Scripture: Joshua 1 v 4 - 8: "From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your love for Israel, the Apple of Your eye, is well known but these past two years have brought them into severe peril and heartbreak. We ask for Your mercy to descend upon those holding the hostages in situations that are unbearable to think upon.
Let these tormentors not renege on any part of the agreement to "Let My people go!" Let them not betray Your people again. Father, put Your own pressure upon their heads to comply with every part of the negotiations right now so that by tomorrow, the horrific memorial of 2023 can be somewhat eased by having them all home again.
Lord we know that the captives are grievously traumatized from inhuman torture and cruel treatment. Please pour out the balm of Your Holy Spirit upon them to bring swift relief of everything they have suffered. Let the joy of their release infuse their souls to soften the damage to their minds and emotions.
Father we pray for everyone caught up in the massacre of 7 October, many of whom are in mental institutions unable to recover their senses and ability to cope with this world. This truth has been hidden and it needs to be known. No one came through this unscathed. Lord we intercede for them wherever they may be on this Earth, to receive Your love, healing of body and soul, the healing of traumatic memories, the restoration of a normal life.
We pray for all Israel to rejoice at the homecoming of the hostages who have not for one moment been out of their minds. Those hostages that were freed still feel the trauma knowing exactly how awful the captivity was. They are not truly free until all are free.
Lord we know that You are able to punish the captors and are just waiting for all the hostages to be safe before You unleash Your wrath against them. You know them and what will repay them sorely without any human intervention.
Romans 12 v 19: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
We pray for all the grieving families who still do not know if their son or father are still alive. Let not their grief be overwhelming but reassure them that they are safe in Heaven with You, waiting for the reunion when all are together again. Soften this terrible blow upon their hearts dear Lord and send them comfort from the sanctuary.
Father there will be both joy and mourning, shock and pain when all is revealed. Send a blanket cloud of compassion throughout the land and extend it to wherever Jewish people live who also feel the anguish, plus so many around the world who love You Lord and sorrow with them too.
We thank and praise You Lord Jesus for our faith in Your abilities to bring them home quickly to end all this suffering.
We pray for all this to be done in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.