Missions Wednesday: Israel

As Christians, when we hear about the country of Israel we tend to think about the biblical stories. We remember Jacob’s name being changed to Israel and his sons representing the twelve tribes of this new nation that would be God’s people. But for centuries following destruction from the Ottoman Empire, the actual nation of Israel was not even in existence. It was not until 1948 that the modern nation of Israel was even in existence. And it is much different today than it was during the reign of King David, or even the first coming of our King Jesus.

Israel only spans 20,700 square miles and has a population of over 7 million. Of that 7 million, 75% are Jewish and 2.04% are Christian. Less than 1% of the Christian population identifies as evangelical. While there are Jewish people turning to God (and many are from an Eastern European background), Israel still is majority Jewish and the world’s only predominantly Jewish state.

Israel has been characterized by conflict with Palestine since being established in 1948. Wars and fighting have been frequent between these two small nations.

Ways to pray:

1. Pray for the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Pray that God would save those fighting, and in turn bring lasting peace that can only come from him.
   
2. Pray that Jewish men and women would see that Messiah has come and fulfilled all that God said he would. Pray they would trust in his finished work, and not in empty sacrifices.
   
3. Pray that Christians would be encouraged in Israel and that churches would be strengthened.