Prayer Points Regarding the Gaza/Israel War

Psalm 67 May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth,
    your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you! The earth has yielded its increase;
    God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us;
    let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Once again, we see the world's nations in turmoil and evil running rampant as the nations continue to rage and wars and rumors of wars grow in intensity. The Feast of Tabernacles surprise terroristic attack by Hamas upon innocent Israeli civilians is being hailed as the worst killing of Jewish people since the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

Horrific pictures and videos detailing this group's rape, butchering, and slaughter of babies, children, and women have circled the globe, and most people agree that it was barbaric. Yet, many are rallying around the ‘Palestinian cause’ and using this attack to say they are fighting for freedom. However, the Hamas terror group and Hezbollah in Lebanon have one goal: Annihilating Israel as a nation and the death of all Jewish persons. 

They are not feeding and clothing their people with monies sent via Qatar and Iran. Instead, their goal is to attack and drive Israel off the map. Before I list some prayer points regarding the people and nations on both sides, let me remind you that many do not believe Israel has a right to exist and, therefore, believe it is their duty to wipe them off of the earth.

Psalm 83 ESV O God, do not keep silence;  do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar, those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

For they conspire with one accord; against you, they make a covenant—the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. 

The often-named Pslam 83 war is described here. Some say it was fulfilled, and others say it’s entirely futuristic. It seems that has been repeated at various times with some of the nations listed, but perhaps never before has it been more possible for so many nations that hate Israel to call for her destruction. Without attempting to figure out who these nations are today, suffice it to say that many nations are saying, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

So, how should we pray? Should we call for the utter destruction of the nations that are calling for Israel’s destruction? Asaph continues this Psalm by asking God to bring shame on their faces so that they recognize He alone is God. (my paraphrase)

Some Psalms call for militant stand on behalf of God to destroy our enemies. But, as New Testament believers, we are called to pray for a person or group of people to repent and turn from sinful practices and towards Yeshua, Isa, Yesu, Yassu, or Jesus as most know Him. In other words, we no longer wish our enemies ill will but pray for their salvation, peace, hope, and joy in Jesus. 

We see evil every day, but we recognize that we are in a spiritual battle, and the battle is undoubtedly more significant when it comes to the salvation of Israel.

• Pray for the Salvation of Israel Romans 10:1 ESV Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

• Pray the Jewish people will recognize Jesus as their deliverer. Romans 11:26 NKJV And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem Psalm 122:7-9 NIV: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

• Pray for the salvation of the Palestinian Arabs, Gazan,s and West Bank.

• For God’s grace and mercy for people on both sides.

• For the God of Hope to bring hope, peace, and joy, Romans 15:13

• For deliverance from wicked and evil men and the patience of Christ to be directed to people’s hearts. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

• Restoration of Israel and grafting in of the nations as part of the One New Man: Amos 9:11-15 and Ephesians 2: 15.

• Recognize that the ekklesia or church is not complete with Jewish believers and is incomplete without all nations, including Arabs and others that oppose Israel.

• Protection of innocent lives.

There are so many prayer points that I could fill up a book. But, while peace, safety, joy, and hope are necessary points, if we do not pray for salvation and peace from the Prince of Peace, true and lasting peace will not be met. Many lives hang in the balance, and we need to diligently seek the Lord these days. 

We must hasten to complete our assignments for the Kingdom of God as the days grow dark on the one hand and His return is near. I do not believe that this war is the war to end all wars or will lead to Armageddon or such, but it is undoubtedly a major wake-up call for all who will heed Jesus’ warnings to be ready.