Everyday life reflects God’s gracious restoration of our people to the good land He has stewarded us. But that restoration is not without contention at seemingly every turn. Daily our tiny country is forced to defend against terror and war from every direction and dimension, including militarily, traditional and social media platforms, international lawfare, economic boycotts, attacks in cyberspace and by arson, and of course, warfare in the spirit realm. Our hostages are still not released, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition government threatens to unravel any day, and there is a mounting perception that President Trump is rethinking his support of the Jewish state. Israelis are deeply troubled.
How can you pray? Among many other passages of Scripture, Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37 serve as an appropriately targeted springboard to intercession for God’s covenant restoration of His people.
While many Israelis are turning to God in their distress, others are not. Our young people are especially anxious and perplexed. Many are searching for answers in all the wrong places. Disillusioned by traditional rabbinic Judaism, they are drawn to the occult and the subtle worship of foreign gods. Expressions of witchcraft and satanism are increasingly public and commonplace.
Weep and pray with me as you read on.
Today, May 15, marks the annual Jewish observance of Lag b’Omer. This dubious holiday is not mentioned or referenced in Scripture. Taking place on the 33rd day of the omer count, Lag b’Omer commemorates the lives of ancient rabbis and their followers who, claiming a military leader of the day to be the messiah, rejected Yeshua and Jews who believed in Him. Annually, hundreds of thousands of religious Jews flock to the graves of these rabbis in a type of ancestor worship, hoping to receive an impartation or anointing from the corpses or grave yards, or both. (Many today are unaware of the historically idolatrous roots of Lag b’Omer, as modern practices focus more on celebrating Israel’s restored nationhood.)
In observance of Lag b’Omer, bonfires are lit across the country. Until recently, the fires were intended to conjure up and ignite hidden mysticism and secret spiritual knowledge. Today, they are said to represent the victory of light over darkness.
This year, large Lag b’Omer festivals will be held around the country, aimed mostly at young people. The events feature the direct or indirect worship of pagan idols, astral (soul-spirit) projections, practices and incantations of kabbalah (Jewish witchcraft); in short, covenant-making with demonic entities. The celebrations are grievously reminiscent of the Nova Festival held October 7, 2023, where a huge Buddha statue sat on stage when Hamas’ terror occurred. Thankfully, teams of Messianic believers are attending the gatherings to pray and share biblical truth.
How might you pray? Your intercession can rest on passages such as Isaiah 8:19-20 on consulting the dead; Isaiah 28:14-19, renouncing covenants of death; and Number 23:23, declaring witchcraft and sorcery is ineffective against Israel. Petition for a convicting spirit of repentance as described in Jeremiah 18:7-10 and Zechariah 12:10. Pray for Israel to be saved according to Romans 10:1, 2 Corinthians 3:15 and Romans 11:25-26.
Meanwhile, indications are the United States could be shifting to a less supportive stance toward Israel (again). An in-depth investigation by the New York Times revealed the reason Mr. Trump agreed to a recent cease-fire with Yemenite Houthis is that he did not think America could defeat them in a cost effective manner. He has reportedly stated the war in Gaza drags on because Israel wants it to. (While this statement is not entirely inaccurate, it lacks important context reflecting why the war must go on.) Mr. Trump recently reasserted his intent for the US to take over Gaza, which is land God allotted to the tribe of Judah. Then, during his ground-breaking visit to the Middle East, he bypassed Israel altogether. Aligning with Saudi Arabia and Qatar for economic reasons, the President automatically and necessarily—even if not intentionally—distanced himself from the Jewish state.
Qatar has invested huge sums of money in American universities and other venues. It has reportedly acted as a significant sponsor of terror, supporting both Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. And now, to reward Mr. Trump for his newfangled camaraderie, Qatar gifted him with a private plane worth nearly half a billion dollars.
Yeshua cautioned, “You cannot serve God and mammon [money]” (Matthew 6:24).
Given the unique dynamics of the Middle East, which Mr. Trump may or may not understand, these developments will serve to empower Iran in its stance against Israel—and in its negotiations with the US. Most Israelis view those negotiations as nothing more than deceptive delay tactics on the part of Iran. The regime, they say, is merely seducing or duping America into an Islamic “hudna,” a type of disingenuous truce based on lies, as authorized by the Koran. Israelis anticipate that during any such hudna, Iran will merely conceal (not cease) its enrichment of uranium in order to build nuclear weapons for launch against Israel. Because the regime wholeheartedly believes allah has ordered it to destroy Israel (and America), it simply cannot give up this goal. President Trump means well and we pray for him regularly. But only God through the Gospel, not mammon or money, can bring genuine peace to the Middle East.
There’s still more.
Saudi Arabia and France are co-chairing a high-level conference at the UN June 2-4 as ground work for the creation of a Palestinian state. After the conference they plan to propose, and the General Assembly is expected to adopt, a resolution for official recognition of Palestine. Except for an anticipated American veto, the Security Council would likely ratify the resolution.
With the vast majority of nations clamoring in agreement for an independent Palestinian state—ultimately as a reward for Hamas’ assault on October 7, 2023—Israel cannot in any natural, practical sense withstand the entire world.
We know God will intervene. What we don’t know is when or how. His covenant promises and purposes cannot be thwarted. But Israel (like other nations) is not without serious sin, and sin often delays the release and receiving of His blessings.
Friends, our intercession can make the difference.
How to pray for Israel and the nations assailing her? A few of many relevant Scriptures include Isaiah 28:14-19 and 8:9-10; Psalm 2, 33:10-12, 83, 118:8-14 and 129:5; Daniel 2:21 and Proverbs 21:1. We are also stirred to be praying the Iranian regime will make a very big mistake that will backfire and cause its demise (Jeremiah 49:35-39).
On another note, perhaps you’re aware that Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day on April 30 and May 1 were marred by devastating, terror-driven wildfires. What you may not know is that the fires broke out on the exact date of the highest “holiday” in satanism, known as Walpurgisnacht or Hexennacht. This notoriously evil occasion is traditionally marked by the setting of fires.
Mere coincidence or happenstance?
As fires wreaked havoc on our beautiful forests and tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated homes and businesses, countless comments spewed forth on Western media platforms expressing sheer glee: “Jews, burn alive!”; “Israel must be completely incinerated!”; “The Zionists refuse a ceasefire, let them cease by fire!”; “No genocide against the wildfires!” — and worse.
But God’s people prayed. And miraculously, rain began to fall. The winds stopped, and the fires were quickly contained. There were no fatalities and only limited damage to structures.
Please continue to pray for our protection from future arson by enemies from within. On a dry and windy day, any disgruntled Israeli Islamist with a match in his pocket can create a national emergency within minutes. Pray for holy fire to ignite in the land by Holy Spirit, replacing every “strange fire.”
With all that has taken place in recent days (and years), what lies ahead for the beleaguered and battle weary, increasingly isolated, tiny Jewish state? We watch and pray—as good news unfolds.
The Good News …
In the Messianic gatherings we attend or lead, we discern a new depth of maturity in the indigenous Israeli ekklesia. The Holy Spirit’s presence among us is increasingly palpable. Bible teaching has always been a priority in Messianic communities, but worship and prayer are now also widespread.
As we have written since October 7, more and more secular Israelis are turning to God, with a smaller number to Yeshua. Many of the hostages who are freed now speak of God’s presence or blessing upholding them in captivity. Soldiers and their families testify of new found faith, albeit in traditional rabbinic Judaism. (At the same time, others are suffering severely, which we dare not minimize.)
What we have not previously shared is that Israeli believers are also maturing, surrendering more fully to YHVH, and growing in spiritual authority.
Overall, amid the turmoil and trauma, there is a new move of the Spirit in Israel, despite—or because of—the national distress and grief.
One literal sign of the times appeared on city buses throughout Jerusalem earlier this spring. Posters prominently displaying Deuteronomy 6:4 (the Shema) roamed the streets: “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one.”
Israeli pop singers write songs about hope in God. “New Day Will Arise,” penned by a survivor of the October 7 massacre, was selected as Israel’s 2025 Eurovision Song Contest entry. Though secular in content, it beautifully reflects traditional biblical values.
Liberal, leftist journalists refer to recent harrowing events as miracles, such as the Houthi missile narrowly bypassing its intended target at Israel’s main airport, and quick wildfire containments.
We encourage you to continue praying that God will turn what the enemy intends for evil into good — for His people Israel, for His beloved global ekklesia, and the nations (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20).
We wholeheartedly thank you!
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You…As they pass through the Valley of Baca [meaning, Weeping] they make it a place of springs…They go from strength to strength til each appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:5-7).