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There are no easy or simple solutions to the crisis facing Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab nations of the Middle East. This prayer guide takes you through the maze of issues and suggests possible resolutions based on historical, political, religious and security considerations, as understood by the author. I have attempted to be comprehensive and fair in critiquing all sides, but it is impossible to put together specific suggestions that would represent every political perspective. You need not agree with the resolutions to use the intercessory prayer guide. Be creative, and in a prayerful attitude express your alternative visions, dreams and hopes for each day’s themes. We encourage you to:

1)  The Praying for Peace in the Middle East Prayer Booklet.  Use this to make copies of the prayer agenda for groups.  It creates a small 4 page booklet which can serve as a worship bulletin insert.  This booklet may be reproduced by individuals, organizations and churches.  Please do not make changes without permission. You may add your church’s name and address on page 4.

2)  The Praying for Peace in the Middle East Guide.  Use this for personal use on your computer or to print out a personal copy.

New!  Read through the additional resources posted on the web site.  These include:

Pray that the Palestinian people and Arab nations agree to unequivocally recognize Israel’s right to exist as a permanent Jewish nation and that Israel takes positive steps for facilitating the establishment of an independent, democratic Palestinian state.  Read Genesis 21:1-21.

Pray that the Palestinians reject terrorism (the targeting of Israeli civilians through suicide bombings and shootings) as a means of achieving their political goals.  Pray that the Israeli military will exercise restraint in responding to terrorist attacks and cease home demolitions.  Pray that both sides will reject vengeance and retaliation and find creative ways to foster an atmosphere of peace and forgiveness.  Read Ecclesiastes 9:13-18.

Pray that as part of a comprehensive final settlement, both sides are willing to make necessary compromises.  Pray that the Israelis will agree to abandon settlements established in Gaza and the West Bank, and that the Palestinians will agree to drop their insistence for the right of return of people dispossessed in the various wars Israel and its Arab neighbors have fought.  Pray that an agreed upon schedule of compensation for both Israeli settlers and Palestinian refugees will be funded by Israel, the Arabs and the world’s nations to facilitate a final resolution where all people benefit.  Read Isaiah 32:16-20.

Jerusalem is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians.  Pray that the final solution for the status of the city include full, equal and fair access to all religious sites by members of all three religions, that archaeological sites are protected from destruction, and that a workable division of Jerusalem into Israeli and Palestinian capitals is achieved.  Read Isaiah 65:17-25.

Pray that Israel’s "second class" treatment of its Israeli Arab population (about 2 million people) will end and that the government will fund Israeli Arab schools and communities at the same level as it does for Jewish communities.  Pray that the Arab nations will agree to significant trade and economic agreements with Israeli companies and that company and product boycotts will cease to be a policy of Arab governments.  Read Zechariah 7:8-10.

Pray that the Arab Muslim nations (through their media and clerics) cease expressing anti-Semitic statements and attitudes and recognize that Judaism is a legitimate religion, and that Jewish organizations (both in Israel and world-wide) would promote new initiatives in facilitating friendships and alliances with Muslim counterparts.  Pray that Christianity may serve as a positive third party in the process of reconciliation for the Jewish and Muslim people.  Read Isaiah 42:1-9.

Reflect on these two thoughts: Judaism, Christianity and Islam are monotheistic, and acknowledge the God of Abraham as their Lord. Pray for members of all 3 religions to understand this as a point of spiritual commonality and reconciliation.  Read Isaiah 2:1-5.

Pray for peace on all of Israel’ s borders.  Pray that the Lebanese and Syrians will be drawn into a constructive peace process in which Israel is assured that its northern towns will not be subject to attack.  Pray for a stable governmental force to replace terrorist groups on the Lebanese border and for the demilitarization of the Golan Heights as part of a land for peace treaty with Syria.  Read Isaiah 19:23-25.

Pray that all parties would realize that a friendly and cooperative regional development plan is necessary for both Arabs and Israelis to enjoy prosperity in the long run.  Pray for a revival of tourism and for the development of initiatives to provide significant jobs for Palestinians who have been trapped in hopelessness and poverty.  Pray that Arab nations, in particular, will use their wealth to alleviate poverty in the Palestinian territories.  Pray that Israel and its neighbors will agree on how to share a very scarce natural resource – water. Read Romans 12:17-21.

Pray for initiatives to improve the educational programs of children throughout the region.  Pray that special attention will be given to creating programs that build friendship, cooperation and trust between Israelis and Arabs and to reducing the technological gap between the two societies.  Read Jeremiah 31:15-17.

Pray for the democratization of the region, for the establishment and growth of independent news media, and the acceptance of the principle of religious liberty.  Pray for a true and lasting peace and the establishment of governments throughout the region that will respond to the needs of their people in a just manner.  Read Micah 6:8-16.

Pray for the development of adequate international safeguards to support the peace process.  If Israel does withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza, it will be significantly more vulnerable from a security standpoint.  Pray that the United Nations and the United States will provide credible and practical guarantees of security, with provisions to protect Israel from future terrorist activity.  Read Jeremiah 23:5-8.

People of faith embrace hope as a source of strength and perseverance.  Achieving a true and lasting peace in the Middle East is incredibly complicated, as the above prayer agenda illustrates.  Nevertheless, the God of human history is able to work through individuals, religious organizations and nations to make the future brighter and more peaceful.  Pray that God might raise up religious, civic and political leaders who will be bold enough to work toward this future.  Read Psalm 37:37 and Isaiah 52:7-10.

"Blessed are the peacemakers," Jesus declares (Matthew 5:9). The Psalmist urges us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" and for its "security" (Psalms 122:6).  Pray that God will reveal to you how you can continue being a peacemaker!

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