Israel-Gaza Update

Pray for Israel and Hamas as they discuss a possible ceasefire and hostage release this week.

Of the 132 hostages still held by Hamas, Israel has confirmed at least 31 are dead and possibly another 20. The count includes the bodies of two soldiers killed and abducted in 2014, Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin. In addition, two Israeli civilians abducted in 2014 and 2015 by Hamas, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, are believed still alive.

Pray for the remaining hostages by name, for soldiers in their attempts to free them, for the innocent people caught up in the crossfire and the Christians in their midst. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans, many of those children, are at risk of starving, and nearly the entire population of 2.2 million face acute food insecurity. In addition, tens of thousands of children have been left unaccompanied.

Israel has also exchanged air strikes with Hezbollah in Lebanon. And the US and UK have exchanged air strikes with Iran-backed Houthis and other militants who have attacked US troops in various locations and international ships in the Red Sea area.

In total, at least 227 IDF soldiers have died since Israel’s ground offensive began October 27, while the Gaza death toll is nearly 28,000, including both terrorists and civilians. Both Israel and Gaza are more than 97% unreached with the gospel of Christ, which means those who have died on both sides, including the hostages, have likely never heard the good news that brings salvation.

During a multi-front invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, Hamas slaughtered 1,200 people and abducted 253, taking them to Gaza. Four hostages were released in October and 105 in November. In addition, IDF ground forces rescued one hostage, recovered the bodies of eight, and mistakenly killed three who had escaped.

Visit our Israel-Gaza page to read more:

https://prayerwallforthenationandtheworld.wordpress.com/israel-gaza/

Lord, please give Heavenly wisdom to all those involved in negotiating both the release of hostages and a ceasefire. Give wisdom also to decision-makers on related fronts. Bring a quick and right solution to the end of this war. Convict all those on both sides of their sin and their need for salvation. Be a Shield around the hostages still held by Hamas. Keep them from harm and make the way for their speedy rescue/escape. Be near to them and show them Your glory. Let them feel Your presence, hear Your voice, receive Your comfort and healing. Speak to the guards around them, convicting their hearts of evils Hamas has committed and pressing within them an urgency to make things right. You’ve done it before, Lord; please do it again. Put into place those who will open the way for and even facilitate the safe escape of the remaining hostages. Point Israeli soldiers to where the hostages are held, and give them Your instructions for freeing them. Protect the innocent and those who seek to protect and rescue them. Meet every terrorist, every hostage, every Israeli, every Palestinian in their dreams and talk to them throughout the day. Make a way for bits of the Bible to reach their hands and plant truth in their minds and hearts, verses that will press deep within them a hunger for something more than hatred and war. Lift the veil from their eyes so they will see Jesus as He truly is, the one and only Savior who can rescue them from the evil that has bound them and give them eternal life. Clearly present to them the Truth that sets them free before it’s too late, Lord. Use this terrible war to bring about a church planting movement throughout Gaza, Israel and beyond, with thousands turning to Christ. Yes, Lord, awaken every heart to You. Make the way for every person to hear and clearly understand Your plan for their salvation. Press deep within their hearts a hunger for You and the conviction that You, Jesus, are the only Way. You are Life that extinguishes death, Love that chases out fear, Peace that overcomes chaos, Truth that conquers lies…. Show up in the life of each person caught up in the middle of this war, answering their questions and pointing them to You. Hear them when they cry and answer them like only You can. Perform miracles and signs and wonders so they will know it is You, and turn them from the path of evil to Your paths of love and life. Push back the enemy, Lord. Overcome the darkness now with so much Light, satan and all who serve him will flee. Set up Your throne in every heart. In the midst of so much terror, send every person running into Your arms. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

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Mikaela Vincent, and her husband are missionaries who have served nearly three decades in one of the most dangerous countries in the world (See the map at our Persecuted Church page). If you would like to help their ministry at the Prayer Wall and around the world, please consider giving a donation or shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore this Christmas.

For a free guide to knowing God’s voice, as well as deep Bible studies, novels and other books for all ages by Mikaela Vincent on walking as one with Christ and others, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com:

Any proceeds this author receives from the sale of the deep devotional Bible studies and other MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com books mentioned in this post go to shining Christ’s light in the darkness and seeing the nations come to Him.

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