Second Alert and Call to Action

From the Desk of the President, Dr. Jürgen Bühler

Posted June 13, 2025

Dear friends and prayer partners,

Last night, all of Israel was awakened at 3 AM sharp with sirens and “critical alert” texts calling upon us to stay close to our secured rooms as Israel was launching a coordinated precision attack on the radical Islamist regime in Iran. This attack is now continuing in earnest, after Israeli leaders repeatedly warned they would never tolerate Iran’s aggressive drive for nuclear weapons to use against the Jewish state.

The immediate impact of the early morning alerts were felt all across Israel, as we have all spent the day in readiness and close to our bomb shelters. Israel has mobilized a significant number of reserve soldiers. Ben Gurion Airport has been shut down. An ICEJ prayer group on their way back to Germany was just about to board their return flight but were informed at the gate that all flights were canceled. And supermarkets were packed this morning with people stocking up on food to be ready for what could be several long days in our shelters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has named the current IDF strikes against Iran “Operation Rising Lion.” Yesterday, he calmly visited the Western Wall with Argentinian President Javier Milei and placed a short prayer note into the ancient stone wall. The note contained a quote from Balaam’s prophecy over Israel: “Look, a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion…” (Numbers 23:24, NKJV).

On October 7, 2023, the nation was suddenly attacked and severely wounded, and the nation is still recovering from the trauma of that horrific day. Yet it turns out that a mighty Lion has awoken. Israel’s response to the Hamas attack has changed the Middle East. Israel paralyzed and decapitated Hizballah, severely weakened Hamas, undermined the now-defunct Assad regime, and is now after the head of the snake that has been the real source of all these threats to Israel over these many years. Indeed, Iranian leaders and their terror proxies have called Israel a “one bomb country”, and threatened continually that it will be “wiped off the map!”

Today, Israel entered a new phase of this war by confronting Iran directly. The first reports are encouraging, that Israel has completed its planned missions so far and Iran’s initial counter attacks involving several hundred drones and missiles have been thwarted before they could ever reach Israeli air space.

The prophecies of Balaam refer to Israel more than once as a roused Lion. “’He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’ Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.” (Numbers 24:9, NKJV) The Lion of Israel has been roused. And that very passage also calls upon all of us to take a clear stand with God’s people. The choice is between blessing Israel or cursing it.

Israel certainly is not perfect today. It was not perfect in Balaam’s day. The preceding chapters of the Book of Numbers depict a nation that complained about their circumstances, rebelled against their leaders, did not trust God, and refused to enter the Land of Promise. But as Balaam looked upon them to curse them, he had to say: “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them.” (Numbers 23:21, NKJV) Let us see Israel as well through God’s eyes today.

During this major escalation in the current conflict, Israel needs your help and support on several very practical levels.

First of all, prayer is the most important response to this current development.

a. Pray for God’s protection over Israel as countless Iranian missile attacks are expected all over Israel. Iran still possesses thousands of ballistic and guided missiles. Pray for the protection of Israel’s soldiers. Proclaim that God is Israel’s shield and protection (Exodus 15; Psalm 91).
b. Pray for Israel’s government, and in particular for Prime Minister Netanyahu, for wise, firm and carefully measured decisions. (1 Timothy 2:1-4; Psalm 20)
c. Pray for Iran. Pray that this current war will lead to a new season of freedom for Iran and its people. (Jeremiah 49:34-39; Daniel 4:34ff)
d. Please consider joining our daily Global Prayer Gatherings on Zoom.

Please consider standing with Israel in a practical way by supporting the ICEJ’s Israel Emergency Aid Fund. The Christian Embassy wants to always be ready to assist Israel as soon as needs arise, as we have been doing since the October 7 terror invasion. So, please stand with us by giving to our emergency fund for Israel.

Please also take a firm stand for Israel in your country by organising rallies and defending Israel’s just cause before your nation’s leaders and media outlets.