Israel (MNN) — Israeli airstrikes over the weekend have created even more unrest in the Middle East. While Syria called it an all-out act of war, Israel claims the strike was intended to prevent weapons from reaching Hezbollah in Lebanon rather than further destabilize the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Vice President of E3 Partners and Middle East expert Tom Doyle is in Israel. He says, "There were reports that the targets were near the capital city of Damascus. Everybody knows Assad with his relationship with Hezbollah has been trying to funnel weapons to them–some advanced missiles, so Israel went in and took them out."
Doyle says it's not quiet in Israel. "We've been hearing Israeli fighter planes all day today, everywhere we go. We're in the biblical city of Hebron, and we can hear them overhead. So, they're definitely preparing for something."
This renewed violence has everyone on edge. "Because of what is happening around Israel, there seems to be–among Jewish people–more openness to the Gospel," Doyle says. "Part of that is just attached to the desperation of the situation. They are surrounded by hostile nations. Israel is thinking there is a war; they're preparing for it."
Doyle says it's uncertain what the air strikes will mean for Syrians on the ground. Because of that uncertainty, prayer is essential. "It's easy to think about terrorism and all that's going on, but the Gospel has been spreading through Syria."
Believers worldwide have an opportunity to join together this week for The International Day of Prayer and Fasting with the Syrian Church. Saturday May 11 is the date. You can get additional information at the E3 Facebook page. Just search for 8Thirty8 at Facebook.
While prayer is important, so is actually going to Israel. "You can go on a mission expedition. We are sending teams into the region. We're seeing great success with the Gospel. We believe there is a harvest out there."
You can also support Syrian refugees and other programs.
The bottom line, Doyle says, is that there's only one thing that's going to fix the problem in the Middle East. "Pray for salvation among Jews, among Muslims, among all the people groups–all the unreached people groups in the Middle East. That's the answer, and that's what we're praying for."
