By Christine Darg
Jerusalem Channel
The nascent Sanhedrin has sent a letter to US President Donald Trump, calling on him to ascend to the Temple Mount to pray for world peace when he arrives in Jerusalem next week for his first state visit.
And more than 60 influential American Christian leaders are also calling upon Trump’s Administration to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate the U.S. Embassy in the holy city.
Presented to the President less than a week before Trump’s visit to Israel and prior to Jerusalem Day, the letter by prominent Christian leaders declares:
“The time has come, at long last, to uphold American law by moving the U.S. Embassy to Israel’s eternal indivisible capital city of Jerusalem.”
Referencing the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, the letter notes that Congress has already recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and called for the U.S. Embassy to be moved there by May 31, 1999.
However, due to presidential waivers issued every six months, implementation of the law has been continually delayed.
Israel remains the only country where the U.S. Government does not house its embassy in the functioning capital of the country.
This “doublespeak” must end, insist the signatories to the letter, by showing due respect for Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Yom Yerushalayim is officially the 28th day of the month of Iyyar on the Hebrew calendar. This year it falls on Wednesday May 24, just two days after Trump’s planned visit. יום ירושלים, Yom Yerushalayim, is an Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in the aftermath of the June 1967 Six-Day War. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel declared Jerusalem Day a minor religious holiday to mark the regaining of access to the Western Wall.
The Christian leaders’ letter is the latest initiative of American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI), an informal network of key Christian leaders representing some 60 million American Christians coordinated by the USA Branch of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ).
The ACLI letter was signed by an array of Evangelical leaders representing diverse groups and denominations; among them are Dr. Jerry Johnson, President of the National Religious Broadcasters; Dr. John Hagee, Founder and Chairman of Christians United for Israel; Gordon Robertson, CEO of Christian Broadcasting Network; Dr. Charles Stanley, President of In Touch Ministries; and Dr. James Dobson, President-Family Talk Radio.
According to Dr. Jürgen Bühler, President of the ICEJ, “The Evangelical Christians of America were the ones who voted President Trump into office, based in large part on his assurances that he would be the one to finally honor Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. There is no better time than now for him to begin leading the nations back up to this special city. Jerusalem is already widely recognized as the de facto capital of Israel, so it is only right and proper to give the city the official status it deserves.”
Susan Michael, ICEJ-USA National Director, expressed concern that President Trump was being wrongly counseled to delay implementation of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act for another six months and to tie the moving of the Embassy to the conclusion of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
“Looking back over the past 24 years of unsuccessful efforts by three previous presidents to broker a final peace agreement, it is not a good idea to continue hinging this long-overdue decision on reaching such a deal,” commented Susan Michael. “Now is the right time to honor our friend and ally by fully recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel.”
PRAY FOR PROTECTION: Meanwhile, many other leaders are urgently calling on believers to step up prayer for President Trump, as many believers hold the opinion that the life of the President is continually in danger.
The following prayer points were issued recently by Intercessors for Israel:
“US President Trump’s visit still unsettles us, especially as it appears to be an ecumenical tour. He will visit Saudi Arabia and meet with Arab leaders. Then he comes to Israel and in Jerusalem will visit the Western Wall, and then give a major speech at Masada. He will also meet with PA President Abbas in Bethlehem (which is in Judea), and then he travels to Rome, to meet with the Pope. Rumors are that he will move – or not move – the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Worse, reports are that he will announce a restarting of “peace” negotiations. [See next topic for this last item.]
- Lord of all, if this Trump Trip is bad for Israel – cancel it (Psalm 33:10-11).
- Let the American Church see that if this trip is bad for Israel – then it is really bad for America.
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Blessed is he that blesses you [Israel], and cursed is he that curses you [Israel]. Numbers 24:9b
- Open Trump’s ears to hear what our brother-in-the-Lord Vice President Mike Pence says – and give Pence the boldness to say to his boss what You direct him to – especially about this land and nation.
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The preparations of a man’s heart and the answer of his tongue is from YHWH. Proverbs 16:1
- Surround Trump with godly counsel and remove all humanistic counselors from him (Proverbs 24:6).
- Put a guard on Trump’s mouth so that his tongue does not hurt Israel (James 3:5-8).
- Aid Israel’s security forces as they are planning and preparing for Trump’s visit (Proverbs 21:31).
- Give courage to Israel’s leaders to reject anything that he asks of Israel that is not of You.
- Let Trump see the real differences between the Islamic god and You (Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 37:16).
- We thank You that the hearts of Trump and PM Netanyahu are in Your hands (Proverbs 21:1).
- When they are together, fill Netanyahu’s mouth with Your words (Psalm 81:10).”
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