[Please join me in praying for children, families, and our future on Thursdays this year.]
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV)
“A 4-year-old American girl was among 14 Israeli hostages and three foreign hostages who were released Sunday by Hamas after being taken from Israel nearly three months ago. Avigail Idan, a dual Israeli-American citizen, was confirmed to have been released Sunday. Edan was taken hostage on Oct. 7 after Hamas terrorists murdered her parents in front of her.
“Nine children, including Idan, were among those released Sunday. The others are: Ella Elyakim, 8; Dafna Elyakim, 14; Ofry Brodutch, 10; Yuval Brodutch, 8; Oria Brodutch, 4; Agam Almog Goldstein 17; Gal Almog Goldstein 11; and Tal Almog Goldstein, 9. Other hostages released included: Hagar Brodutch, 40; Chen Almog Goldstein, 49; Elma Avraham, 84; Adrienne (Aviva) Siegel, 62; and 25-year-old Roni Krivoi, a dual Russian-Israeli citizen.” *
Doron Katz-Asher, 34, Raz Asher, 4, Aviv Asher, 2, Daniel Aloni, 45, Amelia Aloni, 5, Ruth Munder, 78, Keren Munder, 54, Ohad Munder, 9 were among the 24 hostages released November 24, 2023 by Hamas.***
“Monday’s hostages released have been identified as Or Yaakov, 16; Yagil Yaakov, 12; Eitan Yahalomi, 12; Sahar Kalderon, 16; Erez Kalderon, 12; Karina Engel-Bart, 51; Mika Engel, 18; Yuval Engel, 11; Emma Cunio, 3; Yuli Cunio, 3; and Sharon Alony Cunio, 34.”**
Jehovah Shalom,
We come to you today saddened by the news of elderly, women, children, and the infirm being taken hostage in the war between Israel and Hamas. Our hearts are heavy with the knowledge that so many families are wondering where and how their loved ones are, and that those hostages are used as human pawns in a deadly psychological war. God, we pray your angels’ supernatural protection over these people. Protect them from hunger, thirst, medical incidents, fear, further separation from loved ones, beatings, rapes, and more mental, emotional, and physical harm. Pour out your strength and wisdom to them and to those who are trying to rescue them. Thwart any and all attempts of the enemy of our souls to do further harm to them. Even now send your healing angels to minister to their deep needs and release the trauma that they have endured. Reunite families in peaceful and quiet communities where love, grace, healing, and joy can flourish. Help them hold fast to your teachings and give them eternal encouragement and strong hearts, we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 NIV)
*https://www.foxnews.com/world/4-year-old-american-girl-among-17-hostages-released-hamas
**https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-identities-11-recently-released-israeli-hostages-revealed
***https://www.foxnews.com/world/hamas-releases-israeli-thai-hostages-cease-fire-holds