JUNE 2012 PRAYER FOR ISRAEL:
Shavuot:
Shavuot (Pentecost) took place this year on May 26 and 27. (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10; Numbers 28:26). The holiday marks the giving of the Torah by God to Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). This happened seven weeks after the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt (Passover). During this holiday, the book of Ruth is read. In ancient times, Shavuot was marked by the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest. At that time, Jewish farmers brought their first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a natural sign. The spiritual sign was recorded in Acts 2:1-4. Pray for a future spiritual sign for the Jewish people according to Joel 2:28-29.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu studies the Bible on Shabbat with one of his sons. He is also conducting weekly Bible studies with others. He recently dedicated his Tanakh Study Circle in memory of his late father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. Ben-Artzi was a Tanakh teacher and researcher.
At the start of the first lesson of Netanyahu’s Tanakh Study Circle, he said: "The Tanakh is the foundation of our existence. It unites the Jewish people, as it has throughout the generations. It also serves not only as a foundation but also as a map and compass. The Tanakh is always relevant vis-à-vis today’s problems and challenges. It inspires, it is a source of life for our people, and I think that it is important to expand Tanakh study, and love of the Tanakh, among all parts of the nation. This is also the goal of this circle."
Right before Shavuot, Netanyahu sat in the courtyard of his home with his family, along with 16 rabbis, Bible scholars, academics, linguists and archeologists. They studied the Bible and discussed the Book of Ruth. Pray that the Bible Study Circle will enrich the lives of all those who are hungry for God. Pray that they stick to the written Word of the Lord and not to the Talmud (man's oral interpretation) for understanding and wisdom. Pray that the Word goes deep into their hearts and they seek to know more of Him.
Jerusalem:
Jerusalem is on the Lord’s heart. Jerusalem Day was May 20th, and Israel celebrated 45 years since the re-capturing of the city in 1967. We have prayed for years that the Israeli government would begin to defend the nation through attention being given to the Biblical scriptures. Up until now, most public statements defending Israel and Jerusalem were political, pointing to Israel’s historical rights to the land. But, now, Netanyahu, is spending more and more time defending the land from a Biblical perspective. This is an answer to prayer!
Here are some of the proclamations Netanyahu made before and during Jerusalem Day:
(At his Sunday cabinet meeting): "Jerusalem was a city of the Bible; Jerusalem is a city of the Bible. Today, we will make a series of decisions that will enable us to build Biblical sites in the city that will enhance and explain our link to the Land of the Bible, to Zion; and, also allow millions of people, no less, millions of people to have a direct appreciation of Israel’s heritage as it finds expression in the Bible. This will be Jerusalem and this is very important."
(At a speech at the ceremony marking the 45th Anniversary of the Unification of Jerusalem at Ammunition Hill):
"When Jews pray in Prague or in Amsterdam, in New York or in Moscow, in Mexico City or in Hong Kong, in Haifa or in Beer Sheva, they face the same direction our people have faced for thousands of years. They face Jerusalem."
"The prophet Isaiah said: ‘Wake, wake! Arise, O Jerusalem.’ Well, Jerusalem has arisen. After centuries of repression and intolerance by other faiths, Jerusalem has arisen and been unified."
"There are people who believe that if we just divide Jerusalem, which means eventually conceding the Temple Mount, we will have peace. They believe that, but they are wrong. If we grant other forces control over the Temple Mount, we will see the situation deteriorate so quickly that it will devolve into a religious and sectarian war."
"Sustainable peace is made with strong nations, and an Israel without a unified Jerusalem will be a body with a weak heart. A nation that is willing to sacrifice its heart will only convince its enemies that it lacks the willpower to fight for anything."
"Forty-five years ago, this place saw our people’s determination and the iron will of our fighters. They fought like lions in these trenches against heavy machine gun fire. They fought for Jerusalem and they won. During that same fierce battle, 36 of our best men perished – and in all of Jerusalem, 182 IDF fighters died, and Jewish history changed forever. A city divided became whole – and it will remain so."
"We will continue to develop our capital and we will continue to ensure that its golden light continues to light the future of our people and shine a light across the world – the light of Jerusalem."
PRAYER POINTS:
- Pray that the current Israeli government continues to declare that Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel, under Israeli sovereignty. Pray that no backdoor deals are made that would compromise the status of Jerusalem. Pray that the words of the Palestinians, who have declared that Jerusalem is to be their undivided and sovereign capital, be rendered null and void.
- Pray that the United States and all other world governments will declare Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
- Declare, according to Ezekiel 43:10-11 that the people of Israel will repent of their sins, so that the Lord, Himself, can make known to them His plans regarding His Temple. The Temple Mount area is to be shared by no other religion. Proclaim, Ezekiel 43:12: "This is the law of the Temple. All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the Temple."
- The book of Zechariah is full of scriptures about God’s beloved city. He judges and will continue to judge nations regarding their actions towards Jerusalem. Read and declare His promises for this city, and for Zion:
- Despite the verbal battles now, and the wars that will come in the future, God will have the final say regarding the final status of Jerusalem and Zion. His Word will come to pass. There is a joy that comes in proclaiming God’s Word over this city.
Iran is a continued concern for Israel, and Jerusalem leaders are fearful of what will happen if the nations do not confront Iran and stop its nuclear ambitions. Here are some recent facts and analysis about Iran, for you to be praying about:
- The flying time of a missile launched from Tehran to Tel Aviv is only 7 minutes.
- Iran possesses at least 100 kg. of 20% enriched uranium; possibly up to 27%. They have done 90% of the work needed in order to get to nuclear weapons-grade material.
- If the United States were to form a coalition to confront Iran, these European nations would most likely be supportive: Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
- Analysts say that if the U.S. waits until Iran is almost nuclear-ready, it will be too late to do anything about it. When Iran has the materials needed for a nuclear weapon, the nations will no longer be able to contain Iran. There is a need for the international community to seriously consider military action in order to actually avoid conflict with Iran. If Iran sees that the nations of the world are willing to stop its actions by military force, then Iran may back down from its nuclear pursuit.
- A quote from Netanyahu, May 21, regarding Iran:
- "In recent weeks, I have heard those who have cast doubt on Iran’s intentions. They said that when Iran’s leaders declare that they will wipe Israel off the map, they really mean something else in Persian. It would be interesting to hear what they think of the Iranian Chief-of-Staff’s remarks yesterday: ‘Iran is committed to the complete destruction of Israel.’ This is clear and simple. Iran’s goals are clear. It wants to annihilate Israel and is developing nuclear weapons to realize this goal…. Iran threatens Israel, peace, and the entire world. Against this malicious intention, the world’s leading countries must show determination, not weakness. They do not need to make concessions to Iran. They need to set clear and unequivocal demands before it: Iran must halt all enrichment of nuclear material. It must remove from its territory all nuclear material that has been enriched up until now and it must dismantle the underground nuclear facility in Qom. Only thus will it be possible to ensure Iran will not have a nuclear bomb. This is Israel’s position; it has not changed and it will not change."
PRAYER POINTS:
- Pray that Israel will walk in faith and trust and not in fear regarding Iran. Pray that He that keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Thank God that He is watching over Israel; the Chosen Apple of His Eye, His Jewish people. Thank Him for His grace and mercy and His protective shield that covers His precious land. (Psalm Chapter 121; Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8; Zechariah 2:8; 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 84:11).
- Pray that the standard mentioned in the remarks by Prime Minister Netanyahu will be adopted by the international community. The Word says that when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19).
- Pray that the plans and intents of Iranian leaders will continue to be exposed, even through their own mouths, and that the Lord will perform miracles on behalf of Israel. Declare that He will set His land and people free from the threat of annihilation. (Psalm 18:1-3; Ephesians 6:16).
- Proclaim His mighty works, as in the time of the Exodus from Egypt; as in the time of Joshua when the Israelites crossed over into the Promised Land; and, as in the time of Esther when the people of Sushan were allowed to defend and protect themselves from their enemies who wanted to destroy Jewish communities through the king’s provinces. (Exodus 14:30-31-Exodus 15:1-21; Joshua Chapters 3 and 4; Esther Chapters 8 and 9).