Pray for the Middle East

Followup. July 18, 2:30pm. The below post, written yesterday, includes an opinion about Israel's role in the conflict with Lebanon. To balance it out a bit, I am herewith providing a National Post article on the topic that also provides some background on the conflict: Lebanon has no will of its own, by Robert Fulford

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You may have heard or read in the news about the recent turmoil in the Middle East--particularly between Israel and Lebanon. I happen to have two friends on short-term mission trips in Lebanon. One wrote this yesterday:

"Well we just had a change in plans. Now they are going to try to get us across the Syrian border too. Since the americans dont have any plan yet they figured it is best to go to damascus since they are letting americans through the border for 48 hours. The bombings in Beruit have increased and it looks like they are bombing north Beruit now too. As for what we are going to do when we get out of Lebanon i think we have a choice of either going on to Jordan or they will just fly us home. For me i think ... will try to keep going on into the desert and do some work but they might make us go home for Syria. Pray that i get to stay becuase i didnt come over here to just sit"

Another wrote this today:

"Pray for the Lebanese people that the gospel would find an open door to their hearts in this time of unrest. Pray for reconciliation of these nations."

He included this recently-written excerpt from a friend of his who is also there. I don't know how accurate it is, but it is one person's first-hand perspective:

"Just a quick request for prayer for Lebanon. As most of you will be aware, Israel are conducting constant aerial attacks on Lebanon in retaliation for a Hizb'Allah attack a few days ago. Bridges, roads, electric power stations, airports, ports have all been targeted, and most areas in the south are under threat of attack. This is collective punishment at its most brutal, it is not defensive it is a form of terrorism and an attempt to punish a whole country for Hizb'allah's actions. 50 have died already, apparently 15 of these are children. The reality is we need prayer. Please pray for those innocent victims who live in the wrong places at the wrong times. Pray for wisdom for leaders and negotiators. Pray for our workers who are safe in the mountains, but with no access to leave. Pray for friends in the South who are fearful. Pray that even in times of fear and violence God will open hearts and lives rather than allow them to be filled with hatred and bitterness.Pray for Israelis on the border who are also under threat from Hizb'Allah rockets. Pray for peace in the Middle East."

Pray with me. Father, we pray for the Middle East. We pray Lebanon, and for the many innocent victims of this war. We pray for Israel, a nation that holds a special place in your heart; we pray that more eyes will be opened to the need for you, and that more and more would turn to your Son as Messiah and Lord. Thank you that more Jewish people are coming to you than ever before. Lord, we recognize that this conflict dates back to the beginning of our Bibles--to the deadly conflict between Isaac and Ishmael--and acknowledge that you are the only solution. We say, "come, Lord Jesus." May this stir up within us a sense of urgency even as you show us that you are the Prince of Peace. Amen.