On Day 9 of our 10 Days of Global Prayer for Israel, we focus on praying for unity in the Messiah among Arab and Jewish people. Our prayer is for a restored relationship between these two “brothers,” so they may come together in unity to worship the God of Israel.
Related Scriptures
- Genesis 17:20: “And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.”
- Genesis 25:12-18: This passage outlines the generations of Ishmael, showing his descendants and their places of dwelling.
- Isaiah 19:23-25: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.'”
- 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.”
- John 17:20-21: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
The journey of Abraham’s family, as recorded from Genesis 12 to 21, is marked by God’s promises, their struggles, and human frailty. Sarah’s barrenness led Abraham to Hagar, resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Yet, God also promised another son, Isaac, through whom the Messiah would come. Isaac’s birth, celebrated with a great feast, provoked Ishmael to jealousy. Consequently, Ishmael was expelled from his home because he rejected Isaac. Despite this, God’s promise to make Ishmael a great nation remained steadfast (Genesis 17:20).
Several millennia later, this narrative flipped. The Jewish people, descendants of Isaac, largely rejected the Greater Isaac (Jesus) and were expelled from the Father’s House. Now, God’s plan is to provoke Isaac to jealousy by bringing Ishmael back home (Romans 11:11). Ishmael’s historical expulsion led to a sense of fatherlessness, a significant stronghold in Muslim nations today. As the Jewish Messiah encounters Muslims in masses and brings home descendants of Ishmael, the orphan spirit is being broken. Their love for Jews is provoking the Jewish people to jealousy.
Isaiah 19 paints a prophetic picture of a time when God will bring judgments on the idols of Egypt, transforming Egypt into a God-fearing nation. Amidst the Antichrist’s oppression, worship altars to the Lord will be established, and Hebrew will be spoken in five cities in Egypt. This transformation will pave the way for a highway of worship and unity between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel, symbolising unity among Jews, Arabs, and all peoples in the region.
Many ministries have already started fostering reconciliation and unity along this Isaiah 19 Highway. The love they have for each other and for the Jewish nation is remarkable and miraculous. Many believers listen to Hebrew worship, and their first words upon coming to faith often bless Israel.
Jesus, in Luke 21, foretells a time of great distress for Israel (the Time of Jacob’s Trouble). He warns, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.” In such times, many unbelieving Jews will likely seek refuge in nearby nations, finding shelter in the homes of Arab believers. This hospitality will provoke them to seek their Messiah.
Prayer Points
- Pray for a restored relationship between Jewish and Arab people, fostering unity in worship of the God of Israel (Isaiah 19:23-25).
- Pray for a spirit of reconciliation, that historical wounds and grievances will be healed (Ephesians 2:14-16).
- Pray that Arab believers will be effective bridges, demonstrating God’s love to Jewish people and provoking them to jealousy (Romans 11:11).
- Pray for the breaking of the orphan spirit among descendants of Ishmael, leading to healing and reconciliation (Genesis 17:20).
- Pray for the prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah 19, that a highway of worship and unity will be established in the region (Isaiah 19:23-25).
- Pray for the practical support of Jewish refugees during times of distress, that Arab believers will open their homes and hearts (Luke 21:20-24).
- Pray for a movement of God’s Spirit, bringing about unity and mutual love among all believers in the Messiah (John 17:20-21).
Conclusion
Let us lift up our prayers for unity in the Messiah among Arab and Jewish people. May their restored relationship serve as a powerful testimony of God’s redemptive power and love, bringing peace and reconciliation to the region.
Final Prayer Meeting Reminder
Our final virtual prayer meeting for Israel for these 10 days will be held TONIGHT, 27th May (Day 9) at 7:00 PM UK time. The Zoom link will be sent out. Please join us as we meet for a powerful time of intercession.
