A Good Shepherd for Gaza

Today, Isaiah 40, Psalm 23 and John 10 are on my heart for the 600 or so Christians in Gaza, but also for the many lost Muslims who live in terror and face danger, starvation, oppression and hopelessness daily. So far, more than 62,000 Palestinians have died, most without ever hearing the good news about the One who gave His life to save them.

Since the war began the Lord has sometimes taken me to Gaza in my dreams at night. These precious ones are heavy on His heart. There is something far greater He is doing in the midst of so much devastation and war. We must pray for Christians who are spiritually strong to carry the weak into His arms. Pressed in from all sides with so much senseless violence and death, it is easy to hate, to lose faith, to forget the goodness of God. But He is there, opening the hearts of the lost to the Prince of Peace, forging the way for something we cannot yet see or understand.

It matters, brothers and sisters that we care. It matters that we PRAY. Revelation 8:1-5.

Fierce and Gentle Shepherd, please watch over Your flock in Gaza during this difficult time. Guide, protect and feed them as their Shepherd. Carry both young and old in Your arms. Isaiah 40:11. Provide for their every need. May they want for nothing. Give them safe places to rest, where they can sleep undisturbed, knowing You are with them. Lead them to quiet waters where they can be refreshed. Restore their souls. Guide them along Your right paths, for Your name’s sake. As they walk through this valley of death, cast out their fears with Your perfect love. Comfort them with with Your protection and guidance, and keep them from evil. Prepare a banquet before them in the presence of their enemies. Anoint them with Your favor, and fill their cups to overflowing. With Your goodness and mercy, bless them. Make Your home in these who are Your living temple all the days of their lives. Remind them that no matter what they face or where this war takes them, You are their Home. You will never leave or forsake them.

There are other sheep, O Great Shepherd, who have yet to join Your fold. Hundreds. Thousands. Yes, and even the one. Luke 15:4. Give Christians a boldness to share Your good news with the lost. Fill them with love, peace and joy, even in the midst of terrible hardship. Deepen their faith. Provide for all their needs so abundantly they will also share with others abundantly, and hearts once hardened against You will open wide. Millions of lost Gazans are aching now for meaning in the midst of destruction, for HOPE in the midst of desperation, SAFETY and REST in the midst of danger, LIFE in the midst of death, JOY in the midst of pain, HEALING in the midst of brokenness, LOVE instead of hatred, PEACE that surpasses all their worries and fears. Show them who You are, Loving Shepherd. Lift the veil from their eyes so they can see You clearly. Whatever has held them back, tear those barriers down, Lord. Invade their dreams. Speak loudly to them throughout the day. Give them a hunger so fierce they seek Truth with all their hearts, and find Christ. Take what the enemy has meant for evil, and bring about an Awakening. Awaken all of Israel, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and all the Middle East and beyond to You, O God of Love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Visit our Israel-Gaza page to continue praying:

Pray for Israel, Gaza and Iran in These Trying Times

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who 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:

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