Prayer Guide

Dear Prayer Partners,

We are watching these days significant upheaval and change in the Middle East. Iran has suffered significant setbacks in its nuclear program and its vast network of proxy militias. This while Israel has reshaped the regional dynamic into a safer place than it was on October 7 two years ago. And for the first time in decades, there is a real chance for greater freedom for churches in the region.

The Book of Daniel teaches us that dramatic turns like this are not just a result of military engagements or political maneuverings. Daniel witnessed great tectonic shifts in his lifetime when the Babylonian empire gave place to Persia, and Persia was then displaced by the Greek empire. In Daniel 10, the prophet described this as mainly a result of changes in the heavenly places. He spoke about heavenly powers like the “Prince of Persia” (Daniel 10:13) and the “Prince of Greece” (Daniel 10:20). This means there are heavenly forces of darkness over nations and empires which control them. The word of God says these are “not flesh and blood”, but “principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Daniel also reveals in chapter ten that after 21 days of fasting, a breakthrough was accomplished in the heavenlies which allowed God’s messenger to reach him.

One day heaven will reveal how much the prayers from saints all over the world impacted the realities on the ground we are witnessing today. I personally believe it was no coincidence that God called us on day one of the war against Hamas in Gaza for a daily prayer initiative for Israel and the region. In addition, God has led close to 200 prayer groups from many nations to pray for Israel in the Rosh Chodesh Prayer chain.

Today I urge you not to relax, but to keep on praying. To use terminology from World War II, we are not yet on V-Day, we are still on D-Day. This critical day in June 1944 marked the landing of Allied forces onto the northern coast of France. Once they were ashore, the fate of Germany was already sealed. The Allies knew the Nazi regime would eventually fall. But it took until May 1945 for Germany to surrender. If the US-led invasion stopped after D-Day, it would have availed little. They needed to press on in full battle mode. 

For us, this means we need to keep praying, and to keep holding up the arms of Israel and its leaders in prayer. The Bible repeatedly encourages us not to lose heart in prayer, but to keep pressing on and then the victory will be ours (see Luke 18:1-8; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

I am greatly encouraged by the events that are taking place. It does show that decades of prayers are being answered. The victories Israel has accomplished are miraculous and also a result of prayer. It is time to thank the Lord and say: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12) But it also a time to remain in our prayer closets and to keep praying for Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and all the neighbours of Israel.

I look forward to seeing you in our upcoming Global Prayer Gatherings.

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Jürgen Bühler

President

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

PRAYER FOR ISRAEL

1. THE WAR WITH IRAN
After years of Iran’s open threats and relentless drive for nuclear weapons, Israel finally decided to directly
confront the radical clerical regime in Tehran. The result was an intense 12-day battle pitting Israel’s far
superior air power against Iran’s multiple barrages of ballistic missiles. We are grateful to the Lord that
Israel, with American help, was able to inflict severe damage on Iran’s renegade nuclear program and its
ballistic missile factories and stockpiles, as well as to eliminate dozens of top Iranian military commanders
and nuclear experts. But the Israeli home front also suffered some 40 direct impacts from the daily waves
of large missiles with half-ton warheads. This left 28 dead, plus 3,000 wounded, and over 10,000 homeless
due to the extensive destruction in urban areas. Please pray for the swift recovery of the injured and that
housing will quickly be found for those who lost their homes. Pray that Iran’s nuclear program has been
damaged beyond repair, and that its quest for atomic weapons will always come to naught. Pray that Iran
will not be able to harm Israel or Jews abroad through terrorist operations. Pray for the Iranian people to
successfully arise and replace the cruel ayatollahs with more peaceful, caring democratic leaders.

2. THE GAZA FRONT
Israel’s successes in its short but intense war with Iran have also increased hope that a deal can be reached
with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are living plus 30
bodies. Please pray for every last Israeli taken hostage into Gaza to come home to their families. The IDF
also has located and retrieved the bodies of several hostages in recent weeks, so let us pray that more are
found and returned. Pray that intense pressure will come on Hamas, even from the Arab world, to
surrender every last hostage and to leave Gaza. Also pray that Israeli leaders make the right decisions in the
talks over hostages and the future of Gaza. Pray that the Palestinian Authority will never be allowed to rule
Gaza either. Pray that any Palestinians in Gaza who want to voluntarily leave for another country can do so.
Pray for strong support for Israel on Gaza from the Trump administration and other governments.

3. THE NORTHERN FRONT
Thank the Lord that the ceasefire with Lebanon has held and that Hizbullah did not join in attacking Israel
during the recent war with Iran. Pray that Hizbullah will continue to lose military strength and political
influence in Lebanese affairs. Pray that the Lebanese government and army would keep Hizbullah from
rising again to threaten Israel. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Christians in Lebanon and the region.
Also pray that the new leadership in Syria will decide to live at peace with Israel.

4. THE HOME FRONT
Please 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 more Israelis will be drawn to
faith in God and His Messiah amid the current challenges. Pray for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit in Israel.