Have you ever missed a strategic appointment?
Have you ever realized at the last minute that you were about to miss an important engagement unless you kicked into action right away?
If you miss the appointment altogether, you are filled with emotions and thoughts of disappointment, anger, sorrow and even “Why did I do that!”
But if you are awake, prepared and ready for the appointments on your calendar, then a sense of destiny fulfilled, satisfaction and anticipation for what comes next arises within you.
Did you know that God has a calendar with appointments waiting to be fulfilled?
You Are Appointed as a Watchman for Israel
Watchmen remind God of the appointments on His calendar that have not been fully met and fulfilled.
The task of a watchman is by “appointment.” It means being chosen for the divine privilege of composing history before the throne of the Almighty.
I want to be a history maker! That is the goal of my life.
Are you ready to make a difference? Prayer changes things!
Are you taking your biblical place on the walls for Israel’s sake?
The call for watchmen went out in Isaiah’s time, and the Holy Spirit is releasing this strategic call again in the 21st century.
It seems as if God has been conducting a monumental chess game throughout the ages, waiting for the strategic moment in history to make His move.
Yes, the playing board has been set, and the pieces have been chosen.
This call for watchmen is the strategic positioning of His intercessory knights and prophetic bishops being brought together for a sweeping move—one that all the world will observe closely.
No eye will miss the mysterious and fascinating time. Therefore, we must pray for our eyes to be opened with His spiritual understanding.
It is time for the unveiling of the mystery of Israel as the apple of God’s eye, the centerpiece of attention on God’s chessboard.
I have been interceding as a watchman for Israel for well over 25 years.
From this vantage point I would like to share with you seven reasons why I pray and take a stand for Israel.
You are also called as a watchman on the walls who cries out to God on Israel’s behalf.
7 Reasons Why You Should Pray for Israel
1. Israel Is Still the Apple of God’s Eye and His Inheritance
Pray and take a stand for Israel because Israel is still very close to God’s heart.
“For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob [Israel] is the allotment of His inheritance. . . He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye. . . He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.”Deuteronomy 32:9–11
If God says that Israel is the apple or pupil of His eye, then I want to pray with insight—with His sight.
Do you want to be close to the heart of God? Then be close to the things, people and purposes that are close to His heart.
2. It Is Time to Have Compassion
Pray for Israel by being filled with compassion for Israel’s condition. Psalm 102:13–14 says:
“You will arise and have compassion on Zion; for it is time to be gracious to her, for the appointed time has come. Surely Your servants find pleasure in her stones and feel pity for her dust.”
God wants to give His heart to us so that we can pray over Israel with compassion.
The time has come for us to receive His heart so that our prayers will go far beyond merely saying correct words and on into the prayer of the heart—even to the prayer of tears.
3. God Commands Us to Give Him and Ourselves No Rest
Pray and take a stand for Israel because God wants to establish Jerusalem and make her a praise in the Earth. The prophet Isaiah declared:
“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Isaiah 62:6–7
Now we must understand something very clearly: This is not for our sake! It is for Zion’s sake! It is not about what is convenient. It is a priority!
4. God Desires to Work through Us for Israel’s Salvation
Pray for Israel so that Israel will be saved. God wants us to receive His heart so that we can pray with accuracy and discernment for the salvation of Israel.
The apostle Paul said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. . . . My heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” (Romans 9:2; 10:1).
Paul also declared, “I could wish that I myself were accursed . . . for the sake of my brethren . . . who are Israelites” (Romans 9:3–4).
Paul was willing to be separated from Christ so that his brethren might know their Messiah.
5. God Commands Us to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Pray and take a stand for Israel because God wants to bless Jerusalem and her inhabitants with His peace and goodness.
David’s exhortation in Psalm 122 must still be prayed and sung today: “May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.”
We must pray for the shalom of God for the city of peace.
6. Israel’s Acceptance of Jesus Will Bring Life
Pray and act for Israel because the Jewish people’s acceptance of the Messiah Jesus will lead to worldwide revival of unprecedented magnitude.
Romans 11:15 says, “For if [Israel’s] rejection [of Christ] is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Wow! Life from the dead!
Israel’s acceptance of the glorious Messiah will be used to catalyze the greatest spiritual awakening that this planet has ever seen. The whole Earth will be filled with the fruit of revival.
7. Jesus Linked His Second Coming to Israel’s Turning to Him
Pray and take a stand for Israel because the Second Coming of Christ is linked to Israel’s response to Him.
Jesus prophesied before His death, “For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:39).
Jesus linked His Second Coming to Israel’s national returning, or turning, to Him.
As you hold God’s appointments before him as a watchman on the walls, you’ll help to fulfill every plan and purpose on His strategic calendar—for Israel and the nations of the earth!
Praying with you for Israel,
James W. Goll
Adapted from Chapter 1: “Appointed a Watchman for Israel” in James Goll’s book, Praying for Israel’s Destiny.
If you enjoyed “7 Reasons Why You Should Pray for Israel,” then you’ll love James Goll’s NEW Understanding Israel Bundle: which includes the Praying for Israel’s Destiny book, The Coming Israel Awakening book, and the Understanding Praying for Israel’s Destiny 4 Message Set! Buy it now for only $35 and save 30%! Order your bundle and call forth the greatest awakening the world has ever seen!
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