Unique Knesset Prayer Gathering Embodies Jewish and Christian Support for Israel's Protection, Healing, Hope

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel's Knesset recently held its third annual "Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem" event. It was a special moment, as believers from Israel and around the world stood together for the nation, and it comes at a crucial time to seek guidance and protection for the "Apple of God's eye."

It was a rare atmosphere inside the Knesset – no policy discussion or debate, just worship and prayer.

Former Arkansas State Senator Jason Rapert gave an invocation, declaring, "Father, we pray a blessing upon Israel, we pray protection upon Israel, we pray prosperity for Israel, we pray healing for Israel."

The shift isn't only a break from the usual work of Israel's parliament. Those here see it as essential to the country's future. 

The gathering was hosted by Knesset member Tatiana Mazarasky.

"Events like we are doing now, where we pray and thank God that He will return His people to the Land He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we are declaring that we are here – we need this support," she declared.

The gathering commemorates the 1947 establishment of the State of Israel and the importance of praying for peace.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told CBN News, "I would hate to think where Israel would be without prayer. I would hate to think where America would be without prayer. Sometimes people treat prayer as if it's, maybe, a trite expression, or perhaps that it is a perfunctory duty that we have. But I see prayer is far more than that. I see it as the very invocation of God's power to bring from heaven to earth."

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Diplomats, U.S. lawmakers, pastors, soldiers – even princes – are represented, all united in the power of prayer and of standing with Israel.

Dr. Juergen Buehler, president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, noted, "What makes this gathering so unique is Jews and Christians are praying together. That is truly historic."

Greg Locke, pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Pennsylvania, told us, "Psalm 122 is the only geographic place on the planet where God says, 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.' And then 202 times, which that's a significant amount of times, He's called the God of Israel 202 times in the Bible. So I think the body of Christ will pay attention to that."

Organizer Albert Veksler of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast called the gathering a miracle in itself. He observed, "For the Knesset member to ask you to initiate something like this is very, very big. It has never been before in the Knesset's history that the Christians have been invited to pray, and the Jewish people have been invited to pray together for the peace of Jerusalem."

The event is an extension of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, which has expanded to 27 countries.

"Our next event is going to be in Taiwan. And then after that, at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump's residence. And so we are having our 10th annual Jerusalem Prayer breakfast coming next May. And, it has impacted the world in a way like we have never even imagined," Veksler told us.

Many attendees talked about the promise that comes with blessing those that bless Israel. But beyond the prayers and beyond the blessings was an opportunity to go to battle and pray against the enemies who seek to destroy Israel.

Jerusalem prayer leader Rick Ridings decreed, "We speak into Gaza, and we say to Hezbollah, to Islamic jihad, to every jihadist group there, 'You will not just be pruned, you will not just be sent back only to return again – you will be uprooted."

"Think how many answers to prayer we've had by defeating Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, all of those nations that came raging against us," Veksler asserted.

That's a major reason behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support for the event, according to his digital advisor, Hananya Naftali.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is one of the top leaders, not just in Israel, but I think in the world, that truly understands the Judeo-Christian alliance. It's not just something that we talk about. It's pivotal, Naftali said.

The alliance and prayer are more important than ever, given the surge in antisemitism, global instability, and continued terror threats.

Veksler commented, "Every time we come together, every time that the Jewish people and the Christians come together and pray together, a miracle happens."