To Pray, or Not to Pray For Israel – That is the Question

Churches all over the nation are taking deliberate time for prayer in support of Israel and the escalating war with Hamas.

Just a note for our consideration specific to moments of prayer for Israel – 100% agree with biblical principles about prayer, support of Israel, and Christian’s greater commitment to a meaningful Christ-like influence on the world around us.

But I wonder if our effort to pray for Israel (and peace) was sufficient – I think about a common sentiment of many churches today: “the church is not a building – the church is the people” (or something similar) – of the same flavor, it’s important to remember that “Israel is not a location – Israel is a people” – I believe this to be true, as long as we’re speaking of Israel, God’s chosen people – otherwise, we’re speaking of the nation of Israel – is there a distinction? Should there be a distinction?

Israel has certainly had thousands of years of reaping blessings/favor from God as much as Israel has suffered punishment/discipline from God – and that’s the quandary – are our prayers for Israel inline with God’s principles (given Israel’s well documented missteps)? Meaning, are our prayers in vain if Israel is being disciplined (by God) for her periodic ungodly practices? Of course, there is no harm in praying for Israel even if they’re being punished – but what about the noncombative victims? Should we also pray for them? Is it wrong to pray for both in the same prayer? How would God view our multi-focused prayers? Is it even possible to pray for everything and everyone?   

I consider the number of times God imposed punishment, and even death on Israel, and I struggle to evaluate what is punishment from the Lord verses, what is another (warranted or unwarranted) attack on Israel.

I also consider God’s command to support Israel, but knowing Israel’s behavior may come with consequences/discipline/punishment – I remember both things can be true.

Yes, this new chapter in this thousand year old conflict is escalating – scripture teaches us there will always be conflict between Israel and nations/peoples who don’t recognize God.

Prayers, Christ-like posturing, and evaluating historical prophetic paths seem to be in order for us all.

In addition to supporting Israel, we must also adhere to God’s commandments, the great commandment, and the great commission – which begs consideration for the innocent on both sides of the conflict – there are victims on both sides who have been violently removed from their homes and territories – victims who’ve had their human/national rights violated by both sides – and victims from both side’s intentional and illegal violation of international and national treaties.

To believe in the one true God and support ungodly behavior can not coexist without consideration of victims, and consequences for ungodly behavior.

I say all that to make the point that I no longer just arbitrarily fall on the side of Israel, given biblical history measured against more recent historical events (last 120 yrs) – I also consider that not even God’s chosen people can embrace sinful behavior, commit atrocities, or abuse human life without consequences.

It is my personal belief that God’s chosen people (Israel), is not necessarily the nation of Israel we see on (ever changing) maps, or what we understand ‘Israel’ is today – biblically Israel is a people, without borders or barriers – they do not require national or international treaties – nor should they get unfettered support and allegiance from Christian’s if Israel fails to properly uphold their obligations and responsibilities to the Lord – as God’s chosen people, godly behavior is required, or there may be consequences.

Finally, enemies of Israel (Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, extremist groups, etc…) should also suffer consequences and be held accountable for their atrocities – we have learned and re-learned time and time again all through human history, when one side of a conflict dehumanizes another side of the conflict, the same will always be reciprocated – for me, neither the initial dehumanizing acts or the reciprocated acts are justified.

Both sides have participated in appalling dehumanizing behavior – cutting off life support, water, electricity, damaging/poisoning wells, restricting healthcare, enforcing unbalanced legal/judicial systems, failing to provide equal governmental representation, restricting trade, employment and economic growth, stealing land and territory, killing and arresting innocent civilians and noncombatives – this evolving legacy is far from godly for either side of the conflict.

Remember, it’s only been 100+ years ago that the Ottoman empire failed and British colonialism divided up the region, which inflamed the four primary groups already living in the region – it’s only been 80+ years ago that the UN created an Israeli state in the region under the same divisive measures – the very next day, four Arab nations attacked Israel for being left without a say in the matter – it’s only been 50+ years ago Israel became a force to be reckoned with in the region by even more of the same divisive measures – for three modern-day generations Arab and Israel tensions have been outrageous – both sides claim retaliation, and both sides continue violence and atrocities – as a result of this, the world divided itself and picked sides – and in order to remain loyal to beliefs, we applied (and continue to apply) an unbalanced and unjust application of our version of ‘justice’ to this troubled region for the same atrocities without explanation for the disparities in our so called justice – all the while never considering whether or not God is disciplining Israel.

Some of us believe Israel is innocent and are the victims – others of us believe the Palestinians are innocent and are the victims – Christ teaches us it’s as simple as valuing human life, love your neighbor, be kind, have equal justice – give weight to human decency – but, until both sides develop equal tolerance for each other this will not be solved – one might say, we contribute to the problem when we pick a side, especially when both sides are the problem.

To pray, or not to pray for Israel – that is the question.