Pray! - Israel at War

"Like the early Christians, we must move into a sometime hostile world armed with the revolutionary Gospel of Jesus Christ. With this powerful Gospel we shall boldly challenge the status quo." - Martin Luther

A war just broke out in Israel. War is probably one of the most horrendous and sad things we can experience or witness. And the danger is that contemplating such a thing can change us and change us for the worst.

As you read the news or follow on social media what's happening in the region of Israel now, there is a risk that your heart would be filled with hate for a particular group or fear, anxiety, despair and hopelessness. And that's why we need to pray first for ourselves. We ought to ask God for the protection of our own hearts in seasons like that (Pv 4:23).

There are still others who are in such a state of apathy that they don't even care about what is happening in the world. They want to move forward with their own plans and lives. They will just get concerned if this war interferes with their own well-being and comfort. If that's you, you should pray as well. This war grieves God's heart (Gn 6:5-6) and should grieve yours as well. Pray that God would give a soft heart and to be less self-centred.

We should pray as well, of course, for the families and all the civilians involved in this conflict. Pray for protection. Pray for strengthening. Pray for patience. And we should pray also for the soldiers, politicians, and all in charge of the country and the armed forces.

But don't pray just for one side; pray for both. God wants Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Arabs, Western and Easterns, all to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (1 Timothy 2:1-3). And pray for the church in those regions that they would, in a moment like this, use the most effective weapon they have to end a war: the Gospel.

The Gospel is the only message that can bring true reconciliation (Col 1:19, 22). The Gospel is the only message that can bring true peace. Everything else will fail. So, pray for the church because they play a major and pivotal role in this conflict.

Nino Marques