By Toni Ford
Those who read my column on a regular basis know my deep love for Israel and God’s people, the Jews.
Some have asked how I came to love the land and the people so much, or why is it important to love and pray for Israel and the people? My first response is always because God tells us to in His Word, but my heart response is, “If I love God then why would I not want to love what He loves?”
From the very beginning, in the first book of the Bible, we read about the covenant God made with Israel and His people. Genesis 12:1-3 says, “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be bless through you.’”
Genesis 26:5 tells us, “And the Lord declared to him, ‘I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.”
Because I love God, I love Israel. I want to obey His Word, which led me to be in much prayer for Israel throughout this recent war. As I write this article, it is Day 96 of the war in Israel against Hamas and Hezbollah, and this conflict is not expected to end anytime soon.
My heart has been deeply burdened by numerous things concerning this war, and many tears have been shed as I have watched how the Israeli people have been treated by Hamas, both the innocent in Gaza as well as the Jewish people who were killed, the way in which they were killed and how they were and how the hostages are being treated. As a result, there have been times when I told the Lord that I had no idea how or what to pray.
Have you ever experienced this situation in your own life? Have you ever been burdened so deeply by a situation or event that you had no idea of what to pray for? I have, many times, and
I would like to encourage you that when those times come, when life seems too big, too challenging and too much to comprehend, shift your focus to who God is by praying His Word. We can never go wrong when we pray the Scripture.
My prayer is that as you pray these Scriptures out loud, you would be encouraged and strengthened knowing that our God is bigger than any circumstance or situation we face.
Psalm 121:1. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.” I am so thankful that God never sleeps or slumbers but is always working on our behalf!
Isaiah 45:23. “I have sworn by my own name. I have spoken the truth and will never go back on my word. Every knee will bend to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to me. The people will declare, ‘The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” God will never go back on His Word. His Word is truth, and nothing or no one on this earth can change this truth. Many have tried and will continue to try, but God and His Word will never change! This is even more reason to pray according to God’s Word.
Philippians 4:19. “The same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” God is our provider, and be-cause His Words are true, we can trust that He will never be late in providing for our needs.
Matthew 10:30-31. “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
Lord, we ask You to guide us in knowing how to pray when there seems to be no words. May we be strengthened in the truth of Your Word. Thank You for going before us and always working on our behalf!
If you would like continued prayer, feel free to email me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!