“PURITY TO YAH”—Ancient seal discovered in Jerusalem
"Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation" (Psalm 24:3-4: Trans: NKJ).
"A pure heart create for me, God, and a firm spirit renew within me. Do not fling me from Your presence, and Your holy spirit take not from me. Give me back the gladness of Your rescue and with a noble spirit sustain me" (Psalm 51:12-14: Trans: Robert Alter).
The Israeli Antiquities Authority this week revealed discovery of a tiny "seal" discovered on the route of a street which ran through ancient Jerusalem just outside the Temple Mount. The seal is dated sometime between the 1st century B.C. and 70 AD when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans. On the seal are two words lettered in Hebrew, Daka Le'Yah. Daka is an Aramaic word corresponding to Hebrew tahor-"pure". Le in either language means "to" or "for"; Yah is an ancient shortened form of YHVH-Yehovah-the LORD. Archaeologists translate the seal "Pure for the LORD" and believe it was used to stamp objects designated for Temple use as being ceremonially pure. It appears similar to seals described in the Mishna for this purpose. Indeed, the account in the Talmud of the single cruse of oil discovered in the Temple by the Maccabees over 160 years earlier relates that it "lay with the seal of the High Priest" (i.e. it was pure and could be used in the Temple).
Some months ago we wrote of a tiny bell, thought possibly to have been worn by a priest passing from the Pool of Siloam up to the Temple during Yeshua's time, which had been discovered in the City of David. Now we have another artifact, with lettering certifying purity to the Lord. We believe that discoveries like this in Israel cannot be without significance. We received word of a prophetic message released through interpretation by Chuck Pierce on December 18 in the US: "Many signs are coming into your midst. I will use these signs to recreate the path that you normally walk on. Look carefully! Signs are now being released from My throne room and will enter the earth realm in the next few days.Watch the signs, for the signs will light your way." Please pray for revelation to be granted as to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations as signs are released both in Israel and in the nations.for ears to hear and clarity to understand "what the Spirit is saying to the congregations."
Certainly, we sense a spiritual call to Israel for purity: "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering of righteousness" (Malachi 3:2-3). David prayed (see Psalm 51 above) that God would create in him a "pure heart". Hebrews 1:3 speaks of the divine Son, Messiah Yeshua "making purification for sins." And Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) portrays those who have availed themselves of that purification as being sealed "with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." In other words, the presence of the Holy Spirit in believers is our "purity seal" qualifying us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.on the Temple Mount or anywhere else! (John 4:21-23) Please pray for a longing for purification to take place in Israel; that the veil would be lifted on Jewish hearts and they would recognize the means which God has provided, the work of His Son. "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool"(Isaiah 1:18).
This appears to be the first discovery close to the Mount of an artifact confirming in writing the Jewish religious rituals practiced there 2,000 years ago. (In the year 2000 then Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat mounted a history-modification campaign denying that there had ever been a Jewish presence associated with the mountain.) A picture in the Hebrew-language Ha'Aretz showed in the foreground a hand holding the tiny "purity seal"; a portion of the Temple Mount with the dome of the Al Aqsa mosque rises in the background. Recently the Temple Mount has begun rising in controversy again. The entrance used by non-Muslims was damaged a few years back by an earthquake. It was deemed unsafe and dismantled, a temporary wooden ramp being built in its place. A date set for rebuilding the permanent replacement came and went recently with nothing having been done. There had been strong warnings from both Jordan and Egypt against doing so, and authorities felt, given the circumstances taking place presently in Cairo, that the work should be postponed.
Israel gained technical sovereignty over the Mount in 1967, but shortly thereafter granted a Muslim Jordanian force (WAQF) custodial rights over the Muslim holy sites there. The area is presently patrolled jointly by Israeli soldiers and WAQF security forces. This past year has seen more and more harassment of non-Muslim visitors.and Muslims religious have illegally taken over a sizable area of lawn there for daily "Koran study". Any time Israel does anything at all reflecting her sovereignty there, a hue and cry rises from the Muslim world that it is being done in preparation for destruction of the Al Aqsa mosque. What is building is of course a great spiritual as well as physical conflict. As we have written in the past, the Koran passage inscribed above the doors of the Dome of the Rock states: "Allah is great and he has no son". Psalm 2 in the Hebrew Bible not only affirms that Yehovah has a Son, but that He will be enthroned and rule from that Mountain! A confrontation is coming. It has been well said, "The last battle will be over who will be worshipped on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem." Please pray for wisdom and guidance for Israeli authorities in how most wisely and courageously to govern this holy place which the Lord has allowed to come under Israel's sovereignty. Pray for conviction from the Holy Spirit of the need that all actions regarding it are done in purity, integrity and truth (see Psalm 24 above).
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Blessed Chanukah to All
CHANUKAH BEGINS THIS EVENING
Chanukah is the Hebrew word meaning "dedication". The eight-day celebration bearing that name (it is also called the Festival of Lights) remembers the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it had been recovered by the Jewish forces of Yehuda Maccabee in 164 BC. The Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (a forerunner of the Anti-Christ, foretold in Daniel 11:21), seeking to coerce Jews into abandoning their religion and culture for that of Greece, had issued edicts forbidding circumcision, observance of Jewish Sabbaths and feast-days. He had defiled the Holy Temple by offering a sow on the altar and raising up in the Sanctuary a statue to Zeus. As depicted in the First Book of Maccabees (an account of Jewish history found in the Apocrypha), a revolt was launched by the priest Mattathias and later led by his son Yehuda (Judas) Maccabee. It led to the defeat of the Syrian forces, and the defiled Temple was cleansed and re-dedicated. Another account relates how during this cleansing there was only enough sanctified oil left to burn in the menorah for one night-yet a miracle occurred and it continued burning for eight days. The victorious warrior Yehuda ordained "that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Kislev, with mirth and gladness" (I Maccabees 4:59).
John records how Yeshua/Jesus was walking in the Temple on Solomon's Porch during the Festival of Chanukah in Jerusalem (John 10:22). It was during this season that he chose to speak of himself as "The Good Shepherd" who "lays down his life for the sheep." And, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one" (John 10:27-30 ESV).
Today, part of the celebration includes the use of a special eight-branched menorah upon which a new oil lamp or candle is lit each evening. Each light is ignited from the flame of a separate "branch" called shamash-"servant". Remarkably, the Haftarah reading for this Saturday within Chanukah, besides containing, as might be expected, a menorah, includes the following words, "Behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH." Although a different word for servant is used here, there is no doubt that it refers to the Servant-Messiah, sent by the Father-the Light Inextinguishable, who illumines all coming into the world (John 1:9).
Chanukah-the Feast of Dedication-the Festival of Lights is a season for
*Allowing the Holy Light of the Spirit to shine within ourselves, revealing any idolatry or uncleanness which may have defiled our bodies (which are the Temple of the Holy Spirit) and removing it. Of re-dedicating our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
*Dedicating our ears to listen for the voice of our Shepherd (John 10 above).
*For surrendering our selves anew to the infilling of the Holy Spirit whose anointing comes from an inexhaustible supply.
*For letting our "lights" shine brightly in the darkness-reaching out and joining with those of other believers. A popular Israeli Hebrew Children's song for Chanukah is called BANU HOSHEKH L'GARESH ("We have come to drive out darkness"):
We have come to drive out darkness, in our hands light and fire:
Each of us is a small light, but together we are a strong, steady light.
Flee Darkness in the Blackness-Flee before the Light!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chanukah is the Hebrew word meaning "dedication". The eight-day celebration bearing that name (it is also called the Festival of Lights) remembers the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it had been recovered by the Jewish forces of Yehuda Maccabee in 164 BC. The Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (a forerunner of the Anti-Christ, foretold in Daniel 11:21), seeking to coerce Jews into abandoning their religion and culture for that of Greece, had issued edicts forbidding circumcision, observance of Jewish Sabbaths and feast-days. He had defiled the Holy Temple by offering a sow on the altar and raising up in the Sanctuary a statue to Zeus. As depicted in the First Book of Maccabees (an account of Jewish history found in the Apocrypha), a revolt was launched by the priest Mattathias and later led by his son Yehuda (Judas) Maccabee. It led to the defeat of the Syrian forces, and the defiled Temple was cleansed and re-dedicated. Another account relates how during this cleansing there was only enough sanctified oil left to burn in the menorah for one night-yet a miracle occurred and it continued burning for eight days. The victorious warrior Yehuda ordained "that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Kislev, with mirth and gladness" (I Maccabees 4:59).
John records how Yeshua/Jesus was walking in the Temple on Solomon's Porch during the Festival of Chanukah in Jerusalem (John 10:22). It was during this season that he chose to speak of himself as "The Good Shepherd" who "lays down his life for the sheep." And, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one" (John 10:27-30 ESV).
Today, part of the celebration includes the use of a special eight-branched menorah upon which a new oil lamp or candle is lit each evening. Each light is ignited from the flame of a separate "branch" called shamash-"servant". Remarkably, the Haftarah reading for this Saturday within Chanukah, besides containing, as might be expected, a menorah, includes the following words, "Behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH." Although a different word for servant is used here, there is no doubt that it refers to the Servant-Messiah, sent by the Father-the Light Inextinguishable, who illumines all coming into the world (John 1:9).
Chanukah-the Feast of Dedication-the Festival of Lights is a season for
*Allowing the Holy Light of the Spirit to shine within ourselves, revealing any idolatry or uncleanness which may have defiled our bodies (which are the Temple of the Holy Spirit) and removing it. Of re-dedicating our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
*Dedicating our ears to listen for the voice of our Shepherd (John 10 above).
*For surrendering our selves anew to the infilling of the Holy Spirit whose anointing comes from an inexhaustible supply.
*For letting our "lights" shine brightly in the darkness-reaching out and joining with those of other believers. A popular Israeli Hebrew Children's song for Chanukah is called BANU HOSHEKH L'GARESH ("We have come to drive out darkness"):
We have come to drive out darkness, in our hands light and fire:
Each of us is a small light, but together we are a strong, steady light.
Flee Darkness in the Blackness-Flee before the Light!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, December 16, 2011
A Bible Class in the Prime Minister's Residence
"The LORD's Law (Hebrew: TORAH) is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward" (Psalm 19:7-11).
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 5:39; 8:31).
" 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Torah of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.' And He [Yeshua/Jesus] opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures" (From Luke 24:44-45).
The following article by Herb Keinon written 10/12/2011 appeared in The Jerusalem Post (JPOST.com); December 12, 2011; 12:43IST:
NETANYAHU RE-ESTABLISHES PM BIBLE CLASS
Taking a page out of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin's playbook, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests.
Netanyahu announced the establishment of the study circle on Friday at a ceremony marking 30 days since the passing of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The study group will be named after Ben-Artzi, a noted poet and Bible teacher.
Both Ben-Gurion and Begin, when they each served as prime minister, hosted regular Bible study groups.
Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible.
Last Sunday, at a ceremony in Sde Boker marking the 38th anniversary of Ben-Gurion's death, Netanyahu recalled the first premier's Bible study class, saying that his father-in-law used to attend.
"Ben-Gurion understood that the Book of Books is our mandate for our country, as he said in that same unforgettable statement before the Peel Commission in 1936,' Netanyahu said. 'He viewed the Bible as the wondrous story of the Jewish people, the unique spiritual, cultural and historic heritage of our people, and also as one of the cornerstones of all of human culture."
As the love and respect of this Prime Minister for Holy Scriptures continues to find its way to the surface in public testimony-from remarks to the United Nations, to Scriptures quoted from the Parasha upon the release of Gilad Shalit, to his public resolution to study the Bible each Sabbath with his son Avner (who last year won the International Bible Contest in Jerusalem)-we feel more and more convinced that his claims regarding the Bible's importance to him are not mere political rhetoric, but betoken a genuine spark. With the possible exception of Ariel Sharon, the almost 30 years since the premiership of Menachem Begin have seen little evidence among Israel's Prime Ministers of a serious respect for the Hebrew Bible-not to mention that it might in any ways serve as "mandate for our country." But Netanyahu seems to be different. We are not saying that he righteously zealous for the Word, nor for the God who has breathed forth the Word. But the Lord seems to continue calling our attention that there is, at least, an aroma of smoke. As intercessors we would do well to not extinguish a dimly burning wick (Isaiah 42:3) by our skepticism, but breath it into a flame.indeed, please God, into a "blazing torch" (Isaiah 62:1) through our intercession on his behalf.
".to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2b).
PLEASE PRAY:
*That God would bless this Bible Study with His presence; that the study in the Prime Minister's home will awaken those who attend to investigate the Word further on their own, and that the Holy Spirit would guide them into Truth.
*That Prime Minister Netanyahu would continue to read his Bible.that he would be led earnestly to seek the Lord's face (Psalm 27:8-9).
*That he would guided by the Holy Spirit in discovering the counsels of the LORD in his reading (Psalm 33:11), that he would be led in understanding how the Book of Books contains the "mandate" for the country he has presently been chosen to lead.
*For Sara Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's wife. Her father, Shmuel Ben-Artzi, after whom this Study will be named, earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Bible, literature and Hebrew language. Although he for many years lived a secular lifestyle, during his last years he returned to a religious lifestyle. It was he who assisted the Prime Minister's 15-year old grandson Avner in preparing for the International Bible Contest last year, which Avner won. During the last months of his life, he lived in the prime minister's residence where he was cared for by Sara. Pray for Sara to come to see the necessity of God's help in carrying on her role as First Lady.
*For the Netanyahu family to receive a powerful move of the Holy Spirit.to come to know not only the written Word of God, but the Living Word through whom the LORD made the heavens (Psalm 33:6; John 1:3, 10) in whom is Life and the Life is the Light of all humankind!
potions taken from the Israel Prayer list
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 5:39; 8:31).
" 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Torah of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.' And He [Yeshua/Jesus] opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures" (From Luke 24:44-45).
The following article by Herb Keinon written 10/12/2011 appeared in The Jerusalem Post (JPOST.com); December 12, 2011; 12:43IST:
NETANYAHU RE-ESTABLISHES PM BIBLE CLASS
Taking a page out of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin's playbook, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests.
Netanyahu announced the establishment of the study circle on Friday at a ceremony marking 30 days since the passing of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The study group will be named after Ben-Artzi, a noted poet and Bible teacher.
Both Ben-Gurion and Begin, when they each served as prime minister, hosted regular Bible study groups.
Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible.
Last Sunday, at a ceremony in Sde Boker marking the 38th anniversary of Ben-Gurion's death, Netanyahu recalled the first premier's Bible study class, saying that his father-in-law used to attend.
"Ben-Gurion understood that the Book of Books is our mandate for our country, as he said in that same unforgettable statement before the Peel Commission in 1936,' Netanyahu said. 'He viewed the Bible as the wondrous story of the Jewish people, the unique spiritual, cultural and historic heritage of our people, and also as one of the cornerstones of all of human culture."
As the love and respect of this Prime Minister for Holy Scriptures continues to find its way to the surface in public testimony-from remarks to the United Nations, to Scriptures quoted from the Parasha upon the release of Gilad Shalit, to his public resolution to study the Bible each Sabbath with his son Avner (who last year won the International Bible Contest in Jerusalem)-we feel more and more convinced that his claims regarding the Bible's importance to him are not mere political rhetoric, but betoken a genuine spark. With the possible exception of Ariel Sharon, the almost 30 years since the premiership of Menachem Begin have seen little evidence among Israel's Prime Ministers of a serious respect for the Hebrew Bible-not to mention that it might in any ways serve as "mandate for our country." But Netanyahu seems to be different. We are not saying that he righteously zealous for the Word, nor for the God who has breathed forth the Word. But the Lord seems to continue calling our attention that there is, at least, an aroma of smoke. As intercessors we would do well to not extinguish a dimly burning wick (Isaiah 42:3) by our skepticism, but breath it into a flame.indeed, please God, into a "blazing torch" (Isaiah 62:1) through our intercession on his behalf.
".to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2b).
PLEASE PRAY:
*That God would bless this Bible Study with His presence; that the study in the Prime Minister's home will awaken those who attend to investigate the Word further on their own, and that the Holy Spirit would guide them into Truth.
*That Prime Minister Netanyahu would continue to read his Bible.that he would be led earnestly to seek the Lord's face (Psalm 27:8-9).
*That he would guided by the Holy Spirit in discovering the counsels of the LORD in his reading (Psalm 33:11), that he would be led in understanding how the Book of Books contains the "mandate" for the country he has presently been chosen to lead.
*For Sara Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's wife. Her father, Shmuel Ben-Artzi, after whom this Study will be named, earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Bible, literature and Hebrew language. Although he for many years lived a secular lifestyle, during his last years he returned to a religious lifestyle. It was he who assisted the Prime Minister's 15-year old grandson Avner in preparing for the International Bible Contest last year, which Avner won. During the last months of his life, he lived in the prime minister's residence where he was cared for by Sara. Pray for Sara to come to see the necessity of God's help in carrying on her role as First Lady.
*For the Netanyahu family to receive a powerful move of the Holy Spirit.to come to know not only the written Word of God, but the Living Word through whom the LORD made the heavens (Psalm 33:6; John 1:3, 10) in whom is Life and the Life is the Light of all humankind!
potions taken from the Israel Prayer list
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday prayer points
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of Your commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me in Your way. Establish Your word unto Your servant, who is devoted to Your fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for Your judgments are good. Psalm 119:33-40
We pray that You would establish Your Word in our prayers this day.
We continue to lift up our government which is under intense pressure. The former head of the Mossad Dagan is becoming more vocal by the day in his criticism of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister. He is accusing the PM of being undemocratic and says that any military attack against Iran would be a huge mistake. In a time when Israel is threatened from all sides, voice such as his from within Israel can do great damage if left unchecked. Israel needs to be united and encouraged, not divided and made afraid.
We pray that these types of voices that could do harm from within would be silenced
Give therefore Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this so great a people?
1 Kings 3:9
We pray this for the Prime Minister whom You have raised up. Give him the wisdom he needs to know what to do.
We thank You for PM Netanyahu - give him clarity and good advisors in his cabinet.
Give the PM courage to know what needs to be done and to do it - may he not be swayed by the media
Silence those voices that are stirring up dissent, fear, and division.
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James 1:26
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, where ever the governor steers. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:3-8
We pray that You will help bridle the tongues of those in Israel who would cast a destructive fire into our nation.
Many have seen what has transpired over this last week in Iran. A mob attack and occupied the British Embassy in Teheran which has brought a strong response from Europe. Britain has already closed its embassy in Iran and thrown out the Iranian ambassadors in London. Other European countries have taken similar actions and are now threatening new tough sanctions against Iran. We have been praying for a long time for the Lord to deal with Iran. We continue our prayers in light of what has just happened.
We pray that the Europeans will actually hold firm and bring sanctions against Iran.
We thank You for Britain's firm stand and we pray that it would not be based simply on vain talk, but action.
May the British actions provoke the US to do the same.
Wake up the EU leadership to see the danger Iran poses for the world.
We pray that the US Congress would take action even if President Obama is not willing.
We pray that any deceptive or manipulative words from Iran would have no power to affect people's thoughts.
Let the sanctions have a real affect one the regime's drive for nuclear weapons.
Use this whole thing as a wake up call for people around the world who need to wake up to the reality in Iran.
Thank You that this attack on the embassy actually revealed truth.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
Let the world finally recognize the true face of Islam.
We pray that the people in Iran would have their eyes opened to what their government is doing and how they are at risk - we pray release for the Iranian people from bondage and oppression.
May the Iranian regime continue over-play its hand.
There have been a number of explosions and nuclear and military sites in Iran. Israel is getting the blame (or credit depending on who you ask) for what is happening. We still need to fervently pray that God's Will would be done in the situation around Iran's nuclear program. If the Lord chooses to act sovereignly, or if he chooses to use Israel as His weapon of war, our prayer is the same. We pray that the nuclear program in Iran would come to an end so that Israel would not have to live in the shadow of an Iranian nuclear bomb.
Put a hook in the nose of this evil regime and bring it to destruction.
Move sovereignly and bring low all those who raise themselves up against Your Word and Your people.
Make all the threats from Iran completely impotent.
And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, "O LORD God of Israel, which dwells between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down Your ear, and hear: open, LORD, Your eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I plead with You, save us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, even You alone." 2 Kings 19:14-19
May nothing happen that isn't part of Your plan.
Help Israel's military leaders to prepare for what is coming - give them all courage to face it.
This is not the first time a threat has come from a Persian source - we pray You would raise up many like Esther who would do what is necessary for their people.
There were several rockets fired across Israel's Northern Border from Lebanon this past week. No one expected this, but also no one was surprised by it. Israel's Northern Border needs continued prayer. Syria is in full civil war according to the UN. Over 4,000 people have died in the fighting and now there are reports of several from Assad's military defecting to the opposition. Despite the chaos, Russia finalized a weapons deal with Syria that would give Syria anti-ship cruise missiles. There is fear that these missiles will find there way into Hizbollah's hands. If that happens, Israel's ships in the Mediterranean could be targeted. The North needs our prayers.
Let Your will be known to us so that we may know how to pray.
May the instability cause the Syrians to cry out to You.
May the world finally be aroused by what is happening in Syria.
Be a wall of fire on the Northern Border of Israel and protect from the chaos that threatens to spill over the border.
"No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me," says the LORD."Isaiah 54:17
May Israel know the right way to respond to the rocket attacks in the north.
We ask that You would destroy these rockets while they are in the air.
Confuse and turn back the enemies of Your people and Your Land.
May the continued military support to Syria by Russia open the eyes of leaders in Israel to the true anti-Israel motives in Russia.
Help our scientists develop ways to make these missiles ineffective.
Help Israel to be prepared for any attack that may come from the north.
Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6
We pray that Israel will dwell safely.
The staggered elections in Egypt are coming to an end. The results are something that we all thought would happen. It looks like the Muslim Brotherhood has received a huge victory through this "democratic" election. Despite what the western powers want to believe, the Muslim Brotherhood is a radical Islamic group who is known to be the ideological father of Hamas. Needless to say this group hates Israel with a passion and this new government in Egypt can now put the whole region at risk.
Help us know how to pray Lord!
Help Israel to be prepared for what is happening now and what will happen in Egypt.
Give our military leaders the wisdom to know how to train secretly for what is to come.
"And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst; and I will destroy the counsel: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them," says the Lord, the LORD of hosts. Isaiah 19:2-4
In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. Isaiah 19:19
We ask You to fulfill ALL Your Word concerning Egypt.
We ask for Your mercy in the situation - may the enemy have no power to circumvent Your timing.
May there be the fear of the God of Israel in Egypt.
Bring to nothing the council of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Gird up the believers in Egypt who are looking at a very difficult situation for a period of time.
We ask that You would open route 10 to the IFI prayer tour which is along the Egyptian/Israel border - may we be able to accomplish all that You want us to on that tour.
Thus says the Lord GOD; "When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God." Ezekiel 28:25-26
We pray that You would fulfill Your Word and bring the Jewish people back to their Land through Aliyah.
May the Jewish People choose to come despite the threat of conflict.
Stir the hearts of Your people and draw them home.
We pray that the Jews would be freed from the bonds that keep them in other countries.
Set them free of fear and give them courage.
Bring them home now in safety before they are driven out.
Open the hearts and minds of some Jewish leaders abroad who are against Your people coming home.
Stand with Your Word that says the Jews have no hope and future outside the Land.
And among these nations you will find no ease, neither shall the sole of your foot have rest: but the LORD shall give you there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you shall fear day and night, and shall have no assurance of life. Deuteronomy 28:65-66
"And there is hope in your end," says the LORD, "that your children shall come again to their own border." Jeremiah 31:17
Break the ignorance or naivety on Your people that says what happened to the Jews in foreign lands could not happen again in the world we live in.
taken from the Intercessors for Israel newletter
We pray that You would establish Your Word in our prayers this day.
We continue to lift up our government which is under intense pressure. The former head of the Mossad Dagan is becoming more vocal by the day in his criticism of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister. He is accusing the PM of being undemocratic and says that any military attack against Iran would be a huge mistake. In a time when Israel is threatened from all sides, voice such as his from within Israel can do great damage if left unchecked. Israel needs to be united and encouraged, not divided and made afraid.
We pray that these types of voices that could do harm from within would be silenced
Give therefore Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this so great a people?
1 Kings 3:9
We pray this for the Prime Minister whom You have raised up. Give him the wisdom he needs to know what to do.
We thank You for PM Netanyahu - give him clarity and good advisors in his cabinet.
Give the PM courage to know what needs to be done and to do it - may he not be swayed by the media
Silence those voices that are stirring up dissent, fear, and division.
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James 1:26
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, where ever the governor steers. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:3-8
We pray that You will help bridle the tongues of those in Israel who would cast a destructive fire into our nation.
Many have seen what has transpired over this last week in Iran. A mob attack and occupied the British Embassy in Teheran which has brought a strong response from Europe. Britain has already closed its embassy in Iran and thrown out the Iranian ambassadors in London. Other European countries have taken similar actions and are now threatening new tough sanctions against Iran. We have been praying for a long time for the Lord to deal with Iran. We continue our prayers in light of what has just happened.
We pray that the Europeans will actually hold firm and bring sanctions against Iran.
We thank You for Britain's firm stand and we pray that it would not be based simply on vain talk, but action.
May the British actions provoke the US to do the same.
Wake up the EU leadership to see the danger Iran poses for the world.
We pray that the US Congress would take action even if President Obama is not willing.
We pray that any deceptive or manipulative words from Iran would have no power to affect people's thoughts.
Let the sanctions have a real affect one the regime's drive for nuclear weapons.
Use this whole thing as a wake up call for people around the world who need to wake up to the reality in Iran.
Thank You that this attack on the embassy actually revealed truth.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
Let the world finally recognize the true face of Islam.
We pray that the people in Iran would have their eyes opened to what their government is doing and how they are at risk - we pray release for the Iranian people from bondage and oppression.
May the Iranian regime continue over-play its hand.
There have been a number of explosions and nuclear and military sites in Iran. Israel is getting the blame (or credit depending on who you ask) for what is happening. We still need to fervently pray that God's Will would be done in the situation around Iran's nuclear program. If the Lord chooses to act sovereignly, or if he chooses to use Israel as His weapon of war, our prayer is the same. We pray that the nuclear program in Iran would come to an end so that Israel would not have to live in the shadow of an Iranian nuclear bomb.
Put a hook in the nose of this evil regime and bring it to destruction.
Move sovereignly and bring low all those who raise themselves up against Your Word and Your people.
Make all the threats from Iran completely impotent.
And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, "O LORD God of Israel, which dwells between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down Your ear, and hear: open, LORD, Your eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I plead with You, save us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, even You alone." 2 Kings 19:14-19
May nothing happen that isn't part of Your plan.
Help Israel's military leaders to prepare for what is coming - give them all courage to face it.
This is not the first time a threat has come from a Persian source - we pray You would raise up many like Esther who would do what is necessary for their people.
There were several rockets fired across Israel's Northern Border from Lebanon this past week. No one expected this, but also no one was surprised by it. Israel's Northern Border needs continued prayer. Syria is in full civil war according to the UN. Over 4,000 people have died in the fighting and now there are reports of several from Assad's military defecting to the opposition. Despite the chaos, Russia finalized a weapons deal with Syria that would give Syria anti-ship cruise missiles. There is fear that these missiles will find there way into Hizbollah's hands. If that happens, Israel's ships in the Mediterranean could be targeted. The North needs our prayers.
Let Your will be known to us so that we may know how to pray.
May the instability cause the Syrians to cry out to You.
May the world finally be aroused by what is happening in Syria.
Be a wall of fire on the Northern Border of Israel and protect from the chaos that threatens to spill over the border.
"No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me," says the LORD."Isaiah 54:17
May Israel know the right way to respond to the rocket attacks in the north.
We ask that You would destroy these rockets while they are in the air.
Confuse and turn back the enemies of Your people and Your Land.
May the continued military support to Syria by Russia open the eyes of leaders in Israel to the true anti-Israel motives in Russia.
Help our scientists develop ways to make these missiles ineffective.
Help Israel to be prepared for any attack that may come from the north.
Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6
We pray that Israel will dwell safely.
The staggered elections in Egypt are coming to an end. The results are something that we all thought would happen. It looks like the Muslim Brotherhood has received a huge victory through this "democratic" election. Despite what the western powers want to believe, the Muslim Brotherhood is a radical Islamic group who is known to be the ideological father of Hamas. Needless to say this group hates Israel with a passion and this new government in Egypt can now put the whole region at risk.
Help us know how to pray Lord!
Help Israel to be prepared for what is happening now and what will happen in Egypt.
Give our military leaders the wisdom to know how to train secretly for what is to come.
"And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst; and I will destroy the counsel: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them," says the Lord, the LORD of hosts. Isaiah 19:2-4
In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. Isaiah 19:19
We ask You to fulfill ALL Your Word concerning Egypt.
We ask for Your mercy in the situation - may the enemy have no power to circumvent Your timing.
May there be the fear of the God of Israel in Egypt.
Bring to nothing the council of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Gird up the believers in Egypt who are looking at a very difficult situation for a period of time.
We ask that You would open route 10 to the IFI prayer tour which is along the Egyptian/Israel border - may we be able to accomplish all that You want us to on that tour.
Thus says the Lord GOD; "When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God." Ezekiel 28:25-26
We pray that You would fulfill Your Word and bring the Jewish people back to their Land through Aliyah.
May the Jewish People choose to come despite the threat of conflict.
Stir the hearts of Your people and draw them home.
We pray that the Jews would be freed from the bonds that keep them in other countries.
Set them free of fear and give them courage.
Bring them home now in safety before they are driven out.
Open the hearts and minds of some Jewish leaders abroad who are against Your people coming home.
Stand with Your Word that says the Jews have no hope and future outside the Land.
And among these nations you will find no ease, neither shall the sole of your foot have rest: but the LORD shall give you there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you shall fear day and night, and shall have no assurance of life. Deuteronomy 28:65-66
"And there is hope in your end," says the LORD, "that your children shall come again to their own border." Jeremiah 31:17
Break the ignorance or naivety on Your people that says what happened to the Jews in foreign lands could not happen again in the world we live in.
taken from the Intercessors for Israel newletter
Monday, November 14, 2011
IAEA REPORT RELEASED
Last Tuesday International Atomic Energy Agency released a report, claiming for the first time to have "credible evidence" pointing towards a conclusion that Iran's nuclear activities are by no means focused exclusively on development of nuclear power for peaceful uses; it is now a virtual certainty that the focus is on production of a nuclear weapon. The uneasy speculation highlighted in last week's Update regarding Israel's intentions given these circumstances, has only increased this week. A fascinating and informative article in Sunday's British Telegraph spoke of President Obama's "alarm" at Israel's refusal to bow to Washington's demand last month that the White House be notified before any Israeli strike be made against Iran (Google: Israel refuses to tell US its Iran intentions). After examining a number of opinions pro and con about the possibility or effectiveness of such an attack, the article ends by stating a factor very real to Israelis, while of little concern to others: "In Mr Netanyahu's eyes, Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is another "Hitler" whose aim is to complete what the Holocaust failed to do by wiping out the Jewish race. 'People outside Israel don't understand how profound memories of the Holocaust are, and how they affect future policy making.At the end of the day, this policy of "never again" would dictate Israel's behavior when intelligence comes through that Iran has come close to a bomb.'" ("Israel refuses to tell US its Iran intentions": Adrian Blomfield, The Telegraph; 7:49PM GMT 12 Nov 2011).
Meanwhile, an enormous explosion occurred this past Saturday at a military base 28 miles outside of Tehran, killing at least 17 Revolutionary Guards and being felt strongly in the capital. Among those killed was Brigadier General Hassan Moqaddam, whom one senior military official called "the main architect of the Revolutionary Guard's' canon and missile power and the founder of the deterrent power of our country." This figure was so highly esteemed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended the ceremony mourning his death. The Iranians are officially calling the blast an accident occasioned by the repositioning of conventional explosives. Yet one western intelligence source told Time magazine that the Israeli Mosad was behind the explosion; and certain popular speculative sources are even claiming access to information that it was caused while a nuclear device was being placed on a missile. Sunday Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested to his government that Israel has information beyond that released by the IAEA report, "The IAEA's report only detailed information that can be proven; facts that can be presented in court. In practice there are many other things we see, and hence the leading states in the world must decide what to do in order to stop Iran.The efforts thus far did not prevent Iran from progressing towards a bomb, and it is closer to acquiring it, sooner than what people think."
IN LIGHT OF THIS, WE BELIEVE IT APPROPRIATE TO REPEAT THE PRAYER POINTS FROM LAST WEEK:
PLEASE PRAY:
*That Israel will move in the timings and purposes of God regarding a response to the threats coming against her from Iran. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.a time for war, a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8b).
* That the Lord would "Scatter the peoples who delight in war" (Psalm 68:30b).
*That Israel's leaders will look to the LORD as our rock, who trains our hand for war and our fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1). That they will realize, with David, that "the battle is the LORD's" (I Samuel 17:47). During the flight of the jets which destroyed Sadam Hussein's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, Prime Minister Menachem Begin spent the entire time pacing back and forth alone, deep in prayer.
*That the God of Abraham will be a shield around Israel (Genesis 15:1), that she will look to Him to protect her from fear of the "terror of the night, from the arrows that fly by day" (Psalm 91:5).
*That Believers in Israel will not be distracted from dwelling in the "secret place of Elyon (the Most High), abiding under the shadow of Shaddai (the Almighty)"-and that their faithfulness in this will draw others to desire to do likewise!
*That God would protect His remnant in Iran-from denying their faith in the times of persecution, and from destruction should war break out.
*That the godless leaders tyrannizing the people of Iran and cursing Israel would be replaced; that the bondage of a religion set against the covenant purposes of the Most High God would be broken.
*That revelation would be released among the masses of that enormous land that the God of Israel is a God of Love, and that He has sent a Saviour to free all Humankind from the bondage of sin and despair.
portions taken from the Israel Prayer list
Meanwhile, an enormous explosion occurred this past Saturday at a military base 28 miles outside of Tehran, killing at least 17 Revolutionary Guards and being felt strongly in the capital. Among those killed was Brigadier General Hassan Moqaddam, whom one senior military official called "the main architect of the Revolutionary Guard's' canon and missile power and the founder of the deterrent power of our country." This figure was so highly esteemed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended the ceremony mourning his death. The Iranians are officially calling the blast an accident occasioned by the repositioning of conventional explosives. Yet one western intelligence source told Time magazine that the Israeli Mosad was behind the explosion; and certain popular speculative sources are even claiming access to information that it was caused while a nuclear device was being placed on a missile. Sunday Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested to his government that Israel has information beyond that released by the IAEA report, "The IAEA's report only detailed information that can be proven; facts that can be presented in court. In practice there are many other things we see, and hence the leading states in the world must decide what to do in order to stop Iran.The efforts thus far did not prevent Iran from progressing towards a bomb, and it is closer to acquiring it, sooner than what people think."
IN LIGHT OF THIS, WE BELIEVE IT APPROPRIATE TO REPEAT THE PRAYER POINTS FROM LAST WEEK:
PLEASE PRAY:
*That Israel will move in the timings and purposes of God regarding a response to the threats coming against her from Iran. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.a time for war, a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8b).
* That the Lord would "Scatter the peoples who delight in war" (Psalm 68:30b).
*That Israel's leaders will look to the LORD as our rock, who trains our hand for war and our fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1). That they will realize, with David, that "the battle is the LORD's" (I Samuel 17:47). During the flight of the jets which destroyed Sadam Hussein's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, Prime Minister Menachem Begin spent the entire time pacing back and forth alone, deep in prayer.
*That the God of Abraham will be a shield around Israel (Genesis 15:1), that she will look to Him to protect her from fear of the "terror of the night, from the arrows that fly by day" (Psalm 91:5).
*That Believers in Israel will not be distracted from dwelling in the "secret place of Elyon (the Most High), abiding under the shadow of Shaddai (the Almighty)"-and that their faithfulness in this will draw others to desire to do likewise!
*That God would protect His remnant in Iran-from denying their faith in the times of persecution, and from destruction should war break out.
*That the godless leaders tyrannizing the people of Iran and cursing Israel would be replaced; that the bondage of a religion set against the covenant purposes of the Most High God would be broken.
*That revelation would be released among the masses of that enormous land that the God of Israel is a God of Love, and that He has sent a Saviour to free all Humankind from the bondage of sin and despair.
portions taken from the Israel Prayer list
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday prayer points
1. Iranian threat - Israel's government
The recent report from the International Atomic Energy Authority tells us what we already knew, that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon. The world's reaction is just talk and it looks as though unless Israel acts, Iran will achieve its goal. Pray for Israel's government and in particular for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak:
for them to be of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV)
Speak to them by dreams, visions, scripture, wise counsel.
Give them Your wisdom, Lord.
Give them strength and clarity.
May they not lose sight of the threat from Iran.
May Israel not depend upon the other nations but upon You, Lord.
May Israel not depend upon the USA for help or permission if we need to strike against Iran, but be willing and ready to act unilaterally.
Whatever You do, O Holy One of Israel, may You be the one who receives all the glory!
2. Iranian threat - the IDF
Good preparation for what is coming.
Strategies to confound the enemy.
Give the pilots of the air-force courage.
If Israel does need to strike, let there be the minimum loss of life consistent with fulfilling Your purposes, o God!
Give us good intelligence information about the realities on the ground in Iran. Protect and anoint those gathering the information.
Guard against dissension among the military leaders of Israel. - Divine unity.
3. United Nations Security Council vote
The Security Council is due to vote today 11/11/11 on the Palestinian request for statehood. Pray:
for this vote to be defeated.
for the USA to be willing to use its veto if necessary.
for the 15 members of the Security Council to be willing to say no.
for the leaders of these nations to have their eyes opened to the significance of their votes on this issue and to be in fear of the Lord.
for these nations to step back from the judgment which follows for those who curse the people of the Lord and divide the land.
4. Security in Israel
Mahmoud Abbas has warned of the possibility of violence in the aftermath of this vote. Pray for:
the police and the IDF to wisely distribute their forces to ensure the security of the nation and the people of Israel.
discernment of what should be done, when to act firmly and quickly and when to exercise constraint.
the security forces to nip in the bud any planned attacks against Israel in order to save lives.
Arabs to stay at home.
rain, storms, snow, if necessary to undermine the plans our enemies may have to cause trouble.
Confound those who hate Israel and thwart the plans for any new intifada!
God's people to Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6 NKJV). We don't know what the peace of Jerusalem is meant to look like today, but we ask that we may be faithful in praying for it according to Your will.
5. Sarkozy - Obama conversation
It has emerged in recent days that a conversation was overheard between French President Sarkozy and US President Obama in which they expressed their low opinions of Benjamin Netanyahu. We need to pray about reactions to this:
What the enemy purposes for evil, would You, Lord, use for good!
Pray that Israel would unite behind her Prime Minister. It's not just Netanyahu who is under attack but Israel.
Thank the Lord that the truth will come out and we can know what these leaders actually think.
Pray for real affirmation for Netanyahu himself to counteract the personal hurt caused by these remarks.
6. People of Israel
In the tense times we are in there is a sense of Israel's isolation and the stirring up of the Jews' centuries old sense of rejection by the world. Yet despite people's fears a recent survey has revealed that very few are tempted to leave the country. In biblical times there was a history of the people of Israel turning back to God when things got really bad. Pray:
that the people will turn back to the Lord, not to religion.
that they may search the scriptures for themselves rather than just accepting what the rabbis have said. And may they see Rabbinical Judaism for the prison it is.
that God will remove the veil which prevents the Jews seeing Him for who He is, and they will see Him and know His love, here in this land.
that the Comforter would come to Zion. The people would turn to Him and know His acceptance.
that God would sprinkle clean water on His people and cleanse this nation.
they would see that You, God, have set Your King over them and recognize that in Yeshua they have life forever and lasting peace.
7. The Church
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins. Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:25-29 NKJV
Pray for:
the Church to come out of ignorance regarding Israel and see what God is doing in the world.
the Church to see current events in the United Nations for what they are and their pivotal significance for the nations involved.
boldness to proclaim what God is doing.
the exposure of the darkness behind anti-Semitic teachers who seek to lead the Church astray into replacement theology.
8. Aliyah
Then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land… Ezekiel 37:21 NKJV
Bring back those who know You and those who don't yet know You.
Let the Jewish people come home quickly to Israel, which is their refuge, their future, their hope, their destiny and the place where their Messiah will meet them!
Shake them loose! Let them recognize that the USA is not the promised land.
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. Isaiah 35:10 NKJV
Let the believing Jews return home with joy, recognizing that living in other countries means living in exile or in prison as a result of the sins of their forebears. Confront them with Your word, O Lord!
Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, And set up My standard for the peoples; They shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 NKJV
Give the burden to the Church to participate in the aliyah, helping to bring the Jewish people home.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says the LORD. As for Me, says the LORD, this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants, says the LORD, from this time and forevermore. Isaiah 59:19-21 NKJV
He is sovereign and He will do it! Amen.
taken from Intercessors for Israel newsletter
The recent report from the International Atomic Energy Authority tells us what we already knew, that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon. The world's reaction is just talk and it looks as though unless Israel acts, Iran will achieve its goal. Pray for Israel's government and in particular for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak:
for them to be of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV)
Speak to them by dreams, visions, scripture, wise counsel.
Give them Your wisdom, Lord.
Give them strength and clarity.
May they not lose sight of the threat from Iran.
May Israel not depend upon the other nations but upon You, Lord.
May Israel not depend upon the USA for help or permission if we need to strike against Iran, but be willing and ready to act unilaterally.
Whatever You do, O Holy One of Israel, may You be the one who receives all the glory!
2. Iranian threat - the IDF
Good preparation for what is coming.
Strategies to confound the enemy.
Give the pilots of the air-force courage.
If Israel does need to strike, let there be the minimum loss of life consistent with fulfilling Your purposes, o God!
Give us good intelligence information about the realities on the ground in Iran. Protect and anoint those gathering the information.
Guard against dissension among the military leaders of Israel. - Divine unity.
3. United Nations Security Council vote
The Security Council is due to vote today 11/11/11 on the Palestinian request for statehood. Pray:
for this vote to be defeated.
for the USA to be willing to use its veto if necessary.
for the 15 members of the Security Council to be willing to say no.
for the leaders of these nations to have their eyes opened to the significance of their votes on this issue and to be in fear of the Lord.
for these nations to step back from the judgment which follows for those who curse the people of the Lord and divide the land.
4. Security in Israel
Mahmoud Abbas has warned of the possibility of violence in the aftermath of this vote. Pray for:
the police and the IDF to wisely distribute their forces to ensure the security of the nation and the people of Israel.
discernment of what should be done, when to act firmly and quickly and when to exercise constraint.
the security forces to nip in the bud any planned attacks against Israel in order to save lives.
Arabs to stay at home.
rain, storms, snow, if necessary to undermine the plans our enemies may have to cause trouble.
Confound those who hate Israel and thwart the plans for any new intifada!
God's people to Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6 NKJV). We don't know what the peace of Jerusalem is meant to look like today, but we ask that we may be faithful in praying for it according to Your will.
5. Sarkozy - Obama conversation
It has emerged in recent days that a conversation was overheard between French President Sarkozy and US President Obama in which they expressed their low opinions of Benjamin Netanyahu. We need to pray about reactions to this:
What the enemy purposes for evil, would You, Lord, use for good!
Pray that Israel would unite behind her Prime Minister. It's not just Netanyahu who is under attack but Israel.
Thank the Lord that the truth will come out and we can know what these leaders actually think.
Pray for real affirmation for Netanyahu himself to counteract the personal hurt caused by these remarks.
6. People of Israel
In the tense times we are in there is a sense of Israel's isolation and the stirring up of the Jews' centuries old sense of rejection by the world. Yet despite people's fears a recent survey has revealed that very few are tempted to leave the country. In biblical times there was a history of the people of Israel turning back to God when things got really bad. Pray:
that the people will turn back to the Lord, not to religion.
that they may search the scriptures for themselves rather than just accepting what the rabbis have said. And may they see Rabbinical Judaism for the prison it is.
that God will remove the veil which prevents the Jews seeing Him for who He is, and they will see Him and know His love, here in this land.
that the Comforter would come to Zion. The people would turn to Him and know His acceptance.
that God would sprinkle clean water on His people and cleanse this nation.
they would see that You, God, have set Your King over them and recognize that in Yeshua they have life forever and lasting peace.
7. The Church
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins. Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:25-29 NKJV
Pray for:
the Church to come out of ignorance regarding Israel and see what God is doing in the world.
the Church to see current events in the United Nations for what they are and their pivotal significance for the nations involved.
boldness to proclaim what God is doing.
the exposure of the darkness behind anti-Semitic teachers who seek to lead the Church astray into replacement theology.
8. Aliyah
Then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land… Ezekiel 37:21 NKJV
Bring back those who know You and those who don't yet know You.
Let the Jewish people come home quickly to Israel, which is their refuge, their future, their hope, their destiny and the place where their Messiah will meet them!
Shake them loose! Let them recognize that the USA is not the promised land.
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. Isaiah 35:10 NKJV
Let the believing Jews return home with joy, recognizing that living in other countries means living in exile or in prison as a result of the sins of their forebears. Confront them with Your word, O Lord!
Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, And set up My standard for the peoples; They shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 NKJV
Give the burden to the Church to participate in the aliyah, helping to bring the Jewish people home.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says the LORD. As for Me, says the LORD, this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants, says the LORD, from this time and forevermore. Isaiah 59:19-21 NKJV
He is sovereign and He will do it! Amen.
taken from Intercessors for Israel newsletter
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
"Will Israel Attack Iran?"
Speculation in the media as to whether Israel is planning a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities is certainly nothing new; in fact, it has come to be expected that about twice a year there will be reports that such an attack is eminent. This past week there has been a new wave of such speculation, as the International Atomic Energy Agency is expected in a few days to announce evidence that Iran is in fact within the last, critical stages of developing an atomic weapon (Recent satellite photos reveal a huge steel container at a military base about 30 kilometers from Tehran capable of serving as a testing chamber for carrying out experiments with detonators and other explosives related to nuclear weapons). This week newspapers carried reports supposedly leaked from high-level sources, indicating that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are engaged in serious preparations for launching an attack. Friday Israeli President Peres voiced his belief that Israel and the world are approaching a military option, and the same day saw a senior US military official stating that the US is "absolutely" concerned about the possibility that such an Israeli attack may soon take place without prior consultation with the US. The Russian Foreign Minister, whose country is the nearest thing to a major power ally Iran has, warned that there is "no military solution to the Iranian nuclear problem", and any strike on Iran will result in soured ties between the West and Russia. And Iran responded to the rumors by vowing that "before being able to take any action against Iran, the Israelis will feel our wrath in Tel Aviv."
How much is mere speculation, how much information purposely and strategically released to the media in ways calculated to disguise the true state of circumstances we can't be sure. What seems certain to Israel is that the nation of Iran has accelerated its program to develop a nuclear weapon along with the means necessary for delivering it (It has been known for some time that Iran has obtained key components for such a weapon from North Korea). And Iran's leaders continue to voice not only threats but rhetoric appearing to reflect actual intentions of having a part in causing what it calls "the Zionist Entity" to cease to exist.
PLEASE PRAY:
*That Israel will move in the timings and purposes of God regarding a response to the threats coming against her from Iran. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.a time for war, a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8b).
* That the Lord would "Scatter the peoples who delight in war" (Psalm 68:30b).
*That Israel's leaders will look to the LORD as our rock, who trains our hand for war and our fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1). That they will realize, with David, that "the battle is the LORD's" (I Samuel 17:47). During the flight of the jets which destroyed Sadam Hussein's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, Prime Minister Menachem Begin spent the entire time pacing back and forth alone, deep in prayer.
*That the God of Abraham will be a shield around Israel (Genesis 15:1), that she will look to Him to protect her from fear of the "terror of the night, from the arrows that fly by day" (Psalm 91:5).
*That Believers in Israel will not be distracted from dwelling in the "secret place of Elyon (the Most High), abiding under the shadow of Shaddai (the Almighty)"-and that their faithfulness in this will draw others to desire to do likewise!
*That God would protect His remnant in Iran-from denying their faith in the times of persecution, and from destruction should war break out.
*That the godless leaders tyrannizing the people of Iran and cursing Israel would be replaced; that the bondage of a religion set against the covenant purposes of the Most High God would be broken.
*That revelation would be released among the masses of that enormous land that the God of Israel is a God of Love, and that He has sent a Saviour to free all Humankind from the bondage of sin and despair.
portions taken from Israel Prayer list
How much is mere speculation, how much information purposely and strategically released to the media in ways calculated to disguise the true state of circumstances we can't be sure. What seems certain to Israel is that the nation of Iran has accelerated its program to develop a nuclear weapon along with the means necessary for delivering it (It has been known for some time that Iran has obtained key components for such a weapon from North Korea). And Iran's leaders continue to voice not only threats but rhetoric appearing to reflect actual intentions of having a part in causing what it calls "the Zionist Entity" to cease to exist.
PLEASE PRAY:
*That Israel will move in the timings and purposes of God regarding a response to the threats coming against her from Iran. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.a time for war, a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8b).
* That the Lord would "Scatter the peoples who delight in war" (Psalm 68:30b).
*That Israel's leaders will look to the LORD as our rock, who trains our hand for war and our fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1). That they will realize, with David, that "the battle is the LORD's" (I Samuel 17:47). During the flight of the jets which destroyed Sadam Hussein's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, Prime Minister Menachem Begin spent the entire time pacing back and forth alone, deep in prayer.
*That the God of Abraham will be a shield around Israel (Genesis 15:1), that she will look to Him to protect her from fear of the "terror of the night, from the arrows that fly by day" (Psalm 91:5).
*That Believers in Israel will not be distracted from dwelling in the "secret place of Elyon (the Most High), abiding under the shadow of Shaddai (the Almighty)"-and that their faithfulness in this will draw others to desire to do likewise!
*That God would protect His remnant in Iran-from denying their faith in the times of persecution, and from destruction should war break out.
*That the godless leaders tyrannizing the people of Iran and cursing Israel would be replaced; that the bondage of a religion set against the covenant purposes of the Most High God would be broken.
*That revelation would be released among the masses of that enormous land that the God of Israel is a God of Love, and that He has sent a Saviour to free all Humankind from the bondage of sin and despair.
portions taken from Israel Prayer list
Monday, November 7, 2011
Former Rains
Israel, both the people and the land, rejoiced this week as rains finally began to descend over the region. In Israel the "Former Rains" begin in the fall (on the last day of the Sukkot celebration there are special prayers for rain), and the "Latter Rains" normally arrive with the Passover season in the spring. Then it stops. From mid-May to mid-October it is rare to receive rain anywhere in the middle-East. After a few short showers just before Rosh Hashanah, we have received virtually nothing at all until now. Then Friday night it began to thunder, and by the next morning they rains had come! By Saturday evening the Sea of Galilee had risen a half-centimeter and snow had fallen on Mount Hermon. After these long six months the hills around Jerusalem are still brown-but today we noticed little pink squills opening up in the dry grass on "Bible Hill" near the Begin Center on Hebron Road; we are so very thankful! Last year the Former Rains were practically nonexistent, continuing drought conditions which had already existed for several years. Praise the Lord, His Mercies endure forever!
PLEASE PRAY:
*That the former and latter rains will be substantial in Israel this year. That there will be snows on Mount Hermon and that the Sea of Galilee and the underground aquifers would be refilled. *We also continue to pray Isaiah 41:17-20.that as Israel acknowledges her need of water, it would be provided in unexpected places that we"may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it."
portions taken from Israel Prayer list
PLEASE PRAY:
*That the former and latter rains will be substantial in Israel this year. That there will be snows on Mount Hermon and that the Sea of Galilee and the underground aquifers would be refilled. *We also continue to pray Isaiah 41:17-20.that as Israel acknowledges her need of water, it would be provided in unexpected places that we"may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it."
portions taken from Israel Prayer list
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Greece and Israel
It was announced Sunday that Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will resign after a new coalition government is formed. The new government is to be in place until elections are held in early spring. For months Greece has hovered on the brink of bankruptcy, and this past week saw the situation becoming critical. Leaders in the EU have been working desperately to come up with a "bail-out" plan for their fallen member-but the austerity measures necessary for imposing an effective plan have resulted in chaotic outbreaks of lawlessness across the land. A default could pull down other European economies (Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland are especially vulnerable), which in turn could severely disrupt economies around the world.
During the past year, the leadership of Greece has made strong overtures of friendship towards Israel. Even as our relationship with Turkey has cooled drastically, that with Greece has warmed. Among other things, this warming has resulted in plans reportedly beginning to be discussed whereby Greece might become a key partner with Israel in the export to Europe of resources from the vast petroleum deposits discovered off of Israel's northwest coast. Now, with the meltdown in her economy and the dissolution of her government, these bright hopes are distressingly being replaced with uncertainty.
PLEASE PRAY:
*Integrity, order, courage and prosperity over the nation of Greece.
*That friendship between the two countries would be maintained during the dark and desperate days through which Greece is passing. Pray that leadership will come into place which sees the importance of maintaining close relations with Israel.
*Against a rise of anti-Semitism in Greece. An emaciated economy with imposed austerity measures and rampant poverty often give rise to lawlessness.and these are circumstances in which the enemy has historically found fertile soil for planting seeds of accusation against the Jews.
*The blessings of the New Covenant Letters to the Corinthians to reawaken in the Body of Messiah in Greece. For the Church there to come out of the delusion of "replacement theology" and realize that praying for and blessing God's purposes for Israel will return blessing upon their own land and people.
portions taken from Israel prayer list
During the past year, the leadership of Greece has made strong overtures of friendship towards Israel. Even as our relationship with Turkey has cooled drastically, that with Greece has warmed. Among other things, this warming has resulted in plans reportedly beginning to be discussed whereby Greece might become a key partner with Israel in the export to Europe of resources from the vast petroleum deposits discovered off of Israel's northwest coast. Now, with the meltdown in her economy and the dissolution of her government, these bright hopes are distressingly being replaced with uncertainty.
PLEASE PRAY:
*Integrity, order, courage and prosperity over the nation of Greece.
*That friendship between the two countries would be maintained during the dark and desperate days through which Greece is passing. Pray that leadership will come into place which sees the importance of maintaining close relations with Israel.
*Against a rise of anti-Semitism in Greece. An emaciated economy with imposed austerity measures and rampant poverty often give rise to lawlessness.and these are circumstances in which the enemy has historically found fertile soil for planting seeds of accusation against the Jews.
*The blessings of the New Covenant Letters to the Corinthians to reawaken in the Body of Messiah in Greece. For the Church there to come out of the delusion of "replacement theology" and realize that praying for and blessing God's purposes for Israel will return blessing upon their own land and people.
portions taken from Israel prayer list
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Ps. 121 God Protect the IDF
"MEN FOR YOU AND PEOPLE FOR YOUR LIFE."
A member of the royal Saudi family in Saudi Arabia has pledged to donate an additional $900,000 to a $100,000 bounty offered by a Muslim cleric for abduction of an Israeli soldier, to be held for ransom so as to free Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Over 1000 Palestinian prisoners, some with blood on their hands, were released from Israeli jails last week in exchange for Gilad Shalit. The cleric claims to have based his offer in response to one allegedly made by an Israeli family who lost one of its members in 1998 to a terrorist who was released in last week's exchange. Already, some of those released have spoken bragging words regarding what they did and what they would do again if given an opportunity.
Meanwhile, Gilad Shalit has been recuperating with his family in the north. Surveys have shown that over 70 % of Israelis were in favor of the exchange, even though a majority believed that Israel's security might be severely compromised as a result of it.
Last week we wrote of the signs in the heavens on that day.of the Haftarah portion (Isaiah 42:5-43:10), for that week which contained a remarkably apt verse (42:7) quoted by our Prime Minister on the occasion, "To bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house." We have since had pointed out to us an equally remarkable verse, also from that same portion read the week of the exchange of prisoners resulting in Gilad's release, "Since you are precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you and people for your life." (Isaiah 43:4, Emphases ours).
PLEASE PRAY:
*Psalm 121.that He who watches over Israel and neither slumbers nor sleeps will guard over our soldiers. preserving their going out and their coming in, protecting them from all evil, including the enemy's plottings to capture: "My eyes are continually on the LORD, for he will pluck my feet from the net.Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel (Hebrew: hamas) hatred. Guard my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You" (Psalm 25:15, 19-20).
*For those Israelis who were deeply hurt by the exchange of prisoners-that they find comfort from God, but that they also not take the law into their own hands, releasing all vengeance to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35).
*For Gilad Shalit to continue to be healed in body, soul and spirit. For him to be led by the Holy Spirit to know the One who was with him in his captivity, in Whose sight he is precious and loved.the One who allowed the release of men for him and people for his life.
portions from the Israel prayer list
A member of the royal Saudi family in Saudi Arabia has pledged to donate an additional $900,000 to a $100,000 bounty offered by a Muslim cleric for abduction of an Israeli soldier, to be held for ransom so as to free Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Over 1000 Palestinian prisoners, some with blood on their hands, were released from Israeli jails last week in exchange for Gilad Shalit. The cleric claims to have based his offer in response to one allegedly made by an Israeli family who lost one of its members in 1998 to a terrorist who was released in last week's exchange. Already, some of those released have spoken bragging words regarding what they did and what they would do again if given an opportunity.
Meanwhile, Gilad Shalit has been recuperating with his family in the north. Surveys have shown that over 70 % of Israelis were in favor of the exchange, even though a majority believed that Israel's security might be severely compromised as a result of it.
Last week we wrote of the signs in the heavens on that day.of the Haftarah portion (Isaiah 42:5-43:10), for that week which contained a remarkably apt verse (42:7) quoted by our Prime Minister on the occasion, "To bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house." We have since had pointed out to us an equally remarkable verse, also from that same portion read the week of the exchange of prisoners resulting in Gilad's release, "Since you are precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you and people for your life." (Isaiah 43:4, Emphases ours).
PLEASE PRAY:
*Psalm 121.that He who watches over Israel and neither slumbers nor sleeps will guard over our soldiers. preserving their going out and their coming in, protecting them from all evil, including the enemy's plottings to capture: "My eyes are continually on the LORD, for he will pluck my feet from the net.Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel (Hebrew: hamas) hatred. Guard my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You" (Psalm 25:15, 19-20).
*For those Israelis who were deeply hurt by the exchange of prisoners-that they find comfort from God, but that they also not take the law into their own hands, releasing all vengeance to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35).
*For Gilad Shalit to continue to be healed in body, soul and spirit. For him to be led by the Holy Spirit to know the One who was with him in his captivity, in Whose sight he is precious and loved.the One who allowed the release of men for him and people for his life.
portions from the Israel prayer list
Monday, October 31, 2011
Rockets are falling again.
More than 40 rockets including long-range grad missile threatening Beer Sheba, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Kiryat Malachi areas have rained down on southwestern Israel during the past 24 hours. The barrage came after Israel earlier Saturday struck an Islamic Jihad rocket cell, killing a commander responsible for overseeing much of that organization's enormous rocket production. 56-year-old Ami Moshe was driving towards his home in Ashkelon when he heard the alarm sound, leapt from his car and ran for cover.but not in time; a Grad rocket exploded nearby and Moshe was ripped by the shrapnel. He was able to answer a call from his frantic wife and tell her he was on the way to hospital, but he died shortly thereafter. As of this writing at least six other Israelis have been wounded. Some 200,000 school children have stayed home from school today as classes were cancelled in the surrounding towns. A rocket hit an empty school building in Ashdod. The much-heralded "Iron Dome" defense system malfunctioned during the heat of the attack, only beginning to effectively bring down the rockets on Sunday morning.
It is presently unclear what has precipitated this latest round of attacks. One possibility is that they were ordered by Iranian and Syrian leaders who wish to divert world attention from the brutal attacks of Syrian President Assad's military on demonstrators calling for reform in his government (at least 40 were shot dead on Friday). Israel continues to strike rocket launchers and terrorist cells from the air.but if this continues it must take much stronger measures. Among its options, short of the drastic one of mounting another ground assault similar to the "Cast Lead" of a few years ago (which would undoubtedly lead to deaths of hundreds, including civilians) is that of holding back release of the 550 Palestinian prisoners still slated for release in the deal which released Gilad Shalit last week.
PLEASE PRAY:
*Physical protection of those Israelis in harm's way from these attacks. "Guard my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness guard me, for I hope in You."
*Pray for mental strength, courage and presence of mind. The mental stress and anxiety can be excruciating.the continual sounding of alarms, the thump of the explosions, anxiety for children and friends, wondering why Israel won't "do something", feelings of being abandoned and no idea of when it might all somehow come to an end. Pray especially for the Messianic Jews in this area, that they will be strengthened in the inner man, and be guided in providing strength, hope and integrity for their own families and for those around them.
*For Israel's Prime Minister and his cabinet and military leaders and advisors, that they will be given a strategy for Israel's protection and how to put a stop to these attacks.
*That YHVH Tzevaot Elohei Ma'arkhot Yisrael -"Yehovah of Armies, God of the Arraying of Israel" (I Samuel 17:45) will fight for us, grant us His direction, that He will deal decisively with the enemies of His covenant and people Israel.
*Continued angelic protection (Hebrews 1:14) over Jews in these regions, whom God desires to draw to Himself. We continue to see mention of 'miracles' in the news reports of missiles landing in populated neighborhoods, near apartment buildings or playgrounds.yet amazingly few casualties.
*The wife and extended family and friends of Ami Moshi of Ashkelon.that the God of All Comfort will minister to them His compassion, guiding them into a way of living Hope and a Future.
portions from Israel prayer list
It is presently unclear what has precipitated this latest round of attacks. One possibility is that they were ordered by Iranian and Syrian leaders who wish to divert world attention from the brutal attacks of Syrian President Assad's military on demonstrators calling for reform in his government (at least 40 were shot dead on Friday). Israel continues to strike rocket launchers and terrorist cells from the air.but if this continues it must take much stronger measures. Among its options, short of the drastic one of mounting another ground assault similar to the "Cast Lead" of a few years ago (which would undoubtedly lead to deaths of hundreds, including civilians) is that of holding back release of the 550 Palestinian prisoners still slated for release in the deal which released Gilad Shalit last week.
PLEASE PRAY:
*Physical protection of those Israelis in harm's way from these attacks. "Guard my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness guard me, for I hope in You."
*Pray for mental strength, courage and presence of mind. The mental stress and anxiety can be excruciating.the continual sounding of alarms, the thump of the explosions, anxiety for children and friends, wondering why Israel won't "do something", feelings of being abandoned and no idea of when it might all somehow come to an end. Pray especially for the Messianic Jews in this area, that they will be strengthened in the inner man, and be guided in providing strength, hope and integrity for their own families and for those around them.
*For Israel's Prime Minister and his cabinet and military leaders and advisors, that they will be given a strategy for Israel's protection and how to put a stop to these attacks.
*That YHVH Tzevaot Elohei Ma'arkhot Yisrael -"Yehovah of Armies, God of the Arraying of Israel" (I Samuel 17:45) will fight for us, grant us His direction, that He will deal decisively with the enemies of His covenant and people Israel.
*Continued angelic protection (Hebrews 1:14) over Jews in these regions, whom God desires to draw to Himself. We continue to see mention of 'miracles' in the news reports of missiles landing in populated neighborhoods, near apartment buildings or playgrounds.yet amazingly few casualties.
*The wife and extended family and friends of Ami Moshi of Ashkelon.that the God of All Comfort will minister to them His compassion, guiding them into a way of living Hope and a Future.
portions from Israel prayer list
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday prayer points
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto You, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of Your wings. Selah. For You, O God, have heard my vows: You have given me the heritage of those that fear Your name. You will prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto Your name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Psalm 61
1. In Israel, as there rest of the world, there have been "social justice" protests that have thrown this country into confusion. The organizing people of the protests here called for a hiatus on protesting to see if their actions had put enough pressure on the government to do what they demanded. Now, two months later, they are planning to begin the protests again because their demands have not been met. They now demand that the government scrap the entire budget and write a new one that they approve of. If they can't do that, they want to bring down the current government. These protests have cost Israel millions of shekels, destroyed public park areas, and given the enemies of Israel reason to think that we are a divided people. There are things in Israeli society that demand justice, but it must be based on God's Word to be true justice. These protests are set to start again on Saturday.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) May Your Word be established in this country as the foundation of justice and not the thoughts of man.
We ask that You would send rain to prevent these protests from even starting.
Divide this "movement" so that it can not gain any traction.
Expose the political motives and wickedness that is driving these protests which seeks to bring down the present government.
Please cut this off at the root so that it would not bring more destruction and waste of money.
We recognize that there are problems, but we pray You would raise up shepherds would help to properly correct them.
Help this country to deal righteously with the poor and see that the Biblical way is the correct way.
Thank You for Netanyahu, his strength in leadership, and his influence on the strong economy that there is in Israel now.
Don't allow these protests to be an encouragement to our enemies.
Thus says the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus says the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus says the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus says the LORD of hosts; If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? says the LORD of hosts. Thus says the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I w! ill be their God, in truth and in righteousness. … These are the things that you shall do; Speak, every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, says the LORD.
Zechariah 8:2-8, 16-17
2. We then lifted up a prayer for Aliyah because we see how the country flourishes when Aliyah increases.
Thank You Lord for the increase in Aliyah this past year.
We pray for an increase from the US where Jews are still comfortable, but things are getting shaky - may they come into Zion with all their possessions.
Bring them from the far East where they have been scattered and provide the documents they need to come back.
Give the Jewish community in Iran an urgency in their spirit to come home and the wisdom to know how.
We ask for Your mercy in bringing the Jews out of Turkey where the Anti-Israel sentiment is on the rise and the whole country seems to be shaking.
We ask that You would bring all the Holocaust survivors home so that they can live out the rest of their days in the Land of their Fathers.
We pray that You would remove all the impediments in the way of Messianic Jews making Aliyah - remove from their hearts the fear of what might happen to them if they try to come.
We ask that You would fulfill the promise concerning Your people Israel coming home so that Your Name might be glorified to the ends of the Earth.
3. Following up on the continued prayer for Aliyah, we turned the prayers to our brothers and sisters in the Church. The Church needs revelation concerning God's appointment with Israel here in the Land and what part they are to play in that appointment.
I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: you that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till He establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Isaiah 62:6-7
May the church see that if they make mention of the Lord as being the Lord of their lives, that is something they are to take part in.
May Your Spirit fall on the Church and cause eyes to be opened to the responsibility they have to intercede for Israel
Remove the apathy in the Church contained in words like that is not my calling or I am not gifted for that.
Open eyes and hearts to hear Your Word.
Remove from the Church the deceptive teaching that praying for Israel is simply a political issue and show the Church that it is a prophetic issue.
Have mercy on Your Church and reveal Your truth as spoken in Your Word.
We ended this time of prayer by praying for the Israeli and Arab Body of the Messiah here in Israel - may every congregation in this country be infused with a burden to intercede for this nation!
4. We continued our prayer for the security of Israel in the wake for the Gilad Schalit prisoner swap. This country was held hostage by Hamas, and the same thing will happen if anyone else is kidnapped. A Saudi Arabian millionaire has offered a bounty to any Palestinian who captures another Israeli soldier. Muslim clerics are declaring that there only needs to be 6 more Schalits in order to get all the Palestinian prisoners out of jail. Every Israeli needs the protection of the Lord with the increased threat. The government here needs wisdom to know what policy needs to be established to stop the slide down the slippery slope we find ourselves on.
For You have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Psalm 61:3
Be a strong tower for every soldier guarding our borders!
We pray protection for all Israelis from kidnappings - may every attempt utterly fail.
Thank You Lord for the attempts that have been prevented.
Give the IDF the new strategy they need in order to prevent kidnappings.
Please help stop this appeasement policy from snowballing anymore.
May there be an urgent push within the government to establish a solid policy of response if anything like this should happen again.
May this new policy be a Godly one.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
5. We continued our prayer watch for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Everything going on outside of Israel and within is way too much for one man to bear alone.
We thank You Lord for giving us this man as Prime Minister! We pray that he would be strong and courageous.
Bring Salvation to his household Lord!
Give him a strong backbone to stand in Your truth
Give him a clear head and a still heart so that he can hear Your voice.
Put the people and experts around him that he needs to accomplish what is before him.
Help him to get good sleep at night so that he can be refreshed for each day.
Protect his family and bless them.
May he have good discernment to know which voices to listen to and which voices to not listen to.
Thank You that he has continued to read Your Word and may it be a light to his path (Psalm 119:105).
Help him see that he is not alone - we pray You would be with him through all the tough decisions that have to be made
Thank You for raising up FM Liberman to take some pressure off of the Prime Minister.
portions taken from Intercessors for Israel newsletter
Psalm 61
1. In Israel, as there rest of the world, there have been "social justice" protests that have thrown this country into confusion. The organizing people of the protests here called for a hiatus on protesting to see if their actions had put enough pressure on the government to do what they demanded. Now, two months later, they are planning to begin the protests again because their demands have not been met. They now demand that the government scrap the entire budget and write a new one that they approve of. If they can't do that, they want to bring down the current government. These protests have cost Israel millions of shekels, destroyed public park areas, and given the enemies of Israel reason to think that we are a divided people. There are things in Israeli society that demand justice, but it must be based on God's Word to be true justice. These protests are set to start again on Saturday.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) May Your Word be established in this country as the foundation of justice and not the thoughts of man.
We ask that You would send rain to prevent these protests from even starting.
Divide this "movement" so that it can not gain any traction.
Expose the political motives and wickedness that is driving these protests which seeks to bring down the present government.
Please cut this off at the root so that it would not bring more destruction and waste of money.
We recognize that there are problems, but we pray You would raise up shepherds would help to properly correct them.
Help this country to deal righteously with the poor and see that the Biblical way is the correct way.
Thank You for Netanyahu, his strength in leadership, and his influence on the strong economy that there is in Israel now.
Don't allow these protests to be an encouragement to our enemies.
Thus says the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus says the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus says the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus says the LORD of hosts; If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? says the LORD of hosts. Thus says the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I w! ill be their God, in truth and in righteousness. … These are the things that you shall do; Speak, every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, says the LORD.
Zechariah 8:2-8, 16-17
2. We then lifted up a prayer for Aliyah because we see how the country flourishes when Aliyah increases.
Thank You Lord for the increase in Aliyah this past year.
We pray for an increase from the US where Jews are still comfortable, but things are getting shaky - may they come into Zion with all their possessions.
Bring them from the far East where they have been scattered and provide the documents they need to come back.
Give the Jewish community in Iran an urgency in their spirit to come home and the wisdom to know how.
We ask for Your mercy in bringing the Jews out of Turkey where the Anti-Israel sentiment is on the rise and the whole country seems to be shaking.
We ask that You would bring all the Holocaust survivors home so that they can live out the rest of their days in the Land of their Fathers.
We pray that You would remove all the impediments in the way of Messianic Jews making Aliyah - remove from their hearts the fear of what might happen to them if they try to come.
We ask that You would fulfill the promise concerning Your people Israel coming home so that Your Name might be glorified to the ends of the Earth.
3. Following up on the continued prayer for Aliyah, we turned the prayers to our brothers and sisters in the Church. The Church needs revelation concerning God's appointment with Israel here in the Land and what part they are to play in that appointment.
I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: you that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till He establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Isaiah 62:6-7
May the church see that if they make mention of the Lord as being the Lord of their lives, that is something they are to take part in.
May Your Spirit fall on the Church and cause eyes to be opened to the responsibility they have to intercede for Israel
Remove the apathy in the Church contained in words like that is not my calling or I am not gifted for that.
Open eyes and hearts to hear Your Word.
Remove from the Church the deceptive teaching that praying for Israel is simply a political issue and show the Church that it is a prophetic issue.
Have mercy on Your Church and reveal Your truth as spoken in Your Word.
We ended this time of prayer by praying for the Israeli and Arab Body of the Messiah here in Israel - may every congregation in this country be infused with a burden to intercede for this nation!
4. We continued our prayer for the security of Israel in the wake for the Gilad Schalit prisoner swap. This country was held hostage by Hamas, and the same thing will happen if anyone else is kidnapped. A Saudi Arabian millionaire has offered a bounty to any Palestinian who captures another Israeli soldier. Muslim clerics are declaring that there only needs to be 6 more Schalits in order to get all the Palestinian prisoners out of jail. Every Israeli needs the protection of the Lord with the increased threat. The government here needs wisdom to know what policy needs to be established to stop the slide down the slippery slope we find ourselves on.
For You have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Psalm 61:3
Be a strong tower for every soldier guarding our borders!
We pray protection for all Israelis from kidnappings - may every attempt utterly fail.
Thank You Lord for the attempts that have been prevented.
Give the IDF the new strategy they need in order to prevent kidnappings.
Please help stop this appeasement policy from snowballing anymore.
May there be an urgent push within the government to establish a solid policy of response if anything like this should happen again.
May this new policy be a Godly one.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
5. We continued our prayer watch for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Everything going on outside of Israel and within is way too much for one man to bear alone.
We thank You Lord for giving us this man as Prime Minister! We pray that he would be strong and courageous.
Bring Salvation to his household Lord!
Give him a strong backbone to stand in Your truth
Give him a clear head and a still heart so that he can hear Your voice.
Put the people and experts around him that he needs to accomplish what is before him.
Help him to get good sleep at night so that he can be refreshed for each day.
Protect his family and bless them.
May he have good discernment to know which voices to listen to and which voices to not listen to.
Thank You that he has continued to read Your Word and may it be a light to his path (Psalm 119:105).
Help him see that he is not alone - we pray You would be with him through all the tough decisions that have to be made
Thank You for raising up FM Liberman to take some pressure off of the Prime Minister.
portions taken from Intercessors for Israel newsletter
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saul and Jonathan
Saul lost his position as king over Israel because of his lack of determination to defeat the enemies of Israel. The prophet Samuel told him, “The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.” (1 Sam 28:17-18)
The Torah says that that the fight against Amalek will continue in every generation until Messiah comes. “The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Ex 17:16) “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel [the Messiah]; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth…Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” (Num 24:17,20)
The battle against Amalek today is the same as it has always been. It is the same hatred and beastlike cruelty that the Jewish people have fought before during their long history: the Crusades, the Inquisition, the pogroms, the Holocaust and now Islamic terror. But in the end all of Israel’s enemies will be destroyed. It is written,
“Rejoice, O nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.” (Deu 32:43)
The young Jonathan had a different spirit than Saul. He represents the new kind of leadership that we must pray for today in Israel. He was unselfish and free from pride and ambition. And he had a strong and optimistic faith in God. “Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.’” (1 Sam 14:6)
Jonathan later made a covenant with David because he loved Israel and understood that God had anointed David to become king even though he was the heir to the throne. Jonathan represents the kind of both daring and unselfish leaders we need to pray for today in Israel.
It is written that in the end times the Jewish leaders will be very strong. “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.” (Zech 12:6) The Hebrew word that is translated as “clans” in this verse is usually translated “leaders.” The same word is used today in modern Hebrew about the officers in the Israeli army. The promise is primarily referring to military leaders!
It is written about Jerusalem, “And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa 1:26) God has promised to answer our prayers to give Israel leaders after his heart!
Hanna Prayed and Changed History
Paul said about Israel in his sermon in Pisidian Antioch, “he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.” (Acts 13:20) Samuel was the first prophet to lead the nation of Israel. With his birth a new chapter began in the history of God’s people. He was a new type of leader. It was Samuel who ended up anointing David as king. He was the “John the Baptist” of his day who prepared the way of the LORD.
It was the prayers of his mother Hanna that initiated this new era under a new leadership. Likewise we are called to pray for Israel today for this kind of leadership to emerge. Some prayers are answered quickly while others can take a long time, especially prayers of this magnitude. Hanna’s prayers were born out of much suffering for many years. We read about her,
“There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
“Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?’
“After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’
“…Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, ‘How long will you go on being drunk? Put away your wine from you.’ But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.’ Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (1 Sam 1:1-11,13-18)
Hanna did not quit until here prayers were answered. As we mentioned earlier we are very grateful for the present Prime Minister in Israel. He is truly a gift from God just as his name means, and we need to continue to lift him up in prayer. At the same time we also need to pray with the same fervency and endurance that Hanna had for a leadership in Israel that can take the Jewish people through the dark night that lies ahead.
Israel needs the wisdom and experience of the older generation of leaders like Netanyahu. But we also need the daring faith of a young new generation of leaders like Jonathan and David that will not compromise with the pressure from the nations. The efforts of the so-called Quartet to create a “two state solution” are completely meaningless. They are not from God and will only weaken Israel in the process until the enemy is ready to deal the Jewish state a final blow. Moreover, if, heaven forbid, they should succeed they will contradict God’s will for his people spoken by the prophets.
Jerusalem and the mountains of Israel where the Palestinians want a state belong by eternal decree to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is on the mountains of Israel that God has declared that his name will be glorified all over the earth and that the enemy will fall!
Israel must be prepared to face the nations of the world alone with only God and his promises on their side! Jonathan told the people, “See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today.” (1 Sam 14:29-30) Honey is a symbol in the Scriptures for the prophetic word of God. Let’s pray for a leadership in Israel that is guided by the light of His Word!
Those who believe this way are just like Hanna greatly ridiculed today by their rivals. But just as it was for Hanna, prayer will make the difference! Let us take her song of praise to our hearts. This is written for all the watchmen and prayer warriors who intercede for Israel that His word will be fulfilled,
“And Hannah prayed and said, ‘My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.’” (1 Sam 2:1-10)
• Pray for much wisdom for Prime Minister Netanyahu to deal with the difficult situation Israel is facing today especially regarding Iran!
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.’” (Dan 2:20-22)
• Pray that Israel will develop a wise strategy to deal with kidnappings in the future!
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war…wisdom helps one to succeed.” (Ecc 9:18; 10:10)
• Pray for a new generation of godly leaders in Israel!
“And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa 1:26)
• Pray that God will raise up bold and courageous leaders like Jonathan, especially in the army!
“Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.’” (1 Sam 14:6)
• Pray that the leaders in the army will be strong!
“On that day I will make the [military leaders] of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.” (Zech 12:6)
• Pray that the leaders in Israel will trust the promises in God’s Word!
“The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Ps 33:9-11)
• Pray that the leaders in Israel will be guided by the words of the prophets!
“See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found.” (1 Sam 14:29-30)
• Pray for the blessing and protection of the Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and for the ministry of HaYovel (see www.HaYovel.com) mobilizing help to these farmers!
“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.” (Isa 61:4-5)
• Pray for a mighty harvest into the kingdom of God in the Muslim world!
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” (Rom 15:12)
portions taken from Watchman International prayer alert
The Torah says that that the fight against Amalek will continue in every generation until Messiah comes. “The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Ex 17:16) “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel [the Messiah]; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth…Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” (Num 24:17,20)
The battle against Amalek today is the same as it has always been. It is the same hatred and beastlike cruelty that the Jewish people have fought before during their long history: the Crusades, the Inquisition, the pogroms, the Holocaust and now Islamic terror. But in the end all of Israel’s enemies will be destroyed. It is written,
“Rejoice, O nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.” (Deu 32:43)
The young Jonathan had a different spirit than Saul. He represents the new kind of leadership that we must pray for today in Israel. He was unselfish and free from pride and ambition. And he had a strong and optimistic faith in God. “Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.’” (1 Sam 14:6)
Jonathan later made a covenant with David because he loved Israel and understood that God had anointed David to become king even though he was the heir to the throne. Jonathan represents the kind of both daring and unselfish leaders we need to pray for today in Israel.
It is written that in the end times the Jewish leaders will be very strong. “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.” (Zech 12:6) The Hebrew word that is translated as “clans” in this verse is usually translated “leaders.” The same word is used today in modern Hebrew about the officers in the Israeli army. The promise is primarily referring to military leaders!
It is written about Jerusalem, “And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa 1:26) God has promised to answer our prayers to give Israel leaders after his heart!
Hanna Prayed and Changed History
Paul said about Israel in his sermon in Pisidian Antioch, “he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.” (Acts 13:20) Samuel was the first prophet to lead the nation of Israel. With his birth a new chapter began in the history of God’s people. He was a new type of leader. It was Samuel who ended up anointing David as king. He was the “John the Baptist” of his day who prepared the way of the LORD.
It was the prayers of his mother Hanna that initiated this new era under a new leadership. Likewise we are called to pray for Israel today for this kind of leadership to emerge. Some prayers are answered quickly while others can take a long time, especially prayers of this magnitude. Hanna’s prayers were born out of much suffering for many years. We read about her,
“There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
“Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?’
“After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’
“…Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, ‘How long will you go on being drunk? Put away your wine from you.’ But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.’ Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (1 Sam 1:1-11,13-18)
Hanna did not quit until here prayers were answered. As we mentioned earlier we are very grateful for the present Prime Minister in Israel. He is truly a gift from God just as his name means, and we need to continue to lift him up in prayer. At the same time we also need to pray with the same fervency and endurance that Hanna had for a leadership in Israel that can take the Jewish people through the dark night that lies ahead.
Israel needs the wisdom and experience of the older generation of leaders like Netanyahu. But we also need the daring faith of a young new generation of leaders like Jonathan and David that will not compromise with the pressure from the nations. The efforts of the so-called Quartet to create a “two state solution” are completely meaningless. They are not from God and will only weaken Israel in the process until the enemy is ready to deal the Jewish state a final blow. Moreover, if, heaven forbid, they should succeed they will contradict God’s will for his people spoken by the prophets.
Jerusalem and the mountains of Israel where the Palestinians want a state belong by eternal decree to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is on the mountains of Israel that God has declared that his name will be glorified all over the earth and that the enemy will fall!
Israel must be prepared to face the nations of the world alone with only God and his promises on their side! Jonathan told the people, “See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today.” (1 Sam 14:29-30) Honey is a symbol in the Scriptures for the prophetic word of God. Let’s pray for a leadership in Israel that is guided by the light of His Word!
Those who believe this way are just like Hanna greatly ridiculed today by their rivals. But just as it was for Hanna, prayer will make the difference! Let us take her song of praise to our hearts. This is written for all the watchmen and prayer warriors who intercede for Israel that His word will be fulfilled,
“And Hannah prayed and said, ‘My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.’” (1 Sam 2:1-10)
• Pray for much wisdom for Prime Minister Netanyahu to deal with the difficult situation Israel is facing today especially regarding Iran!
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.’” (Dan 2:20-22)
• Pray that Israel will develop a wise strategy to deal with kidnappings in the future!
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war…wisdom helps one to succeed.” (Ecc 9:18; 10:10)
• Pray for a new generation of godly leaders in Israel!
“And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa 1:26)
• Pray that God will raise up bold and courageous leaders like Jonathan, especially in the army!
“Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.’” (1 Sam 14:6)
• Pray that the leaders in the army will be strong!
“On that day I will make the [military leaders] of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.” (Zech 12:6)
• Pray that the leaders in Israel will trust the promises in God’s Word!
“The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Ps 33:9-11)
• Pray that the leaders in Israel will be guided by the words of the prophets!
“See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found.” (1 Sam 14:29-30)
• Pray for the blessing and protection of the Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and for the ministry of HaYovel (see www.HaYovel.com) mobilizing help to these farmers!
“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.” (Isa 61:4-5)
• Pray for a mighty harvest into the kingdom of God in the Muslim world!
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” (Rom 15:12)
portions taken from Watchman International prayer alert
Statement by Amb Prosor to the UN Security Council 24-Oct-2011
Statement by Amb Prosor to the UN Security Council 24-Oct-2011
Please click on the link and you will hear the statement in its entirety.
Please click on the link and you will hear the statement in its entirety.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
HE IS FINALLY HOME!!!
Much excitement in Israel today as Gilad Shalit has been set free after 5 years and 4 months in captivity.
Continue to pray for this family.
Also prayers for the nation of Israel for protection as the deal required many terrorists to be released in exchange for Galid.
WE GIVE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY FOR GILAD FINALLY BEING HOME IN ISRAEL!
Continue to pray for this family.
Also prayers for the nation of Israel for protection as the deal required many terrorists to be released in exchange for Galid.
WE GIVE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY FOR GILAD FINALLY BEING HOME IN ISRAEL!
Monday, October 17, 2011
HOME COMING!!!
THE RELEASE OF GILAD SHALIT
"For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death, to declare the name of YHVH in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD" (Psalm 102:19-22).
Sometime tomorrow (Tuesday 18 October) Gilad Shalit, the young soldier captured by Hamas and held in Gaza since 25 June 2006, is scheduled to be released. The agreement for his release was signed last week on the eve of Sukkot.at a time when Jerusalem is indeed filled with peoples "gathered together to declare the name of the LORD in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem." Under an exchange deal worked out between Israel and Hamas with Egypt as intermediary, Shalit is being taken to the Sinai, at which time Israel releases 27 female Palestinian security prisoners. When he crosses into Israel another 450 major prisoners will be released, followed by 550 more within two months. 1,027 prisoners for one Israeli soldier. Over the past five years, the plight of Gilad has found a deep place in the Israeli consciousness. Israel has come to love this boy (He was still only 19 when captured); pictures are everywhere, on walls, busses, tee-shirts; a tent protesting his plight (often manned by his parents) and calling on action by the government has been in place near the Prime Minister's house for years. A longing and seeking to work for his return has become a cause for thousands of Israelis of all ages. And the government and military have tried. Yet Israel has never been able to locate him.in fact has received only a few times proof that he was even still alive. There is a tradition going back to the War for Independence that Israel will never desert its soldiers on the battlefield. She has even gone to great lengths-including the trading of living terrorist prisoners-to retrieve the bones of those slain (In Biblical times, it was of paramount importance to Joseph and others that their remains be brought back to rest with those of their fathers).
Yet there is also a rending agonized tear in much of Israel today at the price being paid to bring this living soldier home. There are no car thieves amongst the criminals being released. Among those on the list are those responsible for planning or otherwise being involved in some of the most heinous, bloody crimes against innocent Israeli civilians-the bombing of a pizza parlor on the corner of Jaffa and King George in the heart of Jerusalem, destruction of a bus filled with civilians in Haifa, and more and more-dozens killed and countless others maimed and traumatized for life. Families and loved ones of the terrorist victims, not to mention survivors themselves, are dismayed to see the perpetrators being let free. And statistics all point to the probability that of those released, many will strike again. Israel has negotiated with terrorists (This was not a matter of negotiating for exchange of prisoners in a declared war. During Shalit's incarceration, Hamas has denied him any of the human rights, such as visitations by the Intl. Red Cross, demanded for captured soldiers under the Geneva Conventions.). What is to keep this negotiating from spawning more and more "Shalits" in the future? Prime Minister Netanyahu, who lost his own brother in a raid to free hostages, called the decision "One of the most difficult I have ever made."
Yet the decision has been made. When it came for a vote to the Israeli Cabinet, it was 26 in favor, three against. Such a deal may not seem to make logical sense, and would probably only take place in Israel. Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah was recently quoted as saying of Israel, "We are going to win because they love life and we love death."
"In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:1-2, 7).
PLEASE PRAY:
*For Gilad Shalit-that God would guard over his "coming in, from this day forth and forever" (Psalm 121:8). Whatever the wisdom of the workings which have affected his release, he is not responsible for those any more than for his initial capture. Pray for the Spirit of Life to breathe him alive again; that he will be restored in mind, soul and spirit; that he will come to know his true God and Savior, and live out the destiny appointed for him by a Heavenly Father who loves him.
*For those Israelis who have had their lives torn to pieces by the murderous acts of some of those being set free-only the God of All Comfort can restore and heal them. Only He can protect them from evil spirits which would make use of this occasion to exacerbate their present wounding, injecting it with bitterness and despair. Pray for their restoration to a life of hope and strength in their Messiah.
*That among those prisoners being released from Israeli prisons, there will be those who in God's mercy will be convicted of sin and righteousness and judgment, who will have revelation and humble themselves to realize that in God's allowing their freedom, they have been given an unexpected opportunity to choose life-to love life instead of death.
*For Mr Netanyahu to be guided in a way of humility and integrity in days ahead as he must continue governing a nation living through the aftermath of his decision, wise or not.
portions from the Israel Prayer list
"For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death, to declare the name of YHVH in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD" (Psalm 102:19-22).
Sometime tomorrow (Tuesday 18 October) Gilad Shalit, the young soldier captured by Hamas and held in Gaza since 25 June 2006, is scheduled to be released. The agreement for his release was signed last week on the eve of Sukkot.at a time when Jerusalem is indeed filled with peoples "gathered together to declare the name of the LORD in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem." Under an exchange deal worked out between Israel and Hamas with Egypt as intermediary, Shalit is being taken to the Sinai, at which time Israel releases 27 female Palestinian security prisoners. When he crosses into Israel another 450 major prisoners will be released, followed by 550 more within two months. 1,027 prisoners for one Israeli soldier. Over the past five years, the plight of Gilad has found a deep place in the Israeli consciousness. Israel has come to love this boy (He was still only 19 when captured); pictures are everywhere, on walls, busses, tee-shirts; a tent protesting his plight (often manned by his parents) and calling on action by the government has been in place near the Prime Minister's house for years. A longing and seeking to work for his return has become a cause for thousands of Israelis of all ages. And the government and military have tried. Yet Israel has never been able to locate him.in fact has received only a few times proof that he was even still alive. There is a tradition going back to the War for Independence that Israel will never desert its soldiers on the battlefield. She has even gone to great lengths-including the trading of living terrorist prisoners-to retrieve the bones of those slain (In Biblical times, it was of paramount importance to Joseph and others that their remains be brought back to rest with those of their fathers).
Yet there is also a rending agonized tear in much of Israel today at the price being paid to bring this living soldier home. There are no car thieves amongst the criminals being released. Among those on the list are those responsible for planning or otherwise being involved in some of the most heinous, bloody crimes against innocent Israeli civilians-the bombing of a pizza parlor on the corner of Jaffa and King George in the heart of Jerusalem, destruction of a bus filled with civilians in Haifa, and more and more-dozens killed and countless others maimed and traumatized for life. Families and loved ones of the terrorist victims, not to mention survivors themselves, are dismayed to see the perpetrators being let free. And statistics all point to the probability that of those released, many will strike again. Israel has negotiated with terrorists (This was not a matter of negotiating for exchange of prisoners in a declared war. During Shalit's incarceration, Hamas has denied him any of the human rights, such as visitations by the Intl. Red Cross, demanded for captured soldiers under the Geneva Conventions.). What is to keep this negotiating from spawning more and more "Shalits" in the future? Prime Minister Netanyahu, who lost his own brother in a raid to free hostages, called the decision "One of the most difficult I have ever made."
Yet the decision has been made. When it came for a vote to the Israeli Cabinet, it was 26 in favor, three against. Such a deal may not seem to make logical sense, and would probably only take place in Israel. Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah was recently quoted as saying of Israel, "We are going to win because they love life and we love death."
"In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:1-2, 7).
PLEASE PRAY:
*For Gilad Shalit-that God would guard over his "coming in, from this day forth and forever" (Psalm 121:8). Whatever the wisdom of the workings which have affected his release, he is not responsible for those any more than for his initial capture. Pray for the Spirit of Life to breathe him alive again; that he will be restored in mind, soul and spirit; that he will come to know his true God and Savior, and live out the destiny appointed for him by a Heavenly Father who loves him.
*For those Israelis who have had their lives torn to pieces by the murderous acts of some of those being set free-only the God of All Comfort can restore and heal them. Only He can protect them from evil spirits which would make use of this occasion to exacerbate their present wounding, injecting it with bitterness and despair. Pray for their restoration to a life of hope and strength in their Messiah.
*That among those prisoners being released from Israeli prisons, there will be those who in God's mercy will be convicted of sin and righteousness and judgment, who will have revelation and humble themselves to realize that in God's allowing their freedom, they have been given an unexpected opportunity to choose life-to love life instead of death.
*For Mr Netanyahu to be guided in a way of humility and integrity in days ahead as he must continue governing a nation living through the aftermath of his decision, wise or not.
portions from the Israel Prayer list
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Sukkot
Tonight we begin celebrating Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths),
which completes the cycle of the Biblical Fall Feasts.
Sukkot begins at sunset tonight and lasts for seven days until nightfall on
October 20.
This is one of three pilgrimage festivals called Shelosh Regalim in which the
Jewish people were to go up to the Temple in Jerusalem on a national scale.
The other two are Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot (Feast of Weeks).
(Deuteronomy 16; Exodus 23: 14-17)
One of the names of Sukkot is the Festival of the Nations. In Israel,
people from all nations of the earth gather in Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot.
According to the prophet Zechariah, this holiday has a prophetic dimension
that is yet to be fulfilled. When Messiah returns and establishes His
Kingdom, all the nations will be required to keep this holiday by coming
up to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot.
“Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go
up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). If any of the peoples of the earth do
not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will
have no rain.” (Zechariah 14: 16-17)
In that day, Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) will become Israel’s sukkah (tabernacle).
His presence will shelter Israel and she will no longer be oppressed by the nations
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths)
Leviticus 22:26-23:44, Numbers 29:12-16, Zechariah 14:1-24, Revelation 7:1-10
The first day of Sukkot is a Sabbath and most forms of work are prohibited.
The next six days of the holiday are called Chol HaMoed. During these days
the workload is reduced and here in Israel many people take the week off as vacation.
After the somber, introspective time of Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah)
and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot is a joyous celebration of
renewed relationship with God following atonement for sin.
During this festive season, we recall how God’s faithfulness provided for our
ancestors as they wandered the Sinai Desert wilderness for 40 years before
entering the Promised Land of Israel.
“You shall dwell in Sukkot for seven days... So that your future generations
shall know that I had the children of Israel live in Sukkot when I brought them
out of Egypt....” (Leviticus 23:42-43)
At Sukkot we remember God’s kindness and mercy in leading and guiding
Israel by day with a pillar of cloud and protecting them by night with a pillar
of fire, and for providing them with daily manna. Just as Israel dwelt in
temporary shelters called sukkot in Hebrew (sukkah is singular), so are we
to dwell in sukkot for this entire week.
Most people in Israel and Jewish people around the world build a temporary
hut or shelter with a covering of branches or palm leaves. For seven days and
nights, we eat in the sukkah and consider it our dwelling; some even live in
the sukkah entirely for the duration of the festival.
Arba Minim: The Four Species
“You shall take for yourselves on the first day [of the festival] the splendid
fruit of a tree (etrog), palms of dates (lulav), the branch of the thickly
leafed tree (hadas), and willows (aravot) of the brook...” (Leviticus 23:40)
Another observance carried out each day of Sukkot, except Shabbat, is the
Four Species (Arbah Minim): an etrog (citron), a lulav (Palm frond), three
hadassim (myrtle twigs) and two aravot (willow twigs). They are bound
together is such a way that they can be held together easily.
The lulav, hadassim and aravot are first taken up with the right hand and then
the etrog is taken with the left hand. A blessing is recited over the Four Species:
“Blessed are You, God… who has sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to take the lulav.”
Facing towards the east where the Temple in Jerusalem once stood, the Four
Species are then shaken in all six directions: right, left, forward, up, down
and backward.
Rabbinic tradition explains that the Four Species represent the various
personalities that make up the community of Israel. They are held together
and a blessing is recited over them to bless the unity of all people, which is
emphasized on Sukkot.
The Season of our Joy
“You shall rejoice before the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 23:40)
One of the names for Sukkot is Zeman Simchateinu (The Season of our Joy).
In Scripture, in fact, the word joy appears several times in connection with Sukkot.
“Be joyful at your Feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants
and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows
who live in your towns. … For the Lord your God will bless you in all your
harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”
(Deuteronomy 16: 13-15)
Since Sukkot is also a harvest festival, we can well imagine that there is
great reason for joy. Indeed, one of the other names for the holiday is the
Feast of Ingathering.
“…Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather
in your crops from the field.” (Exodus 23: 16)
The joy of this holiday is so singular and complete that many rabbinic
texts just refer to it as hachag (the festival).
During ancient times, every day of The Festival, except Shabbat, was
characterized by music, song and dancing.
Even today, Jewish people gather near the Western (Wailing) Wall to dance,
sing and rejoice before the Lord. People fill the synagogues and streets with
singing and dancing with tremendous joy until the wee hours of the morning.
This in is partial fulfillment of prophecy. The Prophets tell us that a day
will come when the exiles of Israel return to Zion, her streets will be filled
with the sounds of joyful melodies; and sorrow will disappear.
“The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)
The Water Libation Ceremony
“With joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3)
During Temple times, a special Water Libation (offering) ceremony
took place every day of Sukkot.
Every day, the priests along with a procession would go down to the Pool of
Shiloach (Siloam), which was fed by the Gihon Spring, the original source
of Jerusalem’s water. At the pool of natural running water, they would fill a
golden flask.
The water was then brought back to the altar in the Temple to accompany the
morning sacrifice. This pouring of the water on the altar is called in Hebrew
nishuch hamayim.
This water offering ceremony not only celebrates the hope of winter
rains in Israel, but also symbolizes the future Messianic Redemption
when the Spirit of God (symbolized by the water) is poured out upon the
nation of Israel.
Yeshua on the Final Day of Sukkot: Hoshana Rabah
“I wash my hands in purity and circle around Your altar, O Lord.” (Psalm 26:6)
The seventh and final day of sukkot, called Hoshana Rabah (Great Salvation),
is marked by special synagogue services.
In commemoration of the priests circling the altar with palm branches in their
hands once every day of Sukkot, and seven times on the seventh day, on this
day, seven hoshanot (circuits) are made around the synagogue.
On this final day of Sukkot, probably during the water ceremony,
Yeshua (Jesus) stood up and proclaimed Himself to be the source of
Living Water. He invited all who were thirsty to come and drink, the
water representing the Holy Spirit (Ruach Hakodesh).
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a
loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever
believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from
within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in
Him were later to receive.” (John 7:37-39)
Sukkot in the End-Times and the New Jerusalem
“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle….” (Zechariah 14:1)
The Haftorah for Sukkot contains a graphic apocalyptic vision of the
destruction of all the nations which attack Jerusalem.
The judgment on the nations is characterized by earthquakes, plagues, heavy
darkness, and signs of nuclear destruction, all manifesting God’s personal
intervention on behalf of Israel.
The eyes of the world will be opened and all the nations will see that Israel
is the apple of God’s eye. Woe to those who dare to touch her.
The Lord declares through the Prophet Zechariah, “It will happen in that day,
that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who
burden themselves with it will be severely wounded….” (Zechariah 12:3)
In those days, all nations will be required to come to Jerusalem to celebrate
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Those who refuse will be cursed with lack of
rain. (Zechariah 14:16-19)
Today, many Christians from the nations come every year to Jerusalem to
celebrate Sukkot together with Israel in a beautiful foreshadowing of what will
take place after the Lord returns and establishes His Messianic reign on earth.
God’s Timeline
“The Kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His
Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)
While the spring feasts were fulfilled by the death and resurrection of
Yeshua (Jesus), the fall feasts will be fulfilled with His second coming.
Some believe that when Yeshua returns as Messiah King, he will be hailed by
the blast of the shofar on the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah/ Rosh HaShanah).
His people will recognize Him as their Messiah and mourn nationally, perhaps
on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
“I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the
spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have
pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and
will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.” (Zechariah 12: 10)
Then, on Sukkot, on the Feast of Tabernacles, God will finally ‘tabernacle’
with His people and dwell among us, establishing His Messianic Kingdom
of righteousness.
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell
(tabernacle) with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with
them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
Sukkot reminds us that God has not forgotten Israel.
Scripture seems to suggest that this is a fabulous time for the nations to
remember God’s people and stand with them.
As we look forward to the prophetic fulfillment of God establishing His Kingdom
of Righteousness on earth.
portions taken from Messianic teaching on Sukkot.
which completes the cycle of the Biblical Fall Feasts.
Sukkot begins at sunset tonight and lasts for seven days until nightfall on
October 20.
This is one of three pilgrimage festivals called Shelosh Regalim in which the
Jewish people were to go up to the Temple in Jerusalem on a national scale.
The other two are Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot (Feast of Weeks).
(Deuteronomy 16; Exodus 23: 14-17)
One of the names of Sukkot is the Festival of the Nations. In Israel,
people from all nations of the earth gather in Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot.
According to the prophet Zechariah, this holiday has a prophetic dimension
that is yet to be fulfilled. When Messiah returns and establishes His
Kingdom, all the nations will be required to keep this holiday by coming
up to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot.
“Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go
up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). If any of the peoples of the earth do
not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will
have no rain.” (Zechariah 14: 16-17)
In that day, Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) will become Israel’s sukkah (tabernacle).
His presence will shelter Israel and she will no longer be oppressed by the nations
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths)
Leviticus 22:26-23:44, Numbers 29:12-16, Zechariah 14:1-24, Revelation 7:1-10
The first day of Sukkot is a Sabbath and most forms of work are prohibited.
The next six days of the holiday are called Chol HaMoed. During these days
the workload is reduced and here in Israel many people take the week off as vacation.
After the somber, introspective time of Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah)
and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot is a joyous celebration of
renewed relationship with God following atonement for sin.
During this festive season, we recall how God’s faithfulness provided for our
ancestors as they wandered the Sinai Desert wilderness for 40 years before
entering the Promised Land of Israel.
“You shall dwell in Sukkot for seven days... So that your future generations
shall know that I had the children of Israel live in Sukkot when I brought them
out of Egypt....” (Leviticus 23:42-43)
At Sukkot we remember God’s kindness and mercy in leading and guiding
Israel by day with a pillar of cloud and protecting them by night with a pillar
of fire, and for providing them with daily manna. Just as Israel dwelt in
temporary shelters called sukkot in Hebrew (sukkah is singular), so are we
to dwell in sukkot for this entire week.
Most people in Israel and Jewish people around the world build a temporary
hut or shelter with a covering of branches or palm leaves. For seven days and
nights, we eat in the sukkah and consider it our dwelling; some even live in
the sukkah entirely for the duration of the festival.
Arba Minim: The Four Species
“You shall take for yourselves on the first day [of the festival] the splendid
fruit of a tree (etrog), palms of dates (lulav), the branch of the thickly
leafed tree (hadas), and willows (aravot) of the brook...” (Leviticus 23:40)
Another observance carried out each day of Sukkot, except Shabbat, is the
Four Species (Arbah Minim): an etrog (citron), a lulav (Palm frond), three
hadassim (myrtle twigs) and two aravot (willow twigs). They are bound
together is such a way that they can be held together easily.
The lulav, hadassim and aravot are first taken up with the right hand and then
the etrog is taken with the left hand. A blessing is recited over the Four Species:
“Blessed are You, God… who has sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to take the lulav.”
Facing towards the east where the Temple in Jerusalem once stood, the Four
Species are then shaken in all six directions: right, left, forward, up, down
and backward.
Rabbinic tradition explains that the Four Species represent the various
personalities that make up the community of Israel. They are held together
and a blessing is recited over them to bless the unity of all people, which is
emphasized on Sukkot.
The Season of our Joy
“You shall rejoice before the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 23:40)
One of the names for Sukkot is Zeman Simchateinu (The Season of our Joy).
In Scripture, in fact, the word joy appears several times in connection with Sukkot.
“Be joyful at your Feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants
and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows
who live in your towns. … For the Lord your God will bless you in all your
harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”
(Deuteronomy 16: 13-15)
Since Sukkot is also a harvest festival, we can well imagine that there is
great reason for joy. Indeed, one of the other names for the holiday is the
Feast of Ingathering.
“…Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather
in your crops from the field.” (Exodus 23: 16)
The joy of this holiday is so singular and complete that many rabbinic
texts just refer to it as hachag (the festival).
During ancient times, every day of The Festival, except Shabbat, was
characterized by music, song and dancing.
Even today, Jewish people gather near the Western (Wailing) Wall to dance,
sing and rejoice before the Lord. People fill the synagogues and streets with
singing and dancing with tremendous joy until the wee hours of the morning.
This in is partial fulfillment of prophecy. The Prophets tell us that a day
will come when the exiles of Israel return to Zion, her streets will be filled
with the sounds of joyful melodies; and sorrow will disappear.
“The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)
The Water Libation Ceremony
“With joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3)
During Temple times, a special Water Libation (offering) ceremony
took place every day of Sukkot.
Every day, the priests along with a procession would go down to the Pool of
Shiloach (Siloam), which was fed by the Gihon Spring, the original source
of Jerusalem’s water. At the pool of natural running water, they would fill a
golden flask.
The water was then brought back to the altar in the Temple to accompany the
morning sacrifice. This pouring of the water on the altar is called in Hebrew
nishuch hamayim.
This water offering ceremony not only celebrates the hope of winter
rains in Israel, but also symbolizes the future Messianic Redemption
when the Spirit of God (symbolized by the water) is poured out upon the
nation of Israel.
Yeshua on the Final Day of Sukkot: Hoshana Rabah
“I wash my hands in purity and circle around Your altar, O Lord.” (Psalm 26:6)
The seventh and final day of sukkot, called Hoshana Rabah (Great Salvation),
is marked by special synagogue services.
In commemoration of the priests circling the altar with palm branches in their
hands once every day of Sukkot, and seven times on the seventh day, on this
day, seven hoshanot (circuits) are made around the synagogue.
On this final day of Sukkot, probably during the water ceremony,
Yeshua (Jesus) stood up and proclaimed Himself to be the source of
Living Water. He invited all who were thirsty to come and drink, the
water representing the Holy Spirit (Ruach Hakodesh).
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a
loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever
believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from
within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in
Him were later to receive.” (John 7:37-39)
Sukkot in the End-Times and the New Jerusalem
“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle….” (Zechariah 14:1)
The Haftorah for Sukkot contains a graphic apocalyptic vision of the
destruction of all the nations which attack Jerusalem.
The judgment on the nations is characterized by earthquakes, plagues, heavy
darkness, and signs of nuclear destruction, all manifesting God’s personal
intervention on behalf of Israel.
The eyes of the world will be opened and all the nations will see that Israel
is the apple of God’s eye. Woe to those who dare to touch her.
The Lord declares through the Prophet Zechariah, “It will happen in that day,
that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who
burden themselves with it will be severely wounded….” (Zechariah 12:3)
In those days, all nations will be required to come to Jerusalem to celebrate
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Those who refuse will be cursed with lack of
rain. (Zechariah 14:16-19)
Today, many Christians from the nations come every year to Jerusalem to
celebrate Sukkot together with Israel in a beautiful foreshadowing of what will
take place after the Lord returns and establishes His Messianic reign on earth.
God’s Timeline
“The Kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His
Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)
While the spring feasts were fulfilled by the death and resurrection of
Yeshua (Jesus), the fall feasts will be fulfilled with His second coming.
Some believe that when Yeshua returns as Messiah King, he will be hailed by
the blast of the shofar on the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah/ Rosh HaShanah).
His people will recognize Him as their Messiah and mourn nationally, perhaps
on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
“I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the
spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have
pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and
will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.” (Zechariah 12: 10)
Then, on Sukkot, on the Feast of Tabernacles, God will finally ‘tabernacle’
with His people and dwell among us, establishing His Messianic Kingdom
of righteousness.
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell
(tabernacle) with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with
them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
Sukkot reminds us that God has not forgotten Israel.
Scripture seems to suggest that this is a fabulous time for the nations to
remember God’s people and stand with them.
As we look forward to the prophetic fulfillment of God establishing His Kingdom
of Righteousness on earth.
portions taken from Messianic teaching on Sukkot.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Feast of Sukkot
SUKKOT ("FEAST OF TABERNACLES") BEGINS AT SUNDOWN WEDNESDAY
"On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days, with a sabbath on the first day and a sabbath on the eighth day. Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall live in booths (Hebrew: sukkot) for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am YHVH your God" (Leviticus 23:39-43).
Sukkot is plural for sukkah, which most often in the Scriptures refers to a small, rude, temporary shelter, far removed from the large tents or meeting halls which its English equivalent "Tabernacles" might nowadays bring to mind in some Christian circles. Nor is this Hebrew word used for the "Tabernacle" in which the Levites ministered to the LORD in the wilderness. In ancient times, sukkot were used as sheds for cattle (Genesis 33:17), as guard shacks for watchmen over vineyards (Isaiah 1:8), as thrown-up overnight shelters for warriors in the field (II Samuel 11:11). Jonah built for himself a sukkah outside Nineveh (Jonah 4:5) from which to observe what God might do to that city. In Psalm 27:5 David trusts that God will hide him in His sukkah in the "evil day". As part of an annual fall "ingathering" festival after she had entered the land and was living in nice constructed houses (Exodus 23:16), Israel, was called to rejoice (see Scripture passage above) and feast before the Lord for seven days, resting on the first and eighth days-but for that occasion she was also called to build and spend time in sukkot. They were to be decorated with leafy, fruitful boughs of foliage, and bright fragrant fruit-to bring to mind how when she was out in the desert moving from place to place in temporary dwellings, God had nevertheless provided life and beauty.
Today, we still build these tiny shelters during this festival. As we rejoice in thanksgiving before the Lord for His provision and sustenance, we remind ourselves that we are nevertheless still abiding in temporary dwellings-that, as goes the old American spiritual, "this world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' thru"-that "if our earthly house, this tent-this sukkah-is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavenlies!" (II Corinthians 5:1). Yet while we are here, this same LORD who accompanied Israel through the desert will be with us all the way. It is significant that during this season, many Jews read through the book of Ecclesiastes-that strange, poetic, unflinching examination of those passing "vanities" which we are tempted to attach our eyes and affections to during our journey through this earthly passage.
And finally-this is the season when Messianic Jews celebrate the coming into the world of the Holy One, Yeshua, in Beit Lehem ("House of Bread"-Bethlehem)-He Who Himself took on human flesh to "tabernacle" among us!
PLEASE PRAY:
*That Israelis discover that in order truly to "rejoice before the LORD for seven days", they must come first into relationship with the One who came that their "joy might be full".
*For God's presence to be in the "sukkot" of Messianic believers where many will have their devotions during this week. Many will also invite their neighbors to pay a visit there.
*For safety and a great blessing over all the believers from the Nations who are coming up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast this week. Pray that they release what God would have them release-and receive what He would have them receive while they are here. Pray for understanding and graciousness on behalf of Israelis to welcome and be thankful for their presence here at this time.
*Many Jews follow a mystical Jewish tradition which demands hospitality, because the spirits of various Patriarchs are said to sometimes arrive as visitors (ushpazin) to the sukkot of the faithful during this season (This is in some ways not unlike the admonition to early Messianic believers, that they "not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2).
PLEASE PRAY that the awakening and convicting Holy Spirit of Yeshua (whom the Patriarchs themselves longed to see) will visit many Jews in their sukkot throughout the world this week!
portions from the Israel prayer list
"On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days, with a sabbath on the first day and a sabbath on the eighth day. Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall live in booths (Hebrew: sukkot) for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am YHVH your God" (Leviticus 23:39-43).
Sukkot is plural for sukkah, which most often in the Scriptures refers to a small, rude, temporary shelter, far removed from the large tents or meeting halls which its English equivalent "Tabernacles" might nowadays bring to mind in some Christian circles. Nor is this Hebrew word used for the "Tabernacle" in which the Levites ministered to the LORD in the wilderness. In ancient times, sukkot were used as sheds for cattle (Genesis 33:17), as guard shacks for watchmen over vineyards (Isaiah 1:8), as thrown-up overnight shelters for warriors in the field (II Samuel 11:11). Jonah built for himself a sukkah outside Nineveh (Jonah 4:5) from which to observe what God might do to that city. In Psalm 27:5 David trusts that God will hide him in His sukkah in the "evil day". As part of an annual fall "ingathering" festival after she had entered the land and was living in nice constructed houses (Exodus 23:16), Israel, was called to rejoice (see Scripture passage above) and feast before the Lord for seven days, resting on the first and eighth days-but for that occasion she was also called to build and spend time in sukkot. They were to be decorated with leafy, fruitful boughs of foliage, and bright fragrant fruit-to bring to mind how when she was out in the desert moving from place to place in temporary dwellings, God had nevertheless provided life and beauty.
Today, we still build these tiny shelters during this festival. As we rejoice in thanksgiving before the Lord for His provision and sustenance, we remind ourselves that we are nevertheless still abiding in temporary dwellings-that, as goes the old American spiritual, "this world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' thru"-that "if our earthly house, this tent-this sukkah-is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavenlies!" (II Corinthians 5:1). Yet while we are here, this same LORD who accompanied Israel through the desert will be with us all the way. It is significant that during this season, many Jews read through the book of Ecclesiastes-that strange, poetic, unflinching examination of those passing "vanities" which we are tempted to attach our eyes and affections to during our journey through this earthly passage.
And finally-this is the season when Messianic Jews celebrate the coming into the world of the Holy One, Yeshua, in Beit Lehem ("House of Bread"-Bethlehem)-He Who Himself took on human flesh to "tabernacle" among us!
PLEASE PRAY:
*That Israelis discover that in order truly to "rejoice before the LORD for seven days", they must come first into relationship with the One who came that their "joy might be full".
*For God's presence to be in the "sukkot" of Messianic believers where many will have their devotions during this week. Many will also invite their neighbors to pay a visit there.
*For safety and a great blessing over all the believers from the Nations who are coming up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast this week. Pray that they release what God would have them release-and receive what He would have them receive while they are here. Pray for understanding and graciousness on behalf of Israelis to welcome and be thankful for their presence here at this time.
*Many Jews follow a mystical Jewish tradition which demands hospitality, because the spirits of various Patriarchs are said to sometimes arrive as visitors (ushpazin) to the sukkot of the faithful during this season (This is in some ways not unlike the admonition to early Messianic believers, that they "not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2).
PLEASE PRAY that the awakening and convicting Holy Spirit of Yeshua (whom the Patriarchs themselves longed to see) will visit many Jews in their sukkot throughout the world this week!
portions from the Israel prayer list
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