Dear friends,
On Saturday morning, Oct. 7, Israel was shaken by a major attack from Gaza. At least 2,500 rockets were fired at Israel. In no time, hundreds of armed terrorists from Gaza surfaced and entered Israel by land, air and sea. In nearby towns, residents were shot at and Hamas terrorists entered kibbutzim and homes to spread death and destruction. At a festival, as many as 250 youths were ruthlessly killed. An estimated 150 Israelis were kidnapped into Gaza, including (young) men, women, children, the elderly and soldiers.
How timely are the prophetic words of Psalm 83:1–4: O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”
With Israel, we are in shock at the terrible tragedy in which its people have found themselves. We anxiously await what the coming days and weeks will bring.
Our hearts and prayers go out in particular to the many families affected by the loss of their loved ones and for those who have been kidnapped and are currently living in great fear: "Save me, LORD, from evil men. Protect me from the men of violence, who devise much evil in their hearts, gathering every day to battle." (Ps. 140:1-2).
Will you stand up for Israel in prayer?
Please join us in prayer for:
- The women, children, elderly and soldiers kidnapped and hidden in Gaza. They and their families and friends are living from minute to minute in agonizing uncertainty and fear.
- The families affected by the loss of their loved ones;
- The ethical and strategic dilemmas facing Israel's government leaders;
- The rescue workers and medical staff;
- The (young) Israelis serving in the IDF. Many of them are between the ages of 18 and 21. Over 300,000 reservists have now been called up; among them are many of our Messianic brothers and sisters.
- Our workers and their young family. Currently they are looking into making the coffee house a place of meeting and prayer.
- Please pray that in this terrible time when Israel's much vaunted security services have failed, that Israelis may be receptive to God's Word and seek support from the Lord. That they may realize: There is none holy like the Lord: "there is none but You, and there is no rock like our God" (1 Sam 2:2).
- That the Bibles given to Israelis this year may give comfort and encourage them and bring them to the knowledge of their Messiah.
- For innocent Palestinian civilians similarly stricken by death and destruction, living unwillingly under the relentless terror of Hamas.
- The Bible also calls us to pray for the enemy. In Psalm 83:16 we read: Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. Therefore, let us pray that there are those among them who will see their shame, repent and seek the Lord.
- The Jewish people who have sought refuge in Israel from Ukraine and - against every hope and expectation - find themselves once again in a terrible war situation.
- The Jews and Israelis living outside Israel. Tensions and confrontations in Israel are always a cause of global anti-Semitism. For example, two Israeli tourists have already been killed in Egypt, anti-Israel demonstrations were held in many places.That the difference between anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism is wafer-thin is evidenced by the fact that even in the Netherlands Jewish buildings and institutions require extra surveillance.