Friday, December 13, 2024

Prayer Focus
Continue to pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu as he leads the State of Israel during these turbulent times. Pray for his health as he faces pressures from world leaders and pressures from within the nation of Israel as well. Pray that the Lord will grant him wisdom from above as he is faced with decisions that require wisdom like that which He gave Solomon.

Scripture

And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.

- 1 Kings 4:29–30

Prayer Focus
Pray for the continued success of the IDF troops in Syria as they secure full control over the buffer zone that will effectively cut off arms smuggling from Iran to Hezbollah through that corridor. Pray that the Syrian people, including its Druze population, will choose the moderate, middle ground rather than radical Islam and so be able to stabilize their war-torn country.

Scripture

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

- Psalm 46:1, 6–7

Prayer Focus
Give thanks for the vision Chana Simon had so many years ago of helping Israelis in financial need to obtain eyeglasses. Pray for more optometrists and qualified professionals who are willing to donate their time to RE-SPECS. Pray that the organization will continue to prosper and be able to do more and more in their chosen field.

Scripture

The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

- Proverbs 11:25

Prayer Focus
Pray for the family of this young boy whose life has been tragically cut short, asking the Lord to comfort them in their grief. Pray for the day when Israelis will be able to travel in Judea and Samaria, the biblical heartland, without fear of terror attacks. Pray for Israel’s security forces—the IDF, Border Police and Shin Bet—as they daily confront threats such as these drive-by terror attacks.

Scripture

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

- Psalm 34:17–18

Prayer Focus
Continue to bring the hostages and their loved ones before the Lord in prayer, asking that He will strengthen them and keep them as they are living in the midst of horrific conditions. Pray that they would not lose hope. Pray that Israel’s negotiators will have wisdom as they navigate through this difficult and complex situation.

Scripture

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

- 2 Samuel 22:2b–4

Prayer Focus
As nations which once had closer relationships with Israel begin to distance themselves, pray that the Jewish people will get their confidence and assurance from the Lord, who has chosen them to be a nation set apart. Pray that the leaders of these nations will begin to see that when they stand against Israel, they are choosing to side against God Himself.

Scripture

How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him. There! A people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the nations.

- Numbers 23:8–9

Prayer Focus
Pray that Israel’s diplomatic mission to the UN will discover creative strategies to combat the unspoken bias they encounter at every turn. Pray for a way to tell the whole story, not just the selected half-truths the Palestinian exhibit portrays. Pray that other nations will question why there is no visible disclaimer stating that display of this content at the UN does not imply its endorsement or acceptance of the content.

Scripture

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

- Psalm 33:10–11

Prayer Focus
Pray for an awakening, especially among Christians, of an understanding that to hate the Jewish people is to be in opposition to the Lord Himself for He has chosen them. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and all His ways are perfect. Pray for opportunities to stand in support of His chosen people.

Scripture

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.

- Psalm 135:3–4

Prayer Focus
Intercede for the members of the Israeli branch of Amnesty International. Pray that having taken the step of distancing themselves from their parent organization’s outrageous claim that Israel has committed genocide, they will take a further step and retract their position that Israel may have been guilty of “violating international law and crimes against humanity.” Pray for righteousness and truth to prevail.

Scripture

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.

- Psalm 96:13b

Prayer Focus
Cry out in repentance for this blatant association of Jesus with a particular political agenda rather than as the One who came to save “all who will come to Him.” Pray that the Vatican will retract its position, inferred by this photograph, that Jesus relates as pro-Palestinian rather than Immanuel, God with ALL of us.

Scripture

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

- Isaiah 53:5–6