empty prayers for israel?

[SetApart]

just a thought..but the bible says (summarizing): God will bless those who bless israel and curse those who curse israel...

this has been a message that i have taken quite seriously...but, i wonder if we all should evaluate our motives (me included) when we pray for israel...i am sure we don't want empty prayers for God's chosen people as a result of some selfish motive we might have for God's blessings...

anyway...i really try to watch that and consider my motives when praying for Israel....i want peace for them...not just blessings for me..

[Robbinson]

SetApart:

That is a beautiful obervation, and thought. :):

There is current book on the market called "Countdown to Jerusalem" which focuses, in part, on this very passage and the role of Jews and Israel in God's plan and their relationship to Christians. I really enjoyed this book (although it is a bit controversial and its central focus is on the end times and the relationship of current events in the middle east to those prophesies).

In the book of Romans Paul talks alot about Israel's role in God's salvation plan and it is often said that "salvation is from the jews" in that it was the early Jews' rejection of Christ that led to the spreading of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul tells us that, ultimately, God will allow Israel to "see" and "hear" and "all Israel is will be saved." This was foretold in many passages thorughout the Old Testatement.

Regards

Robbinson

[Man4Jesus]

just a thought..but the bible says (summarizing): God will bless those who bless israel and curse those who curse israel...

this has been a message that i have taken quite seriously...but, i wonder if we all should evaluate our motives (me included) when we pray for israel...i am sure we don't want empty prayers for God's chosen people as a result of some selfish motive we might have for God's blessings...

anyway...i really try to watch that and consider my motives when praying for Israel....i want peace for them...not just blessings for me..

We should actually do this for all things. How many people out the give to the needy just so the can get rid of something and get the tax writeoff as well. We shoul weigh our hearts in all things. :thumb

[SetApart]

agreed 100%...motives are unseen perhaps by most of the outside world...but never to God...that is why a pure heart is so very important---in all things!!