Jerusalem,
Israel
June 18,
2023 Prayer Update
Israel and
the Nations
INCREASED RUSSIAN PRESENCE IN JERUSALEM:
Russia has, reportedly, signed an agreement with Israel’s Foreign
Ministry and the municipality of Jerusalem, to open “a branch” of its embassy
in Jerusalem. This is “in exchange” for Israel acknowledging the boundaries of
Moscow’s historical and present ownership of the plot of land where they will
build their offices (a former Jerusalem parking lot). Russian diplomats will live there. Russia has
recognized only West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which was declared in 2017.
This affirms Russia’s ownership of land in
Jerusalem. Years ago, Israel was challenged to recognize Russia’s ownership of
land in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. So, this is a further expansion of
Russia’s claims of public ownership. In this case, their land claim goes back
to 1885.
Russia has only recognized part of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital – the western part. In effect, that means Russia is “diplomatically” approving the dividing of the capitol. It is east Jerusalem that is the area that the Palestinians are claiming is their capital city. Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be putting his stamp of approval on that.
Russia will likely use these embassy offices to gain intelligence information on Israel. Because of Russia’s presence in Jerusalem, Russia could appoint its own powerbroker to try and negotiate a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Russia is putting a stake in the ground in the city of Jerusalem to make a statement of access as a “peacemaker,” and as a “diplomatic channel” for the Middle East region.
PRAYER POINTS:
Pray for no foothold of Russia in Jerusalem! Pray that no trap or
snare is set by Russian “diplomats,” to convince Israel that Russia is a
strategic partner of the Israeli government. Already, Israel has had to deal
with Russia, in regard to Syria. Russia has moved advanced weapons into Syria
(including the S-400 anti-missile defense system), that are troublesome for
Israel. Russia has set up a naval port off the coast of Syria, which could be
used in the future to launch attacks against Israel. Israel is already
entangled in a problematic “de-confliction” policy with Russia -- meaning that
Israel has to inform Russia whenever the IDF wants to use Syrian airspace to
attack Iranian military bases in Syria.
Moscow also uses Russian Aliyah as leverage in dealing with Israel
on issues such as Israel’s support of Ukraine. Russia cut off Aliyah services
in Moscow during the time when Yair Lapid was Israeli Prime Minister. He was
very supportive of the Ukrainians in their war with Russia, despite warnings
from Moscow. Russia forced a disconnect between Aliyah services in Russia with
Jerusalem Aliyah offices.
CRAFTED PRAYER:
We entreat You Lord, according to Psalm 141:9, that you
will keep Israel safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they
have laid for the Jewish State.
We embrace Your prayer shield over Israel, remembering Psalm
140:4-5. Guard Israel, LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Protect the
Israeli people from evil plots -- from those who devise ways to trip the feet
of Your beloved ones. Do not let Israel stumble. Expose the schemes of the
proud who try to hide any snares. Bring this situation into the light. Stop the
cords of their net that are spread along any paths of land in the heart of Your
capital, Jerusalem. Stop the ability of the wicked to lure Israel into a trap,
in Yeshua’s name!
We thank You Lord that it is You who is the protector of Jerusalem, and we pray for her peace.
From the Good News Bible, Isaiah 62:1:
“I will speak out to encourage Jerusalem; I will not be silent until she is
saved; and her victory shines like a torch in the night.”
THE SCHISM: JUDICIAL REFORM AND A CALL FOR UNITY:
A massive protest rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday, June 17, 2023,
regarding judicial reforms in the Israeli government has, again, shown the
world that Israelis are still fighting over this major issue. Reports indicate
that there were protests Saturday in at least 150 locations throughout the
state of Israel. The protests are in their 24th week, with little
resolve over the judicial reform crisis. Both the Israeli government and the
Opposition are digging their heels in over the reforms, with no resolve.
PRAYER POINTS:
CRAFTED PRAYER:
Lord, only You can stop this tear and divide in Israeli society.
We cling to You for Your mercy and deliverance. These divisions are convincing
Israel’s enemies that this is a weak society. It fuels the fire of a future
conflict on Israel’s borders. We entreat You Lord to give the Israeli government
and the Opposition the grace to work together, in unity, without political
agendas, in resolving this crisis in Israeli society.
Psalm 133: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers
to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil [of consecration]
poured on the head; coming down on the beard; even the beard of Aaron. Coming
down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body]. It is
like the dew of [Mount] Hermon, coming down on the hills of Zion. For there the
LORD has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.”
Psalm 122:6-9: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who
love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, and
prosperity inside your fortresses. For the sake of my brothers
and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of
the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.”
Pray for Israel to prosper because of unity within the government;
unity among Members of the Knesset; unity in the land; unity among all God’s
people – both those who believe in Him and those who don’t!
Psalm 118:25: “O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD,
cause us to prosper!”
Genesis 45:24: “So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left,
he called after them: “Don’t quarrel about all this along the way!”
CRAFTED PRAYER:
We ask You Lord to stop the quarreling between brothers. Let Your
light shine on them and deliver them from giving into these opposing forces.
Draw Your people to Yourself, and give answers like You did to Solomon, so that
justice and righteousness can reign in the halls of the Knesset. Take what is wrong in the attitudes of Your
people, and make it right. Free Your people from all their sins and offenses.
Clean up the mess of unbalanced weights and crooked agendas. May Israel turn to
You for understanding and wisdom. May they seek Your face on how to unite this
nation, unto God!
Acts 17:27-28: “God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps
reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For
in Him we live and move and have our being….”
As some of our own poets have said, “We are His offspring.”
So, we declare that as Your offspring Lord, You can fix this
problem for us in Israeli society. Nothing is too difficult for You! You can bring healing in relationships. You
can cause Your brethren to dwell together in the House of Israel in unity.
Bring Your people into the “unity of the Spirit, and the bond of peace,” in all
matters of controversy. We declare this in the name of Our LORD, Yeshua!
These dealings of the LORD are a symptom of the dis-unity in the
Body of Messiah in Israel. There are many issues that create dis-harmony and
walls between the saints. So, we ask You, Lord, to be the Lord of the
“breakthrough” for Your people, Israel; for Jew and Gentile who are supposed to
be One in Messiah.
Isaiah 33:5-6: “The Lord is exalted, for He
dwells on high; He will fill Zion with His justice and righteousness. He will
be the sure foundation for your times; a rich store of salvation and wisdom and
knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this
treasure.”
Isaiah 33:15-16: “Those who walk righteously and speak what is
right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting
bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against
contemplating evil— they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose
refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will
not fail them.”
Isaiah 33:22-23: “For the Lord is our
judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord
is our king; it is He who will save us.
CRAFTED PRAYER:
God, we do exalt You, as we know that You will bring an end to the
divisions between us. You fill our land with justice and righteousness. You are
our sure foundation, and bring us salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. We
acknowledge that our reverence for You is the key to You redeeming Your people
in this land. Help us – both as pre-believers and believers -- to walk
uprightly with our God; to reject all temptation; to turn from evil; to make
right choices. If we do, we will dwell on the heights of Your Holy mountain, in
safety and security. You will provide for us, and Your blessings will not fail.
For You judge all things. You are our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Save
Your people, Lord! Save Your people, Israel!