How to Pray for Israel
Many Christians are aware that we have a responsibility to pray for Israel. However, I’ve found that at times those prayers come out awkwardly and with little confidence. It’s as though Christians aren’t exactly sure how to pray or what words to use. I can identify with this awkwardness.
When God first staring speaking to me about Israel, I determined to pray for her. As I did, everything felt rather superficial and generic. I wasn’t totally confident in how I was praying, and, thus, my heart had difficulty engaging. As I’ve grown on this journey, I’ve realized that they best way to pray for Israel is to use God’s promises to her and about her. When we pray to God what has first come from God, then we’re able to pray with confidence, knowing that God hears us and answers us. (See 1 John 5:14, 15)
A great place to start is Number 6:22–27. This passage contains the priestly blessing for Israel. Consider how it begins: “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, “This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them . . .”’” (6:22, 23). God explicitly told the priests to bless Israel in a certain way. Thus, what follows is not just a good idea or religious sentiment. It is the exact way in which God wants the priests to speak to Israel.
This has application for the global church as intercessors for Israel. In the new covenant, we are a kingdom of priests, “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9; see also Rev. 1:6). In some ways, we do what the Old Testament priests did. From an intercessory posture, we bless Israel with the words of God. Here is “the way” God wants us to speak to her:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace. (Num. 6:24–26)
Each of the words and phrases within this blessing contains a whole world of revelation and redemptive promise. Each one is meaningful and intentional. God would not have given the priests such an explicit commandment to bless Israel in this way if this wasn’t the case. Thus, when you pray for Israel using this blessing, you release the very specific and intentional purpose of God to her.
Rather than dissecting each phrase right now, let’s consider what happens when the priests bless Israel using Numbers 6:24–26. Here is the result: “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them” (6:27). The priestly blessing not only unlocks purpose for her, but also it stamps the name of God upon her. I’m not sure how to explain that, but I’m amazed by this reality. Furthermore, when we bless Israel, it creates an avenue for God Himself to bless her: “and I will bless them.” It seems that in God’s desire to co-labor with man, He restrains the fullness of His blessing for Israel until His priests use their mouths to bless her as well. Thus, when we pray for her, it’s not just a request to God. It’s a conduit for God.
I’ll end this blog by sharing a dream I had two or three years ago. In the dream, I’m aware of the song, “The Blessing,” by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes. Of course, the song is written directly from Numbers 6:24–26. However, in the dream I’m hearing it slightly differently. Rather than a song generally for the church or personally for my family, I’m aware that we need to rediscover it’s original intent. These scriptures were a specific blessing from the priests for and to Israel. Thus, we as the church need to sing “The Blessing” to Israel with that intent in mind.
If you don’t know where to begin as an intercessor, this dream reveals a good starting point. Consider listening to “The Blessing,” specifically with Israel in mind. Sing and pray its words over her. Then, turn to Numbers 6 and prayerfully read the passage as promises, prayers, and blessing to the Jewish people. As you do, something supernatural will begin to happen. It’s not just a spiritual exercise for yourself. It is a conduit for the voice of God to resound over the people and land of Israel.