Pray for Israel
A freshwater lake in northern Israel, where Jesus taught and called His disciples.
Photo: Zachi Evenor and User:MathKnight, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Israel
The capital is Jerusalem. People speak Hebrew and Arabic. The largest faith is Judaism.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Israel
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
Israel held a Knesset election on 27 October, and final results gave the bloc around Prime Minister Netanyahu 53 of the 120 seats, so no side has a majority. After consulting every party elected to the Knesset, President Herzog on 7 November asked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Yashar!, to try to form a government. Parties with 67 seats had recommended Eisenkot and parties with 46 seats had recommended Netanyahu. Israelis and Palestinians alike still carry the grief of the war.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Israel is a democracy whose government is formed from the Knesset, its parliament. The President is Isaac Herzog and the Prime Minister is Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Likud party won the most seats, 27, and whose outgoing government stays in office until a new one is sworn in. The new Knesset is sworn in on 10 November. Gadi Eisenkot has until about 6 December to form a government, and can ask for an extension of about two weeks.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The Bank of Israel expects growth of about 4% in 2026, after the fighting with Iran pushed unemployment up for a time; it is expected to settle at about 3%. Inflation is forecast at about 2%. Higher defence spending, long reserve duty and people hurt by the war being unable to work weigh on families and the budget, with a deficit of about 5% of GDP forecast.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Israel is home to a Jewish majority from many backgrounds and an Arab minority, most of them Muslim, along with Christians and Druze. Public debate is sharp over the wars, military service for the ultra-Orthodox and the place of religion in the state. Bereaved families and people harmed by the war are among the most vulnerable.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
According to official figures for 2023, about 73% of Israelis are Jewish, about 18% Muslim, about 2% Christian and about 2% Druze. About three in four Christians are Arab. Messianic Jews, who believe in Jesus as Messiah, are also part of the wider community of faith.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The Basic Law and the Declaration of Independence protect freedom of conscience and worship for all religions, though major Protestant denominations lack official recognition. Christian clergy and pilgrims in Jerusalem have reported being harassed and spat on, and police have arrested suspects and set up a special investigation team. Messianic Jews and Jewish converts to Christianity can face hostility from some who oppose missionary work.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
On 7 October 2023 Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, a wound felt across the nation. That attack by Hamas started the war in Gaza. All remaining hostages were returned under the deal of October 2025. The years of war since then have brought great loss to Israelis and Palestinians alike.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Israel. As a new government is formed after the election, give President Herzog, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot and every leader in the talks wisdom, integrity and justice, and a spirit of humility. Protect families from violence, and comfort the bereaved, among Israelis and Palestinians alike. Provide for families and workers whose lives have been disrupted by war. Bring reconciliation between Jews and Arabs, and protect the vulnerable. Let the truth and love of Jesus, the Messiah, be known. Keep believers safe and free to worship, and heal the deep wounds of 7 October and the years of war. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Israel Hayom: Herzog taps Eisenkot to form next government (Nov 2026)
- President of Israel: Herzog concludes consultations with Knesset factions (Nov 2026)
- Times of Israel: elections committee publishes final results, Knesset sworn in 10 Nov (30 Oct 2026)
- JNS: right-wing bloc wins 53 seats, Likud largest party (Oct 2026)
- AIJAC: Fact sheet, the 2026 Israeli election (21 Oct 2026)
- Bank of Israel: Research Department staff forecast (July 2026)
- US State Department: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Israel
- ADL: the October 7th war, a timeline of key events (2025)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Israel and pray along.
Watch the PrayerCast video for Israel
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