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).