Daily Topic for December 10, 2008
The word “people” here does not refer to the nations or the Gentiles. But it does refer to all elements of Jewish society in the Holy Land of that day. The good news was not for just one segment of the nation of Israel. The Pharisees thought the Messiah would reveal Himself primarily to them and their peers. Others thought He would be coming principally for their benefit. But the announcement of Christ’s birth was not made at the local synagogue, but to some lowly shepherds in a field. Jesus would later live and minister among sinners, publicans, and prostitutes, groups who were neglected by the religious people of the day.
Pray that the Lord will stir our hearts with the reminder that His good news is for all peoples.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6, KJV). Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, believers are admonished to pray. Never before has Jerusalem and all of Israel needed prayer for peace as they need it today. Several organizations have devoted themselves to praying for Israel.
HOPE, an acronym for “house of prayer and exploits” (See the term “exploits” in Daniel 11:32b NKJV), is a house of prayer and a training center that was founded in Nazareth, Israel, by Rania Sayegh. The vision of HOPE is to raise up intercessors and establish a prayer network in Israel and the Middle East. They are especially reaching out to Arab women.
Another group dedicated to prayer is the Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations established by Tom Ness in 1987. It has established a 24-hour prayer watch for peace in Jerusalem as well as in the nations of the world. Twelve prayer teams pray daily for two hours at the 12 gates of Jerusalem. Spurred on by Ness, during the past decade several other prayer watches have been established in Israel. All Nations World Wide Watch Jerusalem, has joined the 24-hour world wide watch, praising and praying for the peace of Jerusalem.
Learn more at joshuaproject.netPray that the continual prayers for peace in Jerusalem and Israel will be used by God to bring reconciliation and God-ordained salvation to peoples of this great land.-JS
Next day: Chabadnik Jewish People in Israel and the U.S.
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