“…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)
Dear Prayer Partners,
Here in Israel, when my family, friends or work colleagues greet me with the simple, polite question, “How are you?” I find myself responding, “Still standing”. This phrase comes to my mind from Ephesians 6:12-14, where Paul says… “and having done all, stand.”
The war in Gaza has been going on for eleven months now. Based on history, we expected a short conflict due to Israel’s often swift victories in the past. As Bible-believing Christians, we have been praying for the people of Israel and their victory over evil, as well as for God’s mercy on the innocent in Gaza. And we have been praying for the safe return of the hostages still held by Hamas.
We also have been braced over recent weeks for Iran and Hizbullah to launch their threatened retaliatory attacks. Thankfully, Hizbullah failed miserably in their attempt to launch scores of rockets and drones deeper into Israel. We have to praise the Lord that the IDF had the capabilities to pre-empt that massive barrage. But waiting and preparing for such attacks can make one tired, especially considering that my grandchildren here in our Jerusalem home might have to spend days in our bomb shelter.
The Apostle Paul cautioned us not to grow weary while doing good. He recognised that there would be times when it appears that God is not answering our prayers as quickly as expected, and this can bring on a sense of weariness. It is interesting that Paul does not say “do not become weary”. Rather, he says do not grow weary in doing good.
I may be wearied, but I turn to prayer. I may be tired, but I stand in faith. I may feel drained, but I press on in the good work of showing comfort to Israel and the Jewish people. We may be taxed by almost a whole year of war, but I believe our Redeemer is working out His purpose and plans even when I do not understand why the full victory still awaits us.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”
Therefore, having done everything, we stand in faith with Israel and the Jewish People. We also stand in prayer for them. And we stand expecting our Redeemer to reveal His perfectly timed deliverance for this nation even amid the present uncertainties.
Shalom from Jerusalem!
Barry R. Denison
ICEJ-USA Director of Finances
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
MONTHLY PRAYER POINTS
September 2024
- Thank the Lord for answering our prayers during the recent tense wait for Hizbullah to carry out its threats of massive retaliation. Their planned rocket and drone attacks deeper into Israel were pre-empted by Israeli forces just minutes before launch and ended in failure. Indeed, God has been a shield to Israel, and enabled this nation to defend itself with the highest quality of weapons and technology. Pray that Israel’s leaders will continue to have the wisdom, intelligence and means to always defeat the enemy. Pray for peace to return to Israel.
- Pray for the people of Israel as they approach one year since the brutal Hamas massacres last October 7. Besides official ceremonies to commemorate this great tragedy, the Jewish people also observe a traditional one-year morning period (yahrzeit) for a close relative’s death. With over 1,200 Israelis killed on Simchat Torah last October, there are many families and friends who will mark their losses over the coming weeks. Pray that God will be a great comfort to them in this very difficult time of remembrance (Isaiah 60:1-3; Jeremiah 31:13; Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
- Pray for unity, patience and grace among the peoples of Israel. Pray that Israelis will trust God above all else to bring them victory and peace (Job 25:2; Psalm 147:12-14). Pray that the people of Israel will draw closer to the Lord even through this conflict.
- Thank the Lord for the successful rescue of another hostage in recent days and the retrieval of the bodies of six other hostages. Pray for the safe return of the 100+ remaining Israelis still held in Gaza. Pray that they and their loved ones would be in good health and not lose hope for their return home soon. Pray that Hamas will be pressured and convinced to return all hostages safely to Israel.
- Pray for strength, courage and a divine hedge of protection around all Israeli soldiers as they defend their nation, that the Lord would be a shield about them at all times! (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 3:3)
- Thank the Lord that Israeli forces are slowly but surely prevailing against Hamas and other terror militias on the battlefield in Gaza. Pray that the IDF will continue to weaken and destroy Hamas.
- Pray that people worldwide would come to realise and acknowledge the great efforts Israel is undertaking to save civilian lives on both sides of this conflict.
- Pray that Israel will overpower the Iranian-backed terror militia Hizbullah in Lebanon. Pray that Hizbullah will never be able to use its full arsenal of over 150,000 rockets and drones against Israel. Pray that Hizbullah will never be able to carry out atrocities against Israel as Hamas did on October 7. And pray that Hizbullah will lose its grip on power in Lebanon.
- Pray that the Palestinians and other Arab and Muslim peoples in the region will turn from their hatred and rejection of Israel and finally choose to live in peace with the Jewish state and people. Pray that they will turn away from cursing Israel, and instead will turn to the one true, living God.
