I love Fall! I thrive on a softly lit room, cozy nights with family, and warm fires in our fireplace. It’s my happy place. I love it when Autumn arrives because all of those things enter the scene. But, this year terrorism arrived simultaneously with my Autumn. Immediately I knew that I had a choice— will I choose my “happy place” or will I allow myself to grieve with those who grieve? Will I exchange my comfort for compassion that draws me to my knees in prayer?
We know that horrific atrocities happen around the world in every season but when it happens to the Jews— the very people that the Gentiles have been grafted into— then it is happening to our people. This is not just an act of war, it is absolute terrorism by Hamas.
The Jewish people have been fighting for their existence throughout the ages— but what is happening now is the worst act against them since the Holocaust.
Israel did not desire war but when Hamas— who is a terrorist organization (not representing all Palestinians)— broke into Israel and into the homes of their people to kill entire families, even into the bedrooms of their children to slaughter them (even beheading babies), then there is no option except to go to war.
We in the West must know that this act is not separate from us. We cannot just stay in the comforts of our homes and think for a moment that this does not affect us. We must pray— and pray like it was happening to our own citizens and our own children. We must do whatever the Lord requires of us for the sake of Zion. And, we must pray against what could happen within our borders due to America standing with Israel. We also need to pray against a world war beginning out of this tragedy.
This is us— it’s not some strangers on the other side of the world— this is our people too and we are in this war as a nation.
We can still appreciate the autumn leaves, the beauty of creation around us, our families, and even sit by a warm fire. But we cannot afford to be in denial or to not engage in this spiritual war. What we are seeing is traumatic to all who look upon it and yet we must open our eyes and see what is happening— we cannot close our eyes like many did when Hitler began the genocide of the Jewish people.
We must also pray for the innocent living in the Gaza Strip. Pray as the Spirit of the Lord leads. Allow travail to come forth, tears to be shed and cries of mercy to be heard. Allow the groaning that is too deep for words to be poured out. And have hope— because the blood of Jesus speaks a better word.
Let us be the voice of intercession in this hour!
Isaiah 40:1-5,
“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
With gentle words, tender and kind, Assure Jerusalem, this chosen city from long ago, that her battles are over.
The terror, the bloodshed, the horror of My punishing work is done.
This place has paid for its guilt; iniquity is pardoned; its term of incarceration is complete.
It has endured double the punishment it was due.
A voice is wailing, “In the wilderness, get it ready!
Prepare the way; make it a straight shot.
The Eternal would have it so.
Straighten the way in the wandering desert to make the crooked road wide and straight for our God.
Where there are steep valleys, treacherous descent, raise the highway; lift it up; bring down the dizzying heights.
Fill in the potholes and gullies, the rough places.
Iron out the shoulders flat and wide.
The Lord will be, really be, among us.
The radiant glory of the Lord will be revealed.
All flesh together will take it in.
Believe it.
None other than God, the Eternal, has spoken.”
Together we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May peace be her borders and may the grace of Yeshua be her salvation.
Amen—
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Inscribe Ministries
Featured Image by Ryan Moulton on Unsplash
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