Isaiah 62 Prayer Campaign
by Rev. Juha Ketola, ICEJ International Director

The ICEJ Prayer Initiative

Throughout time and history, nations and individuals influence God’s hand as he forms their lives and destinies in His created world. Their choices determine their experience while journeying through this life, as well as where they will end up after their last breath has been breathed on earth. The response from the heart towards the Lord our God determines the future – both in time and eternity.

We are now in the year 2016 and in the light of God’s Word we want to evaluate, discuss and see what lies ahead for us as nations. This will equip us to pray according to the will of God and He will hear us (1 John 5:14-15). 

Molding a vessel

The word of the Lord came to the prophet Jeremiah to go down to the Potter’s house, since there He would open Jeremiah’s ears and cause him to hear a timely word from God’s throne (Jeremiah 18). So the prophet entered the house and began watching the potter making vessels out of clay. If a vessel became marred while the potter was working at the wheel, he began again and turned it into another shape, however the potter saw good and fit.

Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” God was reminding Jeremiah of His sovereignty: As Creator, He alone has absolute power over human beings who are His creation. He shapes us as He wishes and He is not accountable to us. This overwhelming sovereignty of God to be able to form and shape individuals and nations is our hope here on earth!

“It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Rom.9:16). We don’t rely on our own works, but can rest securely at the center of His good will. In other words, even when we are weak and sinful, we simply turn to Him who is sovereign and respond to Him in faith – it is fully within His grasp to take an impossible situation and make life well again.

The gracious and awesome God

Even the nations, their corporate life and destiny can change and be renewed. As the Lord continued speaking with Jeremiah in the Potter’s house, He reveals His principles and ways of dealing with the nations. The heart’s response towards God plays a major role in how or for what purpose the vessel in the hand of the divine Potter finally and eventually will end up. (Jer. 18:7-10). We are told how obedience to God’s truth will produce blessing and how disobedience to His voice will bring judgment and destruction.

Through the prophet’s word, God was warning the people that without repentance and turning from their evil ways as a nation, judgment would soon befall them. He also said, however, that with one turn of the hand and the wheel He could alter the shape of the clay, make it anew to completely transform their impending judgment into a wonderful blessing (Jer. 18:7-8).

Unfortunately, the people did not repent and disaster came in 586 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed the Jerusalem Temple and took the people into exile. When we see any nation with an unrepentant heart and rampant evil, this example should remind us to warn the people, offer the message of repentance and point to hope. Thanks to Prophet Jeremiah we know how to pray for a nation in danger of impending judgment.  

Israel, God’s people

Because of His loyal covenantal love, the God of Israel has promised a glorious salvation for His chosen Jewish people. After regathering them home from four corners of the earth, He has promised to cleanse them from all filthiness, give them a new heart and cause them to walk in obedience towards Him! (Ezekiel 36:24-28) Israel as a nation shall be restored spiritually and will be saved within their ancient homeland! (Rom. 11:26-27)

But for this to actually happen, the modern day Israeli people need to repent from their unbelief and sinful lifestyles. This is inevitable, since God Himself has already promised to pour out His Spirit to move them and to give them the gift of repentance (Zech. 12:10, Acts 5:31). So we know what to pray on behalf of Israel.

Middle East: Syria and Iran

We also want to pray for other nations in the Middle East, since they are foretold a terrible judgment and even more tragic disasters unless they repent. Syria is among those nations.

The catastrophe in Syria has caused extreme and indescribable suffering for its people and it is still continuing. With the USA, Russia and Iran’s involvement, the death toll in the area shows no decline. Only a change of heart and mind, repentance and returning back to the ways of the Creator will stop the current insanity and shame of human behavior in its sinful and unrepentant state in Syria. Let’s pray fervently on behalf of the suffering Syrian people, their leadership, the rebel groups and the world leaders involved.

Iran is emerging from isolation after signing a nuclear agreement with the West. Now attention is focused on business relations, especially in the oil and airline industries, but world leaders are not publicly addressing the need for the Iranian leadership to cease threats to Israel. According to the New York Times (from Dec 19, 2015), Iran is also in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and many experts believe this may be the new normal. Even a return of past rainfall levels might not be enough to avert the water crisis. Without repentance, a very difficult and sad route is ahead for Iran.

But there is a God in Heaven who has all power on earth. In the midst of all this chaos, grassroots revival among the Iranians is strong! Millions have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and are also blessing Israel as a result. Intercede with us for Iran, as the revival continues and spreads to other nations in the Middle East!

ISAIAH 62 PRAYER CAMPAIGN

As prayer warriors, we do have a say in the future fate of our nations. The response from the heart of the people to their God determines their path. Let’s pray together for Israel and her neighbors!

We invite you to join the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in the global movement of prayer by using the Isaiah 62 monthly prayer points whenever you pray corporately or individually. Pray with us on the first Wednesday of every month as intercession resounds around the globe throughout the day.

Sign up online: www.icej.org/Isaiah62