Israel is at war, and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, Jonathan Conricus, compares the events beginning on Saturday, October 7, 2023, in Israel until now to a Pearl Harbor and 9/11 wrapped into one. The tensions between Palestine and Israel have raged for years. It’s as old as the conflict between Muslims and Jews over the sacred ground in Israel and its Jerusalem Temple Mount—a site Muslims and Jews both view as sacred to their religions. There were tensions as recently as April this year.

In early April 2023, at the site of the holy Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israeli police had to remove a group of Palestinians who had stockpiled rocks, cudgels, and improvised explosives, allegedly for use against Jewish visitors to the site. Palestinian rioters had planned this weeks in advance. The police action sparked international condemnation, especially among Muslims, and terror groups used it as justification to carry out terror and rocket attacks against Israel.[1]

Now, Hamas, an Islamic militant group that controls the Palestinian territory of Gaza has launched a deadly attack on Israel resulting in war. Hamas rejects Israel’s right to exist and is dedicated instead to the creation of a Palestinian country in the region.[2] Hamas serves sociopolitical and military functions in Gaza, and Iran supports them with weapons and other resources. According to the US government, Hamas has a membership of between 20,000 and 25,000, according to the U.S. government, Hamas was founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.[3]

Why Should Christians Care?

• Even if our hearts not moved by women, children, and grandmothers being taken hostage by Hamas, and later having their dead bodies paraded in the street, we should care because what happens to Israel and the Jerusalem Temple is connected to end-time events that Daniel prophesied, and Jesus described.
  • “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), ¹⁶ “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (Matthew 24:15-16 NKJV) See also Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
• Second Thessalonians speaks of a future abomination in the Temple in Jerusalem. It points to the Antichrist taking over the temple. So, when we see war over the Temple, we should wake up and pay attention. It could ultimately set the stage for the events that will lead to the rise of this anti-Christ 2 Thessalonians is talking about.
• If you live in America, you should also be concerned about American involvement means and could lead to in an election year. America has proposed aid to Israel but much of it can be approved until a new Speaker of the House is determined.

How Should We Respond?

• Scriptures instruct us to pray for Jerusalem.
  • Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. ⁷ Peace be within your walls,
    Prosperity within your palaces.” (Psalm 122:6-7 NKJV)
• We need to understand that this attack is unprecedented. It points to the a shift and acceleration of end-time events.
• Paul’s prayer for Israel (Israelites) was that they might be saved.
  • Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1 NKJV)

What Else Should We Pray About?

1. Pray that American involvement and support of Israel in this conflict will not lead to attacks on our soil or civil conflict during the election. Declare there will be no bloodshed in America.
2. Pray for protection over the land—Israel and America—for the sake of the remnant.
3. Pray that the enemy will not use this war to escalate nations into a premature World War III.
4. Pray that radical groups will not join in to launch other attacks.
5. Pray for wisdom for government leaders.
6. Pray for the release of hostages. Declare miraculous rescues.
7. Pray for the families of those who have been taken hostage and those who have lost loved ones.
8. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

[1] https://www.ajc.org/news/what-to-know-about-jerusalems-temple-mount-and-the-status-quo-agreement

[2] https://abcnews.go.com/International/hamas-militant-group-surprise-attack-israel-ruled-gaza/story?id=103818777

[3] https://abcnews.go.com/International/hamas-militant-group-surprise-attack-israel-ruled-gaza/story?id=103818777

#endtimes #prayforisrael #lenitareeves #pastorlenita #apostolictruth

Lenita is the senior pastor of Action Chapel Baltimore and Action Chapel North Carolina churches. She is an author of nine books, international speaker, founder of PrayerWatch with Pastor Lenita, and creator of the Purpose/full Institute, which helps people discover and hone their divine purpose. She is a former Accenture consultant with college teaching experience, professional instructional design experience, a member of the RAINN speaker’s bureau, a trained pastoral counselor, and a Christian International/Bishop Hamon authorized prophetic instructor. Sign up to connect, receive more blog posts, and updates on courses, books, and events.