This Friday—February 2—marks 118 days since the grisly Saturday when more than 2,000 heavily armed Hamas terrorists shattered the peace of millions of Israelis serenely sleeping in the early morning hours of the Sabbath.
 
Hamas launched more than 5,000 rockets into heavily populated civilian areas; horrifically massacred 1,200 people without regard for age, sex, or race; brutally injured and raped more than 4,800 others; kidnapped 251 people and left their families and the nation reeling in fear, disbelief, and panic.
 
One hundred days ago—plus eighteen.
 
Hebrew letters can also represent numbers. Eighteen is the Hebrew number representing chai (חי) or “life.” So, in honor of this symbolic day representing life, we ask you today to take two simple but significant actions:

Pray life into Israel.

Pray for the 136 remaining hostages and their families, active soldiers and their families, displaced families, kids and grownups with trauma or post-traumatic stress, government leaders, and believers throughout the Land, including our missionaries. Pray most of all for the Lord to reveal Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)—to the people of Israel. Only through the power of Jesus’ life (John 1:4) can hearts, minds, and souls change.

Talk with your pastor,

your Sunday School teachers, Bible study leaders, or prayer group coordinators. Ask them to set aside one minute to pray life into Israel during services, class, or small group time this weekend. After all, this Sunday (February 4) will mark 120 days since Hamas’ vicious massacre, and next Wednesday (February 7) will mark exactly four months since October 7.

These historic times are powerful and pivotal. Future generations will face the consequences of how we respond and pray.

 
Thank you for doing your part!
 
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. (Psalm 122:6–9, emphasis added)