Jerusalem, Israel
PRAYER
UPDATE December 5, 2024
Israel and the
Nations
GPW News and Prayer Update
During this time of extreme vulnerability, when the United
States (the world's superpower) is between administrations (the transition from
the Biden government to the Trump government), there is an effort by enemies of
the west (and of Israel) to disrupt the balance of power in the Middle East.
The day after a ceasefire was enacted in the war between Israel and Hezbollah
in Lebanon, Syrian rebel forces went into action. Over the past 10 days, there has
been an escalation in fighting in Syria's northwest, bleeding into the
northeast of Syria.
The root behind this Syrian conflict is to destabilize
countries in the region, in order to continue Iran's attempt to form a Shia
crescent around Israel. The enemy that is empowered, spiritually by the Prince
of Persia (i.e., Iran), seeks to eradicate the Jewish State and take control of
land in the Middle East.
The other evil power that is trying to take advantage of the
Syrian people and their land is the Sunni Islamists. Once labeled as ISIS
and Al Qaeda, the new rebel groups have different names, but the same goal of
wanting control. They want to institute the caliphate and set up Sharia law,
enslaving and violating women and children, killing men who are not radical
Moslems, and displacing people -- to gain large masses of land in Syria.
This Islamic surge of rebel forces is, reportedly, being
funded by Qatar, a country that pretends to be on the side of the west (especially,
regarding negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the release of the
hostages taken captive on October 7, 2023). However, Qatar has been supporting
Hamas' position all along, even with U.S. military bases entrenched in this
nation.
Reportedly, Israel knew of the plans of rebel insurgents in
Syria. Recently, the new Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, issued a
warning that Israel should stand by the Kurds in Northeast (NE) Syria. That
area has a democratic government and freedom of religion. It is an example of
what the Middle East could be. But, Syrian rebel forces are gaining
ground in disrupting the way of life of the Kurds, and others in NE Syria.
There has been a systematic violation of freedoms and human abuses of not just
the Kurds, but also of Christians and Yazidis in the area.
The rebels have learned from the Taliban. They are appearing
to be "moderates," especially in the face of the western media, but
in fact, they are not.
Among the rebels are those who are backed by the Turkish
government. Some say they don't want to engage with Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan. Others have noticed that, among these rebels, are ISIS
veterans. They are after a large land mass in NE Syria.
Turkey is looking to settle pro-Islamists in the area, by
displacing the Syrian people living there. Erdogan is looking to control all
the area where the Christians have settled. He wants to destroy freedom of
religion and establish Islamic governance. He is known for his affiliation with
the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), and his sympathy towards Hamas (which is an
off-shoot of the MB).
Meanwhile, the Syrian Arab army has collapsed, and President
Bashir Assad's Syrian forces are weakened and discouraged.
These two main rebel forces that are destabilizing Syria are
the HTS (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham), and the SNA (Syrian National Army). The HTS is
a coalition of rebel forces that formed in 2017, and has become an umbrella
organization for tens of thousands of these rebel fighters. Reports indicate
that this coalition has already taken over 237 cities, including Aleppo, Idlib,
and Hama. The militias under the HTS are mainly Sunni Islamist Salafis, with
roots in Al Qaeda.
The SNA is a nationalist Syrian force that is the one with
strong ties to Turkey, and Erdogan has attempted to fund, train and equip these
rebels.
As Hezbollah tries to re-build after its war with Israel,
both of these rebel groups are are moving into position.
Iran has also played a significant role in Syria, supporting
Syrian President Bashir Assad's forces, along with Russia. Both countries have
invested in Syria's military infrastructure. Russia has provided Syria with an
advanced anti-missile defense system and trained technicians in how to use it
to defend Syria from outside enemies, including Israel.
Iran continues to build advanced weapons factories in Syria,
which Israel, periodically, destroys with its fighter jets. This includes
Iran's attempts to transfer sophisticated weapons to Hezbollah for years, with
Israel continuing its efforts to destroy some of these convoys carrying advanced
weapons into Lebanon.
In addition, Syria has storage facilities for its weapons of
mass destruction. These buildings house weapons under the title of “Syrian
Scientific Studies and Research Centers” (CERS), which are considered to be the
locations where Syrian chemical weapons are stored.
Israel is concerned that the rebels could take over these
CERS sites in their efforts to disrupt Iran’s attempt at regional
hegemony.
While rebel groups pretend to be on Israel’s side in its
fight with Hezbollah and Iran, they are deeply rooted in extremist ideology.
They are branding themselves as “moderates”, but are doing that to deceive the
media, hiding their daily abuses, especially on social media. If they are able
to overrun Assad’s regime-controlled territories, it could pose a real threat
to Israel’s long-term security, including the threat of chemical weapons being
launched against the Jewish State by the rebels, themselves.
As the battles continue for rebel control over most of
Syria, the most vulnerable Syrians are fleeing in mass numbers. To-date, there
are 200,000 displaced Christians looking for safe passage in NE Syria. Those
who are injured are waiting for medical supplies and help. There are food
shortages, and humanitarian aid groups are trying to get safe passage for buses
that want to bring in the aid. But, recently, the rebel Islamists have required
$6,000 per bus bringing in supplies. When this happened before, the Islamists
told aid workers they had to pay or die.
The aid workers are asking western leaders to help create
corridors to get food, money, and supplies to the people who are stuck in this
conflict. But, the United States incoming Trump Administration has
indicated it does not want to get involved, unless there are attacks on US
bases in NE Syria.
There are technical advances that are being reported in NE
Syria, where rebels, associated with Erdogan, are trying to pull out
communication satellites and put in their own. The goal is to bring in a
different currency, a different language, and cell service that will become
limited, so that the only communications will be the propaganda from the
Turkish rebels.
The Christians in NE Syria are experiencing financial battles (ATM machines are not working), and stranded families have nowhere to go where it is safe. The communities in NE Syria are
vulnerable, especially those with religious minorities.
So far, the Kurds are working hard to hold back the rebel
Islamists in NE Syria. It is critical for the safety of the region that areas
in NE Syria do not fall to the rebels.
Additionally, there is a threat on the stability of Jordan,
where Iran has had influence and caused havoc.
Iran has been able to destabilize the West Bank (Judea and
Samaria), bringing massive amounts of weapons in to the area to fight Israeli forces.
PRAYER POINTS:
*Pray for aid workers to be able to get their buses in to
help with humanitarian aid to stranded Syrians, especially those who need
medicines and medical help. Pray that the Lord removes the extortion demands of
the rebels who are hindering assistance from Christians to the people of Syria.
*Pray that all the kidnapping and abuses that are already
taking place will be stopped immediately; and vulnerable women and children
will find safe places to live, without fear of being taken hostage by radical
Islamists.
*Pray that the incoming Trump Administration will continue
to hold the ground in NE Syria, fighting off any opposition forces that would
try to take over the area. Pray for protection of U.S. bases in the area.
*Pray that the Kurds will get military assistance from
Israel, as they have in the past, and that the Kurds will not lose their
democratic government or freedoms in the area they have protected in Syria.
Pray for unity among the Kurds in both Syria and Turkey, who can one day have
their own state.
*Pray for the protection of the West Bank (Judea and
Samaria) from outside forces; and that all arms smuggling would stop NOW, in
Yeshua's name.
*Pray that the threat of weapons of mass destruction,
including chemical weapons, would be destroyed, supernaturally, by the Lord.
Pray that these weapons will not get into the hands of any groups that want to
use them against the Syrian people or Israel.
*Pray for the Lord to delay the enemy's plans of trying to
bring the destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17), before its time; or, the Ezekiel
War (Ezekiel 38 and 39) before its time. Pray that the Lord holds back the war
of Psalm 83, as well.
*It seems that some of the regional instability in Syria
offers Israel a strategic advantage in the short-term. The weakening of Iran
and its Shi'ite axis reduces the immediate threat to Israel's northern border,
allowing the IDF some time to update its defense strategy. Pray that Israeli
leaders seek wisdom from the Lord in how to implement new military plans during
this lull in the fighting on its northern border.
*Pray that Israeli officials will keep an eye on what the
Syrian rebels are trying to accomplish in the short-term, with an understanding
of where this can lead in the long-term.
*Pray that the Lord interferes in the plans of men who are
intent on fragmenting Syria. Pray that He subdues competing militias that are trying
to bring Syria into another civil war.
*Pray for Israel to continue to invest in border security
and intelligence, with the ability to monitor all its hostile enemies, with
accurate intelligence, and advanced military systems that can defend God's
land!
GOD’S PURPOSES IN THE NATURAL AND IN THE SPIRITUAL:
Israel must consider the advantages of disrupting Iran's goals, along with the advantages of disrupting the plans of Islamic extremists
-- both being empowered as enemies of the Jewish state.
As intercessors, we know that Israel's fight is not against
flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers of the air; against
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in
heavenly places. (See Ephesian 6:12).
While Israel does not know about the spiritual battle over
its land, prophetic watchmen do know. We are in our strategic positions to
intercede during this vulnerable period in time. We must put on the full armor
of God and stand our ground on behalf of Israel and the nations. This is the
time to be ready with the gospel of peace. This is also the time to take up our
shields of faith over the Holy Land of God. With our battle gear on, we can
extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
It's time to see, in the Word of God, the tools He has given
us, including the helmet of our salvation, and the sword of His Spirit
(which is His word). Our ability to pray in the Spirit on
every occasion, and if possible, at all times, will result in our effectiveness
in this battle over His land and people.
Shi'ites and Sunnis are currently fighting one another for
regional control. Eventually, they may team up and fight Israel. We have
an opportunity now to pull down from heaven, the Lord's strategies, that will sustain
regional order, and prevent increased threats to Israel's security.
Our prayers and requests, in God's heavenly battle for His
land, will result in us staying alert and remembering all of the Lord's people
who are affected by this regional conflict.
Thank you for standing in the gap! The battle is the Lord's
-- first and foremost! Our prayers for the people of the Middle East will lead
to their encouragement and their ability to fight the good fight of faith!
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES TO DECLARE OVER THE REGION:
Psalm 35:1: ...."Contend O LORD, with
those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!"
Psalm 37:7-11: "Be still before the LORD and
wait patiently for Him. Do not fret when men prosper in their ways; when they
carry out wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and abandon wrath. Do not fret --
it can only bring harm. For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope
in the LORD will inherit the land. Yet, a little while, and the wicked will be
no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But, the meek will
inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity."
Exodus 14:14: "The LORD will fight for you. You
need only to be still."
Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect
peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You!"
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give
to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 16:33: “I have told you these things so that in
Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But, take courage,
I have overcome the world!”
(Source: Global Prayer Watch News and Prayer Update)