When it comes to prayer, it's all hands on deck right now. It's time for a national day of prayer. Huge numbers of people from all around the world have been praying hard for Israel, especially since the horrors of October 7th. But Messianic Jewish believer, Joel Rosenberg, has proposed that a concentrated effort should be made within Israel itself to come together and pray as a nation. He cited this well known passage:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” (2 Chronicles 7:14-16)
The suggestion for a nationwide day of prayer was first picked up upon by Oded Revivi, the Orthodox Jewish mayor of Efrat:
“Although coming from an Evangelical…there is no doubt that there is a place to declare a National Day of Prayer – maybe this coming Monday when will mark the 30th day [since] the terrorist attack on Simchat Torah.”
With unity comes the blessing
Since then several rabbis have also given their support to the idea, including Rabbi Yehuda Glick. Rosenberg shares in All Israel News, “Momentum accelerated further on Friday when Israeli Rabbi Yehuda Glick sent a formal letter to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, and Rabbi David Lau, the Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Israel, urging them to designate Monday as Israel’s National Day of Prayer.”1
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, rabbi of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and the Rosh Kollel at Yeshivat Har Etzion, has lent his support, saying, “I spend a lot of time with soldiers in the north and south and try to strengthen them. I see unity. I see the mission, and I also feel from them the important need for a day of prayer. The thirtieth day of the war is a very appropriate day.”
Rabbi Tuly Weisz is encouraging Christian and Jews to unite together, saying, “Our goal is to boldly demonstrate to the Israeli public following the horrific attack and subsequent wave of global antisemitism, that for the first time in history, Jews and Christians are united in faith, prayer, and solidarity with Israel”.2
Please will you join us on this national day of prayer?
The chapter before 2 Chronicles 7 tells how Solomon entreats God to listen to all prayers that are made from His holy place in Jerusalem, whenever Israel falls into trouble and sin, to hear and save:
Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive. (2 Chronicles 6:21)
God's eyes are always on Israel. We need to call out to Him now more than ever. And that's exactly what is starting to happen.
We are now starting to hear amazing stories of answers to prayer coming out, which we'll share with you soon. Stories from soldiers, from people trapped with terrorists at the door, and the story from the family of rescued hostage, Ori Megidish, which involves some remarkable prayer… Many Israelis are now starting to pray with an urgency that is new. Some for the first time. Atheists are finding faith as they step out and discover God is real and hears our prayers.
Pray a psalm over Israel, for our salvation.
Pray for our troops try to disable Hamas and retrieve the hostages.
Pray that we become a nation who turns to God, calls on His name, and comes to know Him in a new way.
Pray for miracles, angels, and answers to prayer.
Amen.
- All Israel News, MOMENTUM IS BUILDING: 20 Knesset Members send letter to Israel’s chief rabbis, urging them to call National Day of Prayer on Monday,
- Israel365 News, Leading Rabbis and Knesset Members call for National Day of Prayer this Monday, Adam Eliyahu Berekowitz, November 3, 2023
