03/25/2023
Why do we value praying for Jerusalem & Israel?
Israel’s national repentance (Act 3:19) and confession that Jesus is Messiah (Mt. 23:39) is deeply connected to Jesus’ second coming, the Great Commission, and “life from the dead” for the whole earth (Rom. 11:15).
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your [Israel’s] sins may be blotted out, so that…
He may send Jesus Christ… whom heaven must receive [keep or retain] until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by…all His holy prophets.” (Acts 3:19-21)
“If their [Israel’s] being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their [Israel’s] acceptance be but life from the dead [this includes fulfilling the Great Commission]?” (Rom. 11:15)
We believe that this 21-day global Isaiah 62 Fast will be catalytic in sparking an acceleration of a biblical conversation about Israel in the body of Christ across the nations in this hour. This fast will end on Pentecost Sunday, May 28. On this day, 100 million believers will be praying for Israel together in response to God's call through Jason Hubbard, Eric Watt, and the “110 Cities” team to mobilize them this way 4 times in 2023.
See 110cities.com—on April17, these same 100 million believers will pray for the entire Middle East.
To our knowledge, this will be the first time in history that many thousands will continue 24 hours a day for 21 days in praying for God’s promises for Israel. The uniqueness of this prayer initiative is itself a sign of the times and an acceleration of God's “set time for a generation yet to be created” (Ps. 102:13, 18).
“You will…have mercy on Zion [Jerusalem]; the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come…”
”So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord… The Lord…shall appear in His glory…”
”This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” (Ps. 102:13-18)
This 21-day fast is a “global Esther moment” (Esth. 4:14-16) that will be a significant down payment for the final ultimate global Esther moment when millions of believers will engage in prayer, speak out boldly for God’s purposes for Israel (as seen in Scripture), and stand with Israel as anti-Semitism increases until Jesus returns (Zech. 14:1-5). This fast is also important for today as Israel faces several very significant conflicts.
“For if you remain silent [unresponsive] at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place…who knows if you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
”Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16“Go, gather all the Jews…and fast for me…”
My maids and I will fast …so I will go to the king…and if I perish, I perish!” (Esth. 4:14-16)
I am so grateful for Tom and Kate Hess who have led the Jerusalem House of Prayer for 36 years and for Rick and Patricia Ridding who have led Succat Hallel in Jerusalem for nearly 20 years as well as other prayer ministries that have been established over the last 20+ years.
In this fast we exalt the supremacy of Jesus, focus on the connection of God’s blessing on Jerusalem to fulfilling the Great Commission. We can do so much more together in the “spirit of John 17:21-23” unity.
Mike Bickle
