Although I love Israel, I want you to know this: I also love other nations. America, in particular. The Lord gave me a prayer assignment for her many years ago, and today it is stronger than it’s ever been. I want America to be blessed. I want her to fulfill God’s plan and purpose. And to do that, she must deal with Israel not according to political opinion but according to the Word of God.
Since those who bless Israel will be blessed, as Americans, one of the greatest things we can do for our nation is to pray for America to bless the nation of Israel.
In what ways should we bless it?
Our government should recognize Jerusalem as its capital, for one thing. God says it’s the capital and the Jews say it’s the capital; we should agree with them. Congress should also continue to provide aid to Israel whenever it’s needed. And our national leaders should refuse to join those who are criticizing Israel and be supportive instead.
As believers, we’re instructed to pray for “kings and for all that are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2) and one of the things we can pray is for God to turn the hearts of our leaders so they treat Israel with favor and wisdom.
During election years, we also have opportunity to put feet to our prayers. We should consider many different criteria when pondering how we should vote and one of them must be the candidates’ attitude toward Israel. When I have an opportunity to talk to government officials, this is always my first question to them: What are you going to do about Israel?
To be honest, it’s a question we must also ask ourselves, as individual believers.
What are we going to do about Israel?
I believe our answer and our actions need to be prayer.
Go after it! Pray for God’s will to be done concerning Israel. Be confident that your prayers do make a difference.
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”