The largest fire in the nation’s modern history was still
raging out of control Friday afternoon near the port city of Hafia. The forest
fire has already killed at least 42 people and forced more than 30,000
evacuations.
International
firefighters are on the scene to help contain the deadly flames. The United
States, Bulgaria, Russia, Egypt and Turkey are among the nations rushing to
help Israel in its time of need. The international emergency aid to a country
that rarely accepts or receives foreign help may be a result of international
prayer for the safety of Israel.
John Hagee, founder and national chairman of
Christians United for Israel (CUFI), is among many leaders who have issued a
prayer alert for the nation. His prayer asks God to “comfort those who mourn
for their precious loved ones who are injured or have lost their lives in the
midst of the raging fires” and to “protect Your land which You have given to
Your people as their inheritance.” (You can read the rest of Hagee’s prayer on
the CUFI Facebook
page.)
Martin and Norma Sarvis, Christian
artists and intercessors who live in Israel, have also issued a
prayer alert about the fire on Mount Carmel. The couple recounts the horror of
a busload of young prison guard cadets on their way to evacuate a prison in the
Carmel Forest. The cadets were trapped by a fallen tree. Forty burned to death.
“The
Prime Minister has called a day of mourning in Israel, and requested assistance
from a number of Mediterranean nations, several of which are sending planes to
help battle the blaze, which is still totally out of control in this
drought-stricken land,” the Sarvises wrote. “Please pray that this be brought
under control, for the relatives and loved ones of the dead and wounded, and for
Israel to draw near to [God].”
The significance
of Turkey’s aid should not be underestimated. Israel and Turkey have recently
butted heads over diplomatic issues in recent months. Specifically, Turkish
activists lost their lives on May 9 in the wake of Israeli commando action near
the Gaza Strip. Turkey’s response may also be an answer to prayer. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is optimistic.
“I think this
symbolizes an unprecedented response to our request for international help,”
Reuters reported Netanyahu as saying after he chaired an emergency meeting of
his cabinet in Tel Aviv. “I told [Turkey
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan that we appreciate the major efforts
during this time and I am sure that this will be a gateway to improving relations
between the two countries.”
