SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 148

Jerusalem, Israel

JANUARY 15, 2020 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

MIDDLE EAST INSTABILITY:

A U.S. airstrike killing Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, near Bagdad’s Iraqi airport on Friday, January, 3, 2020, was a Middle East game changer. U.S. President Donald Trump was responding to Iran’s attack on both a U.S. military base in Iraq (which killed a U.S. worker), and Iran’s damaging of the U.S. embassy in Iraq. It was also a way of letting Iran know that it could not continue its aggressive behavior and control in the region without a strong response from the West. 

Soleimani was the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, and the architect of Iran’s Middle East military policies, under the direction of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As an arch terrorist, Soleimani was feared by many in the region, as he attempted to advance his goals of establishing and strengthening a land corridor from Iran, to Iraq, to Syria, to Lebanon, in an effort to surround Israel from the north. Iran has been set on building military bases along the corridor (also called the Shia Crescent), as well as sending Israel’s enemies advanced weapons shipments. 

After the killing of Soleimani which sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East, Iran responded by, again, targeting U.S. military bases in Iraq, which caused damages, but no personnel killed. In the midst of the heightened tensions in the region, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard, “accidentally” shot down a Ukrainian commercial jet liner, killing all passengers on board, including Ukrainians, Canadians, and Iranian nationals.

Iranian citizens were already protesting against their government, frustrated by rising prices, due to U.S. sanctions. Their protests continued after the jetliner was shot down, accusing their own government of hiding the fact that it was an Iranian Revolutionary Guard who, “mistakenly”, targeted the plane.  

Iran also stopped adhering to the JCPOA nuclear agreement, threatening the West that it was stepping up its nuclear program. This caused European leaders, most notably, Britain, France, and Germany, to issue a formal complaint against Iran for not complying with the agreement.

In mid-January, Israel allegedly took advantage of the chaos in Iran, reportedly striking the Syrian T-4 military base near Damascus… known for its Iranian Revolutionary Guard presence. (The Iranians continue to aggressively build at that base. Israel, from time to time, has responded by conducting air strikes in order to stop Iran’s advanced military operations there).  Now, Israel waits to see if there will be any response from Iran or from its proxies.

A high alert continues in Israel due to the instability in the region, with the uncertainty of how Iran will respond diplomatically and militarily towards Israel and Western interests. It is also unclear how Iranian leaders will react politically and financially in Iran due to the continued public protests. In the past, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards cracked down on protestors, fiercely, under the direction of Soleimani. 

Several Middle East countries hope that the U.S. will assist the Iranian protesters with the means to resist future Iranian government crackdowns. This might involve American intelligence services helping protestors to keep a clear and open channel of public communications, despite Iranian efforts to shut down the Internet and all social networking.

PRAYER POINTS:

Israel’s strong military and diplomatic presence in the Middle East has helped to deepen alliances with Arab countries in the region who are looking to Israel for assurances when threatened by Iran. 

PRAY that these alliances will serve to solidify a wall of resistance against Iran; with the goal of deterring Iran’s hegemonic aspirations in the region. 

THANK THE LORD that the killing of Soleimani, and several other high-level terrorists along with him, has delayed Iran’s goal of surrounding Israel with an alliance of armies all along Israel’s northern border. (See Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39). 

For those who think that the world is on the verge of fulfilling this Ezekiel prophecy, study Ezekiel 38:11, which firmly states when this war will occur. The enemies of Israel have tried to bring the war before its time, but the Lord, Himself, as the Commander of the armies of heaven, delayed it. (See Joshua 5:14; Joel 2:11; Joel 3:16; Isaiah 13:4).

ISRAEL’S UPCOMING ELECTIONS:

Israel’s third national election in one year proves to be as challenging as the first and second elections. Israeli politicians have failed, so far, to bring together a coalition government. And, it is unsure they will be able to do so, after failing twice already.

Without much money in the coffers to promote their campaigns, and an Israeli public that is frustrated with their lack of unity, the goal of the two major Israeli political parties (Likud and Blue and White) has been to strengthen their political bases.

One way of doing this has been for Blue and White leaders to convince those left-wing parties they are aligned with, to form a solid left-wing liberal block. And, for Likud leaders to convince those right-wing parties they are aligned with, to form a solid right-wing conservative block. As of this writing, the left-wing parties are responding, but the right-wing parties have been less successful. 

What is needed in Israeli politics is a change in the electoral system that would emphasize a two-party system, and remove the obstacles of small controlling parties that are self-serving. The public wants to see a unity government formed, of both the Likud and Blue and White -- one that is not serving the extreme left or the extreme right in Israel.

PRAYER POINTS:

In the land of the Bible, where Jerusalem is the city of God (His beloved Zion), we can call on the Lord to put Godly leaders at the head of Israel’s government, until the time that Jesus sets up His Kingdom on the earth. (Isaiah 9:6-7). 

As in the time of some of the great kings of Israel (especially David and Solomon), God can give wisdom, understanding and knowledge to the leaders of this great nation. He can put in their hearts the fear of the Lord. (Psalm 25:12-14; Psalm 111:10; Psalm 112:1).

PRAY AND DECLARE that the Lord reigns over Zion, and He will fulfill the destiny of this nation through establishing Godly order and principles. PRAY that political leaders in Israel will turn to the Lord, their God, for direction as they lead this nation in 2020 and beyond. 

SEEK THE LORD to bring together those politicians He wants to form a Godly alliance in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace; those men and women who truly desire to serve Him in caring for the people of Israel.

PRAY that the next Israeli government is one that upholds justice and righteousness. Intercede for God to bring the light of His Glory into the darkness of this nation. 

THANK HIM for enlarging the nation and increasing its joy. Declare that the people will rejoice before Him, trusting in the name of the Lord, and relying on their God. (Isaiah 50:10).

“Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:4).

“He said to me, ‘You are My servant, Israel, in who I will display My glory.’ ” (Isaiah 49:3).

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 147

Jerusalem, Israel

NOVEMBER 2019 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

RUMORS OF WAR:

On November 1, 2019, terrorist groups in Gaza launched rockets into Israeli southern towns in what appears to be a new escalation in attacks on Israel. 

This follows days of Israeli leaders warning of imminent war… on both Israel’s southern and northern borders. 

Israel has issued an emergency air alert, upgrading its air defenses, because of recent aggressive moves on the part of Iran. Iranian ballistic missiles have increased in precision and now pose an immediate threat to Israel, especially from Yemen. 

It is possible that Israel could launch a pre-emptive strike because the upgraded Iranian missiles threaten the balance of power in the Middle East, as does Iran’s continued efforts in advancing its nuclear program. Israel must retain a Qualitative Military Edge (QME) over its enemies.

Intercession is crucial at this time with the continued fighting going on between Turkey and the Kurds in NE Syria (due to the promise of U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw troops from that part of the Middle East region). Turkey claims it is creating a safe zone, but the results could end up being a land corridor that helps Iran get advanced weapons systems into Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon….. in order to surround Israel. 

Israel will not allow that kind of military aggression, and there is the likelihood of a future conflict, where Israel would take action from the Syrian Golan Heights into Lebanon. Israel will look to knock out precision missiles already pointed at Israel by Hezbollah. 

A further need to pray at this time is because Israel continues to have a lame duck government; negotiations for a new government are at a standstill; we could be looking at a third round of Israeli elections. This creates an environment where the enemy may see Israel as weak and try to strike. These are vulnerable times for this nation. Your prayers make a difference!

PRAYER POINTS:

Pray that the Commander of the Armies of Israel, the Lord Himself, defends Israel’s borders and the home-front from any surprise attacks. Declare 1 Peter 5:8 over Israel:  “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”  

Proclaim over the Israeli people, James 4:7:  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Also, speak the word over the land, and its leaders, according to Isaiah 54:17:  “No weapon formed against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you….”

Israeli leaders need to walk in humility and consider serving the nation above their own egos. According to Mark 3:25, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”  Israel is vulnerable to attacks, at this time, while politicians bicker, and cannot come into harmony and unity in order to form a new coalition government. Pray that the Lord intervenes, and does something supernatural to bring Israeli politicians together to benefit the people of Israel.

“Am Israel Chai!” The nation of Israel lives!

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 146

Jerusalem, Israel

MID-SEPTEMBER 2019 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

• Israelis will go to the polls and elect a new political party on Tuesday, September 17. According to recent news reports, the results could end as they did in April 2019, without a viable government formed. Israel has a parliamentary system. Israelis vote for a party, and the leader of the largest party tries to form a government, negotiating with other political parties. The last time Israelis voted, the largest party was Likud, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not able to form a government coalition.

The parties that are key in this election are:  Likud (Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu); and, Blue and White (rotating Chairman’s, Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid). Likud is considered a center-right conservative party. Blue and White is considered a center-left liberal party. 

The “kingpin” in this election, as was in the previous election, is Avigdor Lieberman (Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu). He is acting as a “centrist” to get the popular vote in Israel. His demand is that a National Unity Government be formed between both the Likud and Blue-White parties that excludes the religious Orthodox parties. 

Lieberman is counting on the secular Israeli vote, but he is not so trusted as a leader in Israel.  Lieberman brought down the previous Israeli government because he wants to change the status of Orthodox Jews who are, mostly, exempt from being drafted into the army. They demand to be able to further their Torah studies, much to the disappointment of members of Israel’s secular community who serve in the army.

Lieberman wants a draft bill to pass in the Knesset to force young Orthodox Jews into compulsory service. This is because he believes it is time, now, to wipe out Hamas terrorists in Gaza, once and for all. Israeli communities in the south of the country continue to suffer from rockets launched by Hamas and other terrorists that are residing in Gaza. Most Israelis would agree that Israel’s deterrence in the south has deteriorated. But, Israeli parents don’t want their sons and daughters to die in a future war between Israel’s Defense Forces and Hamas. A future war would require Israeli ground forces to enter Gaza, resulting in what has been predicted to be a major loss of life on both sides. Please pray that this prediction will not come to pass!

The Yamina party (Chairman Ayelet Shaked), is the only political party run by an Orthodox Jewish woman. Her party is right-wing conservative, but composed of secular and religious Zionist Jews. She also wants to see Israel wipe out Hamas in the next conflict in the south.

Three of the top leaders in the Blue and White political party (Benny Gantz, Moshe Yaalon, and Gabi Ashkenazi) are all former Israeli Defense Force (IDF) generals. This is why Lieberman wants to form a unity government. He sees that this will be necessary, not only to fight Hamas in the south; but, a possible war in the north with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, it appears to be a close race between Likud and Blue and White, but, not considered to be easy for anyone to form a new government in Israel. Your prayers are needed!

PRAYER POINTS:

PRAY FOR A RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT TO SUCCESSFULLY BE FORMED IN ISRAEL AFTER THE VOTE ON SEPTEMBER 17. ASK THE LORD TO GIVE SUPERNATURAL WISDOM TO THE ISRAELI PUBLIC TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT POLITICAL PARTIES THAT CAN EASILY FORM A GOVERNMENT COALITION, WITH A LEADER OF GREAT WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD. PRAY FOR THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL TO BE A MAN OF GOOD CHARACTER, WHO HAS INTEGRITY AND WALKS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; ONE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY THROUGH TROUBLED WATERS! (ROMANS 13:1-4; PROVERBS 21:1).

• During this election on September 17, through the celebrations of the biblical Fall Feasts that begin on September 29, there is high level security in Israel, especially in Jerusalem and the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). There is a unit of undercover police called “Yamas” that will be operating in and around Jerusalem to ward off terrorist attacks and other criminal acts. Unfortunately, the city is not considered safe without this kind of police protection. Thousands of tourists and locals will be flocking to the Western Wall during the feasts, and other popular holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City.

PRAYER POINTS:

ACCORDING TO PSALM 121:4:  “INDEED, HE WHO WATCHES OVER ISRAEL WILL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.” PRAY FOR THE GOD OF ISRAEL TO SUPERNATURALLY WATCH OVER ISRAEL, ESPECIALLY JERUSALEM, WITH EXTRA VILIGENCE DURING THIS VULNERABLE SIX WEEKS. PRAY, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THAT ALL PLOTS WILL BE EXPOSED AND DEFEATED BEFORE ANY PLANNED TERROR ACTIVITIES ARE ABLE TO TAKE PLACE.

• The Trump “Deal of the Century” (peace plan) is expected to be unveiled right after the Israeli elections, but before an Israeli government coalition is formed. This complicates the political process in Israel, with diplomatic interference on the part of the U.S., especially concerning the timing of this action.

Because of this pressure, current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a recent press conference defining what he will do if elected, again, as prime minister. He said he is prepared to protect every Israeli living in settlement communities (beyond the “Green Line”); and, that he will annex those communities, but only after the Trump plan is revealed (out of respect for the U.S. president).

In addition, Netanyahu declared Israel’s sovereignty over the entire Jordan Valley (the length of the border with Jordan), including up to the northern part of the Dead Sea. This shows how concerned Israel is with the contents of the Trump peace plan. Israel has always insisted that the Jordan Valley would remain in Israel’s hands in any agreement with the Palestinians, due to security reasons, and to guarantee Israel defensible borders.  (ISAIAH 54:2-3; ISAIAH 55:11; PSALM 33:11-12).  

• Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to re-negotiate the Iran nuclear deal with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. That led to Netanyahu holding a press conference where he revealed another secret Iranian location where Iran was attempting to build nuclear weapons. Trump is aware that Israel does not want direct negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

PRAYER POINTS:

ISRAEL IS PREPARING TO RECEIVE THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS DURING THIS BUSY FEAST SEASON. PRAY THAT ALL ATTEMPTS BY ISRAEL’S ENEMIES TO START A CONFLICT WITH THE JEWISH STATE WILL BE THWARTED. PRAY FOR CONFUSION AND DELAY IN THE ENEMY CAMP. ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL TO ISRAEL’S LEADERS WHERE THE ENEMY IS ADVANCING, AND CONTINUE TO GIVE THE IDF INSIGHTS IN HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE ACTIONS THAT COULD HEAT UP ISRAEL’S BORDERS. PRAY FOR PROTECTION OVER ISRAEL’S HOMEFRONT, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN COMMUNITIES.   (1 JOHN 5:14-15; JOB 12:22; PSALM CHAPTER 91).