Samaritan in West Bank / Gaza

Samaria's mixed population has not been accepted as Jewish by the Jews from the south of Israel. The name "Samaria" is derived from the ancient city of Samaria, the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. After the Assyrians captured the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, they replaced most of the Jewish residents with a mixture of people groups from eastern areas such as Babylon. Samaritans were forbidden to offer sacrifices at the Jerusalem Temple or to intermarry with Jews. Today, a small Samaritan community has survived without losing its identity through intermarriage, living in both the West Bank and throughout Israel. The Samaritans essentially share the same beliefs as the Jews regarding such beliefs as final judgment, rewards and punishments, circumcision, the Sabbath, and dietary laws.

Ministry Obstacles
Samaritans and Jews have a long history of rejecting the Messiah, whom Christians believe is Jesus Christ.

Scripture Focus
"Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus."  Revelation 14:12

Scripture Prayer
Pray that the Lord grants endurance to the believers in this people group and that they are faithful to share the good news.

Prayer Focus
Please pray for Messianic Jews in Israel to have opportunities to bring Jesus before the Samaritans. Pray that God will again reveal himself to the Samaritans, as he did 2,000 years ago to a woman at the well, as documented in John 4. Pray additionally for Samaritans to understand the deep love that Jesus Christ has for them and respond to it.

Presented by Joshua Project
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