Isaiah 62 Prayers for Israel: May 2026
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.'”(Exodus 16:4)
Dear Prayer Partners,
While the Hebrew month of Iyar does not record a single dramatic covenantal breakthrough like Passover or Shavuot, it is filled with events that initiated long transitional processes: the building of the temple, prolonged wilderness wanderings, and the rebirth of the modern Israel. Many of these events are not spectacular but administrative, like counting the people. They required endurance rather than excitement.
The first giving of manna illustrates this truth. At first, manna was an extraordinary, supernatural provision raining daily from heaven. But over time, the miracle became routine. The exciting became monotonous. What was once received with gratitude eventually tested Israel’s patience and revealed their true hearts.
From the beginning, God was clear about His intention to “test” Israel, whether they would walk in His laws (Exodus 16:4 ESV). The manna was not only provision, but also a trial.
Numbers 11:4–6 (ESV) records the turning point: “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! … But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’”
Moses later explained God’s purpose behind this daily provision. “And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart … And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna … that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:2–3 ESV)
The manna provided bodily nourishment for a multitude to survive the desert. But spiritually, the fixed routine was designed to shape character. Rising before the sun to collect it, eating the same food every day for 40 years, and trusting God for daily provision forced Israel to confront issues of trust, gratitude, endurance and obedience. Many failed the test. They complained and rebelled against God and His leader.
Numbers 11:7 describes manna as like [the color of] bdellium. Rashi associates it with a pearl that forms when a foreign irritant enters an oyster. Over time, the oyster coats the object layer upon layer until something beautiful emerges. The daily manna was like that grain of sand. It rubbed on Israel’s desire for novelty, control, and abundance. But when received in faithfulness, it produced precious humility, patience, and reliance on God.
The month of Iyar thus speaks powerfully of transition times when God has already started something but the fulfillment still lies ahead. Faithfulness is not found only in moments of spiritual excitement or extraordinary encounters. It is found in obedience without applause, daily discipline in the Word, and trusting God daily. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “We are leaky vessels and must be filled every day.”
In a world saturated with constant stimulation and instant gratification, Iyar calls us back to the quiet faithfulness of daily dependence. It is this routine obedience and steady intake of heavenly bread that forms pearls of godly character. Let us gather the manna faithfully this month.
Blessings from Christ,
Juergen Buehler
President
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ)
May 2026 Prayers for Israel
The next day of prayer and fasting in our Isaiah 62 Global Prayer Campaign will be on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Also, please join our daily Global Prayer Gathering at 4:30 p.m. (Israel time) to pray for Israel. Go to: on.icej.org/ICEJGlobalPrayer Finally, send us your prayer requests at: prayer@icej.org
PRAYER FOR ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS
1. PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE IF ISRAEL
Pray for the protection and safety of the people of Israel in this time of war, asking God to surround them with His peace, shield them from harm, and uphold them with His strength: “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward’” (Genesis 15:1).
2. PRAY FOR WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT
Pray for wisdom and discernment for the leadership of Israel and the United States, that God would guide their strategies and decisions, grant them clarity in times of pressure, and lead them in righteousness and truth: “Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1–3).
3. PRAY THAT THE LORD LEAD THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL AND USA
Pray that the Lord would lead the armies of Israel and the United States into complete victory, removing every obstacle and foe, that they would be strengthened in unity, and that the Lord would guide them in every step: “The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath He cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea” (Exodus 15:3–4).
4. PRAY FOR THE NATIONS
There is a stranglehold on the nations of the world right now as Iran blocks the free flow of oil through the Straits of Hormuz. Let us pray that the Lord would use this situation to open new alternative pipelines like that which once flowed west through the Middle East and out of Israel and Lebanon to the nations, leaving behind a blessing for Israel: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
5. PRAY THAT THE DARK ISLAMIC IDEOLOGY GRIP BREAKS
Let us continue to pray for a breaking of the grip of the dark Islamic ideology controlling the regime in Tehran and affecting the entire region: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the foremost of their might. I will set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the Lord. . . . ‘But it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 49:35, 38–39).
5. PRAY FOR BELIEVERS IN IRAN
Pray for believers in Iran, asking for protection, perseverance, boldness, and spiritual growth amid persecution: “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29–30).
PRAYER FOR THE ICEJ
7. PRAY FOR THE LEADERS AND STAFF OF ICEJ MINISTRIES
Please pray for the leaders and staff of the ICEJ ministries during this time of war—for protection, strength, and grace to continue until we see the fullness of breakthrough: “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
8. PRAY FOR THE PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING JERUSALEM SUMMIT
Pray for the plans for the upcoming Jerusalem Summit that the ICEJ will be hosting from June 9 to 11, asking the Lord to bring the right people and that His purposes would be fully accomplished during this time: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
9. PRAY FOR ICEJ LEADERSHIP TO FIND A PERMANENT BUILDING
Continue to pray that the Lord would lead the ICEJ leadership in acquiring a permanent building, securing the ministry’s place in the Land of Israel: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Join our daily Global Prayer Gathering at 9:30 a.m. (ET), 8:30 a.m. (CT), and 6:30 a.m. (PT) at: www.icejusa.org/global-prayer
