Israel under pressure: Why mental health support and prayer matter more than ever

Life can be tough sometimes. We can easily allow things to get on top of us. Those things can make us stronger, or they can break us.

Israel is a nation that has had to go through so much lately.

That is why I am pleased to read in All Israel News what Magen David Adom is doing to help relieve the stress by launching a mental health emergency response unit.

Our mental health and wellbeing are so important, and it is vital that we take some time to make sure that we are okay.

It is something that is very much needed today, and if you think about what Israel has been through in the last two and a half years, it is very welcome.

Can you imagine? The nation faced the biggest terror attack in its history. Then add on top of that the worry and concern for its citizens who were taken as hostages, not having any information — are they alive or dead?

Being attacked on seven fronts, with sirens going off and only having a short amount of time to gather your family and run to the bomb shelter, sometimes during the night. A ballistic missile could cause devastation in your area.

Seeing your sons and daughters going to war, giving them a hug not knowing if you will ever see them again. Going to the battle line as heroes, but will they come back wounded?

Seeing a parent leave the home and go into reserve duty, leaving the family to cope as a one-parent household for a while. For the one left behind, the worry about your spouse — is he safe? Where is he now?

School kids not going to school, not being able to play in the playground or meet up with friends because of the restrictions, having to learn remotely online.

Then there are the economic worries, how the war is affecting tourism and business.

Then there is the world. You are dealing with all of this, and the world calls you genocidal and baby killers, knowing that you could possibly face antisemitism if you step outside the country.

Oh, and I nearly forgot, a genocidal regime that wants to wipe you off the face of the earth.

All this pressure mounts up, but this is the reality of living in Israel over the past two and a half years for so many people. Everyday life has enough pressure on its own, but for the Jewish people there has been added pressure with war, hate, and antisemitism.

So with all this pressure that Israel faces, it is an opportunity for you and me to be part of the healing process for the Jewish people. We can pray for them and for the stresses of life they are facing.

As a Christian, I have the opportunity to lift them up in prayer, to intercede for them before the Father who sees them as the apple of His eye.

The doctors, counsellors, MDA, and the Israeli Health Ministry will all do their part, but we also have a special part to play. Let us remember and pray Isaiah 61:1–3:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” NKJV

Now is the time and opportunity to help bring healing and wholeness to the Jewish people. Set aside some time to pray for them each and every day.