As we continue the 10 Days of Global Prayer for Israel, today we focus on praying for Jewish people outside Israel. Since the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, there has been a significant surge in antisemitism worldwide. We need to urgently pray for protection and deliverance for Jewish communities globally.
Related Scriptures
- Ephesians 1:17-20: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.”
- Romans 10:1: “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”
- Psalm 91:1-2: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”
- Psalm 121:7-8: “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
- Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.”
- Jeremiah 31:10: “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’”
- Romans 9:1-3: “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race.”
- Romans 11:11: “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.”
In recent months, Jewish communities outside Israel have faced alarming levels of antisemitism. In the United States, there has been a nearly 400% increase in antisemitic acts since the conflict began, including harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults. In Europe, antisemitic incidents have surged by about 300% since 7th October. Reports from the UK indicate a sevenfold increase in antisemitic incidents, with Jewish schools and synagogues being targeted. France has experienced more than 1,000 antisemitic attacks, marking one of the most challenging periods for French Jews in recent history.1 This resurgence is largely due to the false media narratives that paint Israel as an evil oppressor, coupled with the Jew-hatred that never truly disappeared after WWII, but merely shamed and suppressed, and is now re-emerging.
Biblically, God’s purpose in scattering His people has always been to turn Israel back to Him. Deuteronomy 28-30 details blessings and curses: if Israel diligently obeys the LORD, they will dwell securely in their land, but if they turn away from the LORD to follow other gods, He will discipline them by allowing enemy nations to besiege and scatter them so that they will experience hardship in exile, remember the LORD and return to Him, and the LORD will restore them. The nations, on the other hand, have persecuted the Jewish people beyond what He willed: “I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment” (Zechariah 1:15). He who touches Israel touches the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). God will judge nations based on how they treat Israel. In Joel 3:2, God declares, “I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.” Jeremiah 31:10 reminds us that the One who scattered Israel is the one who gathers them and watches over them as a shepherd watches over his flock.
In Romans 9, Paul expresses this deep anguish he has for his own people, the Jewish people. He longed to see their salvation and prayed that they might be saved (Romans 10:1), and in Romans 11:11, he explains that salvation has come to the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy and ultimately bring them back to God.
Ephesians 1:17-20 encourages us to ask God for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of His Son, and pray that He would enlighten the hearts of His people and empower them with His strength. It is only by His Spirit can the eyes of His people’s heart be enlightened. Let us pray fervently for the Jewish people around the world, that their persecution would bring them to a place of encounter with the Living God.
Prayer Points
- Pray for the safety of Jewish people in America, Europe, and worldwide, as they face increasing threats and violence (Psalm 91:1-2).
- Pray for protection from harassment and persecution, asking God to provide peace and security (Psalm 121:7-8).
- Pray that Jewish people will be comforted by God and those who love them, knowing they are not alone (Isaiah 40:1-2).
- Pray for their repentance and salvation, that both religious and secular Jews will turn to the God of Israel (Romans 10:1).
- Pray for the Spirit of revelation to enlighten them, that they would see the Messiah (Ephesians 1:17-20).
- Pray that they would encounter Christians who love Israel and be provoked to jealousy by their love and worship of the God of Israel (Romans 11:11).
- Pray for those who want to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel) that their process will be smooth and successful (Jeremiah 31:10).
- Pray against the spirit of accusation (Revelation 12:10), especially in the media, which spreads false news designed to demonise Israel and paint Israel in a bad light. Pray for truth to prevail.
- Most of all, pray for God to encounter them in powerful and personal ways, drawing them closer to Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Zoom Prayer
Reminder that we will also be holding public virtual prayer meetings on the following dates:
- Wednesday, 22nd May
- Friday, 24th May
- Monday, 27th May
Details will be emailed closer to the dates. If you want to join and are not on my email list, fill in your details in the sign-up form below.
