Jerusalem, Israel
DECEMBER 2018 PRAYER UPDATE
Israel and the
Nations
A retired Israeli military general recently said that Hamas
in Gaza uses every weapon it can to destroy Israel.
It’s different in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). The
Palestinian Authority there has ruled out using explosives to destroy Israel.
But, they still approve of car ramming’s, knifings, and shootings.
When Israel is hunting down Hamas terrorist cells in the
West Bank, the Palestinian Authority (PA) will cooperate with Israel, sometimes.
Other times, the PA will not cooperate when terrorists using car ramming’s,
knifings, and shootings to kill Israelis. Why would anyone think that the
Palestinian Authority is more moderate than Hamas?
Israel is experiencing one of the deadliest conflicts that
it has seen in the West Bank in years. Israeli soldiers are getting killed
trying to protect citizens on the roads, at bus stops, at guard posts, and in
their villages. The motive for the Palestinian surge in violence may be
two-fold…
First of all, there is the fact that Hamas in Gaza has
entered into a cease-fire with Israel. Perhaps, this has led to Hamas using the
West Bank to continue its violent attacks on Israelis, as a way of still
appearing relevant as a terrorist government that is intent on Israel’s
destruction.
The Palestinian Authority is not stopping these violent attacks
either, which is also Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas’ attempt to appear
relevant, especially when his popularity is waning on Palestinian streets in
the West Bank.
Today, Israel is doing business directly with Arab countries,
unheard of years ago. There is less and less of a need on Israel’s part to
negotiate directly with the Palestinians, especially when Arab nations seem
willing to find a road to peace, separately, with Israel.
The delay on the part of U.S. President Trump’s
administration to roll out its long-awaited Middle East peace plan may be
causing the Palestinian population to see no hope for the future. But, Israelis
are not sad about the delay in the plan, as it seems that Israel would, once
again, be required to give up more land for peace, and make more concessions.
In the meantime, Israeli officials continue to meet more frequently with
leaders from Arab nations, such as Oman and the UAE.
PRAYER POINTS:
Palestinians both in Gaza and the West Bank need a change of
government. If they want true freedom they need to find a way out of the oppressive
regimes that rule over them.
Pray for violence to
cease in the name of Yeshua. Intercede for God-given revelation that helps
Palestinians begin to have a sense of righteousness and justice in the lands
they are stewarding. Pray for a reversal of the brain-washing they have
grown-up with that trains them to hate and take up arms against Jews. Ask the Lord
to give Palestinians a way of peace towards their Israeli neighbors. Pray for
dreams and visions that lead them to a reverent fear of the God of Israel. Ask
the Lord to reveal His truths in their hearts. (James 5:16; John 9:31; Hebrews 12:13; Romans 5:19).
The Australian government has announced that “West’
Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. The Russians did this years ago. While some
in Israel are ecstatic for any recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over its
declared capital, others see this as a limp measure of support. It opens the
way for Australia, and Russia, to one day declare “East” Jerusalem as the
capital of a Palestinian state. Ask the Lord to reveal the true intentions of
the Australian government!
Currently, the Australian government has also declared that
it will open a Trade and Defense office in Jerusalem. Australia is taking a tougher
stand on Iran, aligning itself closer with Israel’s foreign policy position
regarding the Persian state. Australia is also supporting a pro-Israel position
at the UN against anti-Semitism.
PRAYER POINTS:
Thank the Lord for Australia’s
desire to stand by Israel in a stronger alliance. Intercede that the intentions
of the Australian government regarding Jerusalem’s status will be revealed.
Pray that Australia will back Israel in its sovereign right to Jerusalem, as
the undivided eternal capital of the state of Israel. Declare that Australia
will “bless Israel and be blessed”, as the nation’s government officials take a
stronger stand with the Jewish State. (Genesis
12:3).
As you declare
blessings over Israel, remind Australia, in prayer, that whoever touches Israel, touches the apple of His
eye. (Zechariah 2:8; Psalm 17:8). Pray
for Australia to become a strong ally of Israel, diplomatically.
Recently, there was a meeting that took place during
Hanukkah between Evangelical Christians and Modern Orthodox Jews. While they
have met at least 18 times in the past on various issues, this time it was an
historic “first of a kind” meeting. A conference took place at the Menachem
Begin Center that united both groups around the issue that a Third Temple will
be built in Jerusalem. A Member of the Knesset who spoke briefly at the event,
Yehuda Glick, stated that preparations for the building of the Third Temple
used to be considered “fringe” thinking, but is now considered
“mainstream”. Conference speakers
addressed some of the common myths about where the Temple could be built, like
in the City of David. Both groups at the conference said there are facts that
indicate there are steps that have been uncovered in one of the archaeology
digs at the City of David, leading up to the Temple Mount where both the First
and Second Temples were built. And, there was a unanimous agreement that the
Third Temple will, somehow, be able to also be built on the Mount.
PRAYER POINTS:
Declare Psalm 48:9 over Jerusalem, “Within Your
Temple, O God, we mediate on Your unfailing love.” Pray that the unity which is increasing among
Christians and Jews will continue as Messiah is increasingly revealed in and through
His people! Declare Jerusalem as “the city of the Lord of Hosts, the city of
our God.” Agree that the Lord will establish her forever. Acknowledge His power
and His glory that was seen in His sanctuary, and will be seen again. (Psalm 63:2).
Remember Psalm 27:4 in your prayers for Jews and
Gentiles in the Lord’s land: “One thing
I have asked of the Lord, this is what I desire: to dwell in the House of the
Lord all the days of my life; to gaze on the beauty of the Lord; and seek Him
in His Temple.” Declare that all Israel
will see His procession, the march of our God and King into His sanctuary (Psalm 68:24).
Sing to the Lord a
new song and proclaim, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the
Lord!” (Psalm 134:2).