Jerusalem, Israel
December 1, 2023 PRAYER UPDATE
Israel and the Nations
Another shooting
terror attack in Jerusalem. Same
bus stop, at the exit of city, where there have been multiple attacks in the
past. It is a vulnerable point.
Several Israelis died in that shooting
attack. An Israeli reserve soldier who got
out of his car, crossed the road, and killed the terrorists. However, he himself
was killed. Israeli troops that arrived on the scene thought he was also a
terrorist and shot him. It was an accident in the midst of chaos. They call such
accidents here: “friendly fire.”
The identities of the terrorists
showed that they were from Jerusalem. This attack happened in the middle of the
so-called cease-fire.
PRAYER POINTS:
Please remember
this vulnerable bus stop in your prayers! Please do battle in the Spirit realm… that this bus stop will no longer become a
bulls-eye target for terrorists! No more
ambushes from enemy gangsters. No more demonic confusion and chaos, that causes
the lives of our soldiers!
We DECLARE the
heart cry of David, according to PSALM 64 for our citizens:
“O
God, listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies’ threats.
Hide
me from the plots of this evil mob, from this gang of wrongdoers.
They
sharpen their tongues like swords, and aim their bitter words like arrows. They
shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly. They
encourage each other to do evil, and plan how to set their traps in secret.
“Who
will ever notice?” they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say: We have
devised the perfect plan!”
Yes,
the human heart and mind are cunning.
But
God Himself will shoot them with His arrows, suddenly striking them down.
Their
own tongues will ruin them, and all who see them will shake their heads in
scorn.
Then
everyone will be afraid; they will proclaim the mighty acts of God, and realize
all the amazing things He does. The Godly will rejoice in the LORD, and find
shelter in Him. And those who do what is right will praise Him.”
Please
proclaim Psalm 64 in your times of spiritual warfare.
The IDF is moving forward with the war.
There are more IDF goals in the north of Gaza, and in the south.
The IDF wants a demilitarized zone in
Gaza, with Hamas no longer controlling Gaza anymore.
There have been a lot of IDF efforts
to do undercover operations, even to bring one hostage back, but, it has not
worked, so far.
UPCOMING MILITARY
OPERATIONS:
The IDF has 3 neighborhoods yet to
take control of in north Gaza. What is different is that Israeli commanders,
along with the government, decided there won’t be fighting between houses; but,
they will be going into the battle only after the houses collapse.
PRAYER POINTS:
Pray that Israeli
soldiers will find the enemy wherever he is hiding!
JOB 24:16: In
the dark they (the enemy) breaks into houses which they marked for themselves
in the daytime; They do not know the light. They reject the light!
Let God’s light reveal enemy positions to the IDF as they go
into battle after the houses collapse.
In this next phase of fighting, there is
a lot of firepower first: strikes from the air; artillery; and the killing of terrorists
before the IDF goes in. This will be the case in the north, and in the south…
especially, when the soldiers attack the city of Khan Yunis.
Already, they have sent pamphlets, warning Gazans to get out of the city. This
is an important target for the IDF where a difficult battle is expected to take
place. Please keep this specific city
in your prayers!
Most of the tunnels have been in the
north. The IDF thinks that in the south it will be easier to move around, even using
a vehicle.
The IDF is still
hoping that Hamas will give all the hostages back.
WHERE DO THE
SO-CALLED “INNOCENT” GAZANS STAND:
Israeli military officials say that
the Gazans cannot be trusted. There was a report several weeks ago, that the Gazans
found a hostage that had escaped and gave him back to Hamas. According to
Israeli leaders, many Gazans are acting on behalf of Hamas.
TWO WAVES OF
MASSACRES:
Most of the world is not completely
informed that there were two waves of massacres on October 7, and in the days
that followed. There was not that much information in the news about it.
Israeli military officials say that
the second wave of terror, that killed and slaughtered civilians, may have been
Gazans helping Hamas. The claim is that there is no distinguishing factor
between Hamas and some civilians that are caught up in these evil acts against
Israel. This needs prayer – greater discernment, understanding, and wisdom for
the IDF.
The IDF must rely
on a lot of intelligence, so as not to attack where there are hostages. Israel
knows where some of the hostages still are. But, it is very hard to get inside
and to evacuate them because Hamas is holding on to them, with explosive
charges, wherever they are.
If the IDF has
opportunities to bring them out, then they will. But, they are trying to
distinguish between the terrorists and the hostages, and not to attack the
infrastructure of where they are located. This is a key point for prayer!
PRAYER POINTS:
In PSALM
31:1-5 we read from David the Psalmist:
“In You, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to
shame; deliver me in Your righteousness. Turn Your ear to listen to me; rescue
me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.
Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake
of Your name lead and guide me. (David
is reminding the Lord of what He has promised. This is David’s assurance, by
faith!)
For the honor of Your name, lead me out off this danger! Keep
me free from the trap that is set for me, for You are my refuge. (Another
version says: Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find
protection in You alone). I entrust my spirit into Your hand. Rescue me, LORD,
for you are a faithful God.
Pray for exposure
of wicked schemes:
EPHESIANS
5:12-13: “For it is shameful even to speak of
those things which are done by them in secret. But, their evil intentions
will be exposed when the light shines on them.”
THE ATTITUDE OF THE ISRAELIS:
The majority of Israelis do not want
to stop this war until the goals of the government are accomplished… that is, the
finishing of Hamas’ rule in Gaza. Also, an established demilitarized zone, in
Gaza, so that Israel’s southern communities are no longer threatened.
Until the Lord delivers Israel from
the Islamic extremist elements in Arab society, this nation will be dealing
with the reality that the presence of Jewish citizens in their own homeland is
not accepted. This is the bottom line. But, God is using this to deliver
His people. This is where the breakthrough will come in! The more insecure and
afraid His people are, the more they will run into His arms!
Israel is going
through great hardships and suffering. The population is being dealt with
strongly by the Lord; His judgement has come to the Household of Israel. His
correction is on the His people; their obedience is key. There will be a crying
out to Him with all their hearts. It has started already, but more will come.
This is a shadow
and type of what the nations will also go through…
PSALM 32:7: “You
are my hiding place; You, LORD, protect me from trouble; You surround me with
songs and with shouts of deliverance. Selah.”
PSALM 68:20: “Our
God is a God who saves! The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death.
ISAIAH 12:2: “Behold, God is my
salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD (Yehovah),
YHVH, is my strength and my song; He also has
become my salvation.”