Jews, Christians gather for national day of prayer

GALILEE, Israel — Recent tensions in Israel and the Middle East found local believers gathering for a national day of fasting and prayer Oct. 27.

Messianic Jews and Arab Christians came together in the Lavi Forest in western Galilee to cry out to God for nearly five hours. The main topics for prayer were Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the continuing bombardment of Israel’s southern cities and the upcoming elections in Israel and the U.S.

Organized by pastors in Galilee, the event brought together Arab and Jewish believers from Dan in the north to Beersheva in the south.

An estimated 1,500 participants and pastors from a variety of congregations across the land explained the need to come before God with “clean hands and a right spirit.” 

Unity between Arabs and Jews was one of the highlights of the event. Arab and Hebrew music provided a worshipful atmosphere. Prayers for Iran centered around crying out for salvation for the Iranian people. 

A number of Gentile Christians joined the local believers, including a television crew from Yeshua’s Harvest Ministries. Director Matthew Wilson filmed the event, hoping to get more Christians involved in supporting the local believers by giving them an inside look at the Messianic body in Israel.