Prayer Guide

Dear Prayer Partners,

As we enter the Hebrew month of Elul, we approach a very significant season in the biblical calendar. Ahead lies the sound of the shofar at Rosh Hashana, the call to repentance of Yom Kippur and finally the great celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. For centuries, the Jewish people have regarded Elul as a month to prepare the heart. The message for us is: Prepare to meet your King.

One beautiful picture associated with Elul in Jewish tradition is: “the King is in the field”. The image is of a king leaving his palace and coming into the fields, where ordinary people can approach him. Scripture does not teach that God literally follows this practice during Elul, but it reminds us the Lord is not distant. He invites us to fellowship with Him. Through Yeshua, we have continual access to the presence of God and can approach His throne of grace with confidence. Elul reminds us that the challenge is not that the King is absent; often we are simply too busy to recognise He is near.

This is why Elul is an invitation to return to our first love. There are times when prayer becomes routine, Scripture becomes familiar rather than precious, and ministry becomes activity without intimacy. The Lord calls us back, not simply to try harder, but to know Him more deeply. His invitation is, “Draw near to Me.” Let this be a season when we intentionally make room to meet the King and ask Him to restore the love and passion we had in the beginning.

Elul is also traditionally connected with repentance and the blast of the shofar. In many Jewish communities, the shofar sounds every morning during this month to awaken us to a focus on God. Joel gives us a powerful picture: “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly.” (Joel 2:15 ESV) The call to repentance is not merely individual; the whole community is summoned into the presence of God. As prayer partners, may we hear that spiritual call and ask the Lord to examine our hearts. “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” (Psalm 139:23)

Elul prepares us for the biblical feasts ahead. These appointed times remind us that God is not only Lord of our personal lives, but also of history. His covenant promises to Israel have not failed, His purposes for the nations will be fulfilled, and history will reach the day when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord. We may not know the day nor the hour, but we do know the direction of history. God is faithful, and every promise He has made will come to pass.

May the shofar of Elul awaken our spirits. May we return to our first love, allow the Lord to search and cleanse our hearts, and draw nearer to the King. As we prepare to pray for Israel, the nations, and the Feast of Tabernacles, may our hearts be ready for a deeper work of the Holy Spirit and for all that God has ahead. The King is in the fields. He is calling us to fellowship with Him.

Blessings from Jerusalem, 

Dr. Jürgen Bühler 
President 
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem 

MONTHLY PRAYER POINTS

Elul 5786/ September 2026

PRAYER FOR THE ICEJ

1. For Pilgrims to join this year’s Feast of Tabernacles. Ask the Lord to draw believers from the nations to Jerusalem with hearts prepared to worship Him, stand with Israel, and hear what He is saying in this prophetic season. Pray for those considering to come to have the needed finances and complete their travel plans. May the Lord stir His people to respond to the biblical call to come up to Jerusalem and worship the King (Joel 3:16).
2. For the local Body of Christ in Israel to attend the Feast this year. Ask the Lord to draw believers from across Israel to join the nations at the Feast. Pray for unity and fellowship between the local congregations and Christians from around the world (Ephesians 2:15).
3. For finances to cover this year’s Feast. Ask the Lord to provide abundantly to pay for the Feast. Pray for Christians worldwide to be generous in their Feast offerings. Pray for wisdom in every financial decision, for miraculous provision, and for every need to be met. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
4. For peace and calm in Israel during the Feast. Ask the Lord to bring calm to the Land of Israel during Sukkot. May He protect Jerusalem, all of Israel, and all those travelling to the Feast. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.’” (Psalm 122:6)

PRAYER FOR ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS

1. For changing security alignments in the Middle East. Pray concerning the new mutual defense accord between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. Ask the Lord to give Israel’s leaders wisdom as new military and political partnerships emerge. Pray that Saudi Arabia will move towards peace and normalisation with Israel. Ask God to restrain alliances and plans that would threaten Israel, and expose any hidden plots against the Jewish nation and people. “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” (Psalm 33:11)
2. For US diplomacy and Israel’s northern neighbours. Pray for those shaping US policy towards Israel and the region, particularly US envoy Tom Barrack, who has great influence in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. Ask the Lord to grant regional leaders a clear appreciation for Israel’s legitimate security needs. Pray that tensions between Israel and Turkey will not escalate into conflict and that Syria will not become a base for forces threatening Israel. Pray that Lebanon will be strong enough to disarm Hizbullah and courageous enough to make peace with Israel. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD… He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1)
3. For Iran and her people. Ask God to bring new leaders into power in Iran who truly care for their people and seek peace with Israel. Pray for Iran’s underground Church, for God to protect pastors, house churches and new believers. Pray for more Iranians to encounter Jesus. “I will set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king and the princes.” (Jeremiah 49:38)
4. For upcoming elections in Israel. Ask God to guide Israelis as they elect new leaders. Pray for truth from the candidates. Ask God to raise up leaders with wisdom, courage and integrity. May the outcome serve God’s purposes for Israel. “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1)