Jerusalem, Israel
JANUARY 2012 PRAYER UPDATE
ISRAEL & THE MIDDLE EAST
CURRENT MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC STRATEGIES
Israel does everything it can to hold off war against its enemies. Despite the massive build-up of arms by terrorists in neighboring countries, Israel looks to keep the peace on its borders. The Jewish state will not strike its enemies unless Israel’s deterrence capabilities deteriorate. This means, the Israeli government will avoid a conflict as long as there is an ability to deter the enemy from aggressively attacking Israeli cities and towns. Even then, Israel’s military officials will give a stern warning to stop the aggression, and will restrain the IDF’s response, unless there is collateral damage (Israelis killed), and/or the enemy kidnaps Israeli soldiers.
Israel’s main problem during a war is how to respond to the enemy’s attack on the Israeli home front. The concern in past wars has been the diplomatic fallout when Israel replied with force towards enemy fire. If the rockets were launched from a civilian population center, Israel could not respond to the rocket fire without killing civilians. So, for the most part, in previous wars, the IDF has restrained its response to avoid loss of life in enemy territory. However, terrorists in Lebanon and Gaza see Israel’s moral high ground as a weakness, and therefore, they continue to smuggle arms into homes, mosques, schools and hospitals. The prediction is high that Hezbollah and Hamas will use human shields in a future war, as they did in past wars. This hinders Israel’s ability to fight its enemies; to respond properly to terrorist aggression; to limit the launching of rockets on Israel’s civilian home front; and, to win the war.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR
Reports indicate that the IDF is fortifying its positions on Israel’s northern and southern borders; doing extensive drills and defense exercises; keeping a vigilant watch; signaling to residents in border towns that the nation is on high alert; and preparing for the day that Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza will be directed by Iran to disrupt the calm.
While it is imperative that the United States and Western allies continue to press Iran with firm and crippling sanctions, including in the banking and oil sectors, it may push Iran to use its proxies (Hezbollah and Hamas) to strike Israel. This would be Iran’s strategy, along with closing the Straits of Hormuz, to keep the international community distracted from following through on these sanctions. A Middle East war would also distract the world from directly focusing on Iran’s nuclear capabilities. If Iran did shut down the Straits of Hormuz, this would be considered an act of war, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet would not allow any disruption of ship traffic along this most important oil route. This, in itself, would initiate a regional war.
SYRIA’S INSTABILITY
The continued instability in Syria is a source for concern, as well. As a desperate effort to save his regime and his own life, current President Bashar Assad could attack Israel. This would be his attempt at a strategic diversion from the continued pressures he faces from the Arab League and the international community. The Syrian opposition leadership, both inside Syria and in other countries, is demanding that the Arab League go to the UN Security Council to initiate firm and crippling sanctions against the Assad regime. If it comes to the point that international military intervention is agreed upon by UN member states, then Assad could unleash his fury on Israel. So, Israel’s border with Syria is also on high alert.
China and Russia are gaining power in the Middle East region because they are not submitting to Western initiated sanctions directed against Iran. Russia continues to sell advanced arms to Syria, as well. As Western nations abide by the sanctions, they are weakened in the marketplace, because lucrative business dealings are being canceled or never implemented. At the same time, China and Russia have been strengthened as they take advantage of the situation, increasing their financial profits by doing business with the rogue states.
REGIONAL INSTABILITY
Israeli generals have said that a new Middle East war would likely last 1-2 months because of the strain on the home front; and, because of international fears of global instability. This is especially true in light of the fact that a volatile Middle East will disrupt financial markets, especially the oil sectors. Instability in the Middle East region also gives radical Islamists reason to join in unholy alliances (Shiites and Sunnis working together) to try and destroy the Jewish State. In addition, Western international leaders will look for every reason not to be drawn into any kind of military conflict. They would prefer to appease their enemies than to fight them. The intricate spider web of evil will increase until the world recognizes it must do something to restrain these forces from their attempt to weaken Israel and the West.
PRAYER POINTS:
· The Israeli Air Force has established a special battalion at all its bases to ensure operational continuity in the event of missile attacks. The battalion will be responsible for protecting each military base in Israel. They will safeguard and repair airplane runways, as well as, the re-fueling of planes. Pray for God’s protection over all resources at these bases and that His shield of angels will guard and defend Israel’s defense forces.
· In a future war, Hezbollah will have the ability to launch up to 600 missiles and rockets a day on Israel’s home front. The IDF is moving its supplies and ammunitions from major bases and putting them in massive bunkers inside mountains throughout the country. Pray that sensitive and advanced equipment, including important weaponry is protected from future damage by Israel’s enemies.
· Israel’s high alert on its borders includes its porous border with Egypt in the Sinai. Recently, there have been fears of a growing radical Islamic presence in the area, and the IDF is intent on protecting the coastal city of Eilat. This summer there was a major attack by Islamic radicals on that city. In addition, Israel needs to improve its intelligence-gathering abilities in the Sinai and in Gaza. The Sinai has become a large terrorist hub, as Gaza radicals form their infrastructure there, along with global jihad elements. Pray for a complete cessation of any kind of border infiltration into Eilat by Israel’s enemies. Pray that the Egyptian government stops allowing radical Islamists to govern in the Sinai. Pray that all plans of terrorists to use the Sinai as a launching pad for their destructive activities will be discovered and destroyed by the IDF.
· While Israel prepares for a possible military conflict in 2012, the IDF is, once again, going through a shift in high-level military posts. These include who will be the next IDF Deputy Chief of Staff and who will be the next Israeli Air Force Commander. Pray that Israel’s current Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, and Israel’s current Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, are unified and in harmony about the selection of military leaders to these key positions. Pray that whoever is selected will rely on God for His leadership on the battlefield.
· The IDF is teaching and training soldiers on what to do in the event that Israel’s enemies try to abduct and kidnap an Israeli soldier. Pray that He who watches Israel will never slumber nor sleep!
· Russia has delivered 72 ship-killing missiles to Syria, a $300 million dollar lucrative deal, in defiance of a U.S. call for an arms embargo against the Assad regime. Russia wants to protect Syria’s coast, which is a strategic interest of Russia’s leaders as they continue to gain influence in the Middle East. Israel is concerned the missiles will end up in Hezbollah’s hands and be used against the Jewish State. Pray that no weapons formed against Israel will prosper. Pray that these missiles will be defective and ineffective in any future conflict with Israel.
· The Middle East region is being flooded by a radical Islamic wave. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is trying to stabilize Israel’s relations with Egypt, despite the fact that the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood pledged in November 2011 that “one day we shall kill all the Jews.” Israel wants to protect and preserve its peace treaty with Egypt. Pray for a heart change in the Egyptian people towards Israel. Pray that they are given divine revelation knowledge by the Lord, Himself, about His ancient and Chosen People. Pray that the future Egyptian government lines up with the word of God, and that Egyptian leaders show favor towards Israel.
· Israel is developing new strategic alliances, especially in Africa and Europe, to counter-balance radical Islamic fervency in Middle East countries bordering Israel. Pray for Netanyahu’s upcoming trip to Africa, especially that his visit will be fruitful, and that Israel will gain new friends to help defend the nation against this surge in Islamic aggression in the region.
· Israel is developing a strategic corps for operations deep within enemy territory. This stealth unit will focus on covert operations while coordinating activities between all of Israel’s elite forces. The IDF is building its capabilities to provide cover for military operations that will uncover, undo, and stop terrorist actions against Israel in the future. Pray that these highly expert elite forces will operate at their fullest potential. Pray for God’s knowledge, understanding, insight and discernment to lead them; and, that their operations will be 100% effective in deterring Israel’s enemies.
(Scriptural references for prayer: Joel 2:19; Psalm Chapters 35 & 37; Proverbs 25:21-22; Psalm 55:16-19; Psalm 72:3-9; 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 2 Samuel 22:17-20; 2 Samuel 22:29-40; Psalm Chapter 121; Ephesians 6:10-12).