SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 77

Jerusalem, Israel

FEBRUARY 2014 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Middle East

Currently, Israel is losing the battle in the diplomatic arena. There are boycotts, divestments, and an attempt to isolate the Jewish State by taking action against settlements in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). Economic sanctions and new restrictive trade policies, especially on the part of European nations, are being used as threats against Israel, in the event that the Israeli government refuses to accept new demands for peace. These European policies are meant to hurt Israel’s global standing. It is also an attempt at promoting fear in Israel, especially within the business community. 

Anti-Semitism is on the rise, worldwide, including a confrontational spirit on the part of lawmakers in Denmark and Tunisia who performed the quenelle (a type of Nazi salute) when speaking in Parliament. About 250,000 European Jews do not visit Jewish sites or wear clothing or symbols that identify them as Jews, fearing an anti-Semitic attack. There have been increases in attacks against Jewish people, recently, living in Kiev and Paris.

The worst cases of incitement against Israel and the Jewish People is found within the Palestinian territories – in school textbooks, and on state-sponsored television. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas treats prisoners released from Israeli jails as heroes, and names streets after terrorists who have died after launching attacks against Israel. Despite Israel’s pleas for Abbas to stop the incitement, he has done nothing.

If the current peace process fails, Abbas is already putting into place new preparations for a diplomatic Intifada.  What Abbas is planning, is to try and gain international recognition at the United Nations for a state of “Palestine.”  He is hoping to convince the world community that the Jewish People do not have ties to the land here, and that Israelis have no legitimate reason to settle here.

This diplomatic offensive could be accompanied by a third violent Uprising on the part of the Palestinians, which might include attacks from jihadists operating in the West Bank, and on Israel’s borders (Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Egypt, and the Sinai).  

Already, there are calls within the Palestinian leadership for a renewal of armed resistance against Israel. One of those leaders, Jibril Rajoub, said, “The year 2014 is the year of decision; we either go to a state or to a confrontation.”

The Shin Bet recently arrested 16 Israeli Arabs that had formed a Hamas cell in Jerusalem and were in charge of causing disruptions on the Temple Mount. Police said there has been an increase in radicalism in East Jerusalem. 

Last month, Israel discovered three Al Qaeda recruits in Jerusalem who were planning multiple terrorist attacks inside the country. Al Qaeda sympathizers are also operating in the West Bank. Al Qaeda has taken advantage of the vacuum in Syria to strength its forces there, and is spreading its influence into Lebanon, which it sees as another gateway into Israel. 

During the past few months there has been a dramatic increase in rocket attacks against Israel. In Gaza, Islamic Jihad and PLO terrorists were responsible, along with Hamas, for launching 14 rockets at Israeli towns in January alone!  Explosive devices planted along the security fence were meant to harm soldiers guarding Israeli border communities. Sinai-based jihadists along with Al Qaeda operatives from Egypt, have also hit Eilat with rockets. The IDF is losing its deterrence capabilities in the south. 

The most pressing issue that occupies Israeli leaders is the threat of Iran becoming a nuclear superpower in order to fulfill its plans for world dominance. The interim agreement, signed in late January between six world powers and Iran, still allows Iranian leaders to keep their centrifuges in place. It permits them to research and build more advanced centrifuges, as well. If talks towards a permanent agreement fail, these centrifuges will be ready for placement in nuclear facilities, and could quickly enrich enough uranium for a “nuclear breakout” – which would give Iran the short time it needs to build several nuclear bombs.

With all these actions that are a threat to the survival of the Jewish State, we are not hearing much about how Israel plans to fight its battles should peace talks between the U.S., Israel, and the Palestinians fail; and, if negotiations between the six world powers and Iran fail. 

The only plans that are being reported is that the Israeli government wants to cut back on defense spending instead of increasing it!

In the meantime, there is great pressure on Netanyahu and his peace negotiating team to give up the covenant land God has promised to the Jewish People.

Canadian PM Harper said something profound during his January Knesset speech:  “We Canadians understand that Israelis live with this impossible calculus: If you act to defend yourselves, you will suffer widespread condemnation over and over again. But should you fail to act, you alone will suffer the consequence of your inaction and that consequence will be final. It will be your destruction.”

Harper understood Israel’s suffering and the country’s need to defend itself. There is a frustration among pro-Israel supporters because the world community refuses to accept Israel’s biblical and historical rights to the land.  International leaders, as well as leftists in Israel, do not want to engage in a military conflict or war in order to keep Israel’s line of defense and the nation’s deterrence in place. Appeasement is the name of the game!

Israel’s past prime ministers and foreign ministers have not been focused on how much God wants to protect His land and their lives from destruction, according to the biblical scriptures. Therefore, these leaders have been willing to concede to pressure; willing to give up part of their birthright, as Esau did, for a pot of porridge! 

But, there is a remnant in Israel who are standing in the gap, calling out to God to preserve their land. Thousands of Israelis gathered at the Western Wall recently to pray. Their purpose was “to unite the community of those who love the Torah and the Land of Israel against an agreement with an enemy that does not want peace but seeks to destroy the Jewish People.”  One of the organizers of the rally declared, “We have to rouse the people through prayer against this tragedy and against the expulsion of Jews from their homes.” According to the report (Jerusalem Post, 1/31/2014), prayers were read fervently over the loud speakers at the Wall, accompanied by trumpet blasts. Rabbis encouraged the people to cry from their hearts to God!

On a political level, conservative Israeli government leaders are taking issue with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s diplomatic and military pressure on the Jewish State.  His ultimatums are not getting a positive response in Israel.  Netanyahu’s government is on the verge of collapse because of major differences between political parties. There are those who want peace so bad they are willing to accept Kerry’s future peace plan without even seeing it. And, there are those who are already strongly opposed to whatever compromises Kerry is bringing to the peace table. These divisions are shattering the unity of Netanyahu’s coalition.

All the more reason why we ask you to stand in the gap, interceding at a time when Israeli government leaders have to make tough decisions!

PRAYER POINTS:

Please study and pray through the scriptures that involve the Lord’s covenant land promises to Israel. Then, remind the Lord, and speak over Israel, those covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants… which are the descendants living in the land today and in the future! 

(Read Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:15-17; Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:7-8; Genesis 26:3-4; Genesis 28:13-14).

Intercede that leaders here will walk in the wisdom of the Lord, and not concede to the demands of men:

Proverbs 4:25-27: “Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then, stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

This is a crucial time in the history of the modern Jewish State. Please pray against all fear about economic sanctions. Declare that Israelis will be blessed with prosperity as they hold on to God’s Word and continue to steward His land properly. 

We need rain in Israel. January was a dry and warm month! Ask for the rain and proclaim the Lord’s Covenant of Peace with Israel:  

Ezekiel 34:25-26: “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and, they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing; and, I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.”

Declare God’s glory over Israel, that the Jewish People will appreciate and be grateful for His devotion to them: 

Deuteronomy 4:7-8:  “For what nation is there so great, that has God so near unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon Him for? And what nation is there so great, that has statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”

Intercede that the people of Israel will not walk in fear of the enemy, but trust in the Lord:         

           

1 Samuel 12:22-24: “For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it for me to sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. But, I will teach you the good and right way. Only, fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth and with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”

Pray that Israeli political and defense leaders, members of the Knesset, and those in Netanyahu’s government coalition, will see God’s hand on the Jewish State to protect it, defend it, and use it to judge the nations:    

Jeremiah 51:20:  “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war. For with you, I will break the nations in pieces; with you, I will destroy kingdoms.”

Romans 8:31:  “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

As a pro-Israel supporter, stand on behalf of Israel, that she will stop being cursed by the nations, but instead, be a blessing to the nations. Proclaim that Israel will be saved, redeemed, and favored by the Lord:  

Zechariah 8:13: “And, it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the nations, O House of Judah and House of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.”

Intercede for reconciliation and healing to come between Netanyahu and Israeli leader, Naftali Bennett. Pray that Bennett will show respect for Netanyahu’s leadership while still lifting up God’s standard of righteousness and justice in His beloved land.

Intercede for the Lord to give Bennett wisdom and timing in voicing his concerns. Pray that God continues to use Bennett as a biblical mouthpiece to speak His truths. 

Ask the Lord to expose all evil intent by those involved in these current peace talks. 

Intercede for God to strengthen Netanyahu’s political backbone so he will not compromise land for peace. 

Thank the Lord for those members in Bennett’s Bayit Yehudi (Land of Israel) party who are not willing to give an inch of the land away, while proclaiming Israel’s biblical right to preserve it: 

Matthew 7:24: "Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it, is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”

 

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 76

Jerusalem, Israel

JANUARY 2014 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Middle East

*Eight years ago on January 4^th, former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon went into a coma after a serious stroke. During the past several days, his vital organs have begun to fail. Preparations are being made for his funeral. Sharon is considered one of the founders of the State of Israel and a mighty warrior during many battles for the survival of the state. But, he is also known for the controversial withdrawal of thousands of settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005 during the Disengagement. Many older Israelis have considered him of the same stature as a king, and his passing will be like a father of Israel being torn from his children. Pray, according to Isaiah 61:1-3, especially, "to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion.”

*U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Israel trying to push a “framework interim agreement” on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Both leaders have resented American pressure, as the gaps between them are very wide.  The Palestinians have refused to accept Israel as the state of the Jewish People. They want their own state to be militarized. They want it to be totally free of any Jews. They continue to claim that Jerusalem is their capital, and they plan to bring millions of Palestinians to settle in their land. 

The key issue here is about legitimacy. The Palestinians believe that the land belongs to them and that they are the rightful owners of the land. But, God gave the land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through an eternal covenant with the Jewish People, and He is displeased with Palestinian demands for statehood.

Read Ezekiel Chapter 36:1-7 in your times of intercession before the throne of God. This deals with the Lord’s judgment on the nations.

Proclaim Ezekiel 36:8-12 on behalf of Israel:  “But, you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.  I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.  I will cause people, My people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children.”

The Lord has shown us that part of the problem regarding the peace process is that some Israeli government leaders have lost their way and they want to give up the land. They have believed a lie that the only way that Israel can be both Jewish and democratic is to divide the land into two states. They do not believe that Israel can maintain a Jewish majority within the land like it is now. They are afraid that the Arabs will become the majority. So, they want to withdraw from Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).  They do not believe in a future Aliyah (immigration to Israel), and have come under a great deception.  This is also true of the general public. According to a recent poll, a majority of Israelis want the Palestinians to have their own state based on the Clinton Parameters (which calls for the dividing of the land and of the city of Jerusalem)!

Proverbs 29:18 says:  “When people do not accept Divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.”

Here’s another translation of the same verse: “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds Wisdom's instruction.”

Please intercede that the leaders of Israel, especially those involved in the current negotiations with the Palestinians and the U.S. (primarily, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Tzippi Livni), will seek Divine guidance and Wisdom’s instruction.  

Pray that those government leaders who are running wild will be tamed by the Lord. Ask Him to give dreams and visions to Israel’s liberal politicians, which will lead them into receiving new revelation of His purposes concerning Israel and the Palestinians.  

Proclaim Isaiah 59:1 for every member of Israel’s government that has influence in the current peace process:  “Listen! The LORD's arm is not too weak to save you, nor is His ear too deaf to hear you call.” 

Pray that the Israeli public will not live under the same deception as some of these government leaders. Intercede that Israeli citizens will call on the name of the Lord and He will save them out of all their troubles. (See Psalm 25:22).

*One of the greatest dangers within the “framework” of the current peace negotiations is that the American government wants Israel to give up sovereignty in the Jordan Valley. The Palestinians are demanding that Israel do so. This would be catastrophic for the Jewish State!  Without an IDF presence on the border between Israel and Jordan, Israel would lose its strategic depth. And, Israel needs settlements to remain along that border community, so there is no vacuum of people (which could be filled with terrorists). Netanyahu recently hired former Ambassador to the UN, Dore Gold, to be his main Foreign Policy Advisor. This is a good move as Dore Gold is an expert on Israel’s need for defensible borders. He has explained, in depth, the reason that Israel must maintain a presence in the Jordan Valley. 

On Sunday, December 29th, 2013, the Knesset Ministerial Committee for Legislation voted in favor of a bill that would annex the Jordan Valley and place it under full Israeli sovereignty. The bill has little chance of surviving through Knesset committees.  However, it sent a strong message to those engaged in peace negotiations, that the Jordan Valley is a “red” line for many senior members of Netanyahu’s Likud Party, as well as a “red” line for members of other political parties in Netanyahu’s government.

Pray that all the land God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – from the Great Sea to the Euphrates River -- would be protected and preserved, as it is the Lord’s land!  (See Joshua 1:3-5). Pray that Netanyahu will hold fast to the promises of God and not concede to pressure from the U.S. or any government. Declare Joshua 1:6 over him:  "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

*An article in the Jerusalem Post (1/1/2014) reveals that U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice has been the creator of foreign policy for the Obama Administration. She was U.S. President Barack Obama’s first choice to replace Hillary Clinton as U.S. Secretary of State, but was rejected by Congress in what were perceived as her “cover up” television interviews regarding the Benghazi attack. So, rather than John Kerry calling the shots, it appears that Susan Rice is doing so. Rice has pushed for final-status agreements on Iran’s nuclear program and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Perhaps, not realizing it, U.S. presidents and their administrations have been used by the enemy to chip away at Israel’s resolve – trying to get more and more concessions out of Israeli government leaders through “interim” peace agreements.

Pray that Susan Rice has a revelation of God’s heart for the Jewish People and His eternal covenant with Israel. Pray that she puts Israel first in her policy decisions for the Obama Administration. Intercede, according to 1 Timothy 2:1-5, that President Obama, Susan Rice, and John Kerry will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth about their Messiah; and, about Israel’s place in God’s Kingdom purposes in the last days. May they seek His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and know His ways, so that they can live out their lives on earth with His true and everlasting peace in their hearts.

*There are several important leaders scheduled to be in Israel over the next several months. Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper is planning to come in January. February meetings are scheduled for Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel. Pray that strategic cooperation between Israel and these countries remains strong and that the best interests of the Jewish State are held in the highest regard by these world leaders. Continue to thank God for the strong faith of Stephen Harper, declaring that he will have a positive impact on the leaders of Israel, and will bring an abundant blessing to the land and people when he visits.

*A recent survey shows that 1/10^th of religious people in Israel have not opened up a Bible in the past year. More than 90% of respondents support teaching the Bible in schools. But, knowing scripture is another issue. The survey reveals a gap between the importance that Israelis attach to the Bible, and their knowing the actual context of the Bible (which they are less sure of). 

It is important to meditate on God’s Word. Please pray that the Word of God will not be “rote” for Israelis, but that they will be touched by the Lord as they read His Word. 

Declare, Isaiah 55:9-11 over Israel:  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth; and, making it bear and sprout; and, furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire; and, without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Also, see Psalm 1 and Psalm 119). 

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 75

Jerusalem, Israel

DECEMBER 2013 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Middle East 

FOCUS ON IRAN

·      The enemy has been pitting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against world leaders concerning the recent interim agreement with Iran.

Please pray for Netanyahu: that his voice of warning might be heeded by world leaders; that favor will increase over him; that truth out of his mouth will cause a change in the way negotiations are held in the future between Iran and the nations.

·      This six-month agreement opens the diplomatic door for Iran’s enrichment program to be globally accepted. It paves the way for Iran to have approval for the right to enrich uranium under a permanent agreement. The uncertainty of this matter is clouded by double talk.

As we have asked before, pray that God will unleash greater discernment in the earth to counteract the spirit of deception that is operating now through Iran’s desire to hide its nuclear military program.  Pray that the Lord gives clarity in what agreements have already been made, especially those deeds done in darkness. Pray that all concessions to Iran will be brought into the light. Pray for the light of righteousness to spring forth. Pray for a global public outcry regarding all injustices that have been carried forth out of ignorance on the part of international leaders.

·      Even in this interim period, Iran could figure out a way of reaching the “breakout’ stage of nuclear military capability without being detected by intelligence agencies.

Pray that everything that is secret will be revealed. Pray that IAEA inspectors would have access to ALL Iran’s nuclear facilities and that God would give these inspectors supernatural wisdom and boldness to report Iran’s attempt at becoming a nuclear superpower. Pray for strategies that will cause the international community to rise up and stop Iran from continuing on this destructive path.

*Focus on the upcoming permanent deal in your prayers. Any loopholes in that deal will give Iran the approval and ability to continue its enrichment program. The possibility of this happening is already threatening regional and global interests. There are dire consequences if Iran reaches nuclear capability. It is not just an existential threat to Israel; the Arab nations are also threatened. The silver lining is that these Arab states are developing relations with Israel in order to fight Iran.

Intercede that the Lord will not allow nuclear proliferation to succeed in the Middle East due to the lack of security felt by Arab nations. Pray against all unholy alliances that are trying to form because of Iran’s perceived regional dominance. Ask God to keep radical forces at bay that are trying to take advantage of America’s diminishing role in the region.

Keep your prayers fixed on the goal – the elimination of Iranian nuclear military power in any final deal sought by the international community.

God is waking up pro-Israel Bible believers to take their rightful place in prayer as this issue continues to dominate headline news. Thank you for standing in the gap as intercessors on the wall of prayer.

Ecclesiastes 7:25:  “So, I turned my mind to understand, to investigate, and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things. And, to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.”

This is what the Lord expects of us:

Isaiah 21:6:  “Go past a lookout and have him report what he sees. Put a watchman on the city wall. Let him shout out what he sees. (Let him announce it; let him declare it).”

God is pleased when you intercede on His behalf:

Ezekiel 3:17:  “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me.”