An Unabashedly Evangelical but Theologically Sound Prayer for the Palestinians and Israelis

Recently I attended a conference where a woman from a distant country - neither Arab nor Israeli - offered a prayer in a joint Israeli Palestinian prayer meeting. Her prayer consisted mainly of repeating in a strident voice, “Bless Israel”. What does that mean? I was disturbed to the point of tears by her prayer and decided to create my own prayer in accordance with what Paul wrote, “My heart’s desire and prayer for Israel is that they might be saved.”

God,

Bless Israel by revealing to them the reality of Jesus Christ so they might be saved.
Bless the Palestinians and other Arab countries by revealing to them the reality of Jesus Christ so they might be saved.

Lord, in Romans your work says that you have ordained the powers that be.

Bless the Israeli government and give the leaders wisdom to make decisions that lead to the safety of the citizens and their ability to live freely.
Bless the Palestinian government and governments of other Arab countries and give the leaders wisdom to make decisions that lead to the safety of the citizens and their ability to live freely.

Lord, we ask you to intervene and stop the plans of those, Israeli and Arab, who would seek to increase hatred through legal means, and those that would increase the hatred and rancor through violent actions. We recognize that all men are brothers, and the death of any man in violent actions diminishes us, for we are a part of mankind.

We recognize that there is only one name under heaven whereby we might be saved, and that we need to accept Jesus in this lifetime.

If either side controls the land from the Mediterranean to China, but does not have Jesus, it is all for naught.

Again Lord, we pray for the salvation of Abraham’s children.

Amen