What a blessing it is to gather with like-minded friends to follow the Lord’s command to pray for Israel. Those like-minded friends are former tour guests, as well as those registered for our October tour postponed due to the war in Israel. It is a blessing to connect and to pray for those we know and love in Israel.

In order to accommodate guests from time zones around the world, we held the first of two prayer meetings last night and will gather again mid-morning today.

Our focus is on those we know and love in Israel, such as the staff of One for Israel (who coordinates our tours and has many staff members deployed); our guides (who are either deployed themselves or have kids deployed); Arab, Messianic, and Palestinian pastors (who are providing for displaced Israeli families amidst many in their congregations deployed). We pray by name on behalf of these and others.

Prayer opportunities abound, even if you have never been to Israel. One of the most touching ways to get involved in prayer is to Pray for Israel by Name. Fellowship of Israel-Related Ministries (FIRM) initiated this unique project to encourage prayer for those held hostage by Hamas.

Isaiah 49:16 says that our names are inscribed on the palm of God’s hand. In like manner, and as a reminder of that, Pray for Israel by Name encourages us to write the name of a hostage on the palm of our hand, reminding us to pray throughout the day. What a great way to be reminded, then to be committed to pray for those captured, and for their families enduring the trauma.

The people of Israel need prayer warriors. Will you be one? Please join the effort.