Nations are being weighed in the balance. These are tumultuous times. Much is at stake right now, and society is rapidly changing right before our eyes.  It is extremely important to have God’s perspective and to land on God’s side in these critical times. I believe it is imperative that once again we take a good hard look at what God’s Word says about the Land of Israel and His covenant promises.

So let’s set our gaze clearly and surely concerning the Apple of God’s Eye. Let’s be grounded in the foundational understandings of “Why I Pray and Take a Stand for Israel.”

Israel Is Still the Apple of God’s Eye

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.

We Must Walk in Compassion

As you pray for Israel, be 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 instead move on into the prayer of the heart—even to the prayer of tears.

God Commands Us to Give Him 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!

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.

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.

Israel’s Acceptance of Jesus Will Create a Revival

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.

Jesus Linked His Second Coming with Israel 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!

So join me and thousands of other watchmen on the walls for such a time as this in our Targeted Prayer this month. Let us pray together for God’s redemptive purposes to come forth for Israel and all of the Middle East!

In Jesus’ Mighty Name!

Praying with You for God’s Purposes in the Earth,
James W. Goll 

Scripture Based Prayer

Jerusalem: A City of Destiny

Father God, let Your glory rise upon Israel so that she shines brightly with Your presence, for Your Kingdom’s sake. Father God, send Your shalom to Jerusalem. Let Your Kingdom come. Let the Prince of Peace, the Messiah Himself, be revealed, and let His will be done. May the blinders come off the eyes of both Jew and Gentile alike. Prosper those who love You. Bring Your shalom within the walls of Jerusalem. Prosper the spiritual leadership of Israel and the leaders of all nations. Impart Your heart to all those in governmental authority. Release Your peace and the revelation that the ultimate Source of eternal peace and salvation is the Messiah, Yeshua. Establish Jerusalem as a praise in the earth, for Your glory’s sake. Amen.