Pray for Israel by Name - a new social media campaign by FIRM

Following the horrific attack on Israel last Saturday, many people around the world are worried about hostages that Hamas terrorists dragged into Gaza.

It is distressing to even imagine what they could be going through. But the Body of Messiah in Israel refuses to give up hope and is mobilizing Christians to pray for each missing person by name.

Know the Names of Hostages Taken from Israel 

If you are looking for a way to show your support for the people of Israel, this is a great place to start!

Of the 100+ people missing, every number represents a person with a story. They have a family that is grieving and anxiously awaiting their return. If your heart is breaking, too, you can make a difference. Because prayer is the most effective way to join this rescue mission. 

God said that He had inscribed Israel on the palms of His hand. (Isaiah 49:15-16) He knows His people by name. As many Christians around the world pray for Israel, FIRM Israel is challenging the global church to pray for Israel by name.

Just as the names of the children of Israel are inscribed on the palms of God's hands, you can inscribe one (or more) of the names of the hostages on your hand, to remember them daily and pray for their release.

There are over 100 hostages in Gaza – children, women, men, elderly – and we want to see God set these captives free. These innocent people are facing the darkest moments of their lives, so we are asking believers to pray for their release.

How to Pray By Name

In short, write the name of one of these hostages on the palm of your hand. Let it be a reminder to you throughout the day to pray specifically for that person. FIRM Israel shared three steps on their website and social media: 

1.     Write a hostage’s name on your hand.

Pick a name in the list below and write it on the inside of your palm.

2.     Pray every time you see the name.

Pray for protection and that God would bring them home quickly and unharmed.

3.     Share it on socials.

Take a picture or video of you holding up your hand with the name of a hostage you are praying for, and share it on your socials with the hashtag #PrayByName

(source: firmisrael.org/praybyname)

Each one of these hostages is inscribed on the palm of God’s hand. We can also carry their names on our hands until they are brought home safely. 

“[These hostages] are known by God, they're remembered by God, and they are not forgotten,” said Michael Mistretta, CEO of FIRM. “I want to challenge you, your church, I want to challenge your faith community, would you write the name of one of the hostages on your hand? Then, throughout the day when you look down at your hand, pray fervently!”

Who are the Hostages in Gaza?

Over a thousand people have been killed this week in the most gruesome ways. Dozens are still missing, and we want to see them again – alive! So, who are they?

One of the hostages of Hamas is Noa, a Chinese-Israeli student of engineering. She was attending a music festival in Israel, celebrating peace. But on the morning of Oct. 7, the unimaginable happened.

Heavily-armed Hamas terrorists encircled the hundreds of festival goers, ruthlessly murdering over 260 of them. In a video that went viral, Noa is seen being abducted on the back of a Hamas motorcycle as her boyfriend is marched at gunpoint after her.

We pray for Noa to be set free and return to her family. We want to hold on to faith that Noa and many like her are alive and will come back home!

You can find the full list of names here: firmisrael.org/praybyname 

By Faith, We Hold on to Hope!

The hearts of Israeli people were filled with hope when 30 missing people were found safe a couple of days ago. Then, a mother named Avital and her 2 children, who were kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip, escaped miraculously while the gunman was unaware. God helped them get back into Israel safely on foot! 

We believe many more will be rescued and brought home safely because of your prayers. Believers in Israel urge you today to stand with them and trust God to rescue His people!

Let’s see a movement of Christians worldwide praying for Israel by name, because our God is able!