Today, I pray for peace in our world and peace for Israel–but not merely the temporary peace of politics, ceasefire negotiations, and military action. Instead, I pray for the eternal peace which only comes through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that our world would turn to the only one who can break the power of sin and bring peace to our chaos.
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Scripture
Nehemiah 1:4-9
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
Observation
Nehemiah was heartbroken at the state in which he saw God’s people, and the city of Jerusalem. He wanted to see the situation change–but he didn’t merely pray for God to reverse the circumstances: He prayed a prayer of repentance, and reminded God of his promise to his people if they turned back to him. He prayed God’s blessing on those of his people who sincerely turned their hearts back to God.
Application
A couple of days ago, Israel was attacked by Hamas 50 years after the Yom Kippur war. News reports are still coming out, rumors are flying, and social media is going crazy right now. Many are calling for prayer for Israel, and emotions are running high. Amid all of the chaos and clamor though, I was struck by the words of Nehemiah’s prayer this morning.
He didn’t merely pray for God to bless Israel: Instead, he prayed for God to hear the repentant heart of the people as they turned their hearts back to God. He reminded God of his promise to bless them…if they turned back to him.
Today, I pray for peace in our world and peace for Israel–but not merely the temporary peace of politics, ceasefire negotiations, and military action. Instead, I pray for the eternal peace which only comes through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that our world would turn to the only one who can break the power of sin and bring peace to our chaos.
Prayer
God, turn our hearts back to you! I repent for my own sin, and ask that you would turn our hearts to you like never before. I pray for your peace over Israel, over Jerusalem, over the West Bank and the Golan Heights, and over Gaza. I pray that you would spark a revival of your spirit not only in the people of Israel, but also in the Palestinian community and even among the very members of Hamas. Help your people to shine the light of your gospel brightly in the darkness, and to remember that true and lasting peace is only found in your presence. Give me opportunities this week to speak your peace into the lives of those that I interact with.
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