Ceasefire & Hostage Release Deal Reached

Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for the return of 33 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. If both sides hold to the ceasefire, which begins tomorrow, Israeli troops will pull back from many areas in Gaza and thousands of displaced families will at last be able to return to what is left of their homes after 15 months of war and more than 46,000 Palestinian deaths.

Let’s pray the hostages safely home. To pray for them by name, visit our Israel-Gaza-Lebanon page, where we have placed the 33 Hamas may agree to release at the top of the list:

Pray for Israel, Gaza and Lebanon in These Trying Times

The terrorists often say someone is alive who is not, or dead who is not, promise to release someone they don’t, and go back on their word in other ways. Anything can change in a moment. For now, the deal is they will release three female hostages Day 1 (tomorrow), four Day 7 (Saturday), and the other 26 over the next five weeks. Israel will release around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners over the 6 weeks, including about 90 in the first phase.

Both Israel and Gaza are more than 97% unreached with the gospel of Christ, which means those who have died on both sides, including hostages, likely never heard the good news that brings salvation.

Lord, please guard the lives of every hostage still alive and carry them safely home. Watch over this ceasefire and bring an end to all the violence and death and a beginning of new LIFE in this region. Open the doors for Christian doctors, counselors, aid workers and builders to safely enter Gaza and begin to help them heal. Comfort those who mourn. Heal the minds and hearts of both Palestinians and Israelis, and open the way for every Muslim, every terrorist and every Jew to know the Truth who sets them free. John 14:6, 8:31-32. Meet them in their dreams and talk to them throughout the day. Make a way for Scripture to reach them 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 rescues them from the evil that has bound them and gives them eternal life. 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 and heartache, send every person running into Your arms. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

Join us for 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, March 1-30, as we pray for the nations to awaken to Christ’s love.

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who have served the Lord many years in a dark area of the world where Christians are persecute. They live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

For 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening and other prayer and devotional books on fighting for what matters most, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com.

Thank you for your support! If you’d like to know more about how you can help the Vincents’ ministry, please contact Mikaela.