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Japanese “Lord, give peace to Jerusalem and to everyone who lives in the land. Protect the innocent, comfort the grieving, give its leaders wisdom, and draw all its people to you. Amen.” This prayer for Israel echoes the psalm: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
If war or violence in the region has touched your family and grief or fear becomes too heavy, call or text 988 in the US, or call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK and Ireland. In Israel, ERAN’s emotional first-aid line, 1201, answers at any hour. There are also more Christian and crisis lines.
Psalm 122: the prayer for the peace of Jerusalem
Psalm 122 is a song of pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the feasts. Its second half reads:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
Psalm 122:6–9
The psalm prays for the city’s walls and palaces, for the pilgrim’s “brethren and companions,” and for the house of the Lord. A Christian can pray it as written, or add the names of people and places known to them.
Prayers for Israel and everyone in the land
For peace
Lord, you are the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Stop the killing. Let the day come that Isaiah saw, when “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). Until then, keep the people of the land, Jewish and Arab, from the worst of what war does. Amen.
For the safety of ordinary people
Father, protect the families in their homes, the children on their way to school, the old and the sick who cannot run to a shelter. Guard hospitals, schools and houses of prayer. “He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4): keep watch over every home tonight. Amen.
For leaders and governments
God, give wisdom and restraint to the leaders of Israel, of the Palestinians and of the nations around them. Keep them from decisions made in anger or for their own advantage, and give them courage to make peace when peace is possible. Amen.
For those taken captive and their families
Lord, you know where every captive is held. Keep them alive and unharmed, give them strength to endure, and bring them home. Comfort the families who wait for news, and move the hearts of those who can free them. Amen.
For the wounded and the grieving
God of all comfort, you are “nigh unto them that are of a broken heart” (Psalm 34:18). Be near to every family that has buried a son, a daughter, a parent or a friend, on every side of this conflict. Heal the wounded, and do not let grief turn into hatred. Amen.
For Christians in the Holy Land
Lord Jesus, you walked these roads. Strengthen the Christians who still live there, Arab and Hebrew-speaking. Keep them safe, keep their young people from losing hope, and let them be peacemakers among their neighbors. Amen.
For the Jewish people
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, you called Israel and have not cast away your people (Romans 11:1). Protect the Jewish people wherever they live from hatred and violence, and bless them with every good gift. Amen.
For reconciliation
Christ, you are our peace; you have “broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). Break down the walls between neighbors in this land. Give Israelis and Palestinians the grace to see each other’s children as children, and bless every peacemaker, for they “shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Amen.
For your own heart
Lord, I watch the news from far away and feel anger rising. Keep me from hating any people. Keep me from both contempt for Jews and indifference to the suffering of Palestinians. Teach me to “love your enemies” and to “pray for them which despitefully use you” (Matthew 5:44), and to pray for this land as you do. Amen.
What the Bible says about praying for Israel
Besides Psalm 122, the passages most often prayed are these. Jesus, drawing near to Jerusalem, “beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” (Luke 19:41–42). The apostle Paul, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, wrote, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1), and a chapter later, “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29), meaning that God does not take them back.
Many Christians also pray God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3: “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” The promise ends with a blessing for every family on earth. More passages are gathered in Bible verses about Israel.
A traditional prayer for peace
The Orthodox Church prays the Great Litany at Vespers, at Matins and at the Liturgy. It is a chain of short petitions to which the choir answers each time, “Lord, have mercy.” These petitions, from Isabel Hapgood’s 1906 translation, can be prayed for the Holy Land as they stand:
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls …
For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God’s holy Churches, and for the union of them all …
For this city, for this holy Temple, and for every city and land, and for those who with faith dwell therein …
For those who travel by sea or by land; for the sick and the suffering; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation …
That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity …Hapgood, Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic (Greco-Russian) Church (1906), Great Vespers, The Great Litany, p. 5
How Christians see the modern State of Israel
Christians agree that they should pray for peace in the land and for all who live there, but they read the modern state differently.
Many evangelical Protestants see the modern state as part of God’s promises to Abraham. In a 2013 Pew Research Center survey, 82% of white evangelical Protestants in the United States said God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people, compared with 40% of American Jews. Some also connect the state with prophecies of the end times.
The Catholic Church takes a different line. Its Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews wrote in 1985 that “The existence of the State of Israel and its political options should be envisaged not in a perspective which is in itself religious, but in their reference to the common principles of international law.” The same document asks Christians to understand the Jewish attachment to the land, which has its roots in the Bible. In 2015 the commission added that “the Catholic Church neither conducts nor supports any specific institutional mission work directed towards Jews,” while Christians “are nonetheless called to bear witness to their faith in Jesus Christ also to Jews” (paragraph 40).
Prayer for Peace Within and Around Israel
Peace is something everyone longs for, especially in places with a long history of conflict. Praying for peace in and around Israel is asking God to bring calm, understanding, and safety to all the people who live there. It’s a prayer for an end to violence and the beginning of lasting harmony.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to You today with heavy hearts, asking for Your divine peace to settle upon the land of Israel and all its neighbors. Lord, You are the Prince of Peace, and we ask You to bring an end to conflict, violence, and hatred. Pour out Your Spirit of reconciliation and understanding upon all who live in that region.
Bring comfort to those who are afraid and healing to those who have been hurt. We pray for a peace that is not just the absence of fighting, but a true and lasting peace built on justice, respect, and love. May walls of hostility be broken down and bridges of cooperation be built.
Soften hearts, Lord. Help leaders and everyday people to seek ways to live together in harmony. Let Your peace flow like a river, bringing refreshment and hope to a weary land. We ask for safety for every man, woman, and child.
Guide the efforts of peacemakers and give them wisdom and courage. May Your kingdom come, Your will be done, in Israel as it is in heaven, bringing forth a harvest of peace for all.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We pray for peace, trusting that God desires wholeness and well-being for all His creation. This prayer is a heartfelt plea for God to intervene and bring His peace to a troubled land. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.'”
Prayer for Wisdom for Israel’s Leaders
Leaders have a big responsibility to make choices that affect many people. Praying for wisdom for Israel’s leaders is asking God to guide them in making decisions that are fair, just, and lead to peace and well-being for everyone they govern. It’s a prayer for them to lead with integrity and a heart for all people.
O Lord, our Governor,
We lift up the leaders of Israel to You today. We ask that You grant them Your heavenly wisdom, discernment, and understanding as they make decisions that impact so many lives. Guide their minds and hearts to seek justice, righteousness, and peace for all the people in the land.
Help them to govern with fairness, compassion, and integrity. Give them the courage to make difficult choices that promote the common good and foster an environment where everyone can live in safety and dignity. Protect them from arrogance and selfish ambition.
May they listen to wise counsel and be open to solutions that bring healing and hope. We pray that they would be mindful of the needs of all communities within Israel and seek paths that lead to mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Grant them the foresight to build a future where all can flourish. May their leadership reflect Your principles of love and justice, leading the nation in ways that honor You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer seeks God’s guidance for those in authority, trusting that wise leadership is crucial for the well-being of a nation. Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Prayer for the Safety and Well-being of All People in Israel
Every person is precious to God, and their safety and well-being are important. This prayer is for everyone living in Israel – Jews, Arabs, Christians, and all other communities – that they may be safe from harm, live without fear, and have what they need to live a healthy life.
Gracious God,
We pray for the safety and well-being of every single person living in the land of Israel. We ask for Your divine protection to be upon all inhabitants, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or faith. Shield them from violence, from accidents, and from fear.
Provide for their daily needs, Lord – for food, for clean water, for shelter, and for healthcare. We especially lift up the vulnerable: the children, the elderly, the poor, and those who are marginalized. May they feel Your loving care and find support and help.
Bring comfort to those who are anxious and strength to those who are struggling. We pray for healthy communities where people look out for one another and where everyone feels secure and valued. May an atmosphere of personal security prevail throughout the land.
Protect them from harm, and lead them in paths of peace and wholeness. May all who dwell in Israel experience Your goodness and Your provision for their lives.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer asks for God’s encompassing care over all lives in Israel, reflecting His love for all humanity. Psalm 91:1-2 offers assurance: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”
Prayer for Spiritual Awakening and Knowledge of God in Israel
A spiritual awakening means people’s hearts turn towards God, seeking to know Him and His truth. Praying for this in Israel is asking for both Jews and Arabs, and all people in the land, to have a deeper understanding of God and His love, leading to transformed lives and a society grounded in spiritual values.
Father God,
We pray for a profound spiritual awakening across the land of Israel. Open the hearts and minds of all people there – Jew, Arab, and Gentile – to seek Your face and to know Your truth. Pour out Your Holy Spirit, Lord, to draw people into a living relationship with You.
Remove any veils that prevent them from seeing the beauty and truth of Your salvation. We pray for a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and for a deep desire to understand Your Word and Your ways. May many come to know the peace and hope that is found in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Stir the hearts of believers in the land to be bold and loving witnesses of Your grace. May Your light shine brightly through them. We pray for an awakening that brings repentance, healing, and a renewed commitment to follow You with whole hearts.
May this spiritual renewal bring transformation not only to individual lives but also to the entire society, fostering love, unity, and a desire to live according to Your will.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer seeks God’s work in the hearts of people, which is the foundation for true and lasting change. We trust that God desires all to come to know Him. Hosea 6:3 encourages, “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear.”
Prayer for Comfort and Healing for Those Suffering in Israel
Many people in Israel carry wounds, whether from conflict, loss, or personal struggles. This prayer is for God to bring comfort to those who are grieving, healing to those who are sick or injured in body or spirit, and strength to those who feel hopeless. It’s a prayer for God’s gentle touch in times of pain.
Merciful Father,
Our hearts go out to all those in Israel who are suffering. We pray for Your divine comfort to surround those who mourn the loss of loved ones, those who live with the scars of violence, and those who are oppressed or in despair. Be their refuge and their strength, a very present help in trouble.
Bring Your healing touch to those who are sick in body or mind. Restore health, mend broken hearts, and renew spirits. We pray for those who are traumatized, that You would grant them peace and recovery. Provide for those who lack basic necessities or face injustice.
May Your comfort be real to them through the kindness of others, through Your presence, and through signs of Your love. Help them to find hope even in the darkest of times. Strengthen caregivers and all who work to alleviate suffering in the land.
Lord, let Your compassion flow through Israel, bringing solace to the afflicted and binding up the wounds of the brokenhearted. May they feel that they are not forgotten by You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer calls upon God, the ultimate comforter and healer, to bring solace and restoration to those in distress. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Prayer for Reconciliation and Understanding Between Different Groups in Israel
Israel is a land of diverse peoples with different histories and perspectives. This can lead to misunderstanding and conflict. Praying for reconciliation means asking God to help these different groups to understand each other better, forgive past wrongs, and learn to live together in peace and mutual respect.
God of all peoples,
We pray for the spirit of reconciliation and understanding to grow strong in Israel. There are deep divisions and historic pains between different communities. Lord, we ask You to soften hearts and open minds. Help all people to see each other as You see them, made in Your image.
Break down the walls of suspicion, fear, and prejudice. Inspire acts of kindness and empathy between neighbors. Raise up peacemakers and bridge-builders from all sides who will work tirelessly for mutual respect and cooperation.
We pray for forgiveness to be sought and granted, for wounds to be healed, and for a shared desire for a peaceful future to emerge. Help people to listen to one another’s stories and pain with compassion. May they find common ground and common humanity.
Lord, may Your love overcome all bitterness and division. Guide the people of Israel toward a future where all communities can live side-by-side in harmony, justice, and security.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer seeks a miracle of the heart, where divided peoples find ways to connect and heal, reflecting God’s desire for unity in His human family. As 2 Corinthians 5:18 reminds us, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Prayer for Jerusalem, the City of Peace
Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, yet it is often a center of tension. Praying for Jerusalem is asking God to make it a true city of peace, where all its inhabitants can live and worship in safety and freedom, and where harmony prevails.
Lord God,
We lift up the city of Jerusalem to You, a city precious to so many. Its name speaks of peace, and we pray that You would indeed establish Your shalom, Your peace, within its walls and for all its inhabitants. May it be a city where righteousness dwells and where Your presence is honored.
We pray for peace for all who call Jerusalem home – Jews, Christians, and Muslims. May there be mutual respect, understanding, and freedom of worship for all. Protect its holy places and preserve its unique heritage for generations to come.
Guide the leaders of the city to govern with wisdom and fairness, ensuring the well-being of every community. May Jerusalem be a beacon of hope and a symbol of how different peoples can coexist in reverence and peace.
Let tranquility reign within its streets and security within its gates. May those who love Jerusalem prosper in their pursuit of its peace.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We pray for God’s special blessing on Jerusalem, that it may live up to its name and be a city where God’s peace is evident to all. Psalm 122:6-7 is a classic call to this prayer: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.'”
Prayer for Fair Provision and Economic Opportunity in Israel
For a society to be stable and its people to thrive, there needs to be fairness in how resources are shared and opportunities for people to earn a living. This prayer asks God to bless Israel with economic stability and to ensure that all its people have access to what they need and chances to succeed.
Provider God,
We pray for the economic well-being of Israel and all who live there. Bless the land with fair provision, so that everyone has enough to meet their basic needs. We ask for wisdom for those who manage the economy, that they would create systems that are just and provide opportunities for all.
Open doors for dignified work and fair wages for every person, regardless of their background. We pray against poverty and exploitation. May resources be shared equitably, and may there be a spirit of generosity and care for the less fortunate.
Bless the businesses and industries of Israel, that they may operate with integrity and contribute to the common good. We pray for innovation that benefits society and for stability that allows families and communities to flourish.
Help the people of Israel to be good stewards of the resources You have given them, and to seek the prosperity not just of individuals, but of the whole nation in a way that reflects Your justice and compassion.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer seeks God’s blessing on the economic life of Israel, emphasizing justice and opportunity for everyone. Deuteronomy 15:11 reminds us of the ongoing call to care for the needy: “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”
Prayer for Hope and a Positive Future for Israel’s Children
Children are the future of any nation. Praying for the children of Israel – all children, from every community – is asking God to protect them, give them hope, and open up paths for them to grow up in peace, receive a good education, and have a bright future.
Loving Father,
We bring the children of Israel before You today – every child, from every background and family. They are the future, and we pray for Your special blessing and protection upon them. Shield them from harm, from fear, and from the bitterness of conflict.
Fill their hearts with hope, Lord. Give them dreams for a positive future and the opportunities to achieve those dreams. We pray for access to good education, healthcare, and safe environments where they can learn, play, and grow into healthy, well-rounded individuals.
Heal any trauma they may have experienced. Surround them with loving families and communities that nurture their faith, character, and talents. May they grow up knowing Your love and learning to love others.
Protect them from cynicism and despair. Instead, instill in them a vision for peace and reconciliation, and raise them up to be a generation that builds a better, more harmonious land for all.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer looks to the future, asking God to care for and guide the youngest members of society in Israel, who hold the promise of tomorrow. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Prayer for Compassion and Help for the Needy in Israel
In every society, there are people who are poor, sick, lonely, or struggling. This prayer is for God to stir up compassion in the hearts of people in Israel to help those in need, and for God Himself to provide comfort, aid, and relief to the vulnerable.
God of all comfort,
We pray for those in Israel who are needy, vulnerable, and marginalized. We lift up the poor, the homeless, the sick, the elderly who are alone, refugees, and all who are struggling to get by. Lord, see their distress and draw near to them with Your help and compassion.
Stir the hearts of people across Israel to reach out with kindness and practical assistance. Raise up organizations and individuals who will effectively care for the needy and advocate for justice on their behalf. Provide resources for those who minister to the suffering.
May those who are in need find help and hope. Protect them from exploitation and despair. We pray for a society where everyone is treated with dignity and where the vulnerable are cared for with love and respect, reflecting Your own tender heart for them.
Move among Your people, Lord, inspiring acts of mercy and generosity that bring relief and demonstrate Your love in tangible ways.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer asks for both divine intervention and human action to alleviate suffering and uphold the dignity of every person in Israel. Proverbs 19:17 teaches, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Prayer for God’s Blessing on the Land of Israel
This prayer is a broad request for God’s favor and goodness to be upon the land of Israel itself – its agriculture, its natural resources, its cities, and its countryside – and upon all the people who inhabit it, that it might be a place where life flourishes.
Creator God,
We ask for Your blessing to be upon the land of Israel. From the mountains to the seas, from the cities to the fields, may Your hand of favor rest upon it. Bless its ground to be fertile and fruitful, providing sustenance for its people. Bless its waters, that they may bring life.
We pray for good weather, for seasonable rains, and for protection from natural disasters. May the land be stewarded wisely and its beauty preserved. Bless the work of those who cultivate the land and manage its resources.
We also pray for Your blessing upon the atmosphere of the land – may it be an atmosphere of peace, creativity, and well-being. May communities thrive, and may there be health and prosperity for all its inhabitants in accordance with Your good will.
Let Your goodness be evident throughout Israel, drawing people to recognize You as the giver of all good gifts and the sustainer of life.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer asks for God’s abundant blessing on the physical land and environment of Israel, recognizing His sovereignty over creation. Psalm 67:6 says, “The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.”
Prayer for God’s Overarching Will and Plan for Israel
Ultimately, we want God’s best for Israel. This prayer is an expression of trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty, asking for His ultimate plans and purposes for Israel – plans for hope, redemption, and peace – to be fulfilled in His perfect way and His perfect time.
Sovereign Lord,
Above all our specific requests, we pray for Your overarching will and divine plan to be accomplished in and through Israel. You see the end from the beginning, and Your purposes are perfect. We submit our desires to Your greater wisdom and trust Your loving intentions for all people in that land.
May Your kingdom come, Your will be done, in Israel as it is in heaven. Align the hearts of its people and its leaders with Your purposes. Use Israel, Lord, in ways that bring glory to Your name and blessing to the world, according to Your ancient promises and Your ongoing work of redemption.
Help us to understand our role in praying for and supporting Your will for the region. Give us patience to wait on Your timing and faith to believe in Your ultimate victory of love, justice, and peace.
May all events and circumstances in Israel ultimately serve Your divine plan, leading to a future where Your name is honored, and all peoples experience Your salvation and shalom.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This prayer entrusts Israel into God’s capable hands, acknowledging His supreme authority and perfect plan for the future. Jeremiah 29:11 offers a promise of God’s good intentions: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
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