By: Dr. Jürgen Bühler, ICEJ President

Dear friends,

The Church has reached a time when it is not enough just to say: “We love Israel” or “We stand with Israel.” Real action is needed!

Israel is at war! As I write this, Israel has lost over 1,200 people, the vast majority of them civilians. Thousands more are wounded. Over 5,000 rockets have rained down on Israel. The security fence along the Gaza border was breached multiple times and over 20 communities in the south were infiltrated and some even came under the control of Hamas terrorists for over two days until the IDF drove them out. Scores of women, children and the elderly were slaughtered, and infants were even decapitated. Hamas also carted off over 150 people back into Gaza as hostages. Many of them again are women, children, and older people, but there are also a number of IDF soldiers.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described last Saturday, on Simchat Torah, as the worst day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. This all reminds us of the tragic events of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, especially as this attack occurred one day after the 50th Anniversary of that historic conflict.

Over recent days, Israel has mobilized more than 380,000 IDF reservists and placed them on the outskirts of Gaza as well as on the northern border with Lebanon as the situation with Hizbullah begins to escalate. In all the congregations across Israel, most of the young men and women between 18 and 40 have been called up for army duty, including two of my own sons. Currently, well above 500 Messianic believers are serving in the IDF, including in frontline commando units. As I write this, many lives have already been lost on the battlefield, with the names of fallen soldiers published daily in the news. Among them so far are five believing soldiers.

This attack is without a doubt rooted in the demonic realm as a manifestation of the Spirit of Amalek (see Exodus 17:8ff, Deuteronomy 25:17; 1 Samuel 30:3; Esther 3:1 & 8). This is the time when the Church is called to ascend to our spiritual vantage point and join in battle, just as Moses prayed while Joshua was fighting Amalek on the ground! This is even the time to call for an Esther Fast to approach the throne of God on behalf of His beloved people.  

Brothers and sisters, it is imperative for the global Body of Christ to stand with Israel and its people. Our professions of love and support alone will not do it anymore! It is the time for action! There are three ways you can support Israel today:

1)  Prayer!
You can do so by joining our daily Global Prayer Gatherings at 4:00 PM (Israel time). You will join a worldwide army of Christian leaders and intercessors, and receive daily updates on the critical situation on the ground here in Israel. Join us at:  https://on.icej.org/ICEJGlobalPrayer

The sessions have live translations into different languages. If you would like to translate these into your own language, we can facilitate this. Also consider holding special prayer meetings in your churches, communities, and ministry networks, etc.

2)  Support!
If you are a denominational leader, pastor or ministry leader, now is the time to dedicate your next Sunday offering to Israel and to mobilize your network. Time is essential! We have been asked to assist in the evacuation of entire communities around the Gaza Strip. The ICEJ is establishing temporary refugee centers around Jerusalem, to care for evacuees. We also are helping to provide food, clothing and other supplies to those who lost their homes and were forced to flee their communities. In addition, we are in contact with Israeli pastors to assist the needy in their flocks. And we have been approached to provide food, clothing and even protective vests to IDF reservists called to the battle front. You can help the ICEJ by donating at http://give.icej.org/crisis

3)  Show solidarity!
Organize pro-Israel solidarity rallies and marches in your home towns and capitals. These demonstrations are already taking place around the world, but in many cases there are few Christians attending. Enthusiasm also can wane quickly. Again, the Church needs to take a stand at this hour! Please help Israel by showing public support for her within your own communities and nations. Also urge your parliamentarians and other government officials to affirm their stand with Israel.

We covet your prayers and I look forward to hearing from you.

In Christ,


Dr. Jürgen Bühler
ICEJ President

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