Day 6: A Heart for Israel & Compassion for Those in Need
Scripture clearly indicates that we are to bless the people of Israel. Additionally, Matthew 25:31-36 reveals that entire nations will be judged if we fail to shelter and protect Jesus’ brothers and sisters.So, whether the passage refers to the Jewish people, whom we should certainly protect and bless according to Genesis 12:1-3, or whether it refers to the redeemed of the Lord, we need to pray that our hearts are tender towards Israel and those in need.
Pray along these lines:
Pray that Austria would bless and protect Israel.
Ask the Lord to convict the people of our nation to care for the poor; to shelter the homeless; to visit those in prison; to give food and drink to the hungry and thirsty; to take in strangers; to visit the sick; and to clothe the naked.
Pray that the Lord would pour out His gift of mercy on His people, and on all the people of our nation.
Pray that we would be merciful, as our Father in Heaven is also merciful.
Pray that mercy would triumph over judgment in our country.
Pray that Austria would be a safe place for the Gospel to be preached.
Pray that Austria would protect and care for all of God’s people.
Ask the Lord to preserve our freedom to live Biblical truths, preach Biblical truths, and worship God together without interference.
Scripture Reference:
GENESIS 12:1-3
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
LUKE 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
MATTHEW 25:31-36
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with him, He will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.’
Sample Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven, Thank You for caring about this nation, for loving it, and for preserving it all these years. Abba Father, I praise You; for You are a righteous God, and You work all things out for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. Lord, You see and know all that is happening, and You have a plan in place to help us. Father, I lift up our nation to You today. I ask in Jesus’ name that You would turn this country into a God fearing nation. Let us love and protect Israel. Let us also love and protect all of Your children who have been adopted into Your family by the blood of Jesus. I pray that You would cast down every ideology in this country that goes against Your ways and Your Word, and that You would turn this nation into a place where our freedom to worship You is protected and revered.
Father, pour out Your gift of mercy on us.
Have mercy on Austria, Lord, and change our hearts.
Fill our hearts with Your own mercy toward others:
Teach us to walk in justice and mercy and let Your mercy triumph over judgment
Teach us to judge with righteous judgment according to Your Word, and to love people and win them to You while we do.
Father God, I ask in Jesus’ name that You would give us a heart of compassion and to care for the poor, to clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and thirsty, and take in the strangers. Father, help us to be Your hands and feet on the earth. Lord, let Your righteous and merciful ways be clearly demonstrated in Austria. Thank You, Abba Father. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
*Paraphrased and Adapted from 7 Prayers for Your Nation by Jamie Rohrbaugh.