For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

What to know

Before we begin to intercede, we must understand the specifics of this hostage deal. For the purposes of prayer, these are the most salient points:

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• Israeli forces will withdraw 700 meters from densely populated areas in Gaza. This is exceedingly dangerous, as every time Israel withdraws, Hamas rebuilds.
• Hostages will be released gradually in ratio with Palestinians prisoners. 9 sick and wounded hostages for 110 Palestinian prisoners (read terrorists) serving life sentences. Yaya Sinwar was exchanged in an earlier deal and went on to plan the massacre on October 7. Note that Hamas is getting much more than Israel in this deal.
• Israel is to release 1000 prisoners arrested after October 8 excluding Oct. 7 participants.
• Elderly prisoners (over 50) will be released at a specific ratio of Palestinian terrorists.
• Other stipulations include a cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli troops in designated areas in Gaza after day 50 of hostage release.

There has been a great deal of negotiation and pressure from the Trump administration for this deal to be ratified before his inauguration on Jan. 20. The deal itself threatens to topple Netanyahu’s government as Knesset members, family members of hostages, and family members of IDF killed in this war disagree over terms.

Do you want state prayer alerts?

The security cabinet has already approved this deal and the cabinet is all but sure to follow suit. Amid it all, the Prime Minister’s office has announced that the first hostages will be released on Sunday.

Let’s pray scripturally for this vital deal for Israel and its allies.

God’s Word is a Hammer and a Fire

Can plunder be taken from warriors,
or captives be rescued from the fierce?
But this is what the Lord says:
‘Yes, captives will be taken from warriors,
and plunder retrieved from the fierce;
I will contend with those who contend with you,
and your children I will save (Isaiah 49:24-25).

• Holy One of Israel, we thank You that, though it has been almost 470 days, You have promised to contend with those that contend with Israel and save their children from the fierce ones who kidnapped them. Contend we pray with these wicked warriors and save the hostages – old and young – reuniting families and bringing peace to those whose loved ones have died in captivity.

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name (Isaiah 45:2-3).

• Lord of Hosts, go before the IDF, the government, and the families of the hostages, cutting thorough the bars, tunnels, caves and dark places where each hostage is hidden. Reveal those hidden among Gazan families and in places outside of the Gaza envelope. Grant that these treasures – these children of Israel for whom you died – be found even today and freed. Then bring revival among both the Jews and the Hamas terrorists as they “know that You are the Lord and You summon them by name.”

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations (Psalm 33:9-11).

• Lord, foil the plans and counsel of any nation using ungodly pressure and threats – essentially manipulation which is witchcraft – to bring about a deal that is outside of Your will and ways. Reveal to all involved, especially Bejamin Netanyahu and the War Cabinet, Your plans which stand firm forever. Allow the Israeli government and the hostage families to hear Your voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). Give Netanyahu wisdom from Your throne and counsel from sons of Zion who know You as their God. Cause him to set his face like flint against any deal that compromises Israel’s safety and security or rewards the terrorists.

As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you (Zecheriah 9:11-12).

• We thank You for Your covenant promises to Israel and the Jewish people. You have promised that You will bring them back to the land, they will seek You with their whole heart and be found by You and You will give them both a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11-14). These hostages need hope now in whatever circumstance that they are in. We pray that You will cause them to call out to You, even in the waterless pit, and that You, the God of all hope, will fill them with hope in believing (Romans 15:13). Where despair and hopelessness have taken root, we pray Your Spirit would come in like a flood, raising up a standard of biblical hope in You and Your promises.

He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:1-3).

• God of all comfort, I confess that joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair, seem impossible in these circumstances, but You are sending comfort to all who grieve in the land. Comfort now all the hostages, as well as the families who are grieving loss and awaiting news. Comfort families on both sides of the hostage deal as all are longing for the return of loved ones. Bind up their broken hearts and cause them to trust in You even in the midst of ongoing uncertainty. Work all the delay, psychological warfare from Hamas, and trauma for the good of families and hostages alike and for Your glory. In Yeshua’s name.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:13-18).

And finally we give thanks for these negotiations, knowing that You, Jesus, will lead and guide as we pray. Thank you for hearing and moving according to Your word. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

Add your own prayers in the comments below.

Lori Meed is a leader on IFA’s Headline Prayer Live and an IFA contributing writer. In 2004, God moved her family from Canada to the U.S., imparting to them His heart for this country and for revival. Having walked out her own journey of freedom after being radically born again in 1992, Lori has a heart to see others set free to walk fully in their destiny. She is also passionate about teaching on aliyah (“going up,” the return of the Jews to the land of Israel), the feasts of the Lord, and the rich connections of the gentile churches to Israel. Lori blogs at All Things Restored at WordPress.com. Photo Credit: ORI AVIRAM/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images.