For Zion's Sake


From the "Watchmen on the Walls" series of studies

“For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace and for
Jerusalem's sake I will not rest until her imputed
righteousness and vindication go forth as brightness
and her salvation radiates as does a burning torch.

And the nations shall see your righteousness and
vindication - your rightness and justice (not your
own but His ascribed to you) - and all kings shall
behold your salvation and glory and you shall be
called by a new name, which the mouth of the
Lord shall name.” Isaiah 62:1-2

There has never been a time when prayer for Israel was so vital. Those who have been called to this often hidden and unappreciated ministry have a high calling indeed.

During the Second World War, the Lord called a group of people in an obscure part of Wales to pray and pray they did. Not only concerning the War but also for Israel. Only eternity will reveal how the prayers of this faithful little band affected the affairs of nations. Certainly they interceded during the crucial hours when Israel's fate hung in the balance while the U.N. debated about whether to allow the state to come into being. As the scales tipped back and forth, they prayed and they did not stop praying until the battle was won and the nations had voted in favour of a Jewish State.

As we move into the great end time purposes of God and the focus of world attention is drawn more and more to the Middle East, so to is the attention of all the powers of darkness and the need for prayer becomes more imperative.

Zealous Prayer

That the prophet Isaiah was consumed with a zeal for Israel is very evident in the text from which we take this study. This Zeal would not let him rest until the Lord's purposes were fulfilled.

What was Isaiah's purpose in praying?

Has this prayer been fulfilled yet?

What then is our responsibility?

Informed Prayer

“I have set watchmen upon your walls O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night;
you who (are His servants and by your prayers) put the Lord in remembrance
(of His promises) keep not silence,

And give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem
and makes it a praise in the earth.”

When one looks at the magnificent walls which surround the Old City of Jerusalem, it is easy to imagine the watchmen posted in strategic places all along the bulwarks. Their job was to keep an eye out for anything untoward which might affect the safety of the city and its inhabitants. Their eyes were always gazing into the distance, searching for signs of enemy activity. They dared not doze for even a second as just one slip might mean destruction.

In these days the city of Jerusalem has spread far beyond the beautiful walls built by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1536. However, she has even greater need for watchmen willing to protect her from her enemies, both earthly and spiritual. Today these watchmen are not only in the land of Israel itself, but all over the world and their job is to wait on the Lord, developing listening ears to his voice as He directs their prayers, their studies and shows them how to apply what He has shown them. Many spend time studying the news and pray over the various issues that face this tiny land.

Discussion Point

The duties of present day watchmen and how this can affect the outcome of situations faced by Israel today and in the future.

Informed Prayer:

“Hanani, one of my kinsmen came with certain men from Juday; and I asked them about the surviving Jews who had escaped exile and about Jerusalem

And they said to me, the remnant there in the province who escaped exile are in great trouble and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and it's gates are destroyed by fire.

When I heard this I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days, and fasted and prayed (constantly) before the God of heaven” Nehemiah 1:2-4

What was Nehemiah's attitude to Israel's fate?

What was his response to the information he received?

What application do these truths have for us today?

Prayer in Accordance with the Word of God

“In the first year of his reign, I Daniel, understood from the books the number of years, which according to the world of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet must pass before the desolations which had been pronounced on Jerusalem should end, adn it was seventy years.

And I Daniel, set my face to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:2-3

How did Daniel discover what God's plan for Israel in his day was?

How can we discover God's purpose in these days?

God's Promise to Praying Gentiles

“Also the foreigners who join themselvesto the
Lord, to minister to Him and to love the name
of the Lord and to be His servants, everyone
who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it and
holds fast My covenants.

All these will I bring to My holy mountain and make
them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt
offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted
on my altar, for My house shall be called a
house of prayer for all peoples.

thus says the Lord God who gathers the outcasts
of Israel, I will gather yet others to Israel, besides
those already gathered.”  Isaiah 56:6-7