SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 203

 

Jerusalem, Israel

August 16, 2023 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

 

In its 75^th year as a modern state, Israel is showing the world its weakness and vulnerability. Division and strife has increased, causing greater polarization of the society. Watching events unfold is watching the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel fighting and threatening to scatter. Disillusioned Israelis even talk about finding jobs and housing abroad and moving to another country. The government and the society seem to be losing their way, and Israel's identity and calling as a "light to the nations" is, currently, a dimming light of little encouragement to the world.  The Lord is allowing these dealings so that Israelis will cry out to HIM and depend on HIM, not themselves, and not the IDF.

There is a mantra here spoken by Israeli political and militarily leaders: “Israel will defend itself by itself.”  But, God, the Lord of Hosts, the Commander of the Armies of Heaven and of Israel – HE is the One who protects and defends this nation! And, without HIM, Israel cannot survive. His Chosen People can do nothing to improve their condition without reliance on HIM.

That independent spirit of proclamation -- "We will defend ourselves by ourselves" -- pits the government and Israeli society against the God of Israel! If the nation believes that there is no room for the Lord in this equation, then they will, indeed, defend themselves by themselves, without HIS help. And, what will be the outcome? God have mercy!!

How will Israel understand the real meaning of its identity to be a “light to the nations,” unless it understands that its light only comes from knowing the “light of the world" – Yeshua, Jesus, Himself.

So, we focus on issues that are stopping Israel from reaching its full potential as a nation, under covenant, with the Lord God Almighty…. as His Chosen People.

REGARDING THE CONTINUED CONFLICT OVER THE JUDICIAL REFORM:

We asked the Lord whose side He is on. This scripture is the basis of our prayers regarding the judicial reform issue that is dividing this nation:

JOSHUA 5:13-15:

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”

“Neither,” he replied, “but as Commander of the Army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked Him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

The Commander of the LORD’s Army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

When we allow our own opinions to enter the conflict, one intercessor sees the one side. The other intercessor sees the other side. Then, our prayers neutralize each other. So, direct your prayers as Joshua did. And, then, take off your shoes, because God wants us to know we are standing on holy ground!  This is His fight over Israel, not ours!

This is a matter of imbalance in Israel’s governmental powers, regarding its basic laws – with the potential of swinging from one side of the pendulum to the other side.

God hates imbalances; He hates unjust weights; He hates misaligned scales:

PROVERBS 11:1:

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD: but a “just” weight is His delight.

 

PROVERBS 20:23:

The LORD detests double standards; He is not pleased by dishonest scales.

 

PROVERBS 16:11:

The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; HE sets the standards for fairness.

 

Today, for the first time in Israel’s history, this division has infiltrated the ranks of the IDF. Reportedly, there are 10,000 Israeli reservists who are, currently, refusing to report for duty to fulfill their volunteer work in the army. Another 800 Israeli air force pilots are refusing to report to duty for their volunteer assistance to the IAF. Israel now has to question if its forces are ready for the next battle with its enemies.

 

PRAYER FOR OFFICERS IN THE IDF:

PRAY  for strength and help for Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.

PRAY for Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israeli Defense Forces, the “Ramatkal”. He is the Supreme Commander and head of the IDF. His name is Herzi Halevi.

He is under fire right now, in Israeli society, and needs protection from the onslaught of the enemy, which is trying to question his motives and his decisions. May the truth come to the light, and all evil rumors be exposed.

JOB 17:9:

The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.

Despite the reported “shortfall” in the IDF, the LORD is able to quickly raise-up fearless men who are full of faith! 

1 CHRONICLES 12:21-22:

They helped David by taking charge of his troops, for they were all warriors and became commanders of his army. Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

PRAY that GOD will draw able Israeli men into HIS army to serve HIM under the chief commanders of the IDF. Men who desire to defend Israel in its battles before its enemies. May the LORD demonstrate His ability to make Israeli soldiers and pilots ready for action!

For those in the army and air force who are tired, weary, and need renewal, we declare:

ISAIAH 40:29:

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

 

THREATS ON ISRAEL’S NORTHERN BORDER CONTINUE:

Since April of this year, we have sensed a conflict brewing on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, which could become a multi-front war. We have sought a multi-front wall of prayer, asking intercessors to fight Israel’s battles in the heavenlies. The intercession is working. Praise God!

The United Nations brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, on August 14, 2006. This was after the Second Lebanon War ended. That was 17 years ago.

Today, Israel faces another conflict with Hezbollah, the Lebanese terrorist militia that has ignored UNSC Resolution 1701. That resolution demands that all armed militias refrain from operating in Lebanon. The resolution also calls for an arms-free zone south of the Litani River in Lebanon. This too has been ignored.

Today, armed Hezbollah soldiers are in the south of Lebanon, setting up guard posts, taking over parts of the demilitarized zone, and leaving Israel vulnerable – with no safe buffer zone on its northern border.

We seek the Lord’s protection over Israel, especially all northern border communities, and Haifa, which is the operational target of Israel’s enemies in the north.

Today, on other fronts, Israel’s enemies are coming together, trying to unify against their common enemy…. the Jewish State. At a recent gathering, the ruling Fatah faction of the Palestinian Authority met with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists in Gaza. This happened one day after the leader of the PIJ met in Beirut with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. 

 

Crafted Prayer:  We declare that all Israel’s enemies are disarmed and disabled from operating against any part of the Jewish State – not along Israel’s borders and not within its cities. All evil must leave every illegal post that has infiltrated the border buffer zone and is endangering Israel’s safety. 

The schemes of the wicked we pronounce as null and void. Every intention by every person operating in the demonic realm must fall into confusion because of the blood of the Lamb that is covering all that concerns God’s beloved land and people. All plans of the enemy will not be able to be carried forth in any capacity while the Lion of the Tribe of Judah protects His land.

In Judea and Samaria there have been attempts by Israel’s enemies at launching rockets against Israeli cities. We proclaim that every inch of Israel is protected under the God of Israel. He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Israel is the Apple of His eye.  Israel’s enemies have said, “Let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel will be no longer remembered. They have conspired together with one mind in one accord.”  (Psalm Chapter 83).   

He who sits in the heavens laughs at their plans.  Israel’s walls and borders are ever before Him. He has written this nation on the palms of His hands! We proclaim that God’s sovereignty is over this land, and Israel’s borders will be expanded from the Euphrates River to the Great Sea, through God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We declare this in Jesus’ name.

 

PSALM 2:1-8:

 

Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together, against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, “I have installed My king on Zion, My holy mountain.” I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

 

FOREIGN POLICY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SAUDI ARABIA:

              

In recent weeks there has been talk about a U.S. brokered peace agreement that is in the works between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This is not a peace agreement similar to the Abraham Accords, which was, supposedly, “peace for peace”. That formula was introduced during the U.S. Trump Administration, which was able to by-pass the “land for peace” formula, fulfilling peace deals between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

 

Today, those same countries are pushing Israel to make a peace deal with the Palestinians for a "two-state solution." And, it seems, using a potential peace deal with Israel and Saudi Arabia as the catalyst to divide God’s land. In addition, the United States is pushing for such a deal, using leverage against the current Israeli government to try and accomplish this. The Biden Administration is, reportedly, willing to try and interfere in Israeli politics to change the government if the current coalition will not accept a “land for peace” deal. Biden would like to push the deal through before the 2024 elections.

 

But, the deal involves even more than a "two-state solution" that would result in Israel having defenseless borders. If Israel withdraws its forces to the 1967 Green Line borders it will signal war not peace. 

 

The U.S. may also be willing to enter into a Defense Pact with Saudi Arabia that would arm the Islamic State with advanced weapons. While promising that America would still make sure that Israel had a Qualitative Military Edge (QME) over its neighbors, this is not a guarantee in a changing Middle East.

 

Another concern is that Saudi Arabia wants nuclear power. Its leaders say for civilian use, not military use. U.S. leaders say they can guarantee this. But, the Iranian push for nuclear weapons is just short of the breakout point, despite American assurances that Iran will not get the nuclear bomb. Iran has been able to develop its supersonic missile system, and threaten Israel with its advanced weapons, while still advancing towards “going nuclear.” Therefore, there is no guarantee this would not happen in the future with Saudi Arabia.

 

The “land for peace” deal was heightened in its authority, in the signing of the Oslo Accords, September 13, 1993. What followed was seven miserable years of terror attacks against Israelis by the Palestinians.

 

This September 2023, intercessors will deal with that ungodly alliance, conceived between Israeli officials, Oslo officials, and U.S. officials. The great architect of those accords was Shimon Peres, Israel’s Foreign Minister at the time. Everything was done in secret in Oslo, until the document was ready, and then presented, hastily, for a vote in Israel’s Knesset.

 

PRAYER POINTS:

 

May the truth come out, not only about the bad Oslo deal, 30 years ago; may everything being done in secret now, between Israel and Saudi Arabia be exposed.

 

May all wicked ideas, conceived in hidden places, be brought out into the open, so that the Israeli people will know what plans are being drawn-up behind the scenes that would altar the course of history.

 

God hates His land divided! 

 

We thank you Lord that, through Your covenants with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you have set the boundaries of Your land… Israel. And, You who began this work will complete it in Yeshua’s name.” 

 

2 Kings 13:23: “But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day, He has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from His presence.”

 

 

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 202

  

Jerusalem, Israel

August 5, 2023 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

 

With PRAISE we acknowledge that You, LORD, reign over all the earth. Your word says in Zechariah 14:9: “The LORD will be King over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and His name the only name!”

“For dominion belongs to You, LORD, and You rule over the nations.” (Psalm 22:28).

“For God is King of all the earth; sing profound praises to Him!”  (Psalm 47:7).

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In His days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. This is the name of which He will be called:  The LORD Our Righteous Savior. (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

"On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords." (Revelation 19:16). 

 

ISRAEL’S CURRENT REPRIEVE FROM WAR IN THE NORTH:

Currently, military leaders have backed off, somewhat, from declaring an imminent war in the north with Hezbollah.

We thank God for the delay, which allows greater readiness on Israel’s part! This includes the IDF finishing the wall barrier on Israel’s northern land border with Lebanon.

As intercessors around the world continue to pray, we proclaim that Israel will be able to build-up its deterrence on its multi-front borders with its enemies, without having to go to war!  If the LORD determines that a conflict is necessary, we pray that Israel’s wars are fought in the heavenlies, by multitudes of intercessors, under the Commander of the Lord of Hosts; the Lord of the Armies of Heaven and of Israel!  May this result in less fall-out on the earth – on the land of Israel!

 

WHERE THE FOCUS HAS BEEN:

There are various opinions by analysts as to why a war has not happened yet. The infighting in Israeli society has caused the government’s focus to be on passing controversial judicial reforms in the midst of great opposition in the country.

Furthering diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, involving the U.S. as a main peace-broker, may be causing the Israeli government’s focus to be on diplomacy rather than military action.

Most importantly, the refusal of 10,000 IDF reservists (including 1,000 pilots) to volunteer for military service, due to their protests over the judicial reform legislation, could be a major cause of hesitation on Israel’s part. Presently, the IDF is assessing if Israel can still maintain its readiness for a full-scale war, with these restrictions.

PRESENT DANGER IN ISRAEL’S NORTH:

Hezbollah continues to show aggression on the northern border. There is still one tent remaining that was recently erected by Hezbollah in the Mt. Dov area, which Israel considers its territory. Hezbollah militants are, reportedly, standing-by under the tent.

Instead of Israel gaining deterrence, Hezbollah is slowly taking over more and more of the de-militarized zone between Israel and Lebanon. The result is that Israel’s deterrence is continuing to erode along the border. There have been blatant attempts by Hezbollah and its supporters to cross the Blue Line (marked by the UN following Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000). Lebanon has wanted the Blue Line to be marked again, and there have been several disputes with Israel regarding the territory. This adds to the tensions in the north.

 

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SYRIA THAT THREATENS ISRAEL:

A large Scientific Studies and Research Center in Syria, called the CERS Center, has 20,000 people employed. It is developing highly advanced weapons for Iran. It is part of the weapons corridor from Syria to Lebanon to Hezbollah.  The CERS Center is developing and producing chemical weapons. In the past. Syrian President Assad used these chemicals on his own people!

Hezbollah’s attempt to use chemical weapons in the next confrontation with Israel cannot be ruled out. This needs great prayer!

In a future conflict, military analysts suggest that Israel could attack the chemical weapons stockpiles wherever they are -- in Syria, Lebanon, or in transport between the two states.

 

PRAYER POINTS:

Crafted Prayer:  

Father, we thank you for this reprieve in the north; that you continue to protect Israel from her enemies, while helping Israel to prepare for a possible confrontation with Hezbollah in the future.

Please unite this country – first of all, the Body of Messiah; but also, all of Israel – so we can be a nation that functions in “the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3).  Help us as a nation to refrain from disputes and divisiveness. Bring us back into alignment with You, according to Your plans and purposes. Bring our country into a balance of power in government.  Let us understand Your decisions. Help us to walk, according to Your Word, not taking sides in this judicial reform matter (Joshua 5:13-15).

We pray that politically, diplomatically, and militarily, we receive Your wisdom from on high. We call on You Lord to deliver this nation from all her adversaries from within and from without.

Give our government leaders understanding of how to achieve deterrence in the north so that the citizens of Israel are under Your protection from our enemies, 24/7. Let no weapon formed against Israel prosper.  Shut the mouths of those who threaten us. Silence every voice raised up to accuse us. Vindicate Your people. (Isaiah 54:7). Contend with those who contend against You and against us! (Psalm 35:1).

We declare that the CERS Centers in Syria operate under a spirit of confusion, and are disabled, becoming non-functional in Yeshua’s name! Do not allow weapons of mass destruction to be used against Your beloved Chosen People, Israel.  If Syria dares to come against Israel with chemical weapons, we declare Isaiah Chapter 17 over Damascus, and ask You Lord for Your grace and mercy to warn the Syrian people to vacate the city before judgement comes.

We decree that Israel’s homeland will remain safe, and our borders quiet, because You who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. (Psalm 121:4). Israel remains the “Apple of Your Eye!” More than ever, hide Israel under the shadow of Your wings!  (Psalm 17:8). Draw those in Your homeland to take refuge in You! Save Israel out of all her troubles! (Psalm 25:22). 

STANDING ON THE WORD OF GOD:

1 Samuel 17:45:  “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD, Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, who you have defiled.”

Psalm 17:7: “Show me the wonders of Your great love; You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.”

Psalm 10:12: “Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God!  Do not forget the helpless.”

Psalm 18:30: “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”

Psalm 20:6: “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.”

Psalm 60:5: “Respond and save us with Your right hand, that Your beloved may be delivered.

Ruth 2:12: “May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”

Psalm 16:1: “Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.”

Psalm 27:5: “For in the day of trouble, He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.”

(Lord, we thank You, specifically, for protecting the residents in the north with Your canopy; Your tent that covers them from any destructive forces that would try and penetrate the northern border).