Paul Luckraft reviews three of CFI's handy teaching booklets, each approaching this important topic with a slightly different emphasis.
Praying for Israel: Practical Guidelines (various contributors, 18 pages, available from CFI for £2.50)
This short booklet has been compiled from a selection of articles by various contributors including Lance Lambert and Derek White. As the title suggests, it is mainly a series of tips and hints for those who already see the need to pray for Israel and who are committed to this.
The first section gives a series of bullet points to enable stronger praying regarding the Church and Israel. The aim is to uplift those in the Church who support Israel and teach Hebraic roots, and to pray for a change of heart for those who do not. Each point is backed up with a verse from Scripture.
The second section recognises that praying for Israel is a spiritual battle which requires intervention in the heavenly places. Some 'prayer weapons' are listed, as are some scriptures (mainly verses from the Psalms) to enable the prayer warrior to cry to God from the heart.
The third section concerns praying for Israel in the modern world today. We are encouraged to pray for truth, for those in authority and for the salvation of both Jews and Arabs. Reconciliation and protection are also key issues. We should also not forget those in Israel who are already believers in Jesus.
The final section provides guidelines for corporate prayer. This is the longest section and gives practical advice for leaders of prayer groups as well as for those who are new to intercessory prayer. These final few pages are full of wisdom and good sense, and round off the whole booklet in an excellent way.
For Zion's Sake: Praying for the Restoration of Israel (Carl Kinbar, 12 pages, available from CFI for £2)
This is the shortest of the three booklets but overflows with excellent information and advice. It is a basic prayer guide for those who have a heart for the Jewish people and who desire to see the complete fulfilment of God's purposes for them.
It opens with an outline of God's basic plan for Israel based on passages from Ezekiel, highlighting the three main aspects of the prophetic promise; namely their return to the land, their restoration to God and then the reign of Messiah. These serve as the foundation for intercessory prayer on their behalf. Kinbar is clear that Jews are "restored to relationship with God in exactly the same way non-Jews are saved, by the grace of God through faith" (pp 3-4). The barrier of sin must be removed and a spiritual cleansing take place. Only then can they walk in God's ways and fulfil their destiny as a nation.
The rest of the booklet contains seven specific areas of prayer that arise from the prophetic pattern and which are shaped by God's promises. One area is to pray for believers and congregations already in the land. Another is to pray for the attitude of the Church and that it would fulfil its God-given role of making Israel jealous. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is explained in two ways, external and internal, covering both protection against enemies outside the land and reconciliation between factions inside the land.
The overall conclusion is that one day "God will capture the heart of Israel and possess her as a people who worship and serve him fully" (p13). Those who pray "For Zion's sake" have a part in that restoration.
Intercession: Called to be Watchmen (Lance Lambert, 28 pages, available from CFI for £2)
This longer booklet is obviously a transcript of a talk given by Lance back in 1987. Nevertheless, the principles it contains remain the same even though the final section on certain specifics of the time is now outdated.
Lance's first point is that interest in Israel must lead to intercession for them, rather than obsession with them. He asserts that 'watch and pray' should be a key instruction for all who love Israel.
He warns that intercession is the deepest form of prayer. It is not a light or easy thing. He gives details from the biblical examples of Moses, Samuel and Daniel to back up this point. Anyone wanting to be a watchman needs to feel called to this. He or she doesn't need special education but does need vision, someone who sees the Lord and what he is doing, not so much with physical eyes but with the eyes of the heart. Lance explains that the "function of a watchman is to guard the interests of the king and of the city" (p9).
He must see not only what is coming from outside, but also what is happening inside the city. His job is not only to see enemies coming from afar but also look for betrayers within.
Lance goes on to explore the mystery of intercession, including why God requires it at all. He also helpfully outlines common misconceptions regarding intercession. With the help of real life stories that are both amusing and alarming, he explains the errors and pitfalls that he has come across in practice, and warns of the dangers of entering into this ministry without the leading of the Spirit.
He ends with the costs and rewards of being an intercessor. Intercession requires "your whole being, spirit, soul and body for twenty-four hours of every day of every week of every year" (p20). This might seem rather daunting, even off-putting, but it is as well to be aware that intercession is a constant burden and not for Christians of 'minimal maturity'.
Taken together these three booklets provide a comprehensive set of teaching on this important topic of praying for Israel.
There are many more teaching booklets available through CFI (Christian Friends of Israel) – just click here.