I was raised in the church and knew from an early age the Israelites were God’s chosen people. I remember the stories from the Bible about great exploits wrought through this humble people group. I was told of the great struggles, sin, and oppression they faced. I learned of the unbelievable miracles performed on their behalf. Here was this simple group of people, chosen by God and called to be His witnesses to the world. What a calling! By reading these stories, I learned about the nature of a Holy Creator God who loves the fallen and broken and would ultimately give His only Son for all mankind.
And yet, I rarely heard about the nation of Israel in present times. The exception was when the church brought in an Israeli flag on Missions Sunday or occasionally posted colorful flyers reminding us to pray for Israel. Also, I rarely (never?) heard of our congregation referring to ourselves as gentile believers. We were the church, the elect, God’s chosen people… So while we are miraculously grafted in, we were missing an important truth.
I was fasting and praying in May of 2021 when I became restless and looked for something encouraging to watch online. I saw that Fresh Start Church in Arizona was starting a live stream featuring an evangelist named Corey Russell. I listened as he delivered a powerful message on prayer and intercession. His vision is to see hundreds of millions of “hidden intercessors” who would pray for the salvation of Israel. He quite boldly declared that the Gentile church must not forget the Israelites. He stated that the Israelites were the ones who God chose to trevail through slavery, wandering, and nearly being decimated multiple times throughout their troubled history, all to ultimately bring the Messiah to mankind.
I began to realize how self-centered I had been. I know of the wonderful blessings of following the Lord. I know the power of redemption and salvation for any and all who would but call upon the name of Yeshua HaMashiach. Yet, somehow I forgot that the original branches are still suffering. Those who were chosen by God to experience the wonderful favor and blessings only He can bring. I began to feel God’s heart for His people. A deep moving compassion and love that words cannot adequately express. My heart groaned for them. Longing for the streets of Jerusalem to be filled with Jews crying out, “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Many are lost today. In Romans 11:11-12, Paul reminds us that we, a
“wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,” should “not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.”
As you take time to pray this week, forget not God’s chosen people. Pray that the full number of the Gentiles would be saved (Rom. 11:25) and that the lost hearts of Israel would be softened. Pray for descendants of the early Jewish church to rise once again and uphold the legacy of their forefathers who followed Christ and preached Him crucified. Pray for the full Bride of Christ to be readied for the coming of our precious Messiah. Join me in Spirit as we humbly bow out of the way to make way for our wayward brothers and sisters to return home and take the best seats at Christ’s table. Finally, pray that all Israel would loudly proclaim
“Baruch Haba B’shem Adonai”! (Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai!)
Click here to download our Olive Tree wallpaper as a reminder to pray for Israel. Available for your desktop or mobile device.
