Jerusalem,
Israel
APRIL
2013 PRAYER UPDATE
Israel
and the Middle East
PRAYER FOR ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS: (Jeremiah
23:5-6)
(1)
Pray
regarding the rogue nations and terror groups that are stirring up conflicts
around the world, specifically those that could be detrimental to Israel, the
United States, and Western nations.
(2)
Intercede,
specifically, for the transformation of North Korea from a state run by
demonically inspired leaders to a state that is run by God-inspired people. For
this to happen would be nothing short of a miracle! But, the Lord can
intervene and cause a change in the current regime. Pray for the safety of U.S.
troops within missile range of North Korea. The Word says in Ecclesiastes 9:18
that wisdom is better than weapons of war. But, it just takes one sinner to
destroy much good. Pray for North Korea’s leaders not to be foolish in leading
the U.S. and Western nations into a war.
(3)
Pray
that all anti-Semitism in Egypt would cease immediately. Egyptian President
Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist with close ties to the Moslem Brotherhood, has made
hate statements against the Jewish people. He also did not allow this year’s
Passover celebrations to take place in one of Egypt’s great synagogues.
(4)
Pray
for the protection of Kuneitra, a border town that is in the demilitarized zone
between Israel and Syria. Israel has occasionally been targeted in the cross-fighting
between forces faithful to Syrian President Bashar Assad; and, rebel forces who
are trying to topple his regime. So far, more than 70,000 people have lost
their lives in Syria; and, more than a million are dispersed throughout the
Middle East.
Meanwhile,
UN peacekeepers have become targets in the Israeli-Syria buffer zone, dealing
face to face with radical jihadist elements on the border. Some of these UN
forces have opted out of serving in Israel another year.
Pray
that God will raise up new peacekeepers who understand the great need to
protect Israel from an onslaught of terrorism. Pray that those who defend the
Jewish state day and night will not forget the Apple of His Eye. Intercede,
according to Isaiah 49:16 for this special
nation that is engraved on the palms of the Lord’s hands; Israel’s walls are
continually before Him.
(5)
Since
his recent visit to Israel, U.S. President Barack Obama now has more support from
the nation’s Jewish population. But, they do not completely trust him. Obama
should have agreed to speak to Knesset members in a plenum speech during his 50
hours in the Land. The Knesset is a symbol of Israel’s sovereignty; located in
Jerusalem, the capital of Israel
Addressing
Israel’s elected leaders should have been on Obama’s agenda. But, he opted out,
and spoke, instead, to left-wing college students, asking them to put pressure
on Israeli politicians in order to achieve peace in the region. Many Israeli
citizens disapproved of Obama’s tactics, despite his desire to win the favor of
the Israeli public.
Intercede
for a true change in Obama’s heart towards the Jewish People and Israel.
(Proverbs 27:19). Pray that he considers not only the strategic interests of
the United States, but also those of Israel. Pray that he will continue to
recognize not just Israel’s security needs, but Israel’s sovereignty, both
historically and biblically over the Land.
(6)
The
state of Israel is a threat to Iran because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
has set “red lines”. If those “red lines” are crossed, he has implied that
Israel will attack Iran. At the same time, Obama has stated, publicly, that
Israel has the right to defend itself with military action if needed. He has
also said that the United States will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear
bomb.
The
difference in strategies between the two leaders has to do with timing and
tactics. Israel does not want Iran to reach a “break out” period where Iranian
leaders will know how to build a bomb; and will have enriched enough uranium
that they could build the bomb quickly. Obama, however, is in no hurry. He
continues to engage Iranian leaders in diplomacy, hoping that the U.S. will not
have to act, militarily, against Iran. He is willing for the “break out” period
to occur, and would only act against Iran if its leaders went beyond that
period and started building the bomb. Israel thinks that point in the process
would be too late. Netanyahu is considering the major threat that Iran is to
Israel, as Iran has called for the annihilation of the Jewish State.
Ask
the Lord to hold back all evil forces that would try to destroy Israel. Pray
that all wicked plans that are being created each day by Iranian leaders would
be brought into confusion; and, all spiritual powers working against Israel
would be considered null and void. Entreat the Lord and ask that He continue to
shield Israel from mass destruction. Pray for there to be greater unity between
Israel and the U.S.; that Obama would have a change of heart; and, that
American leaders will stand with Israel, shoulder-to-shoulder to counteract
this Iranian threat.
Over and over again we have heard a doctrine in Israel which
states that the Jewish People cannot, ever again, depend on other powers to
defend them. This is a reaction to the Holocaust and the helplessness that Jews
felt when confronted by the power of Nazi Germany. Now that Israel is a state,
leaders here make sure to let other nations know that Israel will always look
to defend itself, even if having to act alone against rogue states and
terrorist militias.
Pray that Israel does not act alone, but trusts in God to
defend her as a nation. Declare Psalm 60:12 over Israel: “Through God we shall
do valiantly: for it is He that shall tread down our enemies.” He is the
Holy One of Israel!
(7)
Natural
gas from an off-shore rig in the Mediterranean Sea has started to flow into
Israel. It happened on Saturday, March 30, 2013, which marked the beginning of
energy independence for Israel. Pray for wisdom for Israeli leaders, that
they would know the best way to handle this blessing that God has given the
Jewish State. Pray that this natural gas would boost Israel’s economy and lower
gas prices within the country.
(8)
Proclaim
a sound economy for Israel. Pray that those who are looking to balance the
nation’s budget would be given knowledge, wisdom, and understanding from the
Lord. Declare that all schemes to protect politicians in their agenda regarding
the budget would be stopped immediately. Pray for Minister of Finance Yair
Lapid to walk in greater wisdom when it comes to balancing Israel’s budget;
finding a way to help the weaker sectors of Israeli society. (2 Chronicles
1:10).