SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 40

NOVEMBER 2011 PRAYER UPDATE -- FOR ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST:

There’s a new rocket war against Israel, emanating from the Gaza Strip. This time, it is not Hamas that is actually firing the rockets, but Islamic Jihad, a more radical group sponsored by Iran and Syria.  Hamas, however, governs Gaza, and is allowing Islamic Jihad to fire the rockets, which are bombarding Israel’s southern towns, especially Ashkelon, Ashdod, and the Negev.  At least one man has been killed, and several civilians injured in these rocket attacks. Schools have been closed for a few days. Israel is retaliating, and there seems to be an escalation, even with the attempt at a cease fire.  These recent rockets have been launched from an area that Israel withdrew from in 2005 (Gush Katif).  Instead of the Palestinians using this area for economic development and prosperity, this land is now being used to launch rockets of death and destruction.

Pray for God’s deliverance for Israel, according to 2 Samuel Chapter 22.  Pray that citizens living in southern towns will trust in God, who is their shield and the strength of their salvation; their stronghold and refuge; their Savior who saves them from violence.  Pray that they will call on the Lord who will save them from their enemies.  Intercede that the Lord will deal mightily with the wicked who are using His land for evil purposes. Pray that He will contend with those who contend with Him and His Promised Land!

Pray that the Lord sends His arrows (missiles) against His enemies.  With the Lord, Israel can run against a troop and can leap over a wall, for His way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:30). 

Israel’s Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, told his troops to be ready, at all times, for war.  It is God who teaches Israeli troops to make war (see verse 35).  Pray that the IDF is able to destroy Israel’s enemies so that they cannot rise again. Pray that Israel is armed, by the Lord with strength for the battle. “You have subdued under me those who rose against me. You have also given me the necks of my enemies so that I destroyed those who hated me.” (Verses 40-41). 

The Israeli government’s winter session began on November 1, 2011. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quoted bible verses and verses from the Talmud “as principles that lead us:  If one tries to kill you, you must kill him, and whoever attacks us, may his blood be on his own head.”  Netanyahu was speaking about the recent rocket launchings by terrorists operating from Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel is facing struggles on a domestic level with continued protests by the Israeli social justice movement.

There are also mounting pressures being put on Israel by the international community, especially the Quartet (U.N., U.S., EU, and Russia) to try and bring the Palestinians back to the peace negotiating table. Israel is continually expected to offer Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas more concessions of “land for peace”. 

UNESCO, a major educational arm of the U.N., recently offered the so-called state of “Palestine” full membership into its organization – seen as a victory for the Palestinians. Abbas is hoping the full UN Security Council will approve his bid for Palestinian statehood later this month.  This UNESCO victory is a step in that direction, but also a test from the Lord. Which nations will vote for the Palestinians and against Israel? God is watching over His land and seeing how the nations will react.

Pray that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu governs with wisdom, dealing not only with international concerns, but also with the needs of the population within Israel. Pray that his government remains strong even in the face of major social protests.

Pray that Netanyahu is able to maintain Israel’s “red lines” when dealing with international pressures concerning the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Declare 2 Samuel 22:44 for Netanyahu regarding the social justice movement. May his government be wise when dealing with the economic situation in Israel and throughout the world:  “You have also delivered me from the strivings (contentions) of my people. You have kept me as the head of the nations.

Declare verses 45-49 for Netanyahu and his government when dealing with the Palestinians in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), as well as Gaza:  “A people I have not known shall serve me. The foreigners submit to me. As soon as they hear, they obey me. The foreigners fade away and come frightened from their hideouts. The Lord lives!  Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation!  It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me. He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.”

During the last several months, the United States has embarked on an aggressive campaign in both Europe and the Middle East in regard to missile defense. Working with Israel in close military cooperation, both countries are integrating their missile defense technology. This is to assure that Israel and the U.S. will be prepared for Iranian aggression against Israel or U.S. troops in the Gulf region. 

In this equation is the nation of Turkey. The U.S. has been selling sophisticated missile defense technology to Turkey, and setting up missile defense systems within that country. The problem is that Turkey is refusing to cooperate with Israel.  Turkey could attempt to sell information to Iran about Israel’s missile technology, gleaned from Turkey’s partnership with the U.S.

U.S. leaders seem oblivious to this possibility, and are continuing to promise Turkey advanced weapons systems that, ultimately, could be used to spy on Israel.

What this also means is that in a time of emergency, when Turkey would be expected to help Israel determine the flight pattern of an Iranian missile advancing towards Israel’s coast, Turkey might not cooperate.  Also, it means that Turkey might let Iran know just how exacting Iran’s missile was in hitting the land of Israel, so that Iran could adjust its aim.

Pray that American leaders will realize that it is not safe to “do business” with Turkey in light of the recent deterioration in relations between Israel and Turkey. Pray that there will be someone within the U.S. Administration that recognizes that Turkey poses to be more of a threat to the Middle East region than Iran. (See Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39). Pray that God will protect all Israel’s defense systems from any enemy infiltration. 

The Iron Dome is working in the south of Israel, to counteract rockets being launched against Israel from Gaza. But, it is not a perfect system. It is only one line of defense for the IDF, and Israel’s skies are still vulnerable. Israel and the U.S. are working on refining and completing other missile defense systems (such as David’s Sling), which will offer the country greater protection.

Declare, in intercession, to Israelis, according to Psalm 91:5-8: “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow (missile) that flies by day; nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.  A thousand (missiles) may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.”

In October there was a lopsided prisoner exchange which occurred between Israel and her enemies. Israeli POW Corporal Gilad Shalit was released from captivity in Gaza in exchange for the freeing of 1,027 Palestinian terrorists. More than 2/3rds of the Israeli population supported the exchange, even though a majority of Israelis also believe that the country faces greater danger now. 

Recently, on Hamas TV, a video was broadcast which presents a future strategy of action. The video encouraged the kidnapping of another 6 Israeli soldiers as the key to the release of 6,000 Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli jails.  

According to Palestinian Media Watch, an Israeli group that monitors Palestinian broadcasts, Israel’s release of terrorists for Shalit is not seen by Palestinian society as merely the last stage of one kidnapping. But, instead, it is seen as the first act of the next kidnapping! Since the Shalit exchange, Middle Eastern Arabs have concluded that kidnapping is a valid strategy to achieve the release of additional terrorists.

Pray that the Lord will protect Israel’s soldiers in the field and not allow them to be taken captive by Israel’s enemies. Pray for God to shield Israeli troops from approaching terrorists and give the IDF extra discernment when fighting in enemy territory.  Proclaim Ecclesiastes 8:5 for Israel:  “He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; and, a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment.”

Declare that God has covered the heads of Israeli soldiers in the day of battle and will not allow the wicked to further his schemes, according to Psalm 140:7-8.  Pray that the slanderers of Israel will be overthrown.  Pray that the Lord keeps the IDF from the snares that the wicked have laid for them; from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Pray that Israel’s enemies fall into their own nets, and that Israeli troop’s return to IDF bases in safety and security. (See Psalm 141:9-10).

Hamas recently smuggled advanced Russian missiles into Gaza. These were, reportedly, looted from Libya’s military warehouses. The fall of Gaddafi has enabled Hamas to bring higher quality missiles in larger quantities into Gaza. The lack of Egyptian government control in the Sinai has allowed the smuggling to continue without interference. 

Pray that the Lord will interfere and stop Hamas from being able to smuggle weapons into Gaza. Pray that the smuggling paths will be found and blown up by the IDF.  Pray that the Lord of Hosts will muster His army for battle, and use His weapons of indignation to destroy the territory the enemy is using to wage war against His Chosen People. 

The Middle East is not the only place that is becoming more radical in the Islamic faith. There’s now a call to Sharia Law in Copenhagen, Denmark. There’s a campaign there to openly oppose and abolish democracy, and the Islamists are calling on the people of Denmark to refrain from voting in parliamentary elections. 

Declare Isaiah 13:11, God’s judgment, over all nations that are adopting Sharia Law and radical Islamic principles:  “I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will halt the arrogance of the proud and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible (tyrants).”

Pray that Western leaders will not be deceived when trying to discern the intentions of those nations adopting Islamic ideology.  Reports indicate that the U.S. is expected to give massive aid for new Islamic regimes that will be establishing their governments in the Middle East.

Pray that American President Barack Obama will see the foolishness in thinking he can tame radical Islamists in the region. Pray that Obama will come under conviction, repent, and be submitted to the Lord God of Israel. Pray that he will then receive the full Spirit of God, according to Isaiah 11:1-2: Declare that he will see Jesus, and the Spirit of the Lord that is resting upon Him –   the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and might; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear (reverence) of the Lord.

Syria’s government has remained obstinate in the face of world pressure. If Western forces attack the Syrian regime and help the Syrian opposition (similar to what happened in Libya), Syrian President Bashar Assad has said it will cause an earthquake in the region. Some analysts feel that if the West were to interfere, Assad would attack Israel. This could bring on a regional war with not only Syria involved, but Iran; Hezbollah in Lebanon; and Islamic forces in Gaza.

Pray for the remnant of Syria, that belongs to the Lord, to rise up and be of good courage. Pray for revival in that nation. Pray that before God destroys Damascus (according to Isaiah Chapter 17), that every person in Syria will have heard the gospel of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. Pray for dreams, vision, and revelations of Him to come to the people of Syria.

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel may be holding back the delivery of a German submarine to Israel, which is greatly needed in Israel’s military arsenal. The submarine could be used by Israel to launch a second-strike attack against an aggressor, like Iran, if there is a future war with that nation.  This second-strike capability is an important deterrent that insures Israel’s security. 

Merkel rebuked Israel’s announcement of new building construction in the Jerusalem suburb of Gilo.

Pray that Merkel allows the delivery of the German submarine despite her objection to Israeli new building construction in Jerusalem.  Pray that the Lord softens Merkel’s heart and that she stands with Israel, in its sovereignty and survival as the nation state of the Jewish people.