Crises abound in our world today. However, few seem to be more troubling and heart-rending than the conflict between Israel and Hamas, especially regarding the hostages that have been killed and those who are still held captive somewhere in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas, which the U.S. government identifies as a terror organization, is currently holding approximately 100 hostages ranging in age from 18 months to 86 years old. These captives have existed under the ruthless regime of the Hamas for nearly 450 days.
The leadership of Atlanta’s First Baptist Church has called on church members and others to pray for the release of these hostages. The abuse under which these detainees live and the conditions that they are forced to endure are often inhumane and tragic.
First Baptist Church has erected a beautiful Christmas tree in the corridor behind the worship center with the pictures and names of the hostages, and those who pass by the tree stop, take photos and presumably resolve to pray for the release of the captives.
In America, we can hardly fathom the catastrophic circumstances and unjust treatment endured by these hostages daily. We live in our comfortable homes, focus on our families, enjoy the freedom afforded us by those who live and died to defend our Constitution and protect our liberty. In other words, we have it so good, we can hardly imagine others living in such despair and hopelessness.
Simon Sturdee, writing for Barron’s, talks about a young woman who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. The woman’s name is Noa Argamani, who recalled, “Every night I was falling asleep and thinking, this may be the last night of my life. The food and water were often scarce, and I was only able to shower around twice a month. Without air conditioning it was hot.”
Argamani was eventually released, but fears that her boyfriend is still held captive by Hamas. She said, “I just want to say that he should take care of himself, and I am waiting for him at home and doing as much as I can to bring him home to his family and to me also.”
One father whose son was captured by Hamas commented to an organization called “Bring Them Home Now,” “(My son) you are in a world that we can’t even imagine, but you are also right here with us as well. We have your place set at the table. We’ve got your favorite corner on the couch. We just want to be a normal family like we were on October 6th (before you were captured by the Hamas) and like we will be again.”
This father expressed hope that his son will be released and come home again. Other parents are less hopeful.
According to CNN, Yocheved Lifshitz, a frail 85-year-old grandmother, was beaten during her captivity.
Today it is believed that many of the hostages in the Gaza Strip are trapped within a labyrinth of underground Hamas tunnels. While we may justifiably suspect the worst, we hope and pray that somehow by the grace of God they will all be released and returned to their home and family.
One elderly woman who survived the Holocaust, remarked on the hostage situation in the Gaza Strip, saying, “Taking away freedom and taking the lives of people in this way is the end of the road. The real heroes here and now are those who find in themselves a way to speak up. So, do it quickly, before it is too late. Do something. Bring them back.”
While we may have limited power in and of ourselves to bring the hostages out of the darkness of this incarceration, we have the unlimited power of prayer at our disposal. It was heartwarming to see the people of First Baptist Atlanta respond to this ongoing need in our cruel and hostile world.
Don’t forget the hostages! Don’t be distracted by the comforts and ease of your own life and fail to remember that there are people living in the uncertainty of a volatile situation.
We have a model of what to do in 1 Samuel 30. In that chapter, we read about the Amalekites taking both “small and great” captive. When David returned from fighting other enemies, he found that the Amalekites had destroyed the city of Ziklag and taken many of the citizens captive.
According to 1 Samuel 30:6, “David strengthened himself in the Lord.” Then he prayed and asked the Lord what he should do to resolve the tragic situation. God directed David to pursue the enemy and destroy them. He conquered the Amalekites and rescued every single Israelite that had been taken hostage by the enemy.
The key to David’s triumph and rescue operation was that he “sought the Lord.” May God’s people put on the whole armor of God and pray for the release of the hostages in Gaza. It is good to remember that the battle is won on our knees at the throne of grace.
Thank you, First Baptist Atlanta, for reminding us that we have the obligation and privilege of praying for the release of the hostages under the control of the Hamas.
This article originally appeared in the Christian Index.
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