Below is a great alert from our friends, Hal and Cheryl Sacks, regarding the situation in Israel. Hal recently had a conference call with US-Israeli Ambassador Meir Sholmo, where much truth was revealed regarding the present conflict.
We encourage you to read this prayer update and continue to to intercede for Israel!
A Bridgebuilders Prayer Alert
The Hidden Truth Behind the Israel/Hamas Conflict
A Phone Conversation with US Israeli Ambassador Meir Sholmo
"You might be shocked to learn that even as missiles fly from Gaza into Israel, Israel continues to supply electricity, food, and water to Gaza, as well as on-going humanitarian aid and medical treatment to any Palestinians in need (on July 8 alone, 80 Palestinians crossed from Gaza into Israel and were admitted in Israeli hospitals)."
That's what US Israeli Ambasador Meir Shlomo told Hal Sacks and a group of American leaders in a conference call on Friday. Sacks said Amb. Sholmo talked openly about the current events between Israel and Hamas, referring to their philosophies of warfare as being as different as night and day.
It's the story behind the story that's not being reported.
"Israel is the only nation in the world whose military warns 
its enemies of impending attacks on strategic sites in order to avert civilian causalities," Amb. Shlomo related.
In the conversation Amb. Sholmo said Israel considers every death of a civilian, including those on the other side, as a regrettable event. He called the retaliation killing of a Palestinian boy regrettable and deplorable", emphasizing that the murderers would be prosecuted to the full extent of the laws of Israel. On the other hand, regrettably, on that position Hamas rewards the families of those who murder Israelis.
Here's how Amb. Shlomo described the diametrically opposite ideologies and actions of Israel and Hamas:
- Israeli Defensive Forces strike carefully chosen military targets with surgical precision in an attempt to avoid hitting innocent civilians, even dropping leaflets, sending phone messages and texts to the target and its neighborhood before the attack to enable civilians time to evacuate. Israel goes the extra mile to avoid hurting civilians. Where on the other hand, Hamas forces their own people to be human shields by preventing them from leaving their homes in light of the impending attack. When Hamas sends missiles into Israel, they give no warning and aim to hit and kill as many civilians as possible.
- Israel considers every death of a civilian, including of the other side, as a regretful event. Hamas celebrates openly the killing of its neighbors as exemplified in the words of Hamas spokesman Sami Abu-Zuhri this week, "All the Israelis are legitimate targets."
- Peace was the reason Israel sacrificed the Gaza land in 2005. At that time, Israel envisioned a happily-ever-after ending for the Palestinians, too. That's the reason Israel left infrastructure in place so that the Palestinians could rebuild. Instead, Hamas seized power with a vow to never end "armed resistance" to eradicate the "Zionist entity" through jihad. Ironically, any infrastructure that was left is now used to launch rockets toward Israel.
- Most important, Israel is a democracy defending its citizens. When under attack, Israel has the right of self-defense and is obligated to act decisively. Israel's military directs only pinpointed attacks at missile launchers, terror infrastructures and the weapon depots of Hamas, which have turned the Gaza Strip into the center for attacking Israel.
Here is the ultimate and sad truth, said Amb. Shlomo; "If Israel were to lay down its arms tomorrow; Israel would be annihilated. But, if Hamas were to lay down its arms tomorrow, there would be peace."
We need to know the truth about what is taking place in the Middle East and stand strongly in prayer as well as voice support for the right of Israel to live in peace.
LET'S PRAY:
- The promises of Psalm 91 over Israel's people and military. That they will be saved from the "arrow that flies by day" and the "terror by night."
- That if there should be any evil weapons of mass destruction or "dirty bombs" hidden in Hamas's armory, they would be supernaturally bound from being used against Israel.. that they would be uncovered and neutralized.
- 40,000 reserve troops are being called up in preparation for ground incursions. Pray for the many believing soldiers both with active service and those who have been called up from Reserves. David placed his trust in the Lord God of Israel. For David, "the battle was the LORD's".
- All the major cities including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa have been targeted in recent attacks. Pray for the ongoing protection of those cities and others throughout Israel. That God would continue to use Israeli's defense system, "The Iron Dome" to protect its people from missile attack.
- For godly wisdom for Israel's governmental and military leaders on how to proceed with the war with Hamas. Pray that all ground incursions will execute clean surgical operations with the least possible loss of life.
- That Israel will stand strong in Operation "Protective Edge" to bring an end to these attacks upon Israel's sovereignty.
- That Israel become aware, during this tense time, of areas where she has become vulnerable through her own pride and sin.. For conviction by the Holy Spirit and grace to turn in repentance to her God.
- That the light of God's Salvation shine..That Jewish and Arab believers would be able to lead many to the Lord during these difficult times.
- For God's SHALOM, His peace to come upon Jerusalem and all of Israel and the region..Psalm 122:6.
NOTE:
You can install a new app called "Red Alert". The app sounds a warning siren every time Israelis have to run for their lives and find a shelter from incoming Hamas missiles. They have as little as 15 seconds to find shelter. In our standing with Israel, we can download this app and every time we hear the siren we can pray for protection (Psalm 91) and peace (Psalm 122:6) over our friends in Israel.
Sources:
Hal Sacks conference call with Ambassador Meir Sholmo, consul general of Israel to the southwest United States, Friday, July 11, 2014, convened by Becky Keenan, "One with Israel", Houston, Texas.
USRPN alert, published by Generals International, Dallas, Texas, July 9, 2014. (Prayer points provided).
Praying...and I agree that we need to pray for Israel...
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