Jerusalem, Israel
JANUARY 2018 PRAYER UPDATE
Israel and the
Nations
*The U.S. is advancing a peace proposal that will include
the Palestinian and Arab States. The Palestinians are rebuffing the U.S. as a
peace “broker”, refusing to cooperate. Is this stand-off good for Israel or
not?
Israel is usually interested in the
process of peace, but not peace proposals that tie the Israeli government into
compromising “land for peace”. Pray that any proposal that compromises Israel’s
land not be allowed to surface. Ask the Lord to make all plans of the enemy
“null and void”. Be aware of false prophets promising a peace plan that will
come against God’s purposes for Israel.
Ezekiel 13:10: This
will happen because these evil prophets deceive My people by saying, 'All is
peaceful' when there is no peace at all! It's as if the people have built a
flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with
whitewash!
*Israel had 3.6 million tourists visit the land in 2017. An
estimated 4 million tourists are expected to visit this year, a record breaking
number. With the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Israel’s
independence coming in April 2018, more hotel rooms are being built; and, plans
are underway to take care of the increase in tourism. Israel has also been
experiencing relative peace in the past several months. However, there were
more rockets fired from Gaza into Israel in 2017 than in the previous two
years. The enemy is showing signs of wanting to disrupt the calmness in the
land.
Proclaim Psalm 4:8
for the people of Israel, especially those who are in towns and cities that
border Gaza: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me
dwell in safety.”
Jesus is the real
peace; the Prince of Peace for Israel! Declare: John 14:27 over the people and
the land: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
*Pray for 2018 to be
a peaceful year for Israel, especially during the week of April 18-19
when the events for Israel’s birthday will be happening.
Speak Isaiah 14:7
over Israel and the nations: “All the lands are at rest and at peace; they
break into singing.”
*God is raising up a new prophetic community in Jerusalem.
He is using the mouths of His people to declare His good works; and, to warn
the Body of Messiah of being “lukewarm”. The Lord is calling His people to
greater holiness. Pray for continued unity among the congregations and the
believers in Jerusalem and throughout the land!
John 17:21: “I pray
that they will all be one, just as You and I are one -- as You are in Me, Father,
and I am in You. And may they be in Us, so that the world will believe You sent Me.”
*American Vice President Mike Pence is reportedly traveling
to Egypt, then Jordan, then Israel. He is expected to be in Israel on January
22-23.
Pray that as he talks
to the leaders who have peace treaties with Israel, they will line up with
God’s Word and his plans for Israel and the nations.
*Jordan’s King Abdullah and his Parliament have increasingly
spoken out against Israel. Jordan is aligning itself with Turkey and other
states that do not serve the best interests of Israel.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is vowing to create a
new alliance of Muslim countries that will stand in defense of Jerusalem, while
at the same time, he continues to speak against the U.S. and Israel.
Recently, Jordan’s Interior Minister toured the Temple Mount
in Jerusalem. Jordanian leaders have declared that U.S. President Donald Trump’s
statements on Jerusalem violate international law. They are enforcing their
control over the Temple Mount through the WAQF (the Jordanian Trust). They see
themselves as the guardians of Christian and Moslem holy sites.
But, our GOD is the
guardian over Jerusalem. Ultimately, He controls the Temple Mount where His
Temple was built and will be built again! Jerusalem is a stumbling block for
the nations!
Zechariah 12:3: “On
that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will
make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it
will injure themselves.”
Read Psalm 83 about
what will happen to those who form an alliance against the Lord and against His
nation, Israel. There will be judgements on Edom, Ammon, Moab – places that are
located in Jordan. There will also be judgements against the Ishmaelite’s
(which today mostly represent Sunni Moslems); Philistia (where the modern-day
Palestinians claim they get their roots from); Tyre (now under Lebanon’s rule);
Assyria (which is part of Syria and Iraq today); and other places mentioned in
that Psalm.
While standing on the
Lord’s side, knowing that there are enemies who form a confederation against
His Holy Land, declare God’s sovereignty over Israel.
Psalm 68:32-35: “Sing to
God, O kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord. Selah! To Him who rides upon the highest
heavens, which are from ancient times; Behold, He speaks forth with His voice,
a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God; His majesty is over Israel, and His strength is in the skies. O
God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives
strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!”