Israelis Pray for America's Future as Election Day Approaches
- Milton Quintanilla Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Updated Nov 04, 2024
About 150 Orthodox Jews gathered at the ancient city of Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant rested for 369 years, to pray for America before the 2024 presidential election on November 5th.
"For strength, success, and guidance in these times. Together, binding by hope, we pray in this difficult moment," they said.
Yisrael Ganz, the governor of the Binyamin Regional Council in Samaria, told CBN News, "We're at a critical time of a war of good versus evil. We're in a critical time when our enemies are trying to drive off the Jewish [people] from the Heartland."
Ganz, who hosted the event, added, "From here, we pray that God will shine His face from everyone to work with Him and do what He can for the United States of America, for Israel, and for the whole Land."
He also had a special message for America, "Raise your head. We have to fight with our enemies. We have to believe that God will lead us for the good way."
"We have to stand strong together, strong America, strong Israel, and we're to think about the Holy Land," he continued.
In the biblical book of Samuel, Shiloh is the place where Hannah cried out to the Lord for a child. He provided her with a son, Samuel, who would go on to become Israel's greatest prophet.
The Orthodox Jews prayed the daily morning prayers and psalms for the "good of America."
Speaking with CBN News, Eliana Passentin who is the International Desk Director of the Binyamin Regional Council explained how the idea came out.
"We were speaking to our friends overseas in Congress and Senate and friends in different ministries all over the world. And I said to them that I'm really praying. I'm standing in my home in Eli looking down at Shiloh, and I'm praying for their success, for the success of America. And then I said, 'Why don't we have a prayer for America?'"
She shared the idea with Christians and Jewish friends worldwide, who were blown away by her idea during the war.
"They said, 'What? You're going to stop everything you have. Your sons are away at war. You're going to stop in the middle of your war and pray for us?' And I said, 'of course.'
"And they were so humbled and excited to hear that we are going to stop our lives to take everyone here for our morning prayer, for a special prayer for the United States of America," she said.
Passentin said Christians, particularly in America, acknowledge Israel's biblical importance, and they pray for the Holy Land.
"And now it's our turn to say thank you to you. Thank you to the people praying from for us all over the world. Thank you to the United States of America for being by our side. And this is our chance to say thank you, and we pray for you."
Rabbi Menachem Baabad brought about 50 students from Netivot Yosef Yeshiva (a religious boys' school) to join the prayers, noting they would be the next generation defending Israel.
"We want to pray that it will be good for America. And we want to thank you for all the support that America has given the State of Israel. With the help of God, we believe that prayer works in the world, and it will do good for the world and America is part of the world," Baabad told CBN News.
Josh Reinstein, President of the Israel Allies Caucus, was among those who came to pray in Shilo and called it a blessing to pray for America.
"Since October 7th, we've seen that around 80% of Americans are standing with the nation of Israel. We see that tens of millions of Bible-believing Christians are praying for the peace of Jerusalem every day. And we said, 'You know what? We need to do something for America.' And what we decided to do is come together and pray also for America," Reinstein told CBN News.
Reinstein stated it was a blessing to pray the morning prayers at Shilo, "It was a very exciting time to be here in Shiloh with people from Israel, praying for America, praying for peace and prosperity….We all believe in the power of prayer. So, this isn't just a nice thing to do. This is significant. And we hope that Hashem (God) answers our prayers."
At the conclusion of the special prayers, there was a long blast of the shofar followed by very joyful dancing and singing, "Our Father lives, the people of Israel live."
WATCH: Prayer for America from Ancient Shiloh, Israel
Read more: Election Day Prayers
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