The Power of Prayer for Israel

This week, Christians all across the United States gathered for the National Day of Prayer. It is encouraging to see men and women zealously crying out to God. Prayer is powerful! It has stopped the mouths of lions, raised the dead, delivered nations from destruction, and flowed from the lips of peace-filled martyrs until their dying breath. Nothing is more inspiring than when Almighty God answers the prayer of a mortal man. 

It is strange that, though we all know this, we still have such challenges with maintaining a healthy prayer life. What great things have not happened because of unuttered prayers? Why do we struggle to prioritize prayer?

Growing up, my family had a milk cow that we milked by hand. It had to be milked every morning and every night. If she didn’t get milked she would become very sick and, if not taken care of, might even die. Knowing this, we were very faithful to take 15-30 minutes, twice a day to do the milking. We did this for years, every single day. We were able to do this because we needed milk, valued our milk cow, and we knew there would be consequences if we failed in our duties. 

Do you value prayer? I don’t think any of us do on the level that we should, but, be encouraged! If we ask God for help, I’m sure He will enable us to develop even more dedication than I had towards milking my cow!

I’ve often thought about the different callings and giftings that God has given to the different parts of the body of Messiah. We could use the concept of being different parts as an excuse for our shameful disunity. The reality is that, though the body has different parts, each of them were created to work in unison with the others and accomplish common purposes!

Your hand doesn’t build a house while your foot runs a marathon, your mouth gives a lecture, and your ears listen to country music. All the members of your body complement each other to fulfill your will!

God’s will is for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in Heaven. This means taking care of the poor and needy, giving the gift of salvation to lost souls, loving your neighbor, etc… What else do we know for sure is God’s will? 

More than 50 prophecies in the Bible speak about the return of the Jewish people and the restoration of their ancestral homeland – Israel. There’s no question; this is God’s will and the timing is now!

As all the parts of the body of Messiah recognize that restoring Israel’s land and people is God’s will, it will bring a common purpose and great unity! But, you may ask, are all the members of the body supposed to focus on this one thing? If so, how?

Isaiah 56 says that “all nations” will come up to Jerusalem to pray. 2 Chronicles 7, in the famous “If my people” passage, says that God will hear the prayer of any foreigners who face towards Jerusalem to pray. (For a deep dive into why facing Jerusalem is important, read our book called “Facing Jerusalem”).

Every part of the body is called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122). As we pray, God will bring us unity as He did in Jerusalem on Pentecost morning. Right now we are counting up the days to Shavuot (Pentecost). Could it be that God wants to bring us together in one accord through prayer for the restoration of the land and people of Israel? If we align ourselves with God’s will, facing towards Jerusalem, will we see His Holy Spirit poured out like never before?   

Dean Bye from Return Ministries has launched an incredible new movement where Christians can unify in prayer for the restoration of Israel’s land and people. It is called the “Altar of Prayer.” Now is the time for Christians to come together and pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven!

John Wesley once said, “Without God man cannot. Without man God will not.” For some reason our all-powerful God desires us to fulfill His will on the earth. I believe it all starts with prayer. Please take this call to prayer to heart and make time to pray individually, with your family, with your congregation, and consider joining the Altar of Prayer where we are focused on praying for the return of the Jewish people and the restoration of the land of Israel.