Friday, July 11, 2025
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Prayer Highlights:
The Bible encourages us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Ps 122:6). At Bridges for Peace, we want to partner with you to do just that with clarity and purpose. That’s why we’ve refreshed our weekly prayer update to make it even more helpful and easy to use.
Each week, you’ll find five to seven key prayer focuses, designed to guide and deepen your intercession. For every focus, you’ll receive:
• What You Need to Know – a quick snapshot of the situation to help you pray with insight
• Dig Deeper – links to trusted articles and resources if you want to explore more
• Pray with Purpose – practical prayer points to get you started
• Anchored in Scripture – powerful verses to declare and stand on as you pray
Thank you for standing with Israel in faithful, Scripture-based prayer. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16b).
Guarding the Land: Prayers for Israel’s Security
What You Need to Know:
There has been a fragile peace between Israel and Iran since Tuesday, June 24 when open hostilities ended. However the situation does remain volatile. The conflict may have set back the ambitions of the Iranian regime but it did not remove their deep-seated and long-standing threat to annihilate the Jewish people.
Israel’s northern borders are likewise calm at the moment but the IDF has not stopped operations to destroy Hezbollah facilities in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, whose military strength was decimated by Israel during the period leading up to the November 27, 2024 ceasefire, is said to be reconsidering its options. On the Syrian front, it appears that diplomatic efforts are still underway although Israel is maintaining a military presence in a buffer zone along the border.
The Houthis in Yemen continue to launch missiles at Israel, the latest coming early in the morning of July 10. The IAF has badly damaged the major Yemeni seaports as well as the airport in Sa’ana in a bid to stop the import of weapons that will be used against Israel. Two ships were sunk by the Houthis this past week.
Dig Deeper:
Why Iran Is Still Dangerous, Even After Key Strikes
Pray with Purpose:
- Pray for those who guard Israel’s borders, asking the Lord to give them the strategy that will defeat her enemies.
- Pray for the units who gather intelligence about locations of weapons caches and other information, asking that they know how to accurately interpret that information.
- Pray for confusion in the enemy’s camp. Pray that members of terror organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas will be divided against themselves.
Anchored in Scripture:
Your God has commanded your strength; strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.
Psalm 68:28
Wisdom from Above: Praying for Israel’s Leaders
What You Need to Know:
Prime Minister Netanyahu traveled to Washington DC on July 6 to meet with President Trump. The two held discussions that may turn out to be “transformational” for the region. Some of the issues at stake are: return of the hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire, normalization of relations between Syria and Israel who have been in a state of war since 1948, the entry of additional nations to the Abraham Accords and the thorniest issue of all—what to do about Iran and its nuclear ambitions.
While in Washington, the prime minister met with the Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson and a bipartisan group of US senators.
Dig Deeper:
Transformation for Mideast a Focus of Netanyahu–Trump Talks
Pray with Purpose:
- Continue to pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu as he holds high level meetings with Israel’s closest ally.
- Pray that the prime minister will have the wisdom and clarity of sight to recognize any point at which the US agenda does not align with Israel’s security needs.
- Pray for the members of the coalition government, that they will put the needs of the country above partisan issues and work together in unity.
Anchored in Scripture:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111:10
Frontline Faith: Praying for Soldiers and Hostages in Gaza
What You Need to Know:
The situation in Gaza is complex and complicated on so many levels—50 remaining hostages, stop and go ceasefire negotiations, difficulties with distribution of humanitarian aid, heavy fighting as Israel seeks to bring security to its southern residents and more. Tragically five soldiers from Netzah Yehuda, an ultra-orthodox combat unit, were killed and 14 wounded on the evening of July 7.
At his meeting with US President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu said,, “Palestinians should have the authority to govern themselves—but not the power to threaten us. That means certain powers, like overarching security, will remain in our hands. That’s the reality. No one in Israel will accept less. We’re not suicidal—we want to live.”
This week IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a situational assessment with troops in Gaza. He emphasized, “We are determined—let this be clear to everyone—determined to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves: the return of the hostages, the defeat of Hamas and the safe return of our communities.”
Dig Deeper:
IDF Encircles Beit Hanoun in Major Push against Hamas
Two American Workers Injured by Hamas at Aid Distribution Site
Pray with Purpose:
- Intercede for the hostages who remain in Gaza and for their loved ones as well, asking the Lord to comfort and strengthen them with His presence.
- Pray for the IDF, operating in very difficult and challenging terrain that includes hidden booby traps, snipers and terrorists dressed in civilian clothing.
- Pray for the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, an organization that has distributed over 66 million meals in the past month. Pray that Hamas will not be able to hijack this aid and use it to control the civilian population of Gaza.
Anchored in Scripture:
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence.
2 Samuel 22:2b–3
Lifting the Weary: Praying for Vulnerable Israelis
What You Need to Know:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition whose “symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event…is said to affect three million Israelis” (Jerusalem Post). Mental health professionals and facilities have been overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the need. Two Israeli entrepreneurs have developed a phone app that can take much of the stress out of getting those who suffer from the condition the help needed, even filing applications and making appointments! The app is named Lydia, for the grandmother of one of the developers who survived the Holocaust.
Although the impact of Iranian missiles was far less than it could have been, due to the high rate of successful interceptions, still 15,000 people were evacuated from their homes during Operation Rising Lion. Some may have already returned but others are facing up to a year before their apartments are safe to live in. During that time they will need to find other accommodations, causing disruptions to many facets of their lives. More than 41,000 property damage claims had been submitted to the government which included structural damage to property or vehicle damage.
Dig Deeper:
Pray with Purpose:
- Pray that Israelis of all ages—civilians and soldiers alike—who suffer from PTSD will find comfort and strength from the Lord. Proclaim Psalm 27, especially verse 7, for all who are fearful of heart.
- Pray for Israeli families who have been displaced from their homes as the result of the war with Iran, asking that they will be surrounded by the support they need to get back on their feet.
- Pray for the IDF soldiers who have been wounded in battle since October 7, 2023. As of July 8, there were over 6,000 with nearly 1,000 severely wounded.
Anchored in Scripture:
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5
Standing against Hate: Combatting Antisemitism in Prayer
What You Need to Know:
Although this is not the only antisemitic news of the past week, today’s update will highlight legislation that is being considered in Ireland, whose government is currently the most violently anti-Israel in Europe. Termed the “Occupied Territories Bill,” the law would impose a fine and/or prison term for any Irish citizen who imported or attempted to sell products made in the biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria. Since it was under Jordanian control until 1967, east Jerusalem is also considered occupied territory for this purpose. The NGO-Monitor (a research institute that promotes transparency and accountability of NGOs) writes, “Among many other absurd outcomes, Irish citizens who visit the Jewish Quarter and buy a souvenir to bring back to Ireland, study the Bible, or pray at the Kotel would face jail time and fines.”
Ireland is certainly not the only nation in the world today which has been outspoken about Israel, especially after the events of October 7, 2023. Many nations have vocal minorities who adhere to the same beliefs. But in every nation, there is a remnant who stands for God’s truth. In Ireland, one such voice belongs to Pastor John from Dublin’s All Nations Church. We are including a link to his 18-minute message that is a clarion warning call for all Western nations.
Dig Deeper:
(YouTube video): Ireland: You’re Going the Wrong Way
History of Proposed Irish Legislation by the NGO-Monitor
(Update on Milan) Italy Needs Tougher Laws against Antisemitism
Pray with Purpose:
- Pray for “teachable moments” when you can speak with those who may be open to scriptural truth regarding God’s love for and eternal covenant with the Jewish people.
- Pray for opportunities to stand with Israel as they face a world that is increasingly opposed to their existence.
- Pray for organizations such as the Christian Allies Caucus which seek to establish faith-based relationships with leaders and political representatives from nations of the world.
Anchored in Scripture:
For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.
Psalm 135:4
Grateful Hearts: Praise Reports from the Battlefront
What You Need to Know:
The Israel Allies Foundation (IAF), a faith-based advocacy group that empowers pro-Israel legislators around the world, held its third annual summit in Bucharest at the Romanian parliament last weekend. Legislators, mainly from eastern Europe, came to “reaffirm their connection to the Jewish state, strengthen bilateral ties, and learn how to be better change makers for Israel back home.” Aside from the summit, IAF announced the formation of 6 new caucuses in the African nations of Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Seychelles, Gabon and Guinea–Conakry.
In an economic boost, US hi-tech giant Nvidia has announced plans to expand its current research and development arm in Israel by adding a new campus and tripling its current workforce of 5,000. Nvidia designs and supplies graphics processing units (GPUs) for high performance computing. In addition to the news from Nvidia, Israel’s defense giant, Rafael is set to close “one of the most significant [deals] in the history of Israel's defense industry, after being selected to supply air defense systems to Romania, as part of a large national program to upgrade the country's defense system” (Jerusalem Post).
Dig Deeper:
IAF Head: 80% of Israel’s Diplomatic “Wins” Due to Christian Support
Pray with Purpose:
- Give thanks for the successful IAF summit in Bucharest and for the six African nations who recently joined this initiative.
- Give thanks for the economic boosts that Israel received last week; pray that her economy would thrive, despite the extraordinary financial burden on the nation caused by fighting a war for her survival.
- We continue to acknowledge, with gratitude, each Christian intercessor and each prayer group dedicated to standing with Israel. Pray that we will not grow weary as we come before the Lord on behalf of His people and nation.
Anchored in Scripture:
Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16:8
Related Resources
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