Jerusalem,
Israel
October 17,
2023 PRAYER UPDATE
SPECIAL
STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT & PRAYER POINTS
Israel and
the Nations
The Lord sits on the throne above all the principalities and
powers of the earth. Our God Reigns!
We know that despite this season of suffering, He promises that
His people will arise, and shine and His glory will be seen in and through them.
The glory will set us free here in the land, and Israel will be saved!
But, for now, we are experiencing this great darkness that has
come over the land, as mentioned in Isaiah 60:2. The land is thick with
a sense of oppression and deep fear.
GENERAL OVERVIEW:
Israelis are not venturing out much. Most stores are closed, and
those that are open tend to close early. Schools are closed. Streets seem
deserted. It has felt like an extended Shabbat, but with the sense that people
are staying close to home to avoid danger.
Or, they are focused on helping the practical needs of the soldiers on
the southern and northern fronts.
It is not only the danger from rockets that Israelis are staying
home to try and avoid. There is also fear of terrorism. In our local hardware
store in the mall, the clerk was selling small gadgets. We asked what they
were. Pepper spray! A doctor told us
that most of his patients were not coming in for check-ups. They wanted him to
fill out the necessary paperwork so they can renew their gun licenses!
The war is here, currently contained in Gaza by the IDF. As of
this writing, most of the battles have been in the south, with some in the
north. But, there are dire warnings from military experts about this war
expanding. They report about the threats coming from Iran and Yemen. Iran is
intent on this war turning into a multi-front confrontation with Israel.
Israeli ground troops have not yet gone into Gaza, though special
forces have. It’s expected that ground forces will go in very soon. Troops are
fatigued waiting on the borders. Some are sick because of the colder weather
and not getting enough sleep. Many soldiers are complaining of only getting 2-4
hours of sleep a night!
The focus right now, in terms of the goals of the Israeli
government, is to eliminate the capabilities of Hamas, militarily, and to stop
the terror government from being able to operate. The other goal is to release
the hostages. Primary sources say that there is an attempt by the U.S. to bring
some kind of arrangement that will enable the release of the hostages.
In the north, it is an atmosphere of a war zone. Twenty-eight
communities have been evacuated. Children are not going to school. Citizens
have been mobilized. Those not drafted are supporting the military campaign in practical
ways. Israelis are volunteering. A majority of Israelis are doing something to
contribute, and there is unity in regard to the war effort.
MEDIA AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY WAR:
Israel is losing the battle for public opinion. The international media
went from concentrating on the atrocities done to Israel, to considering that Gazans
will be caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas. Pray that the words
journalists write, and the words they speak, will be open for correction according
to Habakkuk 2:1.
EGYPT:
A solution that is not being highlighted is the responsibility of
the Egyptian government to keep the Rafah Crossing open, and allow Gazans to
relocate to the Sinai. Arab nations should be called on to assist financially.
However, military sources say that Egypt is playing a double game. On the one
hand they have a peace agreement with Israel; a very cold peace. But,
reportedly, Egypt is allowing endless amounts of weapons to go into Gaza!
Currently, Israel is concerned that Egypt is contributing to a
terror infrastructure inside Gaza. Israel is also worried that the U.S. and
international community will put pressure on Israel to allow the Palestinians
(supposedly, not associated with Hamas) to control the Gaza border. How would
anyone know who was Hamas and who was not Hamas among the Palestinians in the
West Bank (Judea and Samaria)?
One military expert said: “We cannot trust Egypt. We don’t want a terror
infrastructure inside Gaza. We cannot have more Palestinians on this border;
and, freedom of operation everywhere, like Judea and Samaria… We cannot reassure
that people in the south will be safe. We won’t be able to keep them safe.” Pray that Egypt will align with God’s
purposes. (See what Egypt will go through in judgement and restoration in Isaiah
19).
IMPLICATIONS OF A GROUND OPERATION IN GAZA – IRAN & HEZBOLLAH:
In the coming days there will be a massive ground operation in
Gaza. What will be the consequences of this?
If Hezbollah and maybe Iran will attack Israel while IDF forces
are operating in Gaza, this opens a major front in the north. Some reports
indicate that Hezbollah may be preparing for such an attack in the next few
days – possibly, from underground tunnels that run from South Lebanon into
Syria.
There is confusion about the strategy of Iran in Lebanon. What are
the motives of Iran and Hezbollah, currently?
On the one hand, Hezbollah seems to be dragging Israel into a war, and
if Israel strikes them, it will appear that this war was started in the north
by Israel. Then, Lebanon could complain to the international community about Israeli
aggression that destroyed that nation.
If not an escalation now, then what will happen when the war in
Gaza is finished -- when IDF reservists are released; when the U.S. ships go
home? What if Hezbollah strikes then?
This is the “unknown” perplexing equation that is worrying military experts
in the north.
Military analysts indicate that Yemen and Iran have said they are
ready to launch a pre-emptive strike against Israel. Iran is already an active participant
in this war working through its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah.
IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS:
Thanks to reports from Israel, as well as those from the International
Atomic Energy Agency, there are claims that Iran is 2-3 weeks away from
creating a nuclear bomb. It is no longer a matter of capacity. It is a matter
of decision. If Iran decides to “breakout”
towards nuclear capability, there is a short time before they will become a nuclear
power. Sources say that Iran is a heartbeat away from that possibility.
Iran has the most long-range ground-to-ground missiles. The range
of missiles they have are capable of covering the entire state of Israel.
Military experts say that at some point, the U.S. and Israel may
decide to attack Iran and its nuclear program.
Now, we are in a critical moment in time. A regional
conflict is possible, if Iran decides to join the war. A multi-front war would
be difficult for Israel. Would the U.S. and Western nations assist Israel,
militarily?
SEVERAL PRAYER POINTS:
There are many layers to this war between Israel and its enemies.
There are also many scriptures that we can focus on, that gives the Lord high praises
while He is defeating His enemies. The Lord is the Commander of the Armies of Heaven
and of Israel. He will contend with His enemies. (See Psalm 35; Psalm 68; Psalm 70; Psalm 121. Focus on the Psalms
in this battle over Israel!) God will judge the nations and the
peoples of the earth in how they have judged His Son and the people of Israel. (Psalm
2; Psalm 83).
*CAPTIVES/HOSTAGES: At least 36 countries suffered
in the initial attack on Israel, taking place on October 7, 2023. There are
200-250 people in the hands of Hamas. We declare that they will live and not
die, and declare the works of the Lord! We entreat You Lord to set the prisoners
free! (Psalm 118:17; Psalm 116:9).
ISAIAH 61:1: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD
has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up
the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from
darkness for the prisoners.”
2 CORINTHIANS 3:17: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
PSALM 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those
whose spirits are crushed.”
We declare and outpouring of God’s
Spirit wherever the captives are being held, and a miraculous deliverance! May
You restore them to healing and wholeness Lord!
*THE SOLDIERS: There are
300-360,000 IDF troops that have been called up to serve. Hundreds of Israelis
have come from the nations to join them. There are at least 400 believers
currently in the IDF. May they be the ones to share the good news with their
fellow comrades!
JOEL 2:11: “The LORD utters His voice before His army, For His camp is
very great, Because, strong and powerful is he who [obediently] carries out
His word. For the day of the LORD is indeed great and very terrible [causing
dread]; Who can endure it?”
God is massing HIS troops, leading Israel
into war!
ISAIAH 13:4: “Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great
multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together!
The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.”
JOEL 3:16: “The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice
from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the LORD will
be the hope of His people, and the strength of the
children of Israel.”
Call on the power and strength of
the Lord to save His beloved people and nation of Israel!
PSALM 46:6: “Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He
lifts His voice.”
Pray that the Lord will lead the
people of Israel out of their sorrows:
PSALM 9:9: “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in
times of trouble.”