May 2011 Prayer Guide

 Download the 'Isaiah 62' prayer guide for May 25th »

I am excited as we join with brothers and sisters from around the globe to pray again for Israel. I am excited not because all is well with Israel or with the nations. On the contrary - a look at our world shows a desperate situation. Israel is being pressured from all sides, anti-Semitism is mounting and natural forces seem to be unleashed causing havoc all around the globe.

But I am excited because I know: “…greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). Ask God to open your eyes to see the true reality around us. Just looking at the natural situation can often be frustrating, and yes, even depressing.

One morning the Israelite city of Dothan found itself surrounded by the Aramean enemy army. The servant of the great prophet Elisha ran to his master to bring him the devastating news. Surprisingly Elisha wasn’t distressed but calmly told his young servant not to worry, "for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16).

When Elisha finally started to intercede for the situation, his prayers were not the powerful enemy army which threatened the city, but rather, for his poor and shaken servant. Elisha uttered a simple but powerful prayer: “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17).  And that dramatically changed the situation for the servant. The servant suddenly became excited. It wasn’t because the enemies disappeared but God gave him a new perspective of the situation.

“And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17). Now as we enter into a day to pray for Israel let this be our first prayer, that God will open our spiritual eyes to see the reality of God in all the complex situations which surround us, our nations and Israel.

Let us start our prayer with worshiping our God who is the Almighty, omnipresent and omnipotent God. He is the God who sits on the throne; the God who removes and appoints kings; the God who with one mere word can change everything around us according to His divine purpose. This is the God to whom we pray. Let us approach His throne today with confidence.

Download the 'Isaiah 62' prayer guide for May 25th »

Yours in Jesus,

 
Dr. Jürgen Bühler
ICEJ International Director