Pray for the Israel–Hamas war (2023)
My initial thought was, “This might happen to Taiwan.”
My hubs’ initial thought was, “This might happen to Singapore.”
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:6-8
I saw a call to pray and fast on Instagram. It’s been years since I fasted – I stopped when I was pregnant more than 6 years ago. However, in the night I saw this call to pray and fast again.
The Israel–Hamas war was heavy on my heart when I first saw the news on Sunday morning (8 Oct 23). And just the day before, I heard about some extended family drama. Over the weekend, I felt the spiritual attacks on both my physical and spiritual families.
I was heavy-hearted and followed the news closely. So when I saw the opportunity to leave the kids with my hubs, I slipped away to fast my dinner on Thursday (12 Oct 23).
By afternoon, I was getting anxious. “Will I survive without food?” I had no time for afternoon snacks, so I will be on an empty stomach since lunch. “Will fasting help? Probably I can just simply pray.”
“How about Gaoji (iykyk)?” my hubs asked the kids. My stomach grumbled at the thought of my favourite food. The temptation to give up fasting was strong.
I parted ways, and on my way home, my spirit couldn’t wait but started to pray in tongues (under my breath). Prompted to play this song by New Creation Church:
I behold a city on a hill
A nation torn by war
But in that place Adonai says
His grace has been poured forthI behold a people who
Are waiting for their Lord
For He will come with trumpet sounds
As nations watch in aweShalom, Jerusalem
Messiah will come
He’ll wipe away your tears and pain
Rejoice, daughter of Zion
Shalom, Jerusalem
Peace be within your walls
Yeshua will return to reign
In majesty and pow’rWhen we see the Son of God
Descending from the clouds
He’ll be arrayed in light
Shining glorious and bright
On you, JerusalemHe’ll wipe away your tears and pain
newcreationworship.sg/albums/rejoice-o-israel (© 2003 New Creation Worship)
Rejoice, O Israel
As I fasted and prayed, God spoke to me about a few things, including Gaza in the Bible. But the reason I wrote this post is because of a call to prayer.
Israel called for more than 300,000 reservists (one of the largest mobilizations in the country’s history). Like Israel calling people to fight the land invasion/battle, God is calling His people to pray and fight the spiritual battle. I too felt I was being mobilised to pray and fast – because it’s not in my natural flesh to fast.
As I prayed, I felt the urgency to call on fellow Christians to pray too. The Holy Spirit will show us what to pray once we kneel and pray, open our mouths and pray. Pray in tongues if you are still at a loss. Or you can start praying for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Matthew 6:9-10
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
As we read the news, look to God for wisdom (especially in this age of lies and deceit). As we speak, ask God for grace to speak and answer (Col 4:6).
God is merciful and compassionate. He is the God of judgment. He is the God of love.
Jesus died a brutal death. The agony of silence and defeat preceded the greater glory of resurrection.
We knew Jesus was resurrected, and so we read the crucifixion story with hope. But Jesus’s disciples didn’t at that point in time, did they feel defeated and hopeless?
If you know the end of the story, you will look at current events in a different light.
Look to the cross, the hope of glory.
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