We see them everywhere we go in Israel: our brave soldiers, many of them still in their teens, others yanked from the regular jobs, called up as reservists, traveling to and fro to protect our country. They are tired. It’s been a very long time battling under harsh conditions with not enough sleep, and precious little time to visit home. Some are old and others are young, Jewish, Druze, Bedouin, Christian, and Muslim, but all are important and beloved.

Each one has anxious family and friends, hoping they return safely.

But not all of them do.

Here’s the heartbreaking note left by Ivri Dickstein, who fell in Lebanon on Thursday, for his wife. He told the florist to attach it to the flowers and chocolates he arranged to surprise her before Shabbat. The flowers were waiting with the note for them as they came back from his funeral on Friday afternoon.

And today we had the terrible news that 800 soldiers have now been killed in the line of duty. Roi Sasson was 21 years old, from Mevasseret Zion, and was killed in Gaza.

The Government Press Office reported,

“Today, we unfortunately mark the 800th fallen soldier since October 7th. For the past year, IDF soldiers and reservists have sacrificed their lives to protect ours. Every day since then, they have fought for the freedom of our country and people.

Every single one of these soldiers were humans with lives of their own and loved ones who waited for them at home. Remember the faces behind the names and candles.

Their bravery will never be forgotten.”

That’s hundreds of families and thousands of people affected: grieving mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children, and friends.

Some have chosen to channel grief into projects that will continue to serve the country, like the ambulance donated in loving memory of fallen soldier, Urija Bayer, a Christian who voluntarily served in the IDF and gave his life protecting Israel. But it’s hard to absorb the loss felt by so many.

Please pray for our soldiers, and for their loved ones:

• Pray that angels will surround them and protect them.
• Pray that they are successful in their mission to protect Israel from harm
• For divine intelligence to uncover what needs to be uncovered
• Pray they will call out to God and find Him
• and that they would return home safely

Please join us, and pray for all those left behind grieving the 800 precious ones who will be badly missed.