How to Pray for Israel — Carol McLeod Ministries

Israel is on everyone's mind.

How could it not be?

Everything else seems to fade in comparison to the atrocities that are happening in a land that is so dear to many of our hearts.

It is increasingly difficult to watch football … to be engaged with holiday preparations … to while away my hours cleaning … to even focus on my work.

I ask myself so many unanswerable questions ...

Why do I get to live safely in a comfortable home in America ... when Israel is under attack?

I took care of my granddaughter today ... and all I could think of is what kind of world will she grow up in? Will she be safe? Will she live in a world of war and terrorism?

I went for a walk today ... in the lovely Oklahoma sunshine ... and I was safe. The only sounds I heard were birds in the trees ... and the laughter of children.

In Israel ... they are hearing rockets roar ... and bombs explode ... and the screams of the injured.

I am hearing from friends in Israel ... most are currently safe ... while knowing of friends and family members who have been injured or taken hostage.

One of my Israeli friends said in an audio message, "We are hanging on ... things will get better ... we will overcome ... but the last 24 hours were very hard ... everyone knows of a loved one or friend who has lost someone."

I went to Israel this past March.

I fell in love with every square inch of the magnificent land upon which the history of the people of God was chiefly written.

The Sea of Galilee ... the Garden Tomb ... the Jordan River ... the Dead Sea ... Bethlehem ... I loved it all.

I deeply loved it all.

I have asked God time and time again since that amazing trip … if He would allow me to live in Israel … now that I know its beauty ... its history ... its people ... its heartbeat.

Oh! How I would love to own a small home by the Sea of Galilee ... where he called his disciples to come and follow Him.

Our brothers and sisters in Israel are praying for peace in their land … while the bombs fall … while the hostages are unaccounted for … while hundreds are being killed mercilessly by “Hamas”.

Hamas in biblical Hebrew means “violence,” “injustice,” “cruelty,” and “wrong.” 

Jewish rabbis often teach “The Law of First Mention”, which means the first time a word appears in scripture, particularly Torah, we must take very careful consideration, as it is far more meaningful. 

The first time we find the word “hamas” is in Genesis 6:11. 

Adonai is grieved to see all of mankind was replete with “hamas”, so He considers using the flood to wipe out the insatiable evil.

I wonder what Adonai is considering today?

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.”

Psalm 121

I watch the news and feel so powerless ... but then I remind myself that I am not powerless.

I have been given the greatest power known to mankind: the power of prayer.

Prayer is more powerful than missiles ... or guns ... or swords.

I can pray and I will pray.

I have learned that the Jewish people are praying three specific Psalms ... and have asked us to do the same.

Open your Bibles today ... and pray Psalm 80 ... Psalm 130 ... and Psalm 142 over the nation of Israel.

Would you do that?

Would you read ... out loud ... the words to these Psalms and turn each verse into a prayer?

We are not powerless ... we are history makers.

When others throw in the towel ... we pray.

When others panic ... we pray on.

When others worry ... we pray louder.

As you watch the news ... as you process the horror ... it is time to pray.

It is something we can all do ... it is something we must do.

Today ... would you join me in praying for Israel?

Would you join me in asking God to protect this nation and this people?

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May they prosper who love you.

“May peace be within your walls,

And prosperity within your palaces.”

For the sake of my brothers and my friends,

I will now say, “May peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek your good."

Psalm 122:6-9

I stand with Israel, do you?