Prayer Guide

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” 
(Hebrews 12:14)

Dear Prayer Partners,

After the ravages of war thrust upon Israel these past 15 months, it is only natural that we are hoping for better things in the year ahead. Israel does seem to be emerging from this multifront conflict with victory in sight, and we are convinced that 2025 will see brighter days. But the pain and loss of loved ones either killed or still missing will be felt long after the last shot is fired.

I just ran into an Israeli friend who has twin sons serving in the IDF. When I asked how they were doing, she thanked the Lord that they are fine. But she added that for much of the past year, she has spent sleepless nights writing eulogies in her head to each son out of worry something bad would happen to them in combat. What would this loving mother say at their graveside?

All of Israel needs time to heal, and they need their Christian friends to remain at their side during this recovery process. It has been remarkable to see the compassion for this nation shown by Christians worldwide since the October 7 massacres. You have faithfully stood with the Jewish nation and people in their most difficult season since the Holocaust.

As we eagerly await the return of normal life, one lesson of this war has been just how precious peace is. Peace is a fragile and treasured commodity, and it does not just automatically come to us. Rather, the Bible says we must “seek peace and pursue it!” (Psalm 34:14) Hebrews urges us to “pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) This means we must be diligent and pro-active in seeking peace. Often, peace is connected with the righteousness of a people. The Psalmist says “righteousness and peace have kissed” each other (Psalm 85:10; see also Isaiah 32:17; James 3:18).

I am confident that Israel will indeed pursue peaceful relations with their Arab neighbours in the coming year, and there is a real chance that could include Saudi Arabia. Perhaps the door will even begin to open to peace with Lebanon and Syria. But the people of Israel also need to pursue righteousness.

So, as we continue to pray for Israel this first month of 2025, let us pray that Israel will be able to secure a resounding victory over its enemies, recover and rebuild quickly, and actively pursue peace with its other Arab neighbours. Pray that the surrounding Arab countries will be willing and even eager to live at peace with Israel. Pray that Israel and its Arab neighbours will all recognise and reap the many benefits of peaceful relations between them. And pray that both righteousness and peace will rain down over the Land of Israel this year. Ask that the Spirit of the Lord would bring a holy conviction on the people of Israel concerning what truly pleases Him and how they are falling short. And pray that they will begin to walk in righteousness before Him in ways that will bring a secure peace to this Land.

As we enter 2025, we again want to express our gratitude for your faithful prayer support for Israel and us during this difficult season. Your intercession has helped sustain this people during their time of great need. 

Have a blessed and prosperous New Year!

David R. Parsons
Senior Vice President & Spokesman
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

JANUARY PRAYER POINTS FOR ISRAEL

1.  THE NORTHERN FRONT

The ceasefire in northern Israel has held so far, although the IDF is still operating inside south Lebanon to find and destroy more Hizbullah weapons and outposts. The Shi’ite terror militia is battered and may be weak enough to be disarmed by the Christian and Sunni Arab forces in the Lebanese army. Meanwhile, there were dramatic developments taking place in neighbouring Syria over recent weeks that have greatly impacted the threats to Israel on the northern front. The brutal Assad dynasty that has ruled from Damascus for over 50 years was suddenly toppled by Sunni rebel forces that had been trained and rearmed by Turkey after their defeat in the nation’s bitter 6-year civil war. Surprisingly, these rebel units swept the Assad regime from power in only 12 days. This has brought several positive changes for Israel, such as cutting off Hizbullah from any resupply of arms by Iran via the usual land route through Syria. However, some of these victorious Sunni rebel forces are affiliated with ISIS and al-Qaeda, and they may seek ways of attacking Israel in future. So, let is first thank the Lord for Israel’s swift and powerful blows to Hizbullah that have severely weakened the radical terror group and that they are now finding it hard to rearm. Then pray that Israel will be successful in maintaining and enforcing the truce with Hizbullah and Lebanon. Pray that the enemy will not be able to return to the border area to threaten communities in northern Israel. Pray that Hizbullah will not be able to rearm, and will completely lose its grip on power in  Lebanon. Finally, pray that the 60,000+ Israeli evacuees from northern Israel can safely return to their homes.

2.  THE SOUTHERN FRONT

Thank the Lord that the Hamas terror militia is seriously weakened and finally making compromises to release the remaining 100 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Pray that every last hostage will be freed soon, and that any prisoner release deal will not endanger Israel. Pray that Hamas will lose all influence in Gaza. 

3.  IRAN

Please pray that Israel will stop any threat coming from Iran or its regional proxy militias, whether from missiles, drones, terror attacks, spying operations, cyber attacks, and especially any nuclear threat. Pray that Iran will not be able to harm Israel or Jews abroad. Pray that the radical Islamic regime in Tehran will lose its grip on power and be driven from Iran by its own people. Pray that the proxy militias which Iran has recruited, trained and armed across the region will all lose any trust in Iran.

4.  THE HOME FRONT

Please let us pray that Israel will be able to secure a resounding victory over its enemies, recover and rebuild quickly, and actively pursue peace with its other Arab neighbours. Pray that the surrounding Arab countries will be willing and even eager to live at peace with Israel. Pray that Israel and its Arab neighbours will all recognise and reap the many benefits of peaceful relations between them. And pray that both righteousness and peace will rain down over the Land of Israel this year. Ask that the Spirit of the Lord would bring a holy conviction on the people of Israel concerning what truly pleases Him and how they are falling short. And pray that they will begin to walk in righteousness before Him in ways that will bring a secure peace to the Land.