By Alex Murashko

Pastors and Christian leaders are responding to the war in Israel by pointing to scripture that includes prophecy about End Times and a call for believers in Jesus Christ to love the Jewish people.

“God’s Word teaches us that Israel was set apart as God’s chosen and dearly loved people. He set apart a nation for Himself to show His covenantal love,” stated evangelist Matt Brown, founder of the ministry, Think Eternity, in a text chat with leaders on Monday. “Even with the new covenant of Jesus Christ and his gospel, we believe in the special love God has for the Jewish people, who were the first to follow His ways and walk in covenantal relationship with Him.”

Two days after Hamas invaded Israel through Gaza border towns on October 7, Israeli forces have regained control of the area, according to an Israel Defense Forces spokesman, as reported by CBN. As of Monday evening, Hamas continues launching rockets on communities in south and central Israel. As many as 900 Israelis were murdered, almost 3,000 were injured, and about 100 kidnapped.

“My heart breaks for the recent terrorist attacks on God’s beloved Israel. I wholeheartedly condemn any attack on Israel and the Jewish people,” Brown stated. “Terrorists like this, and their financial backers need to be stopped, imprisoned, and taken out so Israel and the rest of the world can have peace.” 

His statement continued, “God loves the whole world so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to give His life on a cross for our sins. Anyone who believes in and turns to Jesus will be saved. God loves the whole world, but He loved Israel first. To be a follower of Jesus is to have a special heart for the Jewish people. 

“Let us all commit to pray for the protection of Israel, for swift justice on evildoers, and for peace in that special region of the world.”

Think Eternity ministry partner, Chuck Tate, also used scripture in his response to the war in Israel.

“God promised Abraham: ‘I will make you a great nation, and I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who treat you with contempt (Genesis 12:2-3),’ Tate said. “As believers, it is imperative to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and stand with the descendants of Israel, recognizing their unique place in God's plan (Psalms 122:6)."

During his Sunday service, Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Church in Texas said, “Israel was attacked by brutal murderers, Islamic terrorists, evil doers, devil-filled mad men… we will stand with Israel as they face this brutal attack. We will get on our knees as well. … There will be justice and may there be mercy to the people of Israel.” 

Pastor Gary Wilkerson, who is the president of World Challenge, an international mission organization that was founded by his father, David Wilkerson, shared on a recent post that the news about the war in Israel and terrible loss of life has been heartbreaking.

“Throughout scripture and history, I believe God has been firm in his commitment to Israel,” Wilkerson stated. “At World Challenge, we're blessed to support several ministries there.”

He also shared that he’s spoken at “the church run by our partners in Israel and seen Jewish and Arab believers embrace. This is the compassion God has for both people and the peace that only He can bring.”

Wilkerson added, “Will you join me in praying for the families who have lost loved ones, for the innocents who have been taken hostage, and for God to have mercy on Israel and his people?”

Former Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (Missouri's 4th congressional district from 2011 to 2023) told Think Eternity via email that during the weekend, “the world was shocked to wake up to a horrific, evil attack on America's greatest ally and the apple of God's eye – Israel. 

“Saturday morning, I read and prayed Psalm 122 as part of my daily Bible reading, not knowing how timely the words were until later that day.  I will continue to pray these verses until this conflict is over and invite others to join me in doing the same:

"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.'  For the sake of family and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.'  For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity. (Psalm 6-9) 

“May God bless, protect, and keep Israel, and may He bless, protect, and keep America.”

Evangelist Greg Laurie stated in a post on his blog on Monday: “Interesting how it always comes back to Jerusalem. The Bible predicted, thousands of years ago, that the end time events would revolve around Jerusalem. Not San Francisco. Not Los Angeles. Not Moscow. Not Paris.

“But Jerusalem, this tiny little city, in this tiny sliver of land, will play a key role in the events of the last days. It’s the focal point of end times events. It’s amazing when you think about it, because in Zechariah 12:3–4 God says, ‘I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves’ (NLT).”

Laurie concluded by answering the question: “What should Christians be doing in the light of all this [turmoil and warfare in the Middle East].”

He gave two answers:

“Jesus said, ‘Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near’ (Luke 21:28 NKJV). That’s what we need to be doing, looking for the soon return of Jesus Christ.  

“But we also need to pray. The Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). We want to pray that they arrive at some kind of peace. We want to pray that this horrific terrorism stops, and that they’re able to get their hostages back. And we want to pray that God places His hand of protection on the nation of Israel during this unprecedented war.”

Alex Murashko is lead writer for the Thinke writing team. His site Media on Mission features stories written by journalists with a biblical world view. Murashko is a contributor to Higher Ground at the Washington Times.

Connect: @AlexMurashko