June 29, 2018
By Ray and Vicki Bentley with Anne Graham Lotz
The second annual Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast took place June 6-7, 2018. For the second year in a row government leaders and influential Christian leaders from all walks of society gathered in Israel’s capital city to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
A well-known religious and political figure, Orthodox Rabbi Yehuda Glick, gave an official greeting and welcome, stating, “I’m so excited that today we have Christians from 70 nations in Jerusalem, our capital, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem! We have been waiting for you for some 2,000 years! As the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 2:2: Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.”
And many people did come to the mountain of the Lord…to Jerusalem…and His Word was clearly proclaimed to all.
Knesset Member Robert Ilatov (pictured below left) initiated and chaired this prayer movement. Mr. Ilatov was assisted in coordinating the event by Albert Veksler (pictured below right). God fully blessed with some 650 delegates from 70 nations.
The 2018 Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast became even more significant as Israel experienced a number of historic events: the 70th anniversary of the rebirth of the state of Israel and the opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem were two that were widely celebrated. (Vicki Bentley pictured below at the new Embassy)
In attendance were Christian leaders, pastors, ministry directors and other workers. Representing numerous governments were kings, princes, lords, and ladies, U.S. representatives, plus members of various parliaments from both Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Russia and more. It was a privilege to be invited – to experience and witness an unprecedented modern-day unity between Jews and Christians.
U.S Congresswoman Michele Bachmann co-chaired this year’s international prayer event with Robert Ilatov. She is a very passionate supporter of Israel and a lover of Jesus. She was warm, friendly, and encouraging to all who were gathered.
The 2018 Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast officially began in the Israeli Knesset on the morning of June 6th with introductions and greetings from Knesset members and rabbis, along with Christian leaders, such as Kentucky Governor Matt Blevin and Anne Graham Lotz.
Anne underscored the significance of the 70th year as revealed by the prophet Daniel. In his experience, the 70th year was a time of great blessing for Jerusalem when the prayers of a lifetime were answered. She then read a portion of Daniel’s own prayer that was answered in the 70th year of the Babylonian captivity.
Anne also seized the opportunity to passionately testify to what she believes – that Jesus is the Christ, the unique Son of God, the Savior of the world—and she raised the possibility that the prayers of generations could be answered in this 70th year, as He returns to set us free and take us Home.
The evening of June 6th was filled with an atmosphere of praise as Albert Veksler’s daughter led Spirit-inspired worship. She sang most of her songs in Hebrew, but no translation was needed as the sense of His presence filled the room.
The president of Israel, Rouven Rivlin, came personally to give his own warm greetings and blessing which conveyed the nation’s official recognition of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. Mr. Dale Ditto, from the United States, also read a personal letter from President Donald Trump who officially declared the support of the United States.
Various leaders from around the world were then called on to read Scripture—a royal prince, an African king, members of the European Parliament, US Congressmen, business men and others….
while pastors from many different denominations lined up to pray…
Anne was given the privilege of delivering the keynote address which seemed to ignite holy fire in each heart. She powerfully, prophetically challenged those present to follow the prophet Daniel’s example and pray until Heaven was moved and the nation was changed. The audience seemed spellbound, as no one moved or seemed to even breathe until she concluded. She later learned that two men of different religions who were not delegates stood in the doorway to overhear her message, but as a result placed their faith in Jesus as their Messiah, Savior and Lord.
Thursday morning, June 7th, it was evident that unity and intercession continued to build a warm fellowship and sense of shared community among those gathered. There was an atmosphere of excitement and expectancy as the delegates shared breakfast with notable rabbis and Jewish leaders.
One of the most powerful moments came when Steven Koury, an Arab pastor, and a Jewish Rabbi, Tuly Weisz, embraced on the platform, then walked off together.
In the midst of this celebration, Anne’s powerful message of the morning brought eternal focus and attention for everyone. She shared by personal testimony the need to pray with a repentant heart. She then called on those present to rend their hearts, not their garments, as she quoted the prophet Joel. She closed in prayer, leading those present to the throne of a holy God.
As she walked off the platform, the audience stayed seated in silence. The presence of the Holy Spirit was heavy in the room. And then unexpectedly, the leading orthodox Jewish rabbi stood to his feet. With everyone watching, he walked over, greeted her warmly, and publicly gave her his blessing.
Everyone who attended was interesting and had a story. The following are some glimpses into who the delegates were:
Brother Yun, aka The Heavenly Man, a Chinese Christian House Church Leader
The King of Ghana with his wife, Anne and her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright.
An American soldier stationed in Qatar for whom Anne felt impressed to pray.
Steven Koury, an Arab Christian pastor.
Vicki and Ray Bentley, Rachel-Ruth and Anne overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the center of biblical prophecy. Everything centers on it, for it is the end goal of God’s prophetic plans for the world. I believe we are truly living in the days of the beginning of the fulfillment of the words of the prophet in Isaiah 62:6-7:
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Keep praying with us for the peace of Jerusalem!
