Israel

On January 28, Sunday, an aerial drone packed with explosives flew into Tower 22, a US military outpost in northeast Jordan, along the border of Syria and Iraq, exploded in the barracks, killed 3 US service members, and injured 34 others. Both the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and the Axis of Resistance, militant groups said to be backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack. There have been nearly 200 attacks against US targets since the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, this is the first known instance of American casualties.

The strike has backed US President Biden into a corner. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Ja Austin III declared on the same day that “The president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests,…” However, due to the complexity of the Gaza war, the President’s response must carefully weigh military duty against political pressure while being mindful not to further escalate the current regional conflict.

While retaliation would seem like a natural response, it would heighten the volatile situation and fuel an all-out war.

Iran, despite accusations, claimed these militant groups do not take orders and act independently. The country states that it does not intend to be pulled into a regional war.

Less than a week later, the world found out the answer. On Friday, February 2, five days after the drone attack, the US launched major airstrikes on 85 military targets in 7 locations in Iraq and Syria.

As we have learned throughout human history, there are no winners in war. War begets war. Leaders and nations are often handcuffed by larger political interests despite their desire to fully pursue paths of peace. When man runs short of answers, it becomes all the more clear that only the Gospel provides a lasting answer to our troubles. Let us pray for His Light to shine on the world during this time.

Prayer Points:

1. Pray for wisdom, diplomacy, and discernment to prevail over President Biden and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to avoid war and bring the independent militias under control and even be dismantled.

2. Continue to intercede for the end of the Israel and Hamas war and for normal life to resume as quickly as possible for both sides. Ask God for a supernatural answer that will be acceptable to both the Israelis and Palestinians in their 75-year war over the land of Palestine.

3. Intercede for a spirit of revival to wash over the world as the risk of an escalating regional war looms in the Middle East. May this desperation force people, leaders, and nations to fall on their knees and humble themselves before the Prince of Peace.

Know more:

Three US troops killed in Jordan drone strike linked to Iran

https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-says-three-us-service-members-killed-drone-attack-us-forces-jordan-2024-01-28/

US carries out retaliatory strikes on Iranian-linked militia targets in Iraq and Syria

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/02/politics/us-strikes-iraq-syria/index.html

U.S. hits Iranian proxies in Iraq, Syria in retaliation for deadly strikes

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/02/1228132782/us-biden-iran-drone-response-strike

Why did US wait to retaliate for drone attack on its troops?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68182658

“He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.”
(Isaiah 2:4)

As we enter the Christmas season which commemorates the birth of Christ, one of the central Messianic hopes was that Christ would bring about peace between peoples and nations.

At the time this article was being written, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has just been extended another two days. Too short a respite from the horrors of war, but a much-needed truce nevertheless.

The roots of this conflict stretch back to over 3,000 years ago, when Israel settled in Canaan. After Rome expelled the Jews from the region in the 2nd century, nomadic Arabs began to populate the area beginning in the 7th century. In 1917, the British colonizers issued the Balfour Declaration, establishing the land as the national home of the Jewish peoples scattered around the globe. This was made without consultation with either the Jews or the Palestinians. This culminated in the 1947 United Nations resolution establishing the nation of Israel.

At its core, this conflict is about 2 peoples, with contrasting religions, cultures, histories, and worldviews, but with the same real estate rights, calling the same piece of land “home.” The political goal of Israel is to displace all Arabs from the land, while Hamas has as its military objective to “push Israel into the sea.”

When Hamas launched its deadly surprise attack on Israel under the cover of darkness on October 7, it was simply the latest in decades of conflict between the two peoples. Both sides have been guilty of atrocities and inhumane discrimination against one another throughout time.

Most of the nations involved have exhausted every possible political and diplomatic solution over the last 75 years, to no avail. Decades later, both nations are still at war. The answer is simple but never easy – for two peoples with diverse backgrounds to learn to co-exist and live with one another in peace and harmony. That cannot be achieved through the barrel of a gun. Politicians have tried and failed. Diplomats have negotiated in futility.

There is only one true answer – for both peoples to submit to the lordship of the only One who can bring true and lasting peace. This way, they can trade their weapons for tools so that together, they can work, till the land, reap the harvest, and live in harmony in the same land.

Prayer Points:

1. Pray for the released prisoners and displaced families as they return home to the war-torn Gaza strip. Ask God for the courage and perseverance to rebuild their lives and the humility and grace to be free from the spirit of vengeance.

2. Intercede for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Haniyeh. May an overwhelming love and burden for the lives of their people guide them as they make decisions regarding the extension or cancellation of the ceasefire. Pray for a divine solution for both sides to agree to the cessation of war.

3. Lift up AMEN (Arab Ministries of Every Nation) as its leaders distribute relief goods and medicine on the ground to affected Palestinians. Pray also for our Every Nation members in Israel serving as medical missionaries. Intercede for the gospel to penetrate the hearts and minds of both Israelis and Palestinians as our Every Nation leaders share the good news with them.

News Links:

Every Nation is a global family of churches and campus ministries, of which Victory is a founding member.

We are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). This is the reason we value world missions as a church and persistently pray for the nations.

Pray for God’s Peace and Restoration in the Middle East

Pray for God’s True and Lasting Peace over Israel and Palestine