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
Monday, October 31, 2011
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
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Prayer Points
Friday Prayer Points
7 October 2011
1. As the sun sets today, the holiest day on God's calendar starts. Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - is a day of fasting in which most Jews in Israel and many in the rest of the world attend synagogues praying for God to save them! It is a wonderful day for the Body of Messiah to also pray, even fast, asking God to fulfill His word that all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26).
We started by looking at Micah 7:18-20, one of the readings on Yom Kippur.
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will turn again; He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
Micah 7:18-20
Abba, we bless You for being such a loving and faithful God.
Lord, we so appreciate Your commitment to us and to this nation.
God of Israel, be glorified in Israel and unto the ends of the earth on this weekend.
2. During the afternoon of Yom Kippur, the book of Jonah is read. It is an amazing picture of God's mercy to the gentile nations and even to the animals He has created. We interceded, asking God to save many of the house of Israel over this weekend, using the book of Jonah to capture their attention to His mercy and grace and His desire for man's repentance.
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalms 14:7; 53:6
Abba, as we lift up the following groups in the Jewish community, both here and in exile. Please reveal to many that Israel still has a high priest - Yeshua the Messiah.
…We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Hebrews 8:1-2
Lord save Holocaust survivors and their children.
Save the ultra-Orthodox, and all other Jews, who will be in the synagogues tonight and tomorrow, pleading with You for salvation.
May the names of the unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jews be written in the Lamb's book of life this very weekend (Revelation 13:8).
Abba, many of our security forces and soldiers will be on duty, protecting this nation during this holy day. Touch them and bring them closer to Yourself through Yeshua.
Yeshua, open the eyes of many Rabbis - even as they lead Yom Kippur services.
Lord, touch the homeless, prostitutes, widows and orphans. Bring multitudes of them into Your kingdom at this time.
Yeshua, reveal Yourself to many of Israel's government ministers.
…Sing with gladness for Jacob, shout among the chief of the nations: publish, praise, and say, O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel.
Jeremiah 31:7
3. Although this is a very important day on God's calendar (Leviticus 16:1-34; 23:1,26-32), most of the Church is not even aware of it. Leviticus 23:2 states that these days are the feasts [moedi'im] of the LORD. They are not primarily Jewish feasts, but times God has appointed to meet with His people. This is very important for His people in the Body to understand and to take time to meet with their God. And what better day is there for us to pray for Israel's salvation?
Lord, wake up the Body to realize that You want to meet with them during this time.
Raise up prophetic voices to speak to the Body about this in all the nations we represent.
God, restore the complete Bible to those who call themselves "New Testament" believers and who actually only read and believe the New Testament.
Yeshua, Lord of the Body, build Your Church on the foundation of Your complete Word.
All scripture [historically Paul is referring only to the Old Testament!] is given by inspiration of God [lit. "God-breathed"], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be mature, totally furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
4. Israel is on a very high security alert. Her enemies on earth, as well as in the spirit realm, love to cause death and destruction on her special days, whether religious or national celebrations.
Almighty Lord of Hosts, please protect this nation over this weekend (Psalm 121:4).
Bless and keep alert all of Israel's security forces - especially those who are fasting as well as guarding.
Abba, give us a peaceful day so that Your people can seek Your face (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Protect our southern border with Gaza and the Sinai and the long sea coast Israel has on the Mediterranean.
Watch over our northern border with Lebanon and Hizbullah as well as the border we share with Syria along the Golan Heights.
Defend us from all internal enemies (Psalm 129:5).
Provide intelligence services accurate information and timing of any attempted attacks.
Stir up Yourself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at my hurt. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me.
Psalms 35:23-26
5. While much of the world and the international media is focused in on the "peace process" between Israel and a very uncooperative Palestinian Authority (for which we thank God!), Iran continues to move forward in her quest for weapons of mass destruction. If Iran obtains nuclear weapons, the whole of Western civilization is at stake - although Israel is the immediate target.
Abba, we remind You of what You said about Elam [ancient Persia, where modern Iran is today]:
And I will set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king and the princes, says the LORD.
Jeremiah 49:38
Set Your throne in Iran by continuing to save multitudes of Iranians.
Give our Iranian brothers and sisters wisdom to know how to pray for their nation, and where and when to speak of the good news to their fellow citizens.
Lord, we remind You to also destroy the king and the princes.
Deal with their whole religious and political system that continually threatens Israel and Your Body.
Thank You for the reports of chaos surrounding Iran's economy and the division in the government between Ahmadinejad and his opponents.
If Israel is to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons threat, give her wisdom and insight into when and how to do it.
You are My battle axe and weapons of war: for with you I will break in pieces the nations, and with you I will destroy kingdoms;
Jeremiah 51:20
Show Yourself mighty in the sight of the nations by dealing with this Iranian regime and religious hierarchy.
The LORD is known by the judgment He executes. The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
Psalms 9:16
6. We prayed for Israeli Prime Minster Benyamin 'Bibi' Netanyahu and his family.
May they come to know Messiah Yeshua in a very personal way.
Protect and strengthen him.
Protect his health.
God, make him one of the shepherds after Your own heart that You promised to give to this nation when You brought us back from exile (Jeremiah 23:3-4).
Surround Bibi with wise counselors.
Abba, intervene in the media which is almost continually bashing Bibi and spreading negative reports about him.
We bless You for giving to Israel PM Netanyahu to lead this nation at this time.
We bless Bibi Netanyahu in the mighty name of Yeshua.
7. We finished by praying for aliyah - the immigration of Jews from the nations to home. We focused on Messianic Jews who will most likely say tomorrow, "Next year in Jerusalem," as that is at the end of the Yom Kippur service. Yet will they mean it? Messiah Yeshua said not to swear by an oath, but to let your yes be yes and your no be no. Anything more that is evil or sin. (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). In many ways this saying of the Jewish people for many centuries is an oath before God and man.
Abba, as our brothers and sisters in Yeshua say 'Next year in Jerusalem", may the Spirit of God urged them to make it so.
Lord, remove all fears of the giants in the land and send forth the same spirit that was in Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:24).
We thank You for the increase in aliyah this past year. Continue the trend in this new year - especially with the Israelis who are returning home in large numbers.
May the Lord give you a sweet time with Himself and in prayer over this weekend.
Thank you for standing with Israel and us at this critical time.
Shabbat shalom
taken from Intercessors for Israel Newsletter.
7 October 2011
1. As the sun sets today, the holiest day on God's calendar starts. Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - is a day of fasting in which most Jews in Israel and many in the rest of the world attend synagogues praying for God to save them! It is a wonderful day for the Body of Messiah to also pray, even fast, asking God to fulfill His word that all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26).
We started by looking at Micah 7:18-20, one of the readings on Yom Kippur.
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will turn again; He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
Micah 7:18-20
Abba, we bless You for being such a loving and faithful God.
Lord, we so appreciate Your commitment to us and to this nation.
God of Israel, be glorified in Israel and unto the ends of the earth on this weekend.
2. During the afternoon of Yom Kippur, the book of Jonah is read. It is an amazing picture of God's mercy to the gentile nations and even to the animals He has created. We interceded, asking God to save many of the house of Israel over this weekend, using the book of Jonah to capture their attention to His mercy and grace and His desire for man's repentance.
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalms 14:7; 53:6
Abba, as we lift up the following groups in the Jewish community, both here and in exile. Please reveal to many that Israel still has a high priest - Yeshua the Messiah.
…We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Hebrews 8:1-2
Lord save Holocaust survivors and their children.
Save the ultra-Orthodox, and all other Jews, who will be in the synagogues tonight and tomorrow, pleading with You for salvation.
May the names of the unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jews be written in the Lamb's book of life this very weekend (Revelation 13:8).
Abba, many of our security forces and soldiers will be on duty, protecting this nation during this holy day. Touch them and bring them closer to Yourself through Yeshua.
Yeshua, open the eyes of many Rabbis - even as they lead Yom Kippur services.
Lord, touch the homeless, prostitutes, widows and orphans. Bring multitudes of them into Your kingdom at this time.
Yeshua, reveal Yourself to many of Israel's government ministers.
…Sing with gladness for Jacob, shout among the chief of the nations: publish, praise, and say, O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel.
Jeremiah 31:7
3. Although this is a very important day on God's calendar (Leviticus 16:1-34; 23:1,26-32), most of the Church is not even aware of it. Leviticus 23:2 states that these days are the feasts [moedi'im] of the LORD. They are not primarily Jewish feasts, but times God has appointed to meet with His people. This is very important for His people in the Body to understand and to take time to meet with their God. And what better day is there for us to pray for Israel's salvation?
Lord, wake up the Body to realize that You want to meet with them during this time.
Raise up prophetic voices to speak to the Body about this in all the nations we represent.
God, restore the complete Bible to those who call themselves "New Testament" believers and who actually only read and believe the New Testament.
Yeshua, Lord of the Body, build Your Church on the foundation of Your complete Word.
All scripture [historically Paul is referring only to the Old Testament!] is given by inspiration of God [lit. "God-breathed"], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be mature, totally furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
4. Israel is on a very high security alert. Her enemies on earth, as well as in the spirit realm, love to cause death and destruction on her special days, whether religious or national celebrations.
Almighty Lord of Hosts, please protect this nation over this weekend (Psalm 121:4).
Bless and keep alert all of Israel's security forces - especially those who are fasting as well as guarding.
Abba, give us a peaceful day so that Your people can seek Your face (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Protect our southern border with Gaza and the Sinai and the long sea coast Israel has on the Mediterranean.
Watch over our northern border with Lebanon and Hizbullah as well as the border we share with Syria along the Golan Heights.
Defend us from all internal enemies (Psalm 129:5).
Provide intelligence services accurate information and timing of any attempted attacks.
Stir up Yourself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at my hurt. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me.
Psalms 35:23-26
5. While much of the world and the international media is focused in on the "peace process" between Israel and a very uncooperative Palestinian Authority (for which we thank God!), Iran continues to move forward in her quest for weapons of mass destruction. If Iran obtains nuclear weapons, the whole of Western civilization is at stake - although Israel is the immediate target.
Abba, we remind You of what You said about Elam [ancient Persia, where modern Iran is today]:
And I will set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king and the princes, says the LORD.
Jeremiah 49:38
Set Your throne in Iran by continuing to save multitudes of Iranians.
Give our Iranian brothers and sisters wisdom to know how to pray for their nation, and where and when to speak of the good news to their fellow citizens.
Lord, we remind You to also destroy the king and the princes.
Deal with their whole religious and political system that continually threatens Israel and Your Body.
Thank You for the reports of chaos surrounding Iran's economy and the division in the government between Ahmadinejad and his opponents.
If Israel is to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons threat, give her wisdom and insight into when and how to do it.
You are My battle axe and weapons of war: for with you I will break in pieces the nations, and with you I will destroy kingdoms;
Jeremiah 51:20
Show Yourself mighty in the sight of the nations by dealing with this Iranian regime and religious hierarchy.
The LORD is known by the judgment He executes. The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
Psalms 9:16
6. We prayed for Israeli Prime Minster Benyamin 'Bibi' Netanyahu and his family.
May they come to know Messiah Yeshua in a very personal way.
Protect and strengthen him.
Protect his health.
God, make him one of the shepherds after Your own heart that You promised to give to this nation when You brought us back from exile (Jeremiah 23:3-4).
Surround Bibi with wise counselors.
Abba, intervene in the media which is almost continually bashing Bibi and spreading negative reports about him.
We bless You for giving to Israel PM Netanyahu to lead this nation at this time.
We bless Bibi Netanyahu in the mighty name of Yeshua.
7. We finished by praying for aliyah - the immigration of Jews from the nations to home. We focused on Messianic Jews who will most likely say tomorrow, "Next year in Jerusalem," as that is at the end of the Yom Kippur service. Yet will they mean it? Messiah Yeshua said not to swear by an oath, but to let your yes be yes and your no be no. Anything more that is evil or sin. (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). In many ways this saying of the Jewish people for many centuries is an oath before God and man.
Abba, as our brothers and sisters in Yeshua say 'Next year in Jerusalem", may the Spirit of God urged them to make it so.
Lord, remove all fears of the giants in the land and send forth the same spirit that was in Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:24).
We thank You for the increase in aliyah this past year. Continue the trend in this new year - especially with the Israelis who are returning home in large numbers.
May the Lord give you a sweet time with Himself and in prayer over this weekend.
Thank you for standing with Israel and us at this critical time.
Shabbat shalom
taken from Intercessors for Israel Newsletter.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Yom Kippur
"Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before YHVH, to make atonement upon it, and let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness"
(Leviticus 16:8-10).
"Look! The Lamb of God Who carries away the sin of the world" (John 1:21)
This Friday evening (October 7th) at sundown begins Yom Kippur-the Day of Atonement. At that time, the entire public Jewish sector of Israel essentially closes down. Leviticus 23:26-32 solemnly commands the Hebrew people to deny themselves and to abstain from work on this day, with dire consequences if they don't. Except for the occasional Arab driver or an emergency vehicle, the streets will be free of traffic; in fact, later in the evening and on Saturday morning many streets will be filled with strolling couples and children on bicycles and skateboards. Millions of Jews will humble themselves by fasting for 25 hours from both food and water. Kippur or kippurim may be translated 'ransom by means of a substitute'.also included within the meaning is 'that which covers'. On this day in Biblical times a goat was slain as a sin offering, its blood taken by the High Priest into the veil of the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on and before the Mercy Seat (Hebrew: kaporet); a second goat, with the sins of the nation confessed over it, was led far into the Judean desert and released. It was considered 'damned' (today in Israel a common curse expletive is the Hebrew for "scapegoat").
As the ninth chapter of a First Century epistle written to Messianic Jews emphasizes, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Yet with the destruction of the Second Temple, blood sacrifice in Judaism came to an end. On Yom Kippur all religious Jews and many non-religious will spend the day in the Synagogues, confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness and a "Good Signature" in the Book of Life for the coming year. Yet something is missing. A question which rabbinic Judaism has never been able satisfactorily to answer is, "But, where is the blood?" Although there are various traditional ways in which its necessity in the present age is argued away, many obviously do not find these convincing. Each year during the days immediately preceding Yom Kippur an area in Jerusalem's large open-air market may be found reserved for stacks and stacks of coops bearing live chickens. Here one may pay an ultra-Orthodox man to be allowed to swing a chicken over one's head while reciting the following, "This is my substitute, this is my commutation; this chicken goes to death; but may I be gathered and enter into a long and happy life and into shalom." The bird is then slain and its body given to the poor for food. We do not hold in contempt those who blindly seek cleansing through this practice; yet this, no more than in ancient times, "can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near."
From Norma
"I grew up fasting on Yom Kippur from a very early age. Because we lived a block from the synagogue, family members and friends often spent the 'breaks' from the service in my parents' home. I remember that for years, I would ask my dad, my uncles, my cousins, my rabbi: 'Where is the sacrifice? Where is it? If we follow all these rules and regulations, where is the sacrifice?' Once I became a believer in Yeshua, it all made sense to me. I know that this burning question in my young heart was the Holy Spirit pulling me towards the atoning life of Yeshua. How thankful I am He worked on me and gave me an inquiring heart!"
As there were two goats, there must be both a blood sacrifice for sin and a "sin-bearer". Yochanan (John) saw Yeshua coming to him as he was immersing those who had repented in the Jordan River, and he called out, "Hineh! Seh haElohim ha'noseh hatat ha'Olam!'-"Look! The Lamb of God who carries away the sin of the world." King David understood this. In Psalm 25 he twice asks for forgiveness of sins.yet the word often translated forgiveness in verse 18 is different than that used in vs. 11; in the first the word means "forgive", in the second it literally means "bear away". Forgiveness of sin requires both a blood sacrifice to cleanse, and a sin bearer to carry it away. Verse 22 calls on Elohim to 'Redeem Israel from all his troubles." She can never do it herself-only her God can provide complete redemption, and that through the work of His Son.
PLEASE PRAY:
*That during this time of soul searching, the Holy Spirit of God would move on Jewish hearts around the world, convicting of sin, righteousness and judgment-and in kindness leading to repentance, life, and freedom.
*That in that kindness would be revelation that it is impossible to atone for our own sin or to be made righteous by our own efforts.
*That there would be revelation about the Blood of Messiah-that the blood of bulls and goats in the past (or of a chicken today) is not enough.
*For Israel's protection from her enemies. 38 years ago she was attacked on this day by Egypt and Syria while most of the nation was in synagogues seeking pardon for their sins.
portions taken from Israel prayer list
(Leviticus 16:8-10).
"Look! The Lamb of God Who carries away the sin of the world" (John 1:21)
This Friday evening (October 7th) at sundown begins Yom Kippur-the Day of Atonement. At that time, the entire public Jewish sector of Israel essentially closes down. Leviticus 23:26-32 solemnly commands the Hebrew people to deny themselves and to abstain from work on this day, with dire consequences if they don't. Except for the occasional Arab driver or an emergency vehicle, the streets will be free of traffic; in fact, later in the evening and on Saturday morning many streets will be filled with strolling couples and children on bicycles and skateboards. Millions of Jews will humble themselves by fasting for 25 hours from both food and water. Kippur or kippurim may be translated 'ransom by means of a substitute'.also included within the meaning is 'that which covers'. On this day in Biblical times a goat was slain as a sin offering, its blood taken by the High Priest into the veil of the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on and before the Mercy Seat (Hebrew: kaporet); a second goat, with the sins of the nation confessed over it, was led far into the Judean desert and released. It was considered 'damned' (today in Israel a common curse expletive is the Hebrew for "scapegoat").
As the ninth chapter of a First Century epistle written to Messianic Jews emphasizes, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Yet with the destruction of the Second Temple, blood sacrifice in Judaism came to an end. On Yom Kippur all religious Jews and many non-religious will spend the day in the Synagogues, confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness and a "Good Signature" in the Book of Life for the coming year. Yet something is missing. A question which rabbinic Judaism has never been able satisfactorily to answer is, "But, where is the blood?" Although there are various traditional ways in which its necessity in the present age is argued away, many obviously do not find these convincing. Each year during the days immediately preceding Yom Kippur an area in Jerusalem's large open-air market may be found reserved for stacks and stacks of coops bearing live chickens. Here one may pay an ultra-Orthodox man to be allowed to swing a chicken over one's head while reciting the following, "This is my substitute, this is my commutation; this chicken goes to death; but may I be gathered and enter into a long and happy life and into shalom." The bird is then slain and its body given to the poor for food. We do not hold in contempt those who blindly seek cleansing through this practice; yet this, no more than in ancient times, "can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near."
From Norma
"I grew up fasting on Yom Kippur from a very early age. Because we lived a block from the synagogue, family members and friends often spent the 'breaks' from the service in my parents' home. I remember that for years, I would ask my dad, my uncles, my cousins, my rabbi: 'Where is the sacrifice? Where is it? If we follow all these rules and regulations, where is the sacrifice?' Once I became a believer in Yeshua, it all made sense to me. I know that this burning question in my young heart was the Holy Spirit pulling me towards the atoning life of Yeshua. How thankful I am He worked on me and gave me an inquiring heart!"
As there were two goats, there must be both a blood sacrifice for sin and a "sin-bearer". Yochanan (John) saw Yeshua coming to him as he was immersing those who had repented in the Jordan River, and he called out, "Hineh! Seh haElohim ha'noseh hatat ha'Olam!'-"Look! The Lamb of God who carries away the sin of the world." King David understood this. In Psalm 25 he twice asks for forgiveness of sins.yet the word often translated forgiveness in verse 18 is different than that used in vs. 11; in the first the word means "forgive", in the second it literally means "bear away". Forgiveness of sin requires both a blood sacrifice to cleanse, and a sin bearer to carry it away. Verse 22 calls on Elohim to 'Redeem Israel from all his troubles." She can never do it herself-only her God can provide complete redemption, and that through the work of His Son.
PLEASE PRAY:
*That during this time of soul searching, the Holy Spirit of God would move on Jewish hearts around the world, convicting of sin, righteousness and judgment-and in kindness leading to repentance, life, and freedom.
*That in that kindness would be revelation that it is impossible to atone for our own sin or to be made righteous by our own efforts.
*That there would be revelation about the Blood of Messiah-that the blood of bulls and goats in the past (or of a chicken today) is not enough.
*For Israel's protection from her enemies. 38 years ago she was attacked on this day by Egypt and Syria while most of the nation was in synagogues seeking pardon for their sins.
portions taken from Israel prayer list
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Focused Prayer
We repeat below the prayer points for our 40-day fast for Israel, Aug 30-Oct 8. We also wish all of you Shanah Tova – A Blessed and Prosperous New Year 5772! May this be your best year ever!
• Pray for God’s mercy towards Israel and that he will remember his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
“But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. ‘LORD,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’ …Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’” (Ex 32:11-13,31-32)
• Pray that God will arise and help his people!
"O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.’" (Ps 83:1-4)
• Proclaim God’s greatness!
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.” (Isa 40:12-16)
• Pray that God will foil the plans of the nations!
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 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 33:8-11)
• Praise God for his power to save his people and give them victory!
"Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.
May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them — this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the LORD." (Ps 149)
• Pray for the blessing and protection of the Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and for the ministry of HaYovel 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 that God will send confusion into the enemy’s camp so that the terrorists begin to fight each other!
“As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.” (2 Chr 20:22-23)
• Pray that God will scatter the terrorists!
"Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.’ Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name." (Ps 83:11-16)
• Pray that God will raise up strong prophetic voices to proclaim the truth and warn the leaders of the earth to not divide God’s land!
"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. …Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." (Ps 2:1-2,10-12)
• Pray for a hedge of protection around Jerusalem!
“’And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’” (Zech 2:5)
• Pray for strength and wisdom to the leaders in Israel, especially Prime Minister Netanyahu!
"I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." (Isa 1:26)
• Pray that Israel will hope in the LORD!
“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” (Ps 33:16-22)
• Pray that the Spirit of God will be poured out so that Israel will look up and see the one that was pierced for them and repent!
“On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zech 12:9-10)
• Pray that God's name will be glorified in all the earth through the restoration of Israel!
“Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame; …You have enlarged the nation, O LORD; you have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for yourself; you have extended all the borders of the land." (Isa 26:11,15)
• 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 Watchmen International.
• Pray for God’s mercy towards Israel and that he will remember his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
“But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. ‘LORD,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’ …Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’” (Ex 32:11-13,31-32)
• Pray that God will arise and help his people!
"O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.’" (Ps 83:1-4)
• Proclaim God’s greatness!
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.” (Isa 40:12-16)
• Pray that God will foil the plans of the nations!
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 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 33:8-11)
• Praise God for his power to save his people and give them victory!
"Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.
May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them — this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the LORD." (Ps 149)
• Pray for the blessing and protection of the Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and for the ministry of HaYovel 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 that God will send confusion into the enemy’s camp so that the terrorists begin to fight each other!
“As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.” (2 Chr 20:22-23)
• Pray that God will scatter the terrorists!
"Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.’ Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name." (Ps 83:11-16)
• Pray that God will raise up strong prophetic voices to proclaim the truth and warn the leaders of the earth to not divide God’s land!
"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. …Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." (Ps 2:1-2,10-12)
• Pray for a hedge of protection around Jerusalem!
“’And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’” (Zech 2:5)
• Pray for strength and wisdom to the leaders in Israel, especially Prime Minister Netanyahu!
"I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." (Isa 1:26)
• Pray that Israel will hope in the LORD!
“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” (Ps 33:16-22)
• Pray that the Spirit of God will be poured out so that Israel will look up and see the one that was pierced for them and repent!
“On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zech 12:9-10)
• Pray that God's name will be glorified in all the earth through the restoration of Israel!
“Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame; …You have enlarged the nation, O LORD; you have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for yourself; you have extended all the borders of the land." (Isa 26:11,15)
• 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 Watchmen International.
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