Jerusalem, Israel
JANUARY 15, 2020 PRAYER
UPDATE
Israel and the Nations
MIDDLE EAST INSTABILITY:
A U.S.
airstrike killing Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, near
Bagdad’s Iraqi airport on Friday, January, 3, 2020, was a Middle East game changer.
U.S. President Donald Trump was responding to Iran’s attack on both a U.S.
military base in Iraq (which killed a U.S. worker), and Iran’s damaging of the
U.S. embassy in Iraq. It was also a way of letting Iran know that it could not
continue its aggressive behavior and control in the region without a strong
response from the West.
Soleimani
was the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, and the architect of Iran’s Middle
East military policies, under the direction of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei. As an arch terrorist, Soleimani was feared by many in the region,
as he attempted to advance his goals of establishing and strengthening a land
corridor from Iran, to Iraq, to Syria, to Lebanon, in an effort to surround
Israel from the north. Iran has been set on building military bases along the
corridor (also called the Shia Crescent), as well as sending Israel’s enemies
advanced weapons shipments.
After the
killing of Soleimani which sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East, Iran
responded by, again, targeting U.S. military bases in Iraq, which caused
damages, but no personnel killed. In the midst of the heightened tensions in
the region, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard, “accidentally” shot down a Ukrainian
commercial jet liner, killing all passengers on board, including Ukrainians,
Canadians, and Iranian nationals.
Iranian
citizens were already protesting against their government, frustrated by rising
prices, due to U.S. sanctions. Their protests continued after the jetliner was
shot down, accusing their own government of hiding the fact that it was an
Iranian Revolutionary Guard who, “mistakenly”, targeted the plane.
Iran also
stopped adhering to the JCPOA nuclear agreement, threatening the West that it
was stepping up its nuclear program. This caused European leaders, most
notably, Britain, France, and Germany, to issue a formal complaint against Iran
for not complying with the agreement.
In mid-January,
Israel allegedly took advantage of the chaos in Iran, reportedly striking the
Syrian T-4 military base near Damascus… known for its Iranian Revolutionary
Guard presence. (The Iranians continue to aggressively build at that base. Israel,
from time to time, has responded by conducting air strikes in order to stop
Iran’s advanced military operations there).
Now, Israel waits to see if there will be any response from Iran or from
its proxies.
A high alert
continues in Israel due to the instability in the region, with the uncertainty
of how Iran will respond diplomatically and militarily towards Israel and
Western interests. It is also unclear how Iranian leaders will react
politically and financially in Iran due to the continued public protests. In
the past, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards cracked down on protestors,
fiercely, under the direction of Soleimani.
Several
Middle East countries hope that the U.S. will assist the Iranian protesters
with the means to resist future Iranian government crackdowns. This might
involve American intelligence services helping protestors to keep a clear and
open channel of public communications, despite Iranian efforts to shut down the
Internet and all social networking.
PRAYER POINTS:
Israel’s strong military and
diplomatic presence in the Middle East has helped to deepen alliances with Arab
countries in the region who are looking to Israel for assurances when
threatened by Iran.
PRAY that these alliances will serve
to solidify a wall of resistance against Iran; with the goal of deterring
Iran’s hegemonic aspirations in the region.
THANK THE LORD that the killing of
Soleimani, and several other high-level terrorists along with him, has delayed
Iran’s goal of surrounding Israel with an alliance of armies all along Israel’s
northern border. (See Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39).
For those who think that the world is
on the verge of fulfilling this Ezekiel prophecy, study Ezekiel 38:11, which
firmly states when this war will occur. The enemies of Israel have tried to
bring the war before its time, but the Lord, Himself, as the Commander of the
armies of heaven, delayed it. (See Joshua 5:14; Joel 2:11; Joel 3:16; Isaiah
13:4).
ISRAEL’S UPCOMING ELECTIONS:
Israel’s
third national election in one year proves to be as challenging as the first
and second elections. Israeli politicians have failed, so far, to bring
together a coalition government. And, it is unsure they will be able to do so,
after failing twice already.
Without much
money in the coffers to promote their campaigns, and an Israeli public that is
frustrated with their lack of unity, the goal of the two major Israeli political
parties (Likud and Blue and White) has been to strengthen their political
bases.
One way of
doing this has been for Blue and White leaders to convince those left-wing
parties they are aligned with, to form a solid left-wing liberal block. And, for
Likud leaders to convince those right-wing parties they are aligned with, to
form a solid right-wing conservative block. As of this writing, the left-wing
parties are responding, but the right-wing parties have been less successful.
What is
needed in Israeli politics is a change in the electoral system that would
emphasize a two-party system, and remove the obstacles of small controlling
parties that are self-serving. The public wants to see a unity government
formed, of both the Likud and Blue and White -- one that is not serving the
extreme left or the extreme right in Israel.
PRAYER POINTS:
In the land of the Bible, where
Jerusalem is the city of God (His beloved Zion), we can call on the Lord to put
Godly leaders at the head of Israel’s government, until the time that Jesus
sets up His Kingdom on the earth. (Isaiah 9:6-7).
As in the time of some of the great
kings of Israel (especially David and Solomon), God can give wisdom,
understanding and knowledge to the leaders of this great nation. He can put in
their hearts the fear of the Lord. (Psalm 25:12-14; Psalm 111:10; Psalm 112:1).
PRAY AND DECLARE that the Lord reigns
over Zion, and He will fulfill the destiny of this nation through establishing Godly
order and principles. PRAY that political leaders in Israel will turn to the
Lord, their God, for direction as they lead this nation in 2020 and beyond.
SEEK THE LORD to bring together those
politicians He wants to form a Godly alliance in the unity of the Spirit and
the bond of peace; those men and women who truly desire to serve Him in caring
for the people of Israel.
PRAY that the next Israeli government
is one that upholds justice and righteousness. Intercede for God to bring the
light of His Glory into the darkness of this nation.
THANK HIM for enlarging the nation
and increasing its joy. Declare that the people will rejoice before Him,
trusting in the name of the Lord, and relying on their God. (Isaiah 50:10).
“Trust in the LORD
forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:4).
“He said to me, ‘You are
My servant, Israel, in who I will display My glory.’ ” (Isaiah 49:3).