On Oct. 7, Hamas, a Sunni Islamist terrorist organization, carried out attacks on civilians in Israel with a degree of brutality and violence that shocked the world. As details continue to emerge about the attacks, and as Israel continues retaliatory strikes on Gaza, the world watches with grave concern over war in the Holy Land.
Like any international political event, the voices and reports on what has happened and what we should feel about it are endless. Our heart behind this prayer guide is to provide our church family with something that helps us sit together at our Father’s feet and cry out to him. We hope you are reminded of the power of prayer and challenged to make it your first and immediate response as we continue to watch, listen and react in the days to come.
As we begin, we echo these words from “A Prayer for the Conflict in the Middle East” shared on the EFCA blog on October 10.
Our Father and our God,
You are mighty. In situations where we see the terrible brokenness of sin and evil, we trust in Your strength and power to redeem and restore. We come before You seeking divine intervention in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine, especially in light of the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7 and their aftermath …
God, we trust in Your sovereignty and plan for this world. We humbly bring all of this to You, knowing that Your ways are higher than our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We long for the day when swords are beaten into plowshares, so we pray for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done through the crucified and risen King Jesus, the Messiah.
Prayer Points
- God’s will to be done (Matthew 6:9–10)
Amid the political chaos, confusion, tension and war, our Heavenly Father is the only one holy, righteous, omnipotent, omniscient and loving enough to see the best path forward and bring it to fruition.
- Safety, provision and protection for the innocent (Philippians 4:6)
For hostages, for civilians seeking refuge and shelter, for families that have been separated and displaced, for anyone seeking rescue and freedom from the hands of an enemy, for daily bread, fuel, medical supplies, a safe place to sleep…
- Mercy for the innocent (Matthew 5:7)
Lord, we ask that the innocent in Israel and Palestine would experience your mercy today and that no more innocent lives would be lost.
- Wisdom and unity among national and political leaders (James 1:5)
We pray that our world leaders would be divinely led to seek you in the decision-making process; that miraculously, and by your Spirit, enemies would reconcile, hostages freed, agreements would be made, resources would be shared—all for the sake of peace.
- Spiritual strength for our brothers and sisters, and salvation for the lost (Isaiah 12:2)
As our Christian brothers and sisters in Israel and Palestine experience the sinfulness and pain of this world to the most extreme degree, may nothing take their eyes off you. We pray that their faith would be unwavering, their hope unshakeable. We pray that through every scheme of the enemy and every evil desire of man, they will be drawn ever-closer to you.
With our eyes fixed on eternity, we ask, Lord, that you will bring people to salvation. Whether they have lost sight of their faith in recent years, whether they have never heard the gospel before … even if they are actively under the power and influence of Satan … we know that you have the power to change hearts and save souls.
Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
Thank you Sophia. The language and Spirt is evidence of and worthy of The Lord;s work.