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Hope in Difficult Times

Friday, January 26, 2024

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Every week, we post seven to ten news stories from Israel with a suggested prayer focus and scripture for each one, guiding readers how to pray for Israel’s most urgent needs. This Prayer Update is also sent to over 18,000 subscribers every Friday by e-mail. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to receive this Prayer Update by e-mail.

Prayer Focus
Thank the Lord for these and all of the brave young men and women who are willing to face death every day in the fight for the sanctity of human life, the safety of the Jewish people and the sovereignty of the God of Israel. Pray for these families as they mourn the loss of their loved ones and for the entire nation that mourns along with them. Also cry out to God for the safety of each soldier. May every step be protected, every action anointed, every strategy successful until every hostage and every soldier is safely home.

Scripture

At Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me.


- Psalm 18:15b–17a

Prayer Focus
Cry out to the Lord for His presence to be deeply felt by every hostage, regardless of their ages. May they hear His voice, experience His love and feel His nearness and His peace despite their horrendous circumstances. Also implore Him for their soon release.

Scripture

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


- Psalm 23:4

Prayer Focus
Pray that people will not be fooled by Hamas’s “about face.” Pray that the overwhelming evidence of their guilt will be seen and believed, convincing people of the truth of what happened and shaming those who have supported the slaughter of innocent Jews. May they be convicted of their own anti-Semitism and moved to stand against evil.

Scripture

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.


- Psalm 1:1

Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will protect those Gazans who are taking action against Hamas at great danger to themselves. Pray that they will be seen and their voices heard around the world, helping to bring the truth to the cesspool of lies that surrounds this conflict.

Scripture

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.


- Proverbs 12:22

Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord for the statistics that show that Israel has significant support among the people of the United States. Pray that they will show that support by speaking out on Israel’s behalf, praying for Israel and giving to organizations like Bridges for Peace. But in this election year in the United States, pray that they will vote for those candidates who will maintain the strong relationship that has existed between the two countries and will give Israel whatever American support is needed to reach their goals in this conflict.

Scripture

“Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”


- Genesis 27:29 ESV

Prayer Focus
Beseech the Lord that Israel’s goal of completely dismantling Hamas will be met despite the fact that the war continues to expand to multiple fronts. Ask the Lord to protect the peace treaty with Jordan and pray that Jordan will not succumb to pressure to open Israel’s eastern border to her enemies. Also thank the Lord for the support from America and the UK in dealing with the Houthis. Pray that support will be unwavering.

Scripture

“Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”


- Deuteronomy 20:3–4 ESV

Prayer Focus
Ask the Lord to destroy the growing alliance between Turkey and Iran. Pray that Turkey’s ability to support terrorism will be ended and Erdogan’s prediction that Israel is headed for destruction will come to nothing.

Scripture

Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.


- Psalm 36:1–4 ESV

Prayer Focus
Pray for the courageous women who are members of the IDF and fighting this war alongside their male counterparts. Pray for parents whose daughters are on the battlefield, children whose mothers are driving tanks and armored Humvees and husbands whose wives are commanders in a deadly war against ultimate evil. Pray that the Lord will protect these brave and humble women until He has again restored them to their families.

Scripture

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”


- Joshua 1:9 ESV

Prayer Focus
Pray for Elkana Vizel’s wife, his four children, his students and all of his friends and family members. Pray that the Lord will comfort them in their grief and praise the Lord for the beautiful message that he left behind. May his memory be a blessing, may he be honored as a hero and may his words be an encouragement and strengthening to many at this very dark time.

Scripture

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.


- Proverbs 15:26 ESV

Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord for Vahid Beheshti and his daring actions in attempting to tell the nations the truth about the threat that Iran presents to the entire world and for his support for the nation of Israel. Pray that the nations will heed his words and with the Lord’s help, move forward to put an end to Iran’s reign of terror.

Scripture

For it was the LORD’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed just as the Lord commanded Moses.


- Joshua 11:20 ESV