Prayer Armies Cover President Obama’s Israel Visit
As U.S. President Barack Obama makes the first visit of his presidency to Israel this week, a worldwide army of intercessors is praying and fasting on behalf of the Jewish state.
“As watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem, we have a strong urgency in our spirit that is extremely important to cover this visit in prayer, as well as fasting,” Lars Enardson, head of the Elijah Prayer Army, warned supporters.
In a published prayer alert in advance of Obama’s planned meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders beginning Wednesday, Enardson warned that “Israel is in great danger,” citing the appointments of John Kerry, Chuck Hagel and John Brennan, and other signals the administration believes the Jewish people don’t have historic rights or ties to land the Bible states is God-given.
“All (three) are strong believers in opposing Islam at the expense of Israel,” Enardson said.
While the White House has indicated the president doesn’t plan to offer new proposals for peace in the Middle East, Enardson is convinced that discussion of a two-state solution will surface during talks that likely will also include Iran’s nuclear threat and the crisis in Syria.
Enardson, a Christian missionary from Sweden, is concerned that the administration’s handling of Syria will produce results like those in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood filled the void left by President Hosni Mubarak. He also believes it may be too late for Israel to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has dubbed the president’s visit to Israel “Unshakable Alliance.” During Obama’s talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, he will be decorated by President Shimon Peres, the host of a gala dinner, for the U.S. president’s contributions to “world betterment.”
Based on previous comments by Obama, Enardson believes the president will use the existential threat from Iran that is hanging over Israel in order to force a two-state solution on Israel, two issues the president linked in statements four years ago.
“Because that is (the president’s) approach, we must fast and pray,” Enardson told intercessors who were urged to circulate an eight-point prayer plan.
In it, Enardson urged intercessors to pray wisdom for Israel’s leaders and citizens, and against a forced, so-called two-state solution.
Prayer that God’s will be done in Judea and Samaria, and courage and wisdom for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are listed. Also the release of Israeli prisoner Jonathan Pollard is a point of intercession.
Enardson said the president’s visit will produce one of two outcomes: More futile and suicidal concessions to the Palestinians; or a failure of Obama’s agenda. “We must pray for the latter,” he said.
A member of the Elijah Prayer Army, intercessor Carl Whitehurst says he believes the Bible’s promise from God to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse it.
There’s potential, he said, that events in Israel this week will likely have significant impact on the U.S., for good or bad. A forced two-state solution for Israel, and failure by the Jewish state and the U.S. to prevent Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons are not a blessing to Israel, said Whitehurst, who has traveled to Israel on multiple prayer missions.
