Sorrow and Hope

Friday, January 5, 2024

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. Sign up HERE if you would like to receive this Prayer Update by e-mail.

Prayer Focus
Thank the Lord for the protection provided to the nation of Israel through the elimination of Hamas’ Deputy Chief. Cry out to the Lord for all the challenges Israel faces in ensuring the safety and security of its people. Pray for the continued strength and resilience of the IDF in the face of threats and acts of aggression. Ask the Lord for divine wisdom to guide the leaders of Israel to safeguard their citizens and their land.

Scripture

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.’ For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’ Because of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.”


- (Psalm 122:6-9)

Prayer Focus
Go before the Lord in fervent prayer for the current situation concerning Iran's alarming increase in high-grade nuclear fuel production. Humbly ask for the Lord’s divine intervention regarding the potential threats posed by such reckless actions. Pray for guidance and sound decision making ability for the leaders of Israel and the international community, that they may take the God-ordained decisive steps to protect the peace and security of the region. Pray that the Lord’s will be done and that whatever may come, that Israel will be keep safely under the shadow of His wings.

Scripture

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”


- (Psalm 91:1-4)

Prayer Focus
Rejoice before the Lord in this victory for the IDF. Praise God that no more terror plots and attacks can be orchestrated against Israeli civilians from this command center. Pray that the Lord will protect and encourage the IDF soldiers, that the right hand of the Lord will guide their efforts to secure the safety of their people. Lift up the nation of Israel, asking for continued strength and courage as they defend against those who seek to harm them.

Scripture

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”


- (Psalm 18:2)

Prayer Focus
Lift up your pray of thanksgiving to the Lord. Praise Him for the brave Jewish people that continue to return home to Israel even in the shadow of war. Bless the Lord for strength and determination that He has instilled in these families to heed the call and return to the Promised Land. Pray for their safety, provision, and a smooth integration into the vibrant tapestry of Israeli society. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness even in the midst of challenging times.

Scripture

“Through the LORD’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”


- (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Prayer Focus
Cry out to the Lord for the people of Gaza. Ask the Lord to hear their cries for justice and to see an end to the suffering due to the suffocating oppression of the terrorist organization called Hamas. Pray for clarity and discernment for the people of Gaza, that they may recognize and stand against the mistreatment and abuse by Hamas. Lift up the leaders of Israel, asking for continued protection and wisdom as they navigate the complex dynamics in the Gaza strip. Beseech the Lord for hearts to be softened and turned towards reconciliation and understanding.

Scripture

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”


- (Psalm 34:17-18)

Prayer Focus
Proclaim a heartfelt prayer for the brave ZAKA volunteers who have been tirelessly working to recover the remains of the victims of the October 7 massacre in Israel. Lift up these selfless volunteers, asking for strength, protection, and comfort as they navigate the challenging task of providing closure to grieving families. Pray that the Lord’s presence will be a source of solace to those who mourn, and that the work of ZAKA will continue to bring healing to those affected by this tragedy.

Scripture

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.”


- (Jeremiah 17:14)

Prayer Focus
Declare a blessing over Holocaust survivor Hanna Gofrit, who, with profound empathy, is bringing hope and healing to the youngest victims of the October 7th massacre. Ask the Lord for the same resilience and compassion displayed by Hanna to be birthed in the young children who have endured fear and trauma. Pray for comfort and restoration for the young victims of the Hamas massacre and for all those who are mourning in Israel.

Scripture

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”


- (Jeremiah 29:11)

Prayer Focus
Lift up the clergymen who witnessed the footage of Hamas's brutal attack in prayer before the Lord, and ask that their hearts will be turned towards life and righteousness and away from the evil deeds of terrorists. Pray for strength and resilience for these leaders to stand against evil and to promote tolerance towards the Jewish people and Israel, particularly in the Arab society. Pray that the horrors depicted in the footage will serve as a catalyst for justice, understanding, and pro-Israel support. Ask the Lord to grant wisdom to those who are working to expose the atrocities committed by Hamas, and that the truth will prevail.

Scripture

“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”


- (Proverbs 21:15)

Prayer Focus
Plead the case for Israel before the Lord in the Heavenly courtroom, regarding this pending court case and the unprecedented challenges facing Israel at the ICC. Pray for wisdom, strength, and discernment for the Israeli delegation as they defend the military actions taken in self-defense. Pray that Israel’s participation in these proceedings will refute unjust accusations and bring the truth to light. Ask the Lord to grant courage to those judges who will stand against injustice and that the nations of the world will recognize the legitimacy of Israel's actions.

Scripture

“The LORD shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me. Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart. God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.”


- (Psalm 7:8-11)

Prayer Focus
Lift up in prayer the members of Kibbutz Be’eri who have returned from Hamas captivity, as they mourn the loss of their neighbors, friends and devastated community. Ask the Lord to bestow on them comfort and healing specifically for Oren Sharabi and others who have experienced unimaginable fear and loss. Pray that the Lord will sustain those still being held hostage in the Gaza Strip and for their safe return to their families. May the Lord’s peace reign in the midst of this tragedy, and may His justice prevail against those who have committed such heinous acts.

Scripture

“Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”


- (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)