Albert Veksler, director of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, speaking during a day of prayer and support for Israel in the Knesset, November 29, 2023 (Photo: ALL ISRAEL NEWS)
On Wednesday morning, a group of Knesset members, evangelical Christians and Jewish leaders gathered at the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem to pray for the nation, citizens, the Israel Defense Forces and the hostages.
The Day of Prayer and Support for Israel was organized by the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast team, at the request of Knesset MK Tatiana Mazarsky of the Yesh Atid party.
Several current and former members of the Knesset have attempted to get the Israeli government to call for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. Since this had not yet happened, they demonstrated typical Israeli independence and organized their own prayer event with the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsD-OWNdH20
Albert Veksler, director of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast and master of ceremonies, said Mazarsky requested the day of prayer because she recognized that “prayer is the most powerful weapon we have and we must use it.”
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, the highest-ranking government member present at the prayer meeting, addressed the participants, reminding them of the atrocities committed not only by Hamas terrorists, but also by unaffiliated residents. from Gaza who acted as accomplices.
“On October 7, the lives of many Israelis ended and life changed for all Israelis,” Ohana said.
“What’s even worse is that the people who committed these atrocities did so with pure joy and a sense of pride,” Ohana continued.
“Coming here during our darkest hours is something we greatly appreciate, a great display of solidarity, friendship and brotherhood,” Ohana told guests.
I am very grateful to the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset @AmirOhana personally addressed today’s prayer event and urged Jews and evangelical Christians to pray and work together to bring out all hostages and oppose evil. Here is an excerpt from his remarks. @all_israel_news pic.twitter.com/5w7MnImpj0
– Joel C. Rosenberg (@JoelCRosenberg) November 29, 2023
Mazarsky gave a very moving and moving speech, recounting his own sadness over the hostage situation in Gaza.
She spoke about the Bibas family, who were taken captive to their community on Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Yarden Bibas, his wife Shiri and their two children, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 10 months, were forced to leave their home by armed men from Gaza on October 7.
On Tuesday, the prime minister’s office issued a statement saying Hamas claimed it was no longer holding the mother and her two children. The group reportedly claimed to have handed them over to another terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.
Just hours after Mazarsky’s heartbreaking speech Wednesday about his concerns and prayers for the Bibas family, Hamas issued a new statement informing Israel that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir had been killed by an Israeli airstrike while he was in captivity. Israel has not yet confirmed the accuracy of this statement.
“We need you,” Mazarsky told the assembly. “Push with us, all the pressure you can anywhere in the world, so that the Bibas family can return home now. »
“Thank you for coming here today to the Knesset. The fact that you are here during wartime demonstrates that you are on our side,” Mazarsky said. “I thank you.”
Various speakers addressed the group, making statements or prayers, expressing the growing awareness that large numbers of evangelical Christians have chosen to stand with Israel in a dark time.
ALL ISRAEL NEWS Editor-in-Chief Joel Rosenberg also addressed the gathering, offering a prayer based on selected passages of Scripture.
“I want to say a prayer, but I don’t have words to offer,” Rosenberg said. “I want to say a prayer based on several scriptures that have been on my heart as we have been processing this.”
Several speakers discussed the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah, which celebrates the surprise victory of the Maccabees over superior Greek forces, liberating the city of Jerusalem and restoring Temple worship.
This holiday, called the “Feast of Lights” in the New Testament, celebrates the victory of light over darkness.
Former Knesset member Yehuda Glick reminded prayer participants that Hanukkah, which takes place during the darkest time of the year, focuses “on the light of the menorah of Zion.”
He encouraged each person to “continue this light.”
