Walking the land in prayer: Christian Friends of Israel journeys ‘from the river to the sea’

Members of Christian Friends of Israel (CFI), an international organization that supports Israel through educational initiatives, humanitarian aid and advocacy, recently embarked upon a seven-day journey of prayer, worship and proclamation, walking across Israel’s varied landscapes and communities from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Christian journalist Paul Calvert joined the final leg of the journey and interviewed some of the participants.

Dutch volunteer Gert van Vliet conceived the initiative from a simple prompting during a CFI gathering. The goal of the expedition was to be both a physical and a spiritual response to the controversial, politically charged phrase “from the river to the sea,” reclaiming it through presence, prayer and biblical conviction.

Along the 125-km (78-mile) route, the group of 20 participants passed through neighborhoods and areas of wilderness, encountering both hospitality and hostility. During the interview, van Vliet described warm encounters in Jericho, followed by tension in East Jerusalem, where a clear shift in the spiritual environment was evident.

A poignant moment came at the journey’s conclusion in the coastal city of Jaffa, when a small bottle of water drawn from the Jordan River and carried throughout the walk was poured into the Mediterranean Sea.

Van Vliet explained the symbolic significance: “Just to let the people know that what it's all about is this country and that God is reigning here in this country. He choose this land to let His name be known all around the world. And this is our prayer, that the people here in the country – Jews and Arabs – get to know the Lord and get to know the Messiah, Yeshua/Jesus, and get to know the God of Israel through that. And I think there is a big opportunity, for there is hope. Let me say this: there is hope.”

Calvert also interviewed three additional participants, who described the walk as both spiritually and emotionally meaningful.

Andy, who joined at several stages, said he could sense a distinction between regions, noting that East Jerusalem carried “a different tension” and spiritual atmosphere.

He also described the journey as an immersive experience through Israel’s wilderness and landscapes.

"We've actually seen eagles. We've seen ibex. We've seen beautiful scenery. We've seen amazing fish in some of the streams as well. It's been beautiful. And just some of the scenery and the outcrops and the rocks when you had to crawl through them and everything was beautiful."

Linnell, who participated in the entire journey with her guitar, described the journey as a deeply joyful and embodied act of worship, combining music, movement, and Israel’s natural landscapes. She said the experience allowed her to physically express faith while engaging with scripture and creation.

“I think it has been wonderful being able to physically worship while walking… there’s something about singing scripture and singing truth and proclaiming truth,” she said, adding that moving through deserts, mountains, and wilderness revealed different aspects of God’s character.

Linnell also reflected on the contrast between walking in nature and passing through urban environments such as Tel Aviv, where the group encountered curious and welcoming reactions from passersby. She said the presence of music created a unique dynamic, drawing smiles and engagement from people along the way.

Addressing the controversial slogan “from the river to the sea,” Linnell urged critics to experience Israel firsthand. “Come to Israel and come and see what is true. Come and meet the people,” she said, pushing back against what she described as misleading narratives. Drawing on her background in South Africa, she added, “Being here, this is not apartheid,” emphasizing what she saw as a culture of resilience and a shared choice for life among the people she encountered.

Families also took part in the journey.

Galia Hall, who walked with her children, said that the journey was both a declaration of faith and an act of reclaiming language. She described the land and the modern State of Israel as the fulfillment of the biblical promise to Abraham, pointing to 1948 as a realization of scripture.

“From the river to the sea, it’s Israel, and Israel will be free – free of terror, free of harassment and free of fear,” she added, noting that the declaration reflects a vision of Israel flourishing and thriving in the land she believes God promised to His people.

Click below for the full interview with Paul Calvert, recorded during the final leg of the “From the River to the Sea” journey with Christian Friends of Israel, featuring conversations with participants along the way – including a lighthearted moment when the interviewee flips the script and starts asking the questions.