“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” – Psalm 46:1–7

Writing to you in the midst of all that’s unfolding is no easy task. We find ourselves in a moment of profound upheaval—not just in Israel, but across the region. If you’re receiving this, we assume you’re already aware of the headlines emerging from Israel.

One of the more profound emotions we are processing is a kind of humble smallness. When nations go to war—especially wars shaped by missiles, drones, and political forces far beyond our control—there’s a sobering realization that, as a modest ministry, we’re not first responders or political brokers.

We don’t have warehouses of supplies or convoys of aid. We don’t run field hospitals. Israel has a robust emergency response infrastructure, and we’re deeply thankful for those on the front lines of humanitarian and medical work. In the early days of CMJ, when the state didn’t yet exist and others couldn’t help, we filled those kinds of roles. But today, our calling looks different.

Still, when the skies fill with jets and the ground shakes from distant blasts, we ask ourselves, What can we do? The answer we keep returning to is this: We can pray. In the global body of Messiah, we believe that prayer is the most powerful act of obedience and trust that we can offer.

Beginning this week and continuing for as long as this crisis lasts, we’re committing ourselves to a new rhythm. Instead of our usual ministry stories, teachings, or historical features, we’ll be focusing entirely on prayer. Normally, our prayer list is something supporters opt into. But in this moment, we feel burdened to ask all of you to join us.

Each week, we’ll send an update with specific ways to pray for Israel and the region, and for CMJ. Our hope is that this will equip you to stand with us in alignment with God’s purposes during this time.

With that in mind, we want to share a number of thoughts that are helping us frame our approach to prayer during this difficult time.

Some of you know that CMJ provides sermon notes each week based on the Revised Common Lectionary. The lectionary is a beautiful (though imperfect) tool, guiding churches across denominations through Scripture in a unified reading and teaching rhythm. Often, our staff finds itself wrestling with the lectionary’s choices. But other times, there’s a kind of providential clarity, where a passage speaks with piercing relevance for the moment.

This week, that passage is 1 Kings 19:11–13, where God tells Elijah to stand on the mountain and wait for His presence. Then comes the wind, the earthquake, and the fire—but God is not in any of those. Instead, He comes in a still, small voice. It’s a verse that hits deeply, because if there’s one thing this current moment is filled with, it’s noise.

Sirens. Emergency alerts. Sonic booms from long-range missiles. Interceptions in the sky. Fighter jets overhead. Helicopters thudding across the horizon. Politicians speaking, the news cycle spiraling, and military spokespeople announcing. Everyone with something to say.

The world is loud right now. Deafening, even. And in all that sound and fury, it’s easy to mistake volume for truth.

But in 1 Kings, we’re reminded that God’s voice may not always come in the obvious place. Elijah expected fire and thunder. He expected God’s power to match the noise of the world. But God surprised him.

That’s our challenge right now as we seek God in prayer. Where are we listening for God’s voice? Are we tuned into the news? The next political announcement? The might of armies? The sway of global powers? Are we putting our trust in the kingdoms of men—or are we leaning into the quiet attentiveness that recognizes the movement of the Spirit in unexpected places?

This latest crisis will, more than ever, test whether we are a community who puts our trust in the princes of men or whose help is the God of Jacob, and whose hope is in the Lord our God.

And so, as we begin this weekly rhythm of prayer, let’s remember that prayer is as much listening as it is speaking. And in a period so full of noise, are we making room for God to speak? Are we still enough to listen?

In this spirit, let us pray.

For Israel and the region:

• Pray for protection over all who dwell in this land—Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, foreign workers, and visitors. The missiles and the shrapnel from interceptions do not discriminate. May the Lord be a shield over every life in this land so dear to His heart.
• Pray for the bereaved, for all who have lost loved ones in recent days. Ask the God of all comfort to draw near to the brokenhearted.
• Pray for Israel’s military leadership. As the people of God, we do not glorify war. We understand, however, that in confronting evil regimes devoted to destruction, there are times when force becomes necessary. However, the price is always heavy. Pray that the IDF leadership would walk with humility and wisdom, that operational decisions would reflect justice, restraint, and a care for innocent lives, even amid great pressure.
• Pray for Iranian civilians, many of whom now live in fear and uncertainty. The toll of conflict is never confined to battlefields alone. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven—bringing justice, peace, and truth where now there is confusion and loss.
• Pray for emergency responders in Israel—ambulance teams, firefighters, search and rescue units—working under immense strain across the country. Ask that they be given supernatural endurance, calm minds, and swift hands as they serve and protect others.
• Pray against the rise of antisemitism. Around the world, Jewish communities are facing renewed hatred and threats under the cover of political outrage. This ancient evil once again seeks to use war as an excuse to attack and dehumanize. Pray for protection over synagogues, Jewish neighborhoods, and families, particularly across Europe and North America.
• Pray for the over 100,000 Israelis currently abroad, many of whom have been unable to return home due to flight cancellations and security risks. Pray especially for those feeling isolated or unsafe in increasingly hostile environments.

For CMJ Israel:

• Pray for the protection of the CMJ staff and community at Beit Immanuel in Tel Aviv. In recent days, several intercontinental ballistic missiles have landed not far from the facility. Tel Aviv remains a primary target in the current conflict. Beit Immanuel is not only a residence and place of ministry, but a longstanding testimony of God’s faithfulness to Israel for over 100 years. Pray that it would remain protected—not only as a shelter for those who serve there, but as a sign of the enduring faithfulness of the God of Israel.
• Pray for tourists and groups stranded at CMJ facilities due to the closure of the country’s airspace. For those seeking alternate routes home, pray for safety and expedited passage. For those staying, ask for God’s peace to rest on them and their families abroad amidst uncertainty.
• Pray for the Anglican International School in Jerusalem. This conflict has struck during one of the busiest academic periods of the year—exams, graduation events, and vital academic milestones are all now disrupted. There is no in-person schooling anywhere in Israel at this time. Pray for wisdom for the school’s leadership as they navigate accreditation requirements, student needs, and pastoral care under great strain.
• Pray for CMJ’s Arabic-language broadcasts, which continue to reach audiences across the Middle East. In a time of war, when so many nations are locked in conflict, CMJ has the unique opportunity to share the hope of the gospel in Arabic—directly from Jerusalem. Pray for wisdom, boldness, and inspiration for the team as they minister to those facing fear, persecution, or displacement. May their voice be one of light and clarity in a dark and confusing time.
• Pray for our leaders. Each branch of CMJ Israel faces difficult, often unprecedented decisions. Those in leadership are carrying the weight of complex and fast-moving realities. Pray for God to grant them wisdom, clarity, and courage to walk closely in step with His will during this time.
• Pray for financial provision. Just as some areas of ministry were beginning to regain momentum in the shape of tourism resuming and domestic activity returning, this new wave of conflict has once again halted much of that progress. The financial pressure on CMJ is acute. Ask that God would provide abundantly so that each branch of the ministry can remain in place, equipped and ready to respond when the moment arises.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

The CMJ Israel Team