OPINION PIECES: Christians in Prayer for the Nation of Israel

Meeting with Pastor Francisco Brandão

Weekly Christian Reflection

Christians in Prayer for the Nation of Israel

We need to pray and fast because Israel is at war with Hamas. The reason Christians pray for the nation of Israel is the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12:2-3, we read: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Also in Genesis 27:29 and Numbers 24:9). Therefore, according to the Christian Bible, Jews are "God's chosen people" and beloved by Him. Christians should support God's chosen people. However, this does not imply that we should support all methods Israel uses in its relations with other nations in times of war. The Bible warns us that there would be a permanent conflict characterizing the relationships between the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael.

In biblical historical context, the Philistines, enemies of the Jews, fought against them, especially during the periods of the Judges and the Kings of the Old Testament. They were not directly related to the Edomites, descendants of Esau, or to Ishmael, Abraham's son. In the contemporary scenario, although some inhabitants of Gaza are called Philistines, the truth is that Gaza today represents the Gaza Strip, a densely populated coastal area mainly inhabited by Palestinians, with no direct connection to the ancient Philistines. The historical and geopolitical complexity of the region is influenced by various factors, requiring a careful analysis of the relationships between ethnic and political groups.

The Bible shows us that these conflicts will continue until Jesus returns to judge the nations and establish His 1,000-year peaceful reign on Earth. Anyone attempting to thwart this plan will face divine curse, as stated in Genesis 12:3. Christians should support the nation of Israel, remembering that Israel is special to God. In Deuteronomy 7:6-8, we see that God chose Israel as a holy people and rescued them from bondage in Egypt, not because of their greatness or number, but because of His love and promise to the fathers of Israel. God's eternal purpose is to bless the world through Israel, as evidenced by the wonderful promise in Isaiah 27:6: "In days to come, Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit." The statement "salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22) reminds us of our immense debt to Israel. Everything worthwhile has come to us through the Jews. Our Bible is a Jewish book, and our Savior is a Jewish Savior.

Therefore, we must never forget to pray for God's chosen people. Even though Israel is currently in a state of rejection, a secular nation that does not believe in the Scriptures and their Messiah, Jesus Christ, there is still a remnant according to the election of grace (Romans 11:5). Some Jews are being saved and becoming members of the body of Christ through faith in their Messiah. Therefore, it is crucial that we pray for Israel and its right to exist as a nation, just as we should pray for those suffering on both sides of the conflict, both Palestinians and Jews. Although we are not obligated to support all of Israel's actions as a nation, it is imperative to uphold its right to exist as a sovereign nation. It is our responsibility as Christians to support and pray for Israel, confident that God will fulfill His purposes through this chosen people.