SITUAITON ANALYSIS -- 188

A CALL TO PRAYER                                                                                          NOVEMBER 2022

 

 

Reports of bombs being detonated by remote control in Jerusalem and Ramot, on Wednesday morning, November 23, showed that the terrorist attacks were well-coordinated. It indicates the possibility of a new Intifada (Palestinian Uprising). 

The health of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is failing. Anarchy is setting in. There is already a fight for control of the Palestinian territories in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). Hamas and several Palestinian groups are vying for power. The competition among them is so great, that their goal is how many Israelis they can kill, so they can curry the most favor within the Palestinian population. 

 

The sense is that it is going to get dangerous on the streets of cities and towns in Israel. People will need to be more cautious as they travel. 

 

The far-right Israeli government coalition that is currently being formed, is going to crack down on the terrorists in a firm matter. It will get ugly as greater force is used. People will document this use of force that will be seen on the streets, even in broad daylight. Nations will see this documentation, and will protest Israel’s firm measures. It will cause Israel to be more isolated among the nations. As Israel defends itself, the crackdown will be seen as brutal force – Israel as the victimizer.  This great opposition of Israel’s methods to stop terrorists, will result in increased antisemitism in the nations. 

 

There is also a sense that there will be greater persecution of the believers in the land because of the government coalition that is being formed. Believers may find themselves having to leave the country. Those who are Israelis, may find themselves with limited freedoms in Israel.

 

This increased persecution that is coming will include greater measures to restrict Aliyah – not just of Messianic Jews, but also of Conservative and Reformed Jews wanting to immigrate from the West. 

 

This will be the tool used by the ultra-Orthodox controlling the Ministry of Interior. The ultra-Orthodox will look to encourage more ultra-Orthodox to make Aliyah – which in turn will strengthen the political base of the Jewish Power movement and other Orthodox parties in the coalition. 

 

PRAYER POINTS:

 

(1)   PRAY for God’s intervention and grace during these days ahead. Pray that in the midst of darkness, we will see His great light shining in and through Israel. (Isaiah 60:1-2). Pray for signs, wonders, and miracles in the land, as a testimony of His power, faithfulness, and love during these days we are facing. (Hebrews 2:3-4). 

 

(2)   PRAY for great protection over the Jewish People – both in Israel and the nations – from increased violence. Pray that the Lord will confuse the plans of the enemy; and, that the terror will be stopped and not allowed to cause destruction and devastation of human lives and property. Declare God’s protection over all those living in the land.  (Ephesians 6:10-19; Psalm 91); and declare the Lord’s shield over Israel (Psalm 3:3; Psalm 5:12; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 84:11). 

 

(3)   PRAY for the workers in Israel to be able to stay. The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. (Matthew 9:37-38). Pray for wisdom, discernment, and new strategies for the sharing of the gospel. Pray that the Lord will raise up courageous men and women of God who will know how to face the persecution as they bring salvation to the people of Israel. (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 30:1; Psalm 62:7). Pray for new outreaches, and the coming to faith of many. Pray for protection and boldness over those who are sharing the good news in Israel. (Isaiah 45:25). 

 

(4)   There is already great fear in the land, about increased terrorism, among both secular and religious Israelis – especially those living in Jerusalem, or wanting to visit the holy city. Pray that their eyes and ears will be opened; the veil will be lifted; and that they will receive the Lord. Pray for dreams and visions to draw them to God. (1 Corinthians 15:2). 

(5)   PRAY for the greater Aliyah that is coming. Thank the Lord for all His promises in His word that speak of Him bringing His people back to the land from the north, south, east and west. Nothing can stop the advancement of the Lord’s Kingdom plans and purposes!  (Hosea 11:10; Isaiah 43:5-6). 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT:

 

There is going to be a glorious redemption of the Jewish People. Awesome times are coming in the future. But, we will have to go through this difficult time, now, as we prepare for the outpouring of the Lord in Zion.

 

Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith, our hope, without wavering. For He who promised is faithful.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 187

 

Jerusalem, Israel

OCTOBER 1, 2022 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

 

*THE BIBLICAL FALL FEASTS AND FESTIVALS OF ISRAEL:

Sunday, August 28, 2022, began the Hebrew month of Elul. Religious Jews started a process of repentance, forgiveness, and an evaluation of their sins, as the biblical Fall Feasts drew closer. The month of Elul culminated on the eve of the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Ha Teruah), September 25, 2022. The secular new year of Rosh Hashanah began that eve, and was also observed on September 26. It brought in the biblical year 5783, starting with the month of Tishrei.

The Feast of Trumpets began the countdown to the 10 Days of Awe, which take us into the Day of Atonement. This year, the observance begins on the eve of October 4 until the eve of October 5. On the Hebrew calendar it starts on the eve of Tishrei 9, with a full fast of 25 hours, culminating on the eve of Tishrei 10. It is called Yom Kippur, and represents the most Holy Day on the Hebrew calendar.

During these 10 Days of Awe, thousands of Jews are making their pilgrimage to the Western Wall, entering into what is called the “Slichot” prayers. It’s a time of honoring God, and continuing in the process of introspection and asking forgiveness for sin. It’s also a time of reaching out to others in an attempt at reconciliation.

On the eve and the next full day of Yom Kippur, the Jewish People, worldwide, usually enter into a water only fast. In Israel, there is no traffic on the roads. Businesses are closed, and people spend their time praying and repenting in synagogue. It’s a “collective” repentance as the community of Israel asks forgiveness of sins for the whole nation.

At the end of Yom Kippur, the Jewish People begin to build “succa’s” or “booths” to commemorate the Feast of Succot (also called the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths). It is celebrated for seven days (beginning on the eve of Tishri 14). It’s recorded in John Chapter 7 that Yeshua (Jesus) taught during this time.

The last day of the Fall Feasts is called Simchat Torah, and it means, “Rejoicing in the Torah” (Law). This ends the cycle of the reading of the Torah Portion every week among the Jewish People, and begins the new cycle. There is great joy in the celebration, with young men and old men carrying and dancing with the “sefer Torah” throughout the parks and synagogues in Israel.

(Some scriptures regarding the celebration of the Fall Feasts:  Leviticus 23:23-25; Leviticus 23:27-28; Leviticus 23:34-43; Leviticus 16:3-34; Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:22; Numbers 29:12-40).

Jeremiah 31:35-37: “This is what the LORD says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is His name: ‘Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,’ declares the LORD, ‘will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.’ ”

 

*PRAY FOR THE SALVATION OF JEWISH FRIENDS AND FAMILY DURING THE 10 DAYS OF AWE, AND THROUGH THE DAY OF ATONEMENT:

Scripture declarations:

ROMANS 10:1: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved,”

PSALM 28:9: “Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

PSALM 14:7: “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice, and Israel be glad.”

PSALM 25:22: “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.”

ISAIAH 40:11: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

ZECHARIAH 12:10: “And I will pour out on the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the One they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Remember the whole Household of Israel in your prayers:

Ashkenazi; Sephardic; secular and Orthodox; and modern Orthodox; right and left; politicians and diplomats; Israel’s current president, prime minister; foreign minister, defense minister; members of the current coalition; members of the Knesset; members of a new coalition that will, hopefully, be formed in the coming November 1^st election; children and parents; young adults; the elderly; Holocaust Survivors – 1^st and 2^nd generation, etc.

 

*ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL AND IN THE U.S. – WHO WILL DIVIDE THE LAND IF PRESSURED BY THE NATIONS?

Some Israeli politicians talk about a two-state solution more than others, but every politician that has a possibility of becoming prime minister in Israel’s November elections has declared a willingness to divide the land. They have accepted the two-state solution.

Israel needs to repent, according to Leviticus 25:23: “The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is Mine and you reside in My land as foreigners and strangers.”

Pray that the nations do not cause Israel to stumble and fall:

JOEL 3:2: “I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to My inheritance, My people Israel, because they scattered My people among the nations and divided up my land.”

 

*PRAY FOR RUSSIAN ALIYAH:

It is in danger because of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mobilization decree. All men from ages 18-65 must report to the Russian Defense Ministry, and get approval, before leaving the country. At least 300,000 soldiers are being mobilized to fight in Ukraine and help Putin hold on to territory that he wants to annex from Ukraine. This is causing world unrest and threatening Aliyah!

Pray and seek God’s heart for Aliyah from the north, with these scripture declarations:

JEREMIAH 16:14-15: “Yet behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of Egypt.’ Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which He had exiled them.’ For I will bring them back to this land that I gave their ancestors.”

JEREMIAH 31:8: “See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers, and women in labor; a great throng will return.”

ISAIAH 43:6-7: “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.”

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 186

 

Jerusalem Israel

SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

God save the King, as the Queen has passed on to glory! 

See our previous blog entry for a commentary on the death of Great Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at 96 years old. She was the longest reigning monarch, having spent 70 years serving the British people. The transition of power has been given to her son, King Charles III, who is 73, and the oldest king to ascend to the throne of England.

ISRAEL NEWS

THE NORTHERN BORDER:

Daily threats from Hezbollah to attack Israel’s Karish gas field are causing Israel’s new Northern Command leader, Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin, to prepare forces in the north for a possible conflict.

The IDF is occupied with cracking down on terror cells in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), to thwart terrorist attacks throughout the country. There were two major attacks thwarted last week.

Thousands of tourists are about to descend on the holy land to celebrate the biblical Fall Feasts. There is an interim Israeli government in place that wants to keep things quiet and peaceful, as politicians campaign for the November elections. The last thing they want to see is a war taking place in the north.

The terror army of Hezbollah now has the capability of launching 4,000 rockets a day at Israeli cities, with an estimated 150,000 rockets in its arsenal. Under the leadership of Maj.-Gen. Gordin, the IDF now has to prioritize its operations in the north, to protect cities and towns, from a barrage of rockets that could be launched by Hezbollah in the near future. Israel is ready with thousands of targets in sight, in Lebanon, should Hezbollah choose to engage Israel in a conflagration. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Father, we ask you to keep the enemy at bay. Allow Israel and Lebanon to negotiate on an energy gas deal which is of mutual interest to both countries, and which could result in peace on our northern border. As You allow the marking of maritime sea borders between Israel and Lebanon, we ask You to prevent the enemy from putting a stamp of disapproval on a good economic deal. Stop Hezbollah from exploiting this situation. Prevent this terror army from interfering and instigating an attack. Keep Israel’s northern border safe from intrusion. Disperse your watchmen to take their place in Your watchtowers, keeping a watchful eye on the situation, and protect Your people living in the north.

Psalm 44:4-7: “You are My King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. Through You, we will push back our adversaries; through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor will my sword save me. But, You have saved us from our adversaries, and You have put to shame those who hate us.”

2 Samuel 22:40: “You have armed me with strength for battle. You have subdued my foes beneath me.”

Psalm 60:12: “Through our God we shall do valiantly; for it is He that has tread down our enemies.”

Psalm 108:13:  With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.” 

IRAN TROUBLES:

While it appears that Iran does not want to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, it continues to escalate its nuclear program, while indecision reigns among Western powers. According to analysts, Iran is close to the breakout period when it could develop a nuclear weapon.

The initial JCPOA agreement that was supposed to curb Iran’s ambition to become a nuclear power, was signed by Iran and six world powers. But, the U.S. pulled out of the deal, under the Trump Administration in 2018, because it was perceived as not being a good deal for Israel or the West.

While the Biden Administration has wanted to revive it, the deal now on the table is considered much worse than the previous one, according to Israeli experts. Defense leaders and diplomats are shuttling back and forth between the U.S. and Europe, hoping to stop the current deal from emerging.

Israel signed a new strategic defense cooperation agreement with the United States, extending to Arab moderate nations in the Middle East, Now, another strategic defense cooperation agreement is being signed between Israel and Germany. These defense pacts are meant to bring an alignment between Israel and friendly countries around the world, who see Iran as a global threat that might have to be reckoned with, militarily.

PRAYER POINTS:

Proclaim that the LORD God Almighty is the defender of Israel and her people. He is the protector of His sovereign land, and will defeat Israel’s enemies now and in the future (even during the future war of Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39). His timing is not ours, and His ways are not our ways. But, His Word clearly calls Israel to “fear not!”

The IDF is preparing for the battles that are coming. Let’s declare how and by whom, Israel win wars, according to Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.”

Psalm 55:9: “Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.”

Isaiah 34:8: “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.

Psalm 129:5: “May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat.”

Isaiah 35:4: “Say to those with anxious hearts. ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, Your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution, He will come to save you.’ ”

 

THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS:

The mudslinging has started between Israel’s political candidates who are trying to win over Israelis in the November election.  An extreme right leader, who is considered a “racist” by many Israelis, is gaining ground. The LGBTQ community is using the current interim government, headed by leftists, to expand its powers and to influence laws.

Believers are divided down the middle as to what parties to vote for.

We pray for the Lord’s righteousness to go forth, and the issues that are important to Him for Israeli society, be given top priority. We pray for a stable government that serves the people with Godly principles. We pray for unity between various conflicting political parties in a way that brings justice on the earth – with Israel becoming a shining light of the Lord to the nations – in realms of government, and in all aspects of life in the land.

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, bring Israel into balance in governmental realms, and root out corruption and every evil thing. Bring stability to this nation, and stop the constant dissolving of governments, and the need to continually go to new elections.

Deuteronomy 25:15: “You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Let the words coming out of the mouths of Israeli politicians be those that bring “the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace,” to the people of Israel.

Declare, according to Proverbs 16:1: “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

Proverbs 15:33: “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

Proverbs 16:9: “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

Proverbs 19:21: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”

Proverbs 20:24: “A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?”

Job 28:11: “They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.”

Proclaim that God’s integrity will come into the hearts of these politicians that are running for political office. Ask the Lord for His wisdom to reign in the hearts of those men and women in government that are forming coalition partnerships. May these be holy alliances before the God of Israel!