july 21 , 2006

Turn the Battle in Prayer

The battle continues to rage along Israel’s northern border and the sounds of war reverberate through Metulla, Israel’s northernmost town. Just yards away from Hezbollah positions on the other side of the Israeli/Lebanese border, Israeli soldiers patrol the streets in the early morning. Humvees loaded with Israeli soldiers drive through the streets of this town on the front lines of one of Israel’s most important wars.

The Israeli war with Hezbollah has entered a critical stage. Now 10 days into the conflict, it seems a race between the military goals of Israel and the diplomatic pressure from the “international community” for a cease-fire. However, many observers believe if Israel stops short of dismantling Hezbollah, this battle will be fought all over again with perhaps a greater loss of life in the long run.

While it’s a critical military battle with the tragic loss of innocent life in both Lebanon and Israel, it’s also a critical time in the prayer battle. According to many Christians, in historic times like this, the church has often stood in the gap.

Derek Prince in Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting documented how prayer plays a critical role at pivotal times in history. He cites just such a time during Israel’s battle for independence. After five Arab countries attacked Israel following its announcement of independence in 1948, Prince and his wife Lydia prayed for the infant Jewish state. Prince recounts how Lydia (an Arab herself) prayed a simple prayer, “Lord, paralyze the Arabs.” Just a short while later, a young Israeli soldier relayed this story to both Prince and his wife: “There’s something we just don’t understand. We go into an area where the Arabs are. They outnumber us 10 to one and are much better armed than we are. Yet at times, they seem powerless to do anything against us. It’s as if they are paralyzed.”

Now Hezbollah violates the sovereignty of Lebanon, threatens Israel and poses a real threat to the U.S. through it terror cells around the world. At this crucial time of the battle, what might happen if believers prayed a similar prayer as Lydia Prince did in 1948?

Rees Howells and his Welsh Bible College also played a critical role in prayer during World War II.

Here is an account from his notes during the British soldiers stranded on the shores of Dunkirk. “You [the students and staff at the Bible College] are more responsible for this victory today than those men on the battlefield.” They also stood in the gap during the pivotal “Battle of Britain” when Nazi bombers filled the skies over Britain against a handful of British fighters. “After the war, Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding, commander-in-chief of fighter command in the Battle of Britain, made this significant comment: “Even during the battle one realized from day to day how much external support was coming in. At the end of the battle one had the sort of feeling that there had been some special Divine intervention to alter some sequence of events that would otherwise have occurred.” These kinds of historic examples can inform and instruct those standing in the gap in prayer today.

The church has an incredible opportunity to turn the battle in prayer. Derek Prince and Rees Howells were two men who stood in the gap at pivotal times in world history. This is a pivotal time in history, a pivotal time in the history of Israel and the Middle East and a critical time to pray.

Many around the world are praying fervently for the crisis today in the Middle East. The International House of Prayer in Kansas City is one place emphasizing prayer for the situation. Also for an update on the war, an analysis of the situation and prayer suggestions, you can find a daily update by Avner Boskey.

 

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