Friday, December 1, 2023

Prayer Focus
Pray for the families of those who lost their lives and for the injured as they recover both physically and emotionally from yet another vicious attack on innocent civilians. Ask the Lord for supernatural protection for all of Israel’s citizens as they deal with war and terror simultaneously. Pray that His hand will stop every terrorist before they cause harm and cry out for the security forces to be vigilant and alert in the midst of this crisis.

Scripture

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.

- Psalm 3:1–3

Prayer Focus
Cry out to the Lord for the hostages that have been released and face the reality of the destruction of their homes, their families and their lives. Ask the Lord to surround them with His presence and fill them with peace, strength and courage. Plead with Him for the release of the rest of the hostages and pray that the nations will recognize the horror that these people have endured and not fall victim to Hamas propaganda that is minimizing the gruesome circumstances they have undergone.

Scripture

Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

- Proverbs 11:21 ESV

Prayer Focus
Praise God that proof finally exists that Hamas used the Al-Shifa Hospital as a cover for its operations in tunnels deep below the hospital complex. Pray that the nations will realize the extent to which Hamas uses hospitals, schools, mosques and residential areas as shields for their evil operations. Pray also that the underground maze that Hamas has created will be completely destroyed.

Scripture

They hide behind ordinary people, then pounce on their victims. They mark the luckless, then wait like a hunter in a blind; when the poor wretch wanders too close, they stab him in the back. The hapless fool is kicked to the ground, the unlucky victim is brutally axed.

- Psalm 10:7b–10 MSG

Prayer Focus
Pray that this outrageous and despicable exhibition will be taken down and public apologies made for such an incomprehensible lack of sensitivity and integrity. Cry out to God that truth will prevail in the battlefront of public opinion.

Scripture

Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will He do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.

- Psalm 120:2–4 NIV

Prayer Focus
Pray that Israel will stand strong in its resolve to continue the fight until they have achieved victory over the evil of Hamas and its terror network in Gaza. Beseech the Lord that international pressure will not dissuade them, and pray for a myriad of heavenly armies to fight against His enemies until the battle is won. Pray also that millions of Christians will be on their knees, doing their part in the fight.

Scripture

You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.

- Deuteronomy 3:22 ESV

Prayer Focus
Pray for the day when Gaza will no longer constitute a threat to Israel, and pray for great wisdom as Israel’s leaders strategize a future for Gaza when the war has been won. Pray that God will reveal His will in the midst of military and political chaos.

Scripture

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.

- Proverbs 2:6–8

Prayer Focus
Pray that men and women around the world will raise their voices together in a mighty protest of this double standard that is proving the horrendous anti-Semitic bias of the UN. Pray that the spirit of the Lord will indeed shame the members of UN Women and that the voices of the victims of the October 7 atrocities will be heard. And pray that God in His mercy will help these women who have been tragically victimized recover from their trauma and lead happy and healthy lives.

Scripture

“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.”

- Isaiah 54:4 ESV

Prayer Focus
Praise God for the march in the UK and for the reports of the atmosphere of love and solidarity that pervaded the event. Pray that the UK and other nations around the world will take immediate and strong action against rising anti-Semitism within their borders. And ask the Lord to protect His people no matter where they live, allowing them to live their lives as Jews without fear of reprisal.

Scripture

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

- Psalm 46:1–2

Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord for this beautiful and heart-rending example of the resilience of the people of Israel. Pray that each one of these babies will grow up knowing how precious they are to God. Pray that He will protect them from the horror experienced by those whose names they carry. Pray that they will bear those names with pride and courage as each one is a living monument to the heart cry of Jews and Christians throughout the world: Never, never again!

Scripture

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

- Psalm 17:8