Christians Worldwide to Pray for Solidarity with Israel
Millions of Christians around the world are preparing for the fourth annual International Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Israel on Jan. 29.
As Palestinians cast ballots Wednesday in their first parliamentary election in a decade, millions of Christians around the world are preparing for the fourth annual International Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Israel on Jan. 29.
Congregations and churches throughout the United States will be joining Christians from the rest of the globe in the midst of their increasing concerns over Israel and its struggles.
Calling for a U.S.-backed peace "road map," Israel's Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke Tuesday of giving up parts of the occupied West Bank and defining the borders of the state with the Palestinians. Olmert indicated his support for moderate Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas' Fatah party in the historic vote for the 132-seat parliament that could shape the future of the peace process with Israel.
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"The key to moving the political process forward is for the Palestinians to abandon the path of terror," said Olmert, according to AFP.
Whihle Israel works to implement the road map to peace, the upcoming prayer day will "expand [Christians'] awareness of Israel's critical importance in both biblical history and the geopolitical issues of our day" as they pray for the peace of Jerusalem, said Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and chairman of the sponsoring group International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
"Whether in suburban mega-churches with thousands of members or small rural congregations, Christians are uniting in their solidarity with Israel,” Eckstein said in a released statement.
This year, the Israeli government will again be participating in the prayer day with Daniel Ayalon, Israel's ambassador to the United States, slated to speak at Bethel World Outreach Church in Brentwood, Tenn. Such addresses by noted Christian and Israeli dignitaries will be "beamed" to affiliated congregations throughout the world. The massive event will also involve the Southern Baptist Convention, America's largest Protestant denomination.
"The U.S-Israel relationship is stronger than it has ever been, and it is due in large part to the simple fact that evangelical Christians are virtually the only non-Jews who continue to visit Israel and advocate on her behalf," said Eckstein. "While some mainline Protestant denominations call for divestment from the Jewish State, Israel's evangelical friends speak, act, and pray for the Jewish embattled nation. The level of their commitment to Israel’s strength and security is astounding."
