SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 189

 

Jerusalem, Israel

 

PRAYER UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2023

 

Israel and the Nations

 

UPDATE:  The Israel Government’s Actions Towards Judicial Reform (the Judicial Revolution) – A Great Source of Conflict Today:

 

 The judicial reforms that the current Israeli government is beginning to push forward, are being looked at by Western countries as a threat to democracy. It is already affecting financial investments with Israeli companies, especially high-tech, and could result in a weakening of the Israeli economy. Despite hundreds of thousands protesting on the streets of Israeli society, one of the judicial reform bills recently received its first reading in the Knesset.

What is important is that checks and balances between all three levels of government are protected… The Judicial branch; the Legislative branch (the Knesset); and the Executive branch of the government (the Prime Minister and his cabinet). 

 

It is the LORD that, ultimately, makes the decisions of who will be in power and for what purpose:

 

Daniel 2:21-22:

“He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.…”

 

 

Proverbs 16:8-9:

“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. A divine decision is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. “

 The Contemporary English version of the Bible, according to Proverbs 16:10:

“The LORD watches to see if we are fair or if we cheat others.”

We proclaim that honest scales and balances belong to the Lord.  

 

We declare that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel’s government, will speak as an oracle of God, and that his mouth will not betray justice. May his mouth not sin in judgement. May he speak with divine wisdom, and never judge unfairly. 

 

We entreat You, Lord, that Netanyahu, and Finance Minister, Betzalel Smotrich, will walk in obedience to God! 

 

We pray for righteous men and women to serve the Lord in governmental realms, as it was in the time of Solomon, a wise king of Israel. 

 

1 Kings 3:28: 

“When all Israel heard of the judgement the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”

 We call forth a righteous balance of power in the halls of government -- in Israel, and in parliaments throughout the world --that the people of nations might see the wisdom of God in leaders -- those leaders who are willing to administer His justice. 

 

We pray for Israel’s economy – that God will protect it during this time of shakings and protests over Israel’s government, in Yeshua’s name.

 

We pray that the cost of living in housing and food prices will be a focus of this current government, and that we will see prices drop. We ask you Lord to help the people of this land be able to find affordable housing.

 

Please bring stability to the real estate market. Where there is a shortage of housing, please eliminate all the red tape, so that construction of housing can help with the shortage. Let homes and apartments be built well, with no shortcuts. Please open-up the housing market and provide long-term stability, in Yeshua’s name!

 

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM AND ASK GOD TO HEAL THE IMBALANCE IN SOCIETY:

 

The recent terrorist attacks in East Jerusalem are a step towards a new Palestinian Uprising. Lord, we thank you for an extra measure of protection over Your beloved city Jerusalem. You are one that neither slumbers nor sleeps as You watch over Israel!   Psalm 121:4: “Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”    We pray for the families of the victims of terror to be comforted. And, for all those who have been wounded, to be healed, spirit, soul, and body in Yeshua’s name!   PUSH BACK THE ENEMY IN PRAYER – NO MORE TERRORIST ATTACKS!

After one of the acts of terror that occurred in the neighborhood of Ramot, where there was a car ramming attack, an argument ensued between the Minister of Internal Security (Itamar Ben Gvir), and the Israeli Police. It’s being reported that Ben Gvir is undisciplined, when it comes to the demands of the government coalition, and therefore, in the future, might take actions that bring down the government. This represents an instability in the current Netanyahu government.   God may Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, regarding the members of the current Israeli government. We ask You to align this current government with Your purposes, and that you will put the right people in the right positions to bring forth Your Kingdom plans for Israel!    Retribution against terrorists:  PRAY for God’s wisdom not man’s! The Israeli government has come to realize it cannot demolish homes of terrorists, if the home is rented and the owner was not an accomplice to the attack. In lieu of that policy, the government orders the sealing off of a terrorist’s home. Neither of these policies will, necessarily, deter terrorists and their families. This could also cause a push back within the Israeli court system.   Ben Gvir, reportedly, wants to seal off a whole neighborhood in East Jerusalem (Isawa), and root out all terrorist cells. That is likely to inflame Hamas and could start another confrontation with Gaza. Already, missiles have been fired, recently, at the Israeli home front, and the Iron Dome intercepted them.   We pray for peace not for war!  Lord, we ask that Your wisdom will flood the halls of power in the Knesset. Show the current government leadership how to stop the terror. Stop hatred on both sides, in Jesus name!   Wickedness and Strife: The corruptness of members of the Israeli government, along with infighting that involves a very vocal opposition, has opened up the door to Israel’s enemies.     It is strife that involves conflict, quarrels, clashes, competition, disagreements, and opposition. And, strife causes fights between people.     Here are several levels, in society now, where there is dissention and strife:   *The broken relationship between the East Jerusalem Israeli Arabs and the Jews living there, who protect that area.   *The infighting between the new government’s Internal Security Minister and the Israeli police.   *The delicate relationship in the government between the Judicial branch, the Legislative branch, and Executive branch, which are continuing to show signs of an unbalance as the “judicial revolution” runs full steam ahead! God hates a lack of balance in society. We must pray for a breakthrough!   Dishonesty, Deceitfulness, and Crookedness:    The evil plans of men in government, has opened a door to the enemy:   Reportedly, in 1999, Shas leader and Knesset member Arieh Deri was convicted of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He was given a three-year jail sentence. He served time in jail, and eventually went back into politics. He was re-elected to the Knesset again.   On November 20, 2018, Israeli police ended a criminal investigation into Deri. They recommended to state prosecutors that Deri be indicted for "committing fraud, breach of trust, obstructing court proceedings, money laundering, and tax offenses.”   In 2019, this recommendation was adopted in full by the Israeli state prosecutor. But, in 2021, the attorney general of Israel dropped all charges, except the tax offenses.  Deri continued to serve as Interior Minister until a new government came to power.   (At one point, ironically, he was considered for the position of Finance Minister, but after a public outcry, that was dropped.)   In December 2021, it was reported that Deri would resign from the Knesset as part of a plea bargain, for the conviction of tax offenses, which he admitted to. So, on January 23, 2022, he resigned.   However, in November 2022, in this newly elected current government, Deri was still given three key positions by Netanyahu, despite his previous crimes: (1) Minister of the Interior. (2) Health Minister.   Due to a January 2023 ruling by the High Court of Israel, it stated that Deri was not eligible for a ministerial position because of his criminal convictions and the terms of his plea deal. The High Court demanded that Netanyahu fire Deri from his official posts in the Israeli cabinet, which he did, reluctantly.     There is legislation now working its way through the Knesset that would change Israel’s Basic Law to allow Ariyeh Deri back into power, serving in Israel’s current government.   The proposed bill is in direct defiance of the decision of Israel’s High Court in January 2022! If the legislation goes through, it sets a precedence. It means that the Legislative branch of the government can over-rule High Court rulings. This directly affects Netanyahu who is currently under indictment for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. It is to Netanyahu’s personal benefit to see Israel’s Basic Law changed (which is similar to a constitution). If his government is able to change the Basic Law, then Netanyahu may be able to avoid jail time if convicted of crimes in the future.   We declare: Exodus 23:8:   “Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.”   We pray for the Lord to deal with the strongholds over this current government, which is allowing ungodliness to occur in high places of power.  May God convict the hearts of men to do what is right before Him. May He put men and women, seeking after righteousness and justice, in positions of governmental authority, in Jesus name!   May it be like in the times of Joash, when the Temple repairs were going on:   2 Kings 12:15:   “They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.”     The Body of Messiah: This uneven balance of power in Israeli society, begins in spiritual realms, because we fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in heavenly places. These principalities and powers have been an influence on the Body of Messiah.   We remind believers:     Ephesians 2:1-2: “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”     Therefore, we proclaim: Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”   We pray regarding unrighteous behavior that is blinding the hearts of God’s people; resulting in those who are compromising when it comes to right and wrong.   We pray that repentance comes to Israel, and that justice and righteousness is renewed in the hearts of believers in the land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).   We thank You, Lord, that revival is happening on college campuses in America. May revival touch the Body of Messiah in this nation, too!

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SITUAITON ANALYSIS -- 188

A CALL TO PRAYER                                                                                          NOVEMBER 2022

 

 

Reports of bombs being detonated by remote control in Jerusalem and Ramot, on Wednesday morning, November 23, showed that the terrorist attacks were well-coordinated. It indicates the possibility of a new Intifada (Palestinian Uprising). 

The health of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is failing. Anarchy is setting in. There is already a fight for control of the Palestinian territories in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). Hamas and several Palestinian groups are vying for power. The competition among them is so great, that their goal is how many Israelis they can kill, so they can curry the most favor within the Palestinian population. 

 

The sense is that it is going to get dangerous on the streets of cities and towns in Israel. People will need to be more cautious as they travel. 

 

The far-right Israeli government coalition that is currently being formed, is going to crack down on the terrorists in a firm matter. It will get ugly as greater force is used. People will document this use of force that will be seen on the streets, even in broad daylight. Nations will see this documentation, and will protest Israel’s firm measures. It will cause Israel to be more isolated among the nations. As Israel defends itself, the crackdown will be seen as brutal force – Israel as the victimizer.  This great opposition of Israel’s methods to stop terrorists, will result in increased antisemitism in the nations. 

 

There is also a sense that there will be greater persecution of the believers in the land because of the government coalition that is being formed. Believers may find themselves having to leave the country. Those who are Israelis, may find themselves with limited freedoms in Israel.

 

This increased persecution that is coming will include greater measures to restrict Aliyah – not just of Messianic Jews, but also of Conservative and Reformed Jews wanting to immigrate from the West. 

 

This will be the tool used by the ultra-Orthodox controlling the Ministry of Interior. The ultra-Orthodox will look to encourage more ultra-Orthodox to make Aliyah – which in turn will strengthen the political base of the Jewish Power movement and other Orthodox parties in the coalition. 

 

PRAYER POINTS:

 

(1)   PRAY for God’s intervention and grace during these days ahead. Pray that in the midst of darkness, we will see His great light shining in and through Israel. (Isaiah 60:1-2). Pray for signs, wonders, and miracles in the land, as a testimony of His power, faithfulness, and love during these days we are facing. (Hebrews 2:3-4). 

 

(2)   PRAY for great protection over the Jewish People – both in Israel and the nations – from increased violence. Pray that the Lord will confuse the plans of the enemy; and, that the terror will be stopped and not allowed to cause destruction and devastation of human lives and property. Declare God’s protection over all those living in the land.  (Ephesians 6:10-19; Psalm 91); and declare the Lord’s shield over Israel (Psalm 3:3; Psalm 5:12; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 84:11). 

 

(3)   PRAY for the workers in Israel to be able to stay. The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. (Matthew 9:37-38). Pray for wisdom, discernment, and new strategies for the sharing of the gospel. Pray that the Lord will raise up courageous men and women of God who will know how to face the persecution as they bring salvation to the people of Israel. (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 30:1; Psalm 62:7). Pray for new outreaches, and the coming to faith of many. Pray for protection and boldness over those who are sharing the good news in Israel. (Isaiah 45:25). 

 

(4)   There is already great fear in the land, about increased terrorism, among both secular and religious Israelis – especially those living in Jerusalem, or wanting to visit the holy city. Pray that their eyes and ears will be opened; the veil will be lifted; and that they will receive the Lord. Pray for dreams and visions to draw them to God. (1 Corinthians 15:2). 

(5)   PRAY for the greater Aliyah that is coming. Thank the Lord for all His promises in His word that speak of Him bringing His people back to the land from the north, south, east and west. Nothing can stop the advancement of the Lord’s Kingdom plans and purposes!  (Hosea 11:10; Isaiah 43:5-6). 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT:

 

There is going to be a glorious redemption of the Jewish People. Awesome times are coming in the future. But, we will have to go through this difficult time, now, as we prepare for the outpouring of the Lord in Zion.

 

Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith, our hope, without wavering. For He who promised is faithful.”