Ephesians 6:10-12 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Background
6 August 2024 – Last week, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Iran’s capital, Tehran. His death came just hours after Israel claimed it had killed Fuad Shukr, the top military commander of Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah. Iran and Hamas, its proxy in Gaza, have since blamed the death of Haniyeh on Israel.
These events have led to a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East with fears that Iran (and its proxies in the region) will launch a large-scale attack on Israel, and that Israel will retaliate. In response to these developments, Antony Blinken, the US secretary of State, convened a conference call with G7 foreign ministers to coordinate diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation.
Whichever way one views these developments, the possibility of a full-scale war on the ground in either nation will be devastating, bringing death and destruction. Let us therefore cry out to the Lord for His great mercies amidst this difficult time.
What to pray for
>> MILITARY RESPONSE – Lift up in prayer political and military leaders on every side. Pray for their hearts to be moulded into submission to our Heavenly Father’s will and purposes for this region. Pray for any attacks with missiles, rockets, drones etc., to be destroyed in mid-air, rendering it completely harmless. Also intercede for current diplomatic efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.
>> HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE – The provision of shelter, food, water and sanitation remains a huge challenge. Pray for ministries and agencies providing humanitarian assistance in this whole region to be able to reach into the most challenging areas and situations, helping and rescuing thousands.
>> INNOCENT ON THE GROUND – Amidst the fighting between military forces and capabilities of all parties involved in conflict, it is ultimately the innocent men, women and children on the ground who are suffering. Ask the God of all Comfort to bring healing from trauma. Pray for the supernatural protection of human lives on every side. Also, that they will encounter the Lord Jesus Christ in dreams, visions and visitations, revealing Himself to them and protecting them.
Pray Scripture
>> EVERY KNEE TO BOW – Romans 14:11 – For it is written: “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.”
Pray for every person to come to a place where they surrender their hearts and minds to the Lordship of Jesus Christ – both Jew and Gentile.
>> EVERY HEART TO BOW – Jeremiah 24:7 – Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
Pray that those on all sides of the conflict will experience supernatural encounters with the Living Jesus Christ, and that hearts will find life everlasting in Him.
>> EVERY SOUL TO BE SAVED – 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is … not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Pray for a revelation of Jesus as Messiah to the Jew, and as the one and only Saviour to the Gentile nations.
>> THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST DEMONSTRATED – Colossians 1:16-20 – For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. … For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Ask the Lord to convict individuals of the supremacy of Christ and their dependency on Him for life; that He is the only One who can give them lasting peace through His blood that was shed for them.
