Jerusalem, Israel
MAY 2013 PRAYER UPDATE
Israel and the Middle East
(Proverbs
21:29-31; Psalm Chapter 3; Psalm 20:7; Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Israel is concerned that rebels in the war against Syrian President Bashar Assad are gaining ground near Damascus and on the Golan Heights. Israel and Syria have shared a relatively calm border since 1973. However, IDF assessments are that the border is threatened now by radical Islamic groups who are taking control of land areas on the Syrian side. Furthermore, Israeli Arabs traveling to Syria are adopting radical ideology and some have been accused of spying on Israel. Others are entering into actions that are dangerous to Israel’s security.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood recently declared: “We Egyptians are ready to starve in order to own a nuclear weapon that will represent a real deterrent and will be decisive in the Arab-Israeli conflict.” At least 13 Middle East states have announced their plans to develop a nuclear program. Nuclear proliferation in this region is a real danger to Israel, especially if Iran becomes a nuclear power and begins to release nuclear weapons to others. Israel has been receiving the brunt of verbal threats from hostile countries that want to see the Jewish State annihilated.
Proclaim, according to Deuteronomy 26:9 that the Lord has brought the Jewish People into His Holy Land, and the land of Israel is flowing with milk and honey! Declare that Israeli leaders will not be fearful or discouraged, but strong and courageous, as the Lord has given them this land, according to Joshua 1:9 and Deuteronomy 1:21.
Intercede for the Jewish People to realize that God will never leave them nor forsake them, declaring Deuteronomy 31:8 over them. Agree with the Lord’s plans for His capital city, His beloved Zion, giving Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem as a praise in the earth, according to Isaiah 62:6-7.
When U.S. President Barack Obama visited Israel in March, he convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call and apologize to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for tactical errors on the Mavi Marmara ship in May 2010 that led to the death of 9 Turks on board. What hasn’t been reported, recently, is that the activists on board were terrorists who not only were intent on breaching Israel’s security by pushing through to the Gaza sea port controlled by Hamas; but they also wanted to lynch and kill Israeli commandos boarding the ship. Now, the U.S. is expected to offer Turkey a role in the Middle East peace process, even after many grave anti-Israel remarks made by Erdogan over the past 3 years. Erdogan is planning a trip to Gaza hoping to play a key role in Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, which is another concern of Israeli leaders. If the Palestinians unite, this will give them more power in their quest to weaken and destroy Israel.
Pray that God will expose the evil intent of Turkey’s Prime Minister toward the Jewish State. Entreat the Lord to not allow Erdogan to take any diplomatic steps that would hurt Israel’s security; its image; or its political standing among the nations. Pray that the Lord will bring to light the truth of what really happened on May 2010, and will vindicate Israel according to Psalm 37:6. Declare that accuracy will be in the reports of correspondents working for major media outlets as they recall the brutal actions of Turks and other terrorists on board the Mavi Marmara ship. Entreat the Lord for apologies to come from every nation represented on that ship; especially for their wicked deeds and lies that led to an evil trap set for Israel.
Reportedly, during Obama’s recent visit, when he was shown the Dead Sea Scrolls, Netanyahu explained to him that the Book of Isaiah was the book of the Jewish People and the entire world. Netanyahu apparently pointed out one of his favorite scriptures, Isaiah 2:4, part of which declares: “And, you shall beat your swords into plowshares….”
According to Netanyahu (J. Post, 4/17/2013): “This is a universal message but was written here in this land by our fathers who always prayed to return to this land and build from anew our national life…. Our faith and our hope is the Bible, and we will not forget this for a moment.”
Thank the Lord for the biblical foundation that is in Netanyahu’s life! Declare that he will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Pray that he will wait on God for the many decisions he has to make as Prime Minister, according to Psalm 27:13-14.
Israel is on the road to becoming energy independent, because on March 30th an offshore gas field started pumping natural gas to Israel for the first time in its history. In 2017, it is likely that Israel will be able to extract commercial quantities of oil from massive oil shale deposits near Beit Shemesh. Thank the Lord for this answer to prayer and declare His protection over Israel’s new and vast natural gas resources that will help establish this country as a “light unto the nations!”
Despite eventually becoming energy independent, this summer Israel is still expected to face low electricity reserves, especially if the current hot weather keeps up. Israel has had a dry spring considering that it had one of the wettest winters on record. The level of the Sea of Galilee has been higher than in many years past, but Israel still needs more rain in order not to experience drought-like conditions again. Pray for greater spring and autumn rains according to Joel 2:23.
A representative of the Jewish Agency told a Jerusalem Post reporter last year that the age of mass Aliyah is over. The agency seems to be shifting away from its focus of bringing individual Jews to Israel. Instead, they are encouraging Israeli and Jewish communities who are living in the Diaspora (nations). And, they are leaving the encouragement of Aliyah to private organizations like Nefesh B’Nefesh (and Christian groups, as well). We do not know God’s will for the Jewish Agency, but we do know there is a lack of faith in Israel among leaders here concerning the mass wave of immigration yet to come. Declare Aliyah scriptures over Israel’s leaders, asking God to open their eyes to see the truth and to believe it, by faith: Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 43:5-6; Isaiah 49:12; Jeremiah 30:3; 10; Jeremiah 31:10; Zechariah 8:7-8; Psalm 107:2-3; Hosea 11:10.
The Umrah pilgrimage of Moslems to Mecca in Saudi Arabia has become a gathering place for terrorists who seek to come together to plot global acts of terrorism. Take authority over this and declare confusion over these meetings declaring all ideas and plans of the wicked as null and void!
Please stand in the
gap proclaiming this scripture over Israel:
2 Chronicles 20:17: “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD