Posts tagged War
A PRAYER FOR ISRAEL
A PRAYER FOR ISRAEL

If you’re like us, you’ve been taking in the heartbreaking headlines, images, and videos coming out of Israel and Palestine during the past few days. Sometimes, it’s hard to even know what to pray for. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is faithful to intercede for the burdens on our hearts when we can’t find the words (Romans 8:26-27).

Nevertheless, we’ve compiled a list of guided prayers below, to serve as a resource for you. They are organized using the “ACTS” prayer method. Our hope is that you read this post in a posture of prayer. If you’d like, you can hover over the Scripture references to read the complementary passages included as added prayer prompts.

 

ADORATION

 God, our Eternal King,

  • We praise You for the absolute holiness and purity of Your character. You are set apart from the sin which corrupts human hearts and leads to senseless crime. All of Your intentions are good and true. (Psalm 145:17, Psalm 18:30, Deuteronomy 32:4)


  • We call to mind Your sovereignty over every era of human existence. Nothing falls outside the realm of Your control. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Job 12:10, 42:2)

  • You alone are the God who can repurpose evil for good, bending the evil intentions of mankind into stories of hope and redemption. (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28-29)

  • You are the Warrior-King, the defender of the helpless. You will never abandon Your chosen people. (Exodus 15:2-3, Psalm 62:5-7, Isaiah 49:7-9, Jeremiah 3:14-18)

  • You will put an end to the violence of the wicked. (Psalm 7:9, Psalm 37:27-28)

  • You are the God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 23:4, Revelation 21:4, Isaiah 25:8)  

CONFESSION 

Father, in humility, we ask you to:

  • Forgive us for the seasons when our trivial pursuits result in prayerlessness. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Psalm 5:3, James 5:16)

  • Forgive us for our complacency toward the sufferings of others. (Hebrews 13:3, Philippians 2:4)

  • Forgive us for often elevating our own self-preservation above Your purposes. (Matthew 16:25, Philippians 1:21)

  • Forgive us for any instances where righteous indignation has turned to sinful anger in our hearts. (Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:19-20)

  • Forgive us for the roots of bitterness and selfishness in our own hearts that have led us to treat others with contempt or hatred, even in our thoughts. (Matthew 5:21-22)

  • Forgive us for surrendering to fear. (Luke 12:32, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 10:28)

  • Forgive us for moments of despondency and hopelessness that disregard Your sovereignty and supremacy, paralyzing us from the pursuit of Your kingdom. (Romans 15:13, Romans 12:12)

THANKSGIVING

Gracious Lord, we:

  • Thank You for Your great compassion toward the suffering and oppressed. (Isaiah 61:1, Jeremiah 30:8)

  • Thank You for extending comfort to those in peril. (Psalm 94:18-19, Psalm 40:1-3)

  • Thank You that You are not far off, but rather, intimately involved in the affairs of mankind. (Acts 17:27-28, Daniel 4:17)

  • Thank you for our eternal hope. Thank You for the promise that even death cannot separate believers from Your love and Your eternal life. (Romans 8:38-39)

  • Thank You for the promise of everlasting peace. (John 14:27, Revelation 22:1-5)

SUPPLICATION

According to Your will, we earnestly ask You:

  • To extend mercy. (Psalm 25:6)

  • To give us a heart for the suffering and oppressed. (Galatians 6:2, Psalm 82:3)

  • To protect civilians in Israel and in the Gaza Strip. (Psalm 3:3, Psalm 46:1)

  • To rescue hostages. (Psalm 34:4-7, Psalm 146:7)

  • To reunite families and enable those affected by transportation closures to return home. (Psalm 27:5, Psalm 32:7)

  • To transform the hearts of the persecutors. No one is beyond the reach of Your redemptive hand. (1 Timothy 2:4, Matthew 5:44)

  • To grant wisdom to those in government positions. (Proverbs 21:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)

  • To fortify and mobilize believers in the Middle East to share hope. (Psalm 31:24)

  • To help us trust in Your redemptive plan as it unfolds in the Middle East. (Matthew 24:6-13)

  • To help us recognize the spiritual battles manifesting themselves through physical battles. Please grant us an eternal perspective. (Ephesians 6:12)

  • To use this crisis to turn the hearts of Jewish men, women, and children to their true Savior, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 45:22, Romans 9:1-5)

  • To surround Your people, as You have promised. (Psalm 125:2, John 16:33)

 

We pray all this in the powerful name of Jesus,
Amen

WORKFBC ElkhartIsrael, War, Prayer, Bible, Middle East Comment