The apostle Paul wrote, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them [the Israelites] is for their salvation" (Rom. 10:1). That is also the heart's desire of God! Have you ever thought of it like that? According to Romans 11:26, all Israel shall be saved one day. We were told long ago, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you" (Ps. 122:6).
Remember what I have said is the most important passage in the Bible for Christians? It's Luke 5:5. Jesus had just told Simon Peter, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch" (5:4).
Simon replied, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets" (5:5). After he did this, the disciples caught a great quantity of fish, and the nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats with the fish they had caught (5:6–7).
Peter obeyed the Lord and caught the greatest catch of his life! Let's you and me obey God and pray for Israel daily. Scripture says, "They who love Israel will prosper." Doesn't it make sense then to love the people of Israel and to pray for them? Most preachers and Bible scholars believe God has blessed America and our nation has prospered because we have supported Israel and its people.
By the way, we love Ishmael's children, the Arabs, as well. It has been my joy to lead tours to the Holy Land. We've traveled to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, and those are some of my favorite countries.
O, dear people, pray what Paul prayed and what we are told to pray. This will really make a difference in your spiritual life. It pays to pray the way other faithful believers pray!
Prayer: Father, we know that Israel is the apple of Your eye. Help your people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for we know it touches Your heart when we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Quote for the Day: "Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude." —Walter A. Mueller
