SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 61

Jerusalem, Israel

FEBRUARY 2013 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Middle East

• Pray for God to give wisdom to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli leaders as they form the next government of Israel. Pray that backdoor deals and political maneuvering among Israel’s political parties will be overshadowed by a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to Israeli citizens by politicians who will lead the next coalition. Pray that the Lord raises-up leaders who have God’s sense of righteousness and justice in their hearts. Intercede for improved relations between the U.S. and Israel, especially between Netanyahu and Barack Obama.   (Psalm 33:5; Jeremiah 9:23-24).  

• Netanyahu has admitted that there has been enormous pressure on him during the past four years, with demands that Israel withdraws to the pre-1967 border; divides Jerusalem and stops building in the eastern part of the city. Most of these demands have come from the Palestinians, the UN, the EU, and the U.S. In America, the great concern among pro-Israel supporters is Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel for the position of U.S. Secretary of Defense. Hagel is a known critic of Israel.

• Pray that Israel’s next government will be strong and able to withstand U.S. and international pressure during the next four years. Pray that Israel’s sovereign rights, given to the Jewish People by the Lord, Himself, will be respected and honored, worldwide.  Pray that a greater love for the biblical scriptures, and greater revelation and understanding regarding Israel’s land covenant with God, will pierce men’s hearts who occupy high places in government within the nations. (Isaiah 51:4-6).

•  Israel’s military is on high alert on the border with Lebanon and Syria. On Wednesday, January 30^th, Israeli jet fighters struck at Syrian trucks headed for Hezbollah in Lebanon, containing SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles. The trucks were located near a Syrian military research center, which was also hit.  The research center has been a top national security threat to Israel since 2010 and is known for the development of biological and chemical weapons. Reportedly, several Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the area were killed.  Both Iran and Syria have threatened a surprise retaliation attack on Israel. Since the Israeli Air Force attack, Israeli jet fighters have stepped up their surveillance over Lebanon.

Also in late January, Israel deployed two Iron Dome missile batteries in the Haifa area due to the potential of future cross-border fighting between Israel and Syria. Israel and the United States have been concerned by the possible movements of non-conventional chemical and biological weapons from Syria’s large depots. Both governments have threatened Syria saying they will not tolerate a situation where chemical weapons end up in the hands of Sunni or Shiite radicals.  A Saudi Arabian newspaper reported that non-conventional weapons were already moved from Syria to Hezbollah in February-March 2012.  

• Some Bible scholars think that Isaiah Chapter 17 is on the verge of being fulfilled. We should be praying for the current trauma in Syria where 60,000 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing civil war. Pray, also, that no WMD’s will get into the hands of Islamic radicals that would try to use the weapons against Israel. Pray that He who watches Israel will neither slumber nor sleep, but put His hand of protection on the Jewish State.  No weapon formed against Israel can prosper!  (Isaiah 121:4; Isaiah 54:17).

• Israelis are not the best at long-term planning. They operate best in an immediate crisis, or in coming up with short-term goals. The flawed political system makes it easier for governments to fall, or new elections to be called. In the last 15 years, Israel has had 14 finance ministers, 11 transportation ministers, and 10 housing and construction ministers. This constant turn-over makes it difficult for plans to go through in any logical order.

• Pray that reforms in Israel’s political system will allow for long-term strategic planning. Pray that Israelis, themselves, will persevere with great organizational ability. Pray that they can take a project through to its end in a way that advances the purposes and goals of God that benefit Israeli society.  (Isaiah 62:2-3; Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 12:1).

• With the presence of Al-Qaeda, Salafists, and jihadists near its borders, especially in Syria, the Sinai, and Gaza, Israel has been building walls and fences to keep infiltrators out.  Netanyahu hopes this will decrease terror attacks originating from Islamic Sunni extremists. An IDF soldier, Brig.-Gen. Eran Ofir, made a recent comment to Netanyahu: “Just as the Iron Dome defends Israel’s skies, the fence is an iron wall defending Israel’s border.”         (J. Post, January 2, 2013).

• Declare Psalm 20:7-8 over Israel, recognizing that it is not walls and fences or the might of the IDF that will help Israel, but God, Himself:  “Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.”

• Nations, people groups, and human rights organizations are increasingly becoming more vocal in their anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist stand against Israel and the Jewish People.It has been reported that last year, leaders in Egypt, Iran, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Ukraine, Brazil, and Norway, made strong anti-Semitic remarks against the Jews and Israel. Anti-Semitism is now finding a voice among prominent leaders in Arab and European countries, who are more than willing to share their increased hatred towards the Jewish State. Media leaders are also contributors to the recent rise of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Pro-Israel supporters should watch the European Union closely. Leaders in the EU are expected to speak out more vocally against Israel after the next government is formed. European hatred for Israeli settlement building has caused leaders to falsely accuse Jerusalem of setting up obstacles to peace in the region. And, EU leaders have already decided that Jerusalem must be divided.

Meanwhile, the Palestinians have been encouraged by their leaders to start a third Intifada against Israel, perhaps beginning in Hebron.

• Declare Israel’s redemptive purpose which is to be a light to the nations.  (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 60:3). Proclaim into the heavenlies that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed. He who touches Israel touches the Apple of God’s Eye! (Genesis 12:3; Zechariah 2:8; Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8). Intercede that nations, people groups, and human rights organizations – those that falsely accuse Israel on a daily basis -- will line up with God’s eternal covenant purposes for Israel. (Genesis 35:12; Leviticus 26:42; Judges 2:1; Isaiah 55:3).  

• Prayer can change the global strategic balance of power that has become shaky since the Arab Revolution that started in 2011. The revolution has swept aside four heads of state. But, the “kings” in the Middle East are surviving, especially the King of Jordan and of Saudi Arabia. However, the Jordanian king (King Abdullah) has been weakened by protests in his nation. The Jordanian elections in January led to the creation of Jordan’s first parliamentary government. Abdullah now must consult the Parliament when appointing members to his government; and, he has conceded to Islamists that his son will not inherit the monarchy. Jordanian opposition forces, mostly headed-up by the Moslem Brotherhood, are demanding that Abdullah relinquish his constitutional powers that allow him to form governments. But, so far, he has refused to do so, and the Brotherhood does not have enough power to successfully overthrow him. Jordan is ruled by a majority of tribal factions from rural areas who are loyal to King Abdullah.

• Pray according to Romans 13:1:  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Intercede for the King of Jordan and other kings, that they would have a discerning heart in governing their people and distinguishing between right and wrong. (1 Kings 3:9). Pray for royal governments to establish God’s Kingdom work on the earth according to His timetable (Daniel 2:21; Psalm 75:7).

• As Israel faces great challenges this year from enemies on its borders, it is important to remember the IDF (Israel’s Defense Forces) and the IAF (Israel’s Air Force) in our prayers. 

Please intercede for Israeli soldiers according to this prayer that observant Jews say on a daily basis:  “May He who blessed our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, bless the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces who keep guard over our country and the cities of our Lord. May the Holy One, blessed be He, preserve our soldiers and save them from all sorrow and peril, from danger and illness.”  And, may He bring them home safely!