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Dear John,
Last weekend, three additional Israeli hostages were released as part of the on-going first phase of a ceasefire agreement that hit pause on the war between Israel and Hamas.
Twenty-one hostages have been released so far, and 17 others are still awaiting release under this agreement.
We celebrate and praise God for each life spared. However, a disturbing pattern is beginning to emerge. The most recently released hostages bear marks of the horrible conditions and inhumane treatment they endured at the hands of Hamas, with many returning to Israel malnourished and emaciated. As CBN's Chris Mitchell said on Washington Watch, their appearance "evokes echoes of the Holocaust."
On Monday, Hamas announced that it would suspend the return of hostages who were scheduled to be released this upcoming weekend, claiming Israel violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
After seeing the condition of the hostages released over the weekend and Hamas pulling back from the agreement, President Trump said on Monday that he would be in favor of canceling the deal if all hostages are not released by noon on Saturday. He left the decision to Israel, but on Tuesday Israel adopted that same position.
Today, Hamas announced it would reverse course and Saturday's scheduled hostage release would go on as originally planned. With these constant changes and lives hanging in the balance, Israel needs our prayers in this critical hour.
Last week before Netanyahu's meeting with Trump, I and several other evangelical leaders met with the prime minister to encourage and pray for him.
In March of last year, I met and prayed with the prime minister in Israel and then again before his speech to a joint session of Congress in July. Throughout these encounters, I have consistently reassured him of the evangelical community's support for Israel.
Netanyahu expressed his gratitude, saying, "We have no better friends than you," referring to evangelicals. "And I don't say that lightly or haphazardly. It comes from the heart."
I firmly believe that the Lord is calling on Christians to support and minister to the nation of Israel during these harrowing times, and that is exactly what Family Research Council (FRC) is doing.
Since Hamas first attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, FRC has been actively mobilizing Christians to pray for and support Israel. We organized believers to pray for a Speaker of the House who would support Israel, and the Lord graciously answered. We also led the "Pray for and Stand with Israel Sunday" initiative, partnering with churches nationwide to dedicate a portion of their Pentecost Sunday services to praying for Israel.
FRC will continue to be a stalwart defender of Israel's national sovereignty -- serving as a prophetic voice in America and reminding Christians that God is not finished with the children of Abraham. Will you stand with us as we pray for the safety and sovereignty of Israel?
I STAND WITH FRC AND ISRAEL
Some might be tempted to think that the Israel-Hamas War will be resolved easily now that Trump is president. However, American support for Israel cannot depend solely on who is in the White House, as the past four years have shown.
Our support for Israel needs to be a secure and lasting part of our nation's foreign policy.
While it is important to pray for our ally, FRC has also been active in Washington, D.C., doing everything we can to muster government support for Israel in this delicate time. Earlier this year, we took a lead role in helping launch a new congressional caucus: the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus.
This bipartisan caucus is focused on preserving the heart of Israel -- Judea and Samaria.
This region is where most biblical events took place. It is also an area that many detractors have been trying to slice up as part of a two-state solution.
Insisting on using the term "West Bank" instead of its proper name undermines Israel's historic claims to the land.
One of the first initiatives of the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus is to pass legislation that would require the U.S. government to refer to this region as Judea and Samaria rather than the West Bank in all official documents.
In 2013, I helped to organize and lead the first official congressional delegation to Judea and Samaria, and it is amazing to see how this effort has grown since then. As momentum for peace in Gaza builds, now is the time for Christians to throw our support behind our allies in the Middle East.
FRC is making sure the biblical perspective is heard in Washington, D.C., through our communications channels and strategic relationships. We are not only advocating for Israel's defense but also promoting biblical truth and values in America. Will you join us in letting Capitol Hill know that Christians stand with Israel?
PARTNER WITH US
John, as the new administration and Congress work to restore peace in the Holy Land, Christians should continue praying for the victims of the deadly conflict in Gaza, for the remaining hostages and their families, and for wisdom for the leaders of the United States and Israel.
Prayer has shown its power in both our domestic and international politics. We have continually prayed for Prime Minister Netanyahu, and I trust that God will continue to work His plans and purposes for the nation of Israel. Now, let us continue working diligently as unto the Lord and pray without ceasing.
Thank you for partnering with FRC as we intercede for the nations and champion a return to biblical truth in our culture and public policy.
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