"No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise." Isaiah 60:18

As we hear of violence and bloodshed around the borders of Israel, it's often hard to know what to think or how to pray. It goes without saying that God loves each person deeply, and suffers with those that suffer. We have God's word that one day there will be peace - that God's people will dwell securely in the land forever, and that all will be well. But that day might seem like a dream to us right now. How should we respond today in faith-filled prayer?

Tension, Fear and Frustration

May 15th was the day of the planned 3rd Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, which gained over 340,000 supporters on the dedicated facebook page. May 15th on the Western calendar marks the day that Israel became independent - a happy day for the Jewish people but a "nakba" or "catastrophe" for the Arab peoples who used to live there. The facebook page included calls to take to the streets after Friday prayers on 15th and begin an uprising in the vein of the first two popular uprisings. It contained incitement to kill Jews and to liberate Jerusalem through violence: "Judgment Day will be brought upon us only once the Muslims have killed all of the Jews," reads the call.[1]

In reality, the day was not as violent as many feared, but still there were casualties and deaths. Tens of thousands of Palestinians arrived at the borders around Israel and attempted to cross them, and the Israeli army opened fire, killing at least 10 protesters. Not all of the Palestinians came with violent intentions, but instead wanted a peaceful protest; to make the point that they just wanted to go back to their houses. Others had more a more sinister agenda.

And, reports the BBC, Israel has another concern. "In September, the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, frustrated by the failed US-led Middle East peace talks, is threatening to go to the UN to try to get official recognition of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. It may only be a symbolic gesture but the aim is to make Israel look politically isolated. This month, both US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu are expected to make key policy speeches addressing the stagnant peace process. Palestinians are likely to be sceptical about both men's words."[2] More large-scale protests are predicted for the coming weeks and months.

Praying In Line With Scripture

And according to what the Bible teaches, we cannot count on any significant improvement in the Middle East situation in the near future.

Zechariah writes,"A prophecy: The word of the LORD concerning Israel.
The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares:

... but wait. Before we hear what he declares, let's note the way that God introduces what he's about to say. In this prophecy God reminds us of who he is, in no uncertain terms. Like his discussion with Job, at the end of the book, when Job demands to understand why he has had to suffer so much. God simply replies; “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?" Job 38:4-5

Sometimes there are matters that are simply beyond our comprehension. God understands what he is doing and why, but sometimes tells us that we must just accept his sovereign decisions, without explaination. He has every right to do as he pleases with the creation he has made. Here he reminds us that he not only made the universe, but every single human being in it, giving us our very lives. We have no leg to stand on if we seek to judge his behaviour and decisions according to our own feeble yardstick of morality. He defines morality. He epitomises justice. He is omniscient and we are not. If his decisions seem to be lacking in goodness or justice, it is our perception that is lacking, not his moral character. Now that we have established that fact, let's read on.

“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves." (Zechariah 12:1-3)

Hard things to hear. The whole world, according to God's word, will eventually gang up against Israel. All the nations of the earth will gather against her. Could that include your country? Can you conceive of this happening? There are more details in Zechariah for you to read, and in Ezekiel 38-39, but one thing is clear: Things are going to get really ugly, but God will defend Israel. He will punish those who come against her.

It is a well known fact that the Hebrew word for peace also means "wholeness" and "completion". When we pray for the "shalom" of Jerusalem, we are praying for the immovable rock to be whole, as well as for welfare of her inhabitants, of every race. Anyone coming against it will only hurt themselves.

When we seek to pray in faith, we must align ourselves with God's revealed will in his word, and join him in welcoming in his plans without fear. These things will happen. His will cannot be thwarted, but let us pray earnestly for everyone involved; for the Jewish people who are blinded to their Messiah, and are so often gripped with fear and animosity towards those surrounding them... Pray for the Arab peoples, so many of whom are lost in Islam and bitter resentment, frustration and disillusionment. God loves each one of his children. Let's pray for a great rescue mission and revival in these days. Pray for the protesters. Pray for the soldiers. Pray for the frightened Jewish families, hearing the test sirens and reminding their jumpy hearts that it's just a practice. Pray for the embittered Palestinian refugees who have lost so much - especially freedom and hope. Pray for people from every part of this troubled area to come to faith and to radically love their enemies.

Here is God's promise of what is to come in Isaiah 60:17-21

I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler.
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.

Lord, let your kingdom come and your will be done. Amen.

[1] http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-demands-facebook-remove-third-intifada-fan-page-1.352368

[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13417788