What has happened in Israel in recent days is horrific. Hamas’ attack was, and is, a brutal display of evil. I pray that in response the Israeli state will wield the sword of just vengeance with wisdom and discretion (Romans 13:4). I pray that in the end Hamas will cease to exist as a coherent, functioning organization. I pray that Israel’s future will be one marked by a better peace, for Jew and Gentile, Israeli and Palestinian, alike. I pray this will happen as the Gospel of Israel’s Messiah gains new purchase in hearts across Israel’s society.
Here then are godly words in a prayer for war:
“Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand…
Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
Seek out his wickedness, until You find none.
The LORD is King forever and ever;
Nations have perished from His land.
O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear
To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.”
(Psalm 10:12, 15-18, NASB)