Praying For Israel

One of our many focuses of prayer at IHOP (the International House of Prayer) is to pray for Israel. We are commanded as the body of believers to bless Israel. I know of many major ministries that are picking up the mandate of God to drawn focus on the state of Israel and the need to pray Israel, a nation under tremendous persecution and war. I have heard, throughout my walk with God, about Israel in the church but never really understood why we were to pray for Israel and what significance this has on the end times. I am in a learning curve discovering God’s heart for Israel and the revelation is unfolding. I am taking a concerted effort to study the promises of God and meditate on His word. God, give me revelation and understanding so I can pray for Israel!

Isaiah 62:1 says; for Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace (or be silent: release a prophetic spirit) and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not give rest (I will not be inactive: release power) UNTIL, her righteousness (in all her heart issues) goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns (ministry to others).

Wow that is pretty clear! Israel is not only God’s passion but He says He will not REST until Israel is a burning and shining lamp! Honestly, this is becoming my heart, I can no longer rest or be complacent about Israel – it is His passion so it has become my passion. When you pray for someone or something for any consistent period of time you will find yourself falling in love with what you are praying for (just try it – it is amazing!).

While meditating on Romans 11:25-35; I began to see God’s promise to Israel that through the mercy He was pouring out on us, the Gentiles He would save Israel. Their heart would be open to Him when they saw His mercy poured out on us. Verse 31 says “Even so have these also now not believed (Israel) that through your mercy they may also obtain mercy”. Ok we have no doubt received mercy …..But I am believing if that were enough than wouldn’t Israel be saved? I believe there is yet to be a display of God’s mercy, unprecedented, that will shake Israel to its core. Could it be….somehow connected to The Call – to end abortion and bring revival to our nation? When God answers in Mercy, could this outpouring bring such a display of God that Israel will be provoked by His loving kindness and see God as He truly is and accept His Son.

I believe this is the hour for that to take place…..here is where I am directing my prayers. The word says that abortion in our nation is an abomination. Deuteronomy 21:1-5 – “If one be found slain in the land …” the priests and the elders that God has chosen to minister to Him must apply the blood of the sacrifice at the altar
Numbers 35: 33-34 The blood of unavenged murder defiles and pollutes the land, some kind of cleansing is necessary so the land will not be defiled.

2 Kings 21:16 and 2 Kings 24:4 describes how God dealt with those who had authority in the land to stop the murder and innocent blood from filling the land.

2 Kings 24: 4 For he (Manasseh) had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the LORD would not pardon.
This is Old Testament, which the Jewish religion requires from the age of a child they must meditate on it day and night. There is no atonement for this in their eyes. So here is what I purpose, that the mercy that God will pour out in forgiveness for 50 million babies, the revival they He will bring through His mercy and extended hand to our nation would be the very mercy that would open the eyes of Israel, it would be the very mercy of God that would open their heart to the loving Father of mercy who desires to extend mercy to them and save them, restoring their life with Him.

Ruth Graham makes a very valid point when (wife of the late Billy Graham) she says if God does not judge America He would have to ask for forgiveness for Sodom and Gomorrah. The reality is we do not even comprehend what we deserve for 50 million innocent babies murdered for convenience and selfishness.

We must, as priests and ministers of God, weep between the porch and the altar asking God for mercy for our nation. It is not enough that Jesus was sacrificed, the ultimate propitiation for sin but we must apply the blood and cry out for forgiveness from a God who is full of justice and mercy.

My prayer is for God's unrelenting outpouring of mercy and forgiveness on our nation knowing that really what we deserve is the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah. And may this display of His LOVE be the very act that opens the heart of Israel and restores them to their first Love?