A Prayer Amidst the Fervor

Lord, this is so hard to watch. Your people are so devoted to "standing with Israel" that they've set Your Son and His teachings aside. "Israel" comes first for them instead of being known by Your agape love.

I don't know what to say. I know this is like what Paul said in 2nd Corinthians that there is a veil when people read the Old Covenant— I know that doesn't mean merely reading it, but rather giving it precedence above Christ.

*sigh*

Passions are rising because of Netanyahu's speech now. I'm grieved and Your Spirit in me is groaning.

I've complained to You at times because the paintings You give me to paint and the words You give me to write are not the kinds of things that I think are going to "persuade" Christian Zionists. Instead it seems the paintings and words just offend them and they become more hardened. Which of course isn't what I want, and I don't believe it's what You want either.

I think Jeremiah felt grief in the same way— "Why do You give me these things to say, Lord, if they won't listen?"

I know some will be helped, and I can't discount them. But it seems like throughout Scripture one of the purposes of Your word was to witness to those who will not listen. What You spoke was a testimony and a stumbling block... and still is.

I don't like that, Lord.

But I trust You, and somehow I realize that it's how we sinful humans are. Our pride rises up. As one friend says, "The same sun that melts wax also hardens clay."

God, I feel only a fraction of what You do... Your grief, but also the mystery of Your joy and the smile You have even now because You see and know the outcome of all these grievous things. What looked like defeat for You in dying on the Cross was just the birth pains for resurrection.

Strengthen Your witnesses, Lord, in Your love for everyone— for the innocents in Palestine and Muslims around the world who don't know any better, but especially strengthen us in Your love for Zionists and Christian Zionists. Give us Your heart for them. Help us to pray and hear You for when to speak, when to share, and when to be silent and let it go. Use what we do in You to plant seeds that will speak to people and unharden hearts in Your perfect timing.

Help us to choose to forgive them, bless them, love them, be patient with them, and more... just like You loved us while we were Your enemies. We've all rejected You. We all need Your grace and the healing of Your love. Help us witness of Your love to them more than anything else, in Jesus' name.

Amen, so be it all according to Your will.

*****

Art: "In God's Temple"