Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Jul 20: Israel
Israel
State of Israel
Asia
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 20,700 sq kmA further 7,540 sq km of the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights have been controlled by Israel since 1967.
Population: 7,285,033 Annual Growth: 1.71%
Capital: Jerusalem
Urbanites: 91.7%
HDI Rank: 27 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 53 (75% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Hebrew, Arabic. Numerous immigrant languages from all over the world are spoken Languages: 48 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: JewishReligion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
---|---|---|---|
Christians | 148,615 | 2.04 | 0.5 |
Evangelicals | 31,045 | 0.4 | 5.6 |
Jewish | 5,492,915 | 75.40 |
Challenges for Prayer
The Jewish mindset toward Christianity, often characterized by animosity and part of a long and painful history, is a barrier to be overcome. “Christian” nations are seen to be destroyers of the Jewish nation whether by persecution (as in the Holocaust) or by proselytization. Pray that the gospel may be understood as a fulfilment of their Jewish heritage, and pray that a widespread turning to their Messiah might come. Those who oppose the gospel are more active than ever; pray also that all attempts to restrict religious freedom and to deny the Jewish identity of Messianic believers may ultimately cause even more Jews to come to faith.The Christian Church in Israel is fragmented, although soundings of unity are beginning. It is comprised of about 80% Arabs, 12% expatriates (Egyptian, Ethiopian, Greek, Russian, Armenian, Italian, others) and 8% Jews. There are Catholics (five rites), Orthodox (nine traditions) and Protestants/Independents (over 20 denominations, many individual congregations and over 100 mission agencies). Pray for spiritual unity that transcends history, ethnic conflict, national origins, eschatology and secondary areas of theology.
For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.