Jerusalem, Israel
JULY 2017 PRAYER
UPDATE
Israel and the Nations
The
boiling pot in relations between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora community has
gone from boiling over to simmering on the back burner. But, continued actions
by the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel to sideline western Jewish religious
leaders is doing major damage to this important and strategic relationship. The
schism that is dividing Israel and Jewish communities, especially within the
United States, is causing a major backlash. It could affect: (1) Aliyah to Israel; (2) financial contributions
to the Jewish State; (3) further assimilation within the global Jewish
community by Jews who are not interested in Israeli citizenship that requires
them to follow an Orthodox lifestyle, etc.
Prayer Points:
(Mark 3:25; James 3:13-17; Psalm 133:1)
(1) Pray that any attempts to change
the status quo by Israeli ultra-Orthodox leaders, in a way that hurts relations
with global Jewry, would cease in Yeshua’s name. Ask the Lord to bring revival
into Jewish hearts that would cause them to seek Jesus as Lord, and embrace His
true nature of walking in humility, care and kindness amongst one another. Pray
for unity and a strengthening in relationships between Israel and international
Jewish communities based on tolerance and not on an increase in political power
and dominance. “A house divided cannot stand.” This current divided house
becomes a threat to Israel’s security if hostile peoples perceive a weakness in
the important strategic relationship of the whole House of Israel.
(2) Pray that this generation of Jewish
young people will not turn against Israel, but long to immigrate to the country
to help bring unity among its people. Seek the Lord in prayer for strategies
that bring together healthy alliances, under God and His authority and
Lordship, for the Jewish People who are in covenant with Him.
Recent
statistics by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism indicate that Israel experienced
its largest growth in tourism in recorded history between January and June
2017. According to reports, a record 1.74 million tourists visited the country
during the first six months of this year, an increase of 26% from last year.
Just in the month of June 2017, 303,000 tourists arrived in Israel, which was
reported as a 28% increase for that month over the previous year.
What
is not being said by the Ministry of Tourism is that the June 2017 statistics
include tens of thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender tourists
who marched in Tel Aviv! The
Tourism Ministry’s policies
continue to promote Tel Aviv as the gay capital of the world, a marketing
strategy that has proved successful, and is being encouraged by Israeli Tourism
Minister Yariv Levin. Some of the Tourism Ministry’s promotions brand Israel as
the holy Promised Land, in an attempt to draw Jews and Christians to come on
pilgrimage, especially to Jerusalem. But, Levin is also promoting “cultural and
diversity” programs encouraging homosexual tourists to come and participate in gay
pride parades throughout the country, with various city mayors pressured to
support these efforts.
Prayer Points:
(Ecclesiastes 8:13; 2 Peter 3:7-9; Romans
2:6-10; Romans 13:11-14)
(2) Pray that efforts to promote the gay agenda, turning Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the world, will cease in Jesus name! Declare that the Lord will rain on all future gay pride parades, causing a flood of repentance for ungodly lifestyles that God detests. Seek repentance and revival for Israel in your prayers, and for the Lord’s mercy to be poured out over His covenant nation for the sake of those righteous men and women who are standing in the gap for Israel’s salvation.
Despite the current de-escalation
cease-fire, mostly concentrated on the Syrian southwest border with Jordan,
Israel has warned that it will not tolerate any violation of its security along
its border with Syria. A recent agreement reached between U.S. President Donald
Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calls for other cease-fires within
the country in an attempt to stop the six year Syrian war.
Israel retains the right to complete
freedom of action on its border to protect its citizens. Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu has informed Putin, on more than one occasion, that Israel
will not agree to a Hezbollah or Iranian presence on the Golan Heights, which
is a red line for the Jewish State. Israel will continue to prevent any kind of
weapons transfer from Iran to Hezbollah (through Syria) that would affect the
balance of power and threaten Israel’s QME (Qualitative Military Edge).
Iran continues to try and increase
its influence in the region with a long-term strategy of expanding its Shiite
Crescent to include Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, among other nations.
(sing Psalm Chapter 3)
(2) Pray for Divine intervention in stopping an unholy alliance of Shiite groups and nations that would give rise to Iranian hegemony in the region. Pray that the Lord, Himself, arises and weakens this enemy force, in Yeshua's name!
The "process of peace"
without actually "making peace" has been beneficial to Israel. It
keeps the enemy at bay. It gives Israel time to build diplomatic relations with
many nations, while also constraining the moves of the enemy. It gives Israel
time to fortify its positions, militarily, as well.
Never should Israel compromise land
at any cost! Yet, when efforts are made to enter into the "process of
peace" Israel should be able to take advantage of the "diplomatic game”
by using wise tactics.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sent
his envoy Jason Greenblatt to the region, to try to move ahead in bringing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas together
in direct negotiations; or, with the U.S. acting as a third party. Some Israeli
leaders would rather by-pass negotiations with the Palestinians and go straight
to a regional peace process with friendly Arab countries. But, Sunni nations,
who now have business dealings with Israel and “unofficial” diplomatic
relations, have not agreed to such a strategic regional plan.
Israel is in a stronger position,
diplomatically, since the Trump Administration took over the White House, as
Trump has been more favorable to Israel than former U.S. President Barack
Obama. Furthermore, Iranian aggression in the Middle East has caused Sunni
countries to draw closer to both the United States and Israel as a defense
umbrella of protection and security.
However, the Palestinians continue
to use UN agencies, like UNESCO, to question Israel’s biblical and historic
sovereignty over its covenant land with God, causing confusion among the nations.
Prayer
Points:
(Acts 13:47;
Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; James 3:18)
(1)
Pray that the current favor Israel
is experiencing in not only the Middle East, but in global diplomacy, will
continue to expand; that Israel will fulfill its calling as a “light unto the
nations.”
(2)
Pray that the Sunni nations that are
currently aligning with Israel in an “unofficial” way, will be bold and truly
seek a lasting peace with the Jewish State. Pray that they will not try and
attempt to bring forth a false peace that would harm Israel’s security, or hurt
Israel’s ability to retain defensible borders. Intercede that all evil will be
exposed in Arab diplomatic dealings with Israel.
(3)
Declare that continued Palestinian
attempts to weaken Israel’s sovereignty through negative resolutions in UN
agencies will be blocked from this day forward! Intercede that the Lord will go
before Israel on her behalf, and stop these diplomatic actions by every means
possible. Ask the Lord to give pro-Israel supporters strategic victory plans
and great influence in high places, which will supersede any plans of the
wicked one. Intercede that as UN nations
bless Israel, they will be blessed in a true covenant relationship with the Household
of Israel through the God of Israel, and His Son... Messiah Jesus.
(4)
Pray that America will remain strong
in the Middle East region, as a shield of God's protection over the Jewish
State. (Declare Proverbs 18:24 for
America and its relations with Israel).
(5)
Entreat the Lord to give wisdom to
Israel in its dealings with Russia. Israeli diplomats continue to take a
neutral position regarding Russia, staying on the outside of the regional chess
game between opponents. But, scripture shows that Russia is no friend of Israel
(see Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39).
May God strengthen holy alliances
under His Lordship; and may He weaken unholy alliances that try to usurp His
authority!
THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE
DONE!!