Jerusalem, Israel
FEBRUARY 14, 2024
Israel and the
Nations
GPW NEWS & PRAYER UPDATE
*Ramadan begins on the eve of Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the same time that Rosh Chodesh begins.
*Fast of Esther begins Thursday, March 21, and ends Saturday eve, March 23. (During Ramadan)
*Purim begins Saturday eve, March 23, and ends Monday eve March 25. (During Ramadan)
* Shushan Purim (when the holiday is celebrated in walled cities like Akko and Jerusalem), is on Monday, March 25.
WARNING:
*Palm Sunday, Purim, and Ramadan all take place, together, on Sunday, March 24. It is a CONVERGENCE, and there could be VIOLENCE AND CLASHES around this time period.
This year, it is unusual, because the CONVERGENCE is Ramadan, Purim, and Palm Sunday (not Passover).
*PRAYER POINT: Throughout the modern history of the Jewish People, there have been anti-semitic acts, pogroms, terrorist attacks, and calamities against the Jews during Purim -- in the nations and in Israel. PRAY that this year there is peace and tranquility, and that the joy of the Lord descends on the land, with all honor and glory to Him during this holiday season!
CONVERGENCE VIOLENCE IN PREVIOUS YEARS:
*In 2021, Ramadan began April 14 and ended May 12. There were riots on the Temple Mount on May 6, followed by Hamas rockets on May 10. There was violence and high tensions throughout Israel’s Jerusalem Day, May 9-10.
*In 2022, Ramadan began April 2 and
ended May 1. On April 15, clashes erupted on the Temple Mount.
Passover began the evening of April 15. Christian Holy Week was April
10-17.
*In 2023, Ramadan began March 22 and ended April 20. On April 4, clashes started between Israel and the Palestinians. Passover began the evening of April 5. Christian Holy Week was April 2-8.
FOCUSED PRAYER TIME DURING ESTHER FAST:
APPLICATION: A governmental Esther Fast is encouraged: Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23, 2024.
The Megillat Esther (scroll of the Book of Esther) should be read Saturday evening, March 23.
PRAYER POINTS:
*Pray for the Lord’s protection, His provision,
and His authority over Israel and the nations. A call and a decree
should be proclaimed for all Esther’s and Mordechai’s to rise-up in their governmental
authority in Israel and the nations during this season.
*The ten countries with the highest Jewish populations in the world are: Israel, the United States, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Russia, Australia, Germany, and Brazil. Declare Aliyah scriptures over those communities!
*Take time to research which nations in the world are blessing Israel and the Jewish People, and which ones are not! Include prayers for the re-alignment of the nations for God’s Kingdom plans to be fulfilled: (Genesis 12:3. Psalm 2:8).
KEY POINTS OF INTERCESSION MENTIONED IN THE ESTHER TEXT:
IDENTIFICATION OF PROVINCES, PRINCES, ROYAL DECREES, LETTERS, & SCRIPTS SENT TO ALL PEOPLES:
*Esther Chapter 1 begins in the days of Ahasuerus,
who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia (India to Kush to
southern Egypt). The king sat on the throne of his kingdom, which
was in the Shushan citadel (also called Susa). It was a city in Elam.
This included the powers of Persia and Media, two state in a unified
kingdom.
*Esther 1:14 names those closest to the king,
including seven princes of Persia and Media who had access to the king’s
presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom. The first royal decree to go out from
the king was recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, and it
was the dethroning of Queen Vashti, who had to relinquish her position in the
royal household because of disobedience.
(Esther 1:19-21).
*Letters and scripts were sent out to all the king’s
provinces to every people in their own language.
PRAYER POINTS:
*Pray for government leaders in Israel, as well as those
leaders of nations who are allies of Israel. Declare that their influence will have
great impact for God’s purposes and not man’s. (Psalm 2).
*Pray that government leaders will be obedient to the
Lord’s call on their lives. Proclaim that they will submit to His perfect
government. (Isaiah 9:6-7).
GOD’S FAVOR ON ESTHER:
*In Esther Chapter 2, Esther comes on the scene. She does not reveal her people or her clan/family. (Esther 2:10). The preparations to go into the king’s presence lasts 1 year. She obtains favor in the sight of all who meet her, and she has favor with the king. (Esther 2:15-17):
APPLICATION: If we are not well-prepared, we cannot go, successfully, into the next stage of our lives with the blessing of the Lord upon us. It is unlikely that He will extend His favor. However, if we take the time to ready ourselves, and humble ourselves before our King, He will prepare the way of the Lord, and equip us, for the assignment ahead.
ESTHER SERVED AS AN INFORMANT, which saves the king’s life (Esther 2:21-23):
PRAYER POINT:
*Pray that believers will be in the right place at the
right time to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
THE CHALLENGE TO MORDECHAI, THE JEW, WHO WOULD NOT BOW TO HAMAN:
*First case of antisemitism, Esther 3:4-5.
Followed by a plot to annihilate all the Jews throughout the
whole kingdom of Ahasuerus (verse 6):
PRAYER POINTS:
*Pray that all evil plots against the Jewish People and
Israel will be revealed and exposed. Ask the Lord to keep His people safe, in
Israel and the Diaspora. (Psalm 91).
*Pray that believers will not compromise their faith; that
they will choose to be in the courts of the Lord, rather than a thousand
elsewhere! (Psalm 84:10-12).
*Pray that God will strengthen all His Chosen People so
that no one will bow to the ways of those who are wicked in His eyes. (Job 31:2-4).
SIGNIFICANT MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST THE JEWS:
PRAYER POINTS:
*Pray during this time of increased antisemitism,
worldwide -- that Jew-hatred would stop, and that God will pour out His glory
and blessings upon His people.
*Ask the Lord for discernment as to how these scriptures in the time of Esther, now apply to today’s schemes against the Jewish People. Pray for His army of watchmen to rise-up and take their authority, in the Lord, requesting that He use His weapons of warfare to defeat Israel’s enemies during this vulnerable season. (Psalm Chapter 35):
*Esther 3:8: First injustice towards the Jews and their Godly ways.
*Esther 3:9: Decree of Annihilation suggested, along with a bribe.
*Esther 3:10: The king gives his signet ring to the enemy of the Jews (Haman), as well as the bribe money, along with the Agreement to Annihilate the Jews.
*Esther 3:12: The Decree of Annihilation written by the scribes, to the king’s satraps, to the governors over each province, and to every people in their own language. Written and sealed with the signet ring.
*Esther 3:13: Letters sent by couriers to all provinces with orders to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, including young, old, little children and women; and plunder all possessions. (Modern day application: The Holocaust; as well as, October 7, 2023).
*Esther 3:14: A copy of the document issued as
law in every province; published for all people to read on the same day.
*Esther 3:15: The couriers, hastened by the king’s
command, proclaim the decree in Shushan. (The people in Shushan are confused
by the edict released).
*Esther Chapter 4:1-9: Jews mourn with fasting, weeping, and
wailing, including sackcloth and ashes.
CHALLENGE TO ESTHER TO LAY DOWN HER LIFE FOR HER PEOPLE: Esther 4:10-15:
APPLICATON: Are you an “Esther” who is willing to lay down your life for what God has called you to do?
APPLICATION: Are you isolated in your time of
need, or do you have others praying for you?
Raise the level of intercession so that you are not “taken out,” or, “taken
off the front lines” due to backlash.
ESTHER TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE -- GOES TO THE KING, BY FAITH: Esther 5:12-8:
APPLICATION: Have you taken up the challenge in your own life, or shrunk back because of fear, doubt, and unbelief? It’s a time of self-evaluation. Are you willing to sacrifice and overcome in order to see the deliverance of your people, your nation, your family, your children, etc.?
HAMAN PLANS HIS WICKED SCHEME WITH HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY:
Esther 5:9-14.
APPLICATION: Who are your friends? Are you too
dependent on those who are giving you ungodly counsel, and are not living fully
for the Lord? Or, are you walking with those who are advancing the Kingdom of
God? Get priorities straight. Seek Godly counsel. It’s a time of re-alignment, and
focus on what is of eternal value! (See Psalm 1).
THE KING’S REVELATION ABOUT MORDECHAI: Esther 6:1-12.
APPLICATION: The Lord will divinely fulfill
His will. Sometimes, because we don’t listen long enough, He will speak to us
in dreams. Pray for divine revelation to come, and that we would receive it
with a listening ear. How much are we listening these days to Him? He says His
sheep hear His voice. Are we hearing the voice of our shepherd clearly?
REVELATION OF WHO MORDECHAI IS BY HAMAN’S WIFE: Esther 6:13:
“If Mordechai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but will surely fall before him.”
APPLICATION: Be on God’s side and you will succeed!
IN TIME, ESTHER REVEALS HER IDENTITY AND THE PLIGHT OF HER PEOPLE TO THE KING: Esther 7:3-4:
APPLICATION: This was another act of faith –
vulnerability and risk on Esther’s part. It also involved timing. She is ready to
share everything with the king. Are we?
Do we trust that He is the only One that can deliver our nation from the
wiles of the enemy?
THE DEMISE OF HAMAN: Esther 7:5-10:
APPLICATION: Do we shrink back from the
complete demise of the enemy? See Ephesians 6:12. Agree with God for what needs to be
done! Get equipped! Fight the good fight of faith! The spiritual warfare is
real!
RESTORATION:
Esther Chapter 8, which includes: The signet ring given to Mordechai; the golden scepter extended to Esther again; favor from the king; a request by Esther to revoke the letters of destruction:
APPLICATION: Esther does not forget all that
is needed to see full victory for her people. She makes her requests to the
king. He does not grant everything. (The letters of destruction could not be
revoked). But, he makes sure that he has fulfilled as much of Esther and
Mordechai’s requests as he can. How far are we willing to go to ask of Him?
THE KING’S ANSWER: Esther 8:8-14, which includes: a new written decree by Esther and Mordechai; sealed with the king’s signet ring; it cannot be revoked; the scribes writing the decree to the entire province; to every person in every language. Letters were sent by couriers, with the king’s permission for the Jews to gather in every city, and protect their lives, by killing the enemy and his clans. A copy of the document issued as a decree in every province; published; so, the Jews would be ready to avenge themselves on their enemies. The decree issued in Shushan:
APPLICATION: How often do we pay attention to the important facts and details of what is needed to assure we have our offense and defense measures prepared for the spiritual fight? If we are not the best at administrating, then get help from someone who has that gift! Finish what you began! Make sure you cross that finish line to victory!
* ROYAL CELEBRATION FOR THE JEWS: Esther 8:15-17.
*A VICTORY FOR THE JEWS: Esther 9:1-16.
*REST, FEASTING, AND A LETTER FROM MORDECHAI TO THE JEWS,
TO CELEBRATE YEARLY: Esther 9:17-25.
*COMMITMENT BY THE JEWS TO CELEBRATE & REMEMBER THROUGH
ALL GENERATIONS: Esther 9:26-32.
APPLICATION: Remember your successes. Take
time to celebrate! Expect to see the complete triumph over your enemies! Rest, worship
in His Presence, write in your journal, and remember the miracles in your life
that all come from Him! Commit your time, treasures, and talents to the Lord!
*KING AHASUERUS IMPOSES A TRIBUTE ON THE LAND, AND THE
ISLANDS OF THE SEA: Esther Chapter 10.
You will see the fruit of
your labors!