Horrific events currently taking place in the Middle East seem to defy our sense of reality—how can persecution, execution, and inhumane brutality possibly be happening in the twenty-first century? Lest we are tempted to blame it on ruthless societies and cruel cultures, we also need to look within our own borders and the borders of all nations to see violence, rage, and lawlessness becoming ever so much more frequent. To say evil does not exist is to deny reality and turn a blind or calloused eye towards the blatant disregard for human life occurring all over the world.

I cannot help but think that the attitudes of disbelief and “not my problem”, or “it couldn’t happen here” are reminiscent of the opinions of many as the atrocities of war broke out in Europe seventy-five years ago. How is this different? The world is in turmoil; the enemy is raging! …and his purpose continues to be genocide. Sadly, even now some deny the holocaust for whatever reason befits their belief systems—and there are those who deny the shocking events presently occurring in Middle Eastern countries.

Interesting that central to Hitler’s strategies was the annihilation of the Jewish race; and now, Israel is under attack from radical Islam. While many Christians recognize the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, we can find exceptional hope in God’s promise and faithfulness to the children of Israel. As conflict and persecution increase, Paul’s counsel to the Colossian church is our best response: “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ….Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:2-3, 5-6).

Now is the time to pray for doors to open for the good news of Christ to spread, to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the sake of the gospel, to speak with grace and wisdom to those in our lives who do not know Jesus, and to surrender ourselves to Him, to be used for His kingdom and glory.

Now is also the time to pray for Israel—here is my prayer, based on Jeremiah 30:

“Lord, God of Israel, I surrender my heart and my life to you. Ignite my understanding with your Holy Spirit; guide me in truth as I read your Word and pray.

“Restore the fortunes of your people Israel and Judah; continue to bring them back to the land you gave to their fathers. Reveal to your church, the significance of your covenant promises and your faithfulness to fulfill them. Do not let us turn our hearts and our prayers away from the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

“Protect your people, O God; break every yoke of bondage. Draw their hearts back to you and remove every blinding veil and spirit of deception that keep them from recognizing the Son of David, Jesus the Messiah, and all that He accomplished on their behalf. I pray this for all of your people, Lord, Jew and Gentile alike.

“Be with your people, Israel, to save them; draw their hearts to you—away from captivity, away from bondage to the enemy of their souls. Restore your people to the quiet and ease, found only through faith in the Savior.

“Make an end to our enemies, O God, the enemies of all your people. Draw our hearts together in your Spirit and truth. Discipline us in your mercy and lovingkindness. Take away our guilt and grant us your forgiveness and righteousness. Cleanse our hearts and our ways, I pray. Restore the health of your people and heal all of our wounds, Lord.

“Restore the fortunes of Jacob, let thanksgiving and celebration be the song of their hearts and of their land. Honor them and establish them before you. Defeat their enemies and punish all who seek to oppress them. Reveal yourself in power to your enemies, the enemies of your people and turn their hearts in repentance to you.

“Execute your intentions, O God; accomplish your purposes for all of your people. I pray these things in the name of the Prince, the Mighty Ruler of your people, Jesus Christ.”