalem," it's prayer. If there's anything I would request, it's that you seek out God's perspective on Jerusalem, and pray in harmony with that.

Why am I asking this? There are many people who have nothing but criticism for this nation; there are many that have nothing but praise. It's as if Israel is only a symbol, rather than a collection of living, breathing, faulty and beloved human beings. How much better to note how many times and in what way the nation of Israel appears in the Bible. God sees them with love, frustration, and long-term vision. He sees you and me as real, multi-dimensional people. My earnest desire is to see the Israelis in the same way.

This is not how the world media sees Israel. You might need to be aware they have never been favorable to Israel, and that historically, the Arab nations have had much more media savvy than their Israeli cousins. I'm not saying that all the news that comes directly out of Israel is correct. I am suggesting that when you hear a news report, you ask who's talking.

Which brings us to the latest news reports. Yes, some Syrian troops are massing at the northern border of Israel. The flashpoint appears to be the recent assassination of Hizbollah terrorist Imad Mughniyeh. The Syrians say they fear that if Hizbollah retaliates on Israel, Israel will in turn attack Syria. Syria's alternative to fearing Israel might be to cease relations with Hizbollah. But from where I sit, Israel's alternative to ceasing the war on terror is ceasing to exist.

This is their home. They don't have the U.S. to go back to when times get hard. I do. They don't have 50 states in which to spread out: They've only got one, and it's roughly the size of Massachusetts. They're not a superpower; their super power lies with God. Thankfully, some Israelis recognize this fact. Tonight at 6 p.m., mass prayers of repentance and entreaty for safety will be going on simultaneously in 40 cities. We'd love to have you join us!

Comments

[1. Abby said the following at 5:34 PM on Apr 3:]

1

Amen. Thank you for publishing this on your blog.

[2. Michele Samuelson said the following at 6:41 PM on Apr 3:]

2

Thank you for posting this, Ted. I will be saying an extra prayer tonight.

[3. IMO said the following at 8:38 PM on Apr 3:]

3

Thank you also.

I really hope that those [especially Christians] who harbor hatred toward Israel examine their hearts...it is so irrational and so perverse..It makes me think back to all the hatred I listened to in my secular classes about Israel and the Jewish people. As a Messianic (hope I spelled that right!) Jew, this obviously is close to my heart.

There is a publication out there called Israel My Glory. It's a Christian magazine with a focus and heart for the Jewish nation. Has anybody heard of it? I literally stumbled upon it...

Peace

[4. Leah said the following at 10:06 PM on Apr 3:]

4

Having read the article on Israel National news, I wonder if the Jews are praying because it is law and tradition, or if they are honestly crying out to God.

(I'm not implying I think it's the former- I'm only wondering).

It is a great thing to do though- the combined prayer. Thanks for posting.

[5. Lauren T. said the following at 12:02 AM on Apr 4:]

5

You know, I find this blog more than a little spooky. I had no idea until just now the Syrian situation was going on, but when I was praying the other night I all of a sudden found myself asking that God please protect the Israeli people, especially those in Jerusalem. It was a strange enough shift in my normal thought process when I'm praying that it's stuck with me the past few days.

Now I think I will pray a little more seriously. Thanks for the extra head's up!

[6. Sarah22 said the following at 1:44 PM on Apr 4:]

6

I'd also like to point out that we should be praying for Jews everywhere! Not just those in Israel (although they DO need our prayers!).

Leah: Unfortunately we know that the majority of Jewish people at this time are not believers. Unfortunately their hearts are veiled from the truth of God and they have turned from Him. They do not believe in the blood of Jesus Christ and the new covenant. So while they may be crying out to God, they are doing so with a heart that is actually turned against Him.

Please let it be understood that I love Jewish people and feel a burden for their souls just as I do anyone who is not saved.

We should be praying for those missionaries who are trying to reach lost Jews. As we know, the Jews have a veil of blindness over their heart and it is much harder to reach them than other nonbelievers. Pray for salvation!

[7. Mary said the following at 2:30 PM on Apr 4:]

7

Thank you for posting this.

God has given me a greater heart for Jewish people over the past year and a half, as my fiance and I have been attending a Messianic Jewish synagogue. Neither of us are Jewish, but we have learned so much about the rich heritage of our faith, and God's faithfulness to his chosen people.

The church has a calling to support Israel and by our testimonies, provoke Jews to "jealousy," as Paul writes in Romans chs. 9-11. I so appreciate Boundless bringing attention to this.

[8. John said the following at 8:35 AM on Apr 6:]

8

Israel is not in mortal danger at the moment. Syria is as upset with Hezbollah as they are with Israel over the assasination because Syria said the guy did not come to Damascus. I was on the Syrian/Israeli border two days ago (I am studying in the Mid-East with a Christian program this semester) as well as in Damascus ten days ago (presently Jerusalem). At present, there is little danger of an external war with Israel. Far greater threat is in Palestinian violence flaring up again on Israeli soil. Pray for people here, for the Christians in Syria and Palestine (I saw thousands of Christians marching in the streets of syria on Good Friday, proud and happy to be Christians in present Syria), pray for the Jews here, pray for the Muslims here in Jerusalem. That is what we can do that will have the most impact in reaching this land with the Truth.

[9. Jill McCrae said the following at 6:45 PM on Jul 5:]

9

Thanks for helping us to know how to pray for Israel. It is sad to see so many Jewish hearts blinded to the truth of Jesus, but we can pray and God will answer.

[1. Abby said the following at 5:34 PM on Apr 3:]

1

Amen. Thank you for publishing this on your blog.

[2. Michele Samuelson said the following at 6:41 PM on Apr 3:]

2

Thank you for posting this, Ted. I will be saying an extra prayer tonight.

[3. IMO said the following at 8:38 PM on Apr 3:]

3

Thank you also.

I really hope that those [especially Christians] who harbor hatred toward Israel examine their hearts...it is so irrational and so perverse..It makes me think back to all the hatred I listened to in my secular classes about Israel and the Jewish people. As a Messianic (hope I spelled that right!) Jew, this obviously is close to my heart.

There is a publication out there called Israel My Glory. It's a Christian magazine with a focus and heart for the Jewish nation. Has anybody heard of it? I literally stumbled upon it...

Peace

[4. Leah said the following at 10:06 PM on Apr 3:]

4

Having read the article on Israel National news, I wonder if the Jews are praying because it is law and tradition, or if they are honestly crying out to God.

(I'm not implying I think it's the former- I'm only wondering).

It is a great thing to do though- the combined prayer. Thanks for posting.

[5. Lauren T. said the following at 12:02 AM on Apr 4:]

5

You know, I find this blog more than a little spooky. I had no idea until just now the Syrian situation was going on, but when I was praying the other night I all of a sudden found myself asking that God please protect the Israeli people, especially those in Jerusalem. It was a strange enough shift in my normal thought process when I'm praying that it's stuck with me the past few days.

Now I think I will pray a little more seriously. Thanks for the extra head's up!

[6. Sarah22 said the following at 1:44 PM on Apr 4:]

6

I'd also like to point out that we should be praying for Jews everywhere! Not just those in Israel (although they DO need our prayers!).

Leah: Unfortunately we know that the majority of Jewish people at this time are not believers. Unfortunately their hearts are veiled from the truth of God and they have turned from Him. They do not believe in the blood of Jesus Christ and the new covenant. So while they may be crying out to God, they are doing so with a heart that is actually turned against Him.

Please let it be understood that I love Jewish people and feel a burden for their souls just as I do anyone who is not saved.

We should be praying for those missionaries who are trying to reach lost Jews. As we know, the Jews have a veil of blindness over their heart and it is much harder to reach them than other nonbelievers. Pray for salvation!

[7. Mary said the following at 2:30 PM on Apr 4:]

7

Thank you for posting this.

God has given me a greater heart for Jewish people over the past year and a half, as my fiance and I have been attending a Messianic Jewish synagogue. Neither of us are Jewish, but we have learned so much about the rich heritage of our faith, and God's faithfulness to his chosen people.

The church has a calling to support Israel and by our testimonies, provoke Jews to "jealousy," as Paul writes in Romans chs. 9-11. I so appreciate Boundless bringing attention to this.

[8. John said the following at 8:35 AM on Apr 6:]

8

Israel is not in mortal danger at the moment. Syria is as upset with Hezbollah as they are with Israel over the assasination because Syria said the guy did not come to Damascus. I was on the Syrian/Israeli border two days ago (I am studying in the Mid-East with a Christian program this semester) as well as in Damascus ten days ago (presently Jerusalem). At present, there is little danger of an external war with Israel. Far greater threat is in Palestinian violence flaring up again on Israeli soil. Pray for people here, for the Christians in Syria and Palestine (I saw thousands of Christians marching in the streets of syria on Good Friday, proud and happy to be Christians in present Syria), pray for the Jews here, pray for the Muslims here in Jerusalem. That is what we can do that will have the most impact in reaching this land with the Truth.

[9. Jill McCrae said the following at 6:45 PM on Jul 5:]

9

Thanks for helping us to know how to pray for Israel. It is sad to see so many Jewish hearts blinded to the truth of Jesus, but we can pray and God will answer.