This edition looks at how to pray effectively for Israel.

SINCE YOU ASKED
The people of Israel need all the prayer they can get. We are called to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Israel is surrounded by enemies, and the entire world is turning against her. We must not only be praying, but praying effective prayers. We must focus on what really matters to God and pray against the real enemy, not just the ones making all the noise. Ephesians 6:12 puts things into proper perspective:
 
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
 
What we see on earth is the puppet show, marionettes controlled by forces above-wicked spiritual forces skilled in pulling the strings of compliant subjects on earth who are more than willing to perform for their unseen master. The situation in which Israel finds herself reminds me Daniel’s situation described in Daniel 10. He had been taken captive (along with most of the residents of Judah) into Babylon, which had recently been conquered by Persia. Daniel had been fasting and praying for three weeks and humbling himself to determine when he and the other exiles would be able to return home. While on the bank of the Tigris River, he received an angelic vision that scared him half to death. The angel (Gabriel) comforted him and explained that he had been dispatched with the answer to Daniel’s prayer on the first day of Daniel’s fast. However, he had encountered some heavy spiritual warfare along the way. Specifically, the prince of the kingdom of Persia had waged war against him for 21 days. It was only Michael had been sent to help him that he gained the victory (Daniel 10:13).  

AS I SEE IT
If Satan had established a demonic “prince” over Persia, it is logical to assume that he had assigned one over all the nations of the earth. It is also logical to assume that these princes still exist today. This could explain why some prayers that are certainly in God’s will seem not to be answered. Perhaps the prayer has been heard, but the answer has been delayed through heavenly spiritual warfare. In light of Ephesians 6:12 (quoted above), it seems that we should be praying warfare prayers for Israel. Satan has likely established his most powerful prince over Israel. What if God is waiting for us to pray that He dispatch His heavenly army to battle Israel’s prince? The Bible gives many accounts that more than suggest that when God’s people don’t pray, He doesn’t act. I dealt with this issue in Blog Post 198. This is one more reason why believers are to set our minds on things above, where all the action is.

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Actual Newspaper Article Headline:
“Miners Refuse to Work after Death”
 
Those good for nothing lazy so and sos!