1. In Shabbat’s Torah reading God heard the groans of His people because of the heavy burdens the Egyptians placed on them, and then He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. (Ex. 2:24) This is very encouraging as we expect 2024 will bring forth from many Israelis, and many in Messiah’s Body, “groanings” over their situations.
    • We praise You for being attentive to Your people’s conditions and responding in a way that comforts them as well as brings You the glory (Psa. 50:15).
    • We thank You for reminding us that combined with faith we also need patience – long-suffering – in order to inherit Your promises (Heb. 6:11-12; Jam. 1:2-4; Rev. 13:10; 14:12).
    • We rejoice that Your Word is faithful and true because You are faithful and true (Psa. 138:2b).
    • We bless You for telling us to call upon You to receive revelation from on high (Jer. 33:3).
    • Thank You for reminding Moses in the Torah portion that You are the Creator (Ex. 4:11-12).
    • We praise You that even if we do not understand what You are doing, we can still trust that You are good and Your covenant-faithfulness is eternal (2 Chr. 20:21; Psa. 136:1-3; Prov. 3:5; Isa. 55:8-9).
    • Hallelujah! Our God reigns (Psa. 93:1; 96:10; Isa. 52:7b; Rev. 19:6).
    • We say “Amen” to the prophet’s proclamation of who You are You in Jeremiah 10:7.
  2. Government & society:

    God continues to have us intercede for the Sons of Zion to be placed in every section of Israeli society, and the Sons of Greece to be replaced or changed. While the Hamas massacre woke up many Israelis, there are unfortunately still many politicians, military leaders and Supreme Court judges who view the world through humanistic left-leaning lenses.

    • God, exalt the Sons of Zion and remove the Sons of Greece in Israel’s government, its military and its society – including in the judicial and educational systems (Dan. 2:21; Zech. 9:13).
    • Show us who are those Sons of Zion that You have prepared to take over from the Sons of Greece so that we can already be interceding for them (Gen. 18:17; Amos 3:7; John 15:15).
    • Also, let all of the Sons of Issachar become much more influential (1 Chr. 12:32a).
    • Overshadow Israeli leaders so that they make decisions based on Israel’s situation from the Hamas massacre onward, and not from the wrong concepts before that (Ex. 14:15; Prov. 19:21; Ezek. 1:9, 12).
    • Remove any distractions and demands from the nations or from within Israel that shift the focus of Israel’s war cabinet from Your priorities at this time (1 Kin. 18:21; Jam. 1:8).
    • Embolden Israel’s leaders to be extremely resolute in doing that which is Your will – in particular in refusing to accept the creation of a Palestinian State anywhere in Your land (Psa. 33:10-11; Jer. 1:18).
    • Until it is Your time for him to resign, use Bibi Netanyahu for Your glory (Psa. 115:1-3; Prov. 16:1).
    • Instead of Bibi grasping onto his position or legacy, move him to grasp onto You (Gen. 32:26).
    • Lord God, let Psalm 42:5-11 43:5 comfort Israelis whose loved ones have died, or will die, who are still hostages, or whose fate is as yet unknown (Psa. 23:4; 91:2; Jer. 31:15-17; Dan. 9:9).
    • Show them that the target for their rage and grief is Hamas who is 100% responsible for the hostages and for every soldier and civilian wounded or killed (Gen. 9:6; Psa. 94:23; Jer. 4:31).
    • If there will be future hostage exchanges for pauses in the fighting, Lord arrange the terms so that whatever the enemy has in mind, it ultimately works out for Israel’s benefit (Deut. 23:5; Rom. 8:28).
    • God, for Your glory – sustain and bless Israel’s economy (Gen. 9:7; 26:12-14; Ex. 1:7; Matt. 13:8).
    • Encourage Israel’s military industries in the development of new weapons systems, and the increase production of what Israel needs to fight a war and not have to depend on outside sources (Prov. 8:12).
    • Abba, it is upsetting that the Supreme Court rejected two recently passed Knesset’s laws which tried to re-balance the power of rule between them, and made these potentially very divisive decisions at a time of war, and so we ask You to use this to hasten the fulfillment of Isaiah 1:25-26.
    • Do not allow these Supreme Court decisions to divert or dilute Israel’s war efforts (Jam. 1:8).
  3. “Operation Swords of Iron,” Israel’s war against Hamas, is very hard on Israeli society. Each day we deal with announcements and photos of more IDF soldiers who died in the war. And while Israel is definitely winning, the war cabinet has told the IDF to change tactics which is seen by many of us as caving into pressure from America and many other international entities.
    • Lord, defend Israel against all attempts of manipulation and blackmail (Psa. 35:1; Isa. 54:17).
    • If this change of tactics, including releasing of many reservists back to civilian life, is not Your will, then somehow stop it and deafen Israel’s ears to the maneuverings of the nations (Matt. 6:9-10).
    • Yet if this is of You, then grant Your strategy so that this new phase may be even more effective in causing a huge defeat for Iran by crushing its proxy Hamas completely (Deut. 32:41; 2 Sam. 5:17-25).
    • Enforce the war cabinet’s unified stance as to Israel’s goals in this war (Psa. 91:15; 133:1).
    • Show them and the IDF what “victory” actually looks like in Your eyes (2 Sam. 23:10; Psa. 92:4).
    • Prevent Israel from being more merciful to Your enemies than You are (Deut. 32:41; Isa. 42:13).
    • Strip Hamas of every shred of its demonic protection (Psa. 120:1-7).
    • Aid Israel to find and eliminate every Hamas leader wherever they are (1 Sam. 17:15; Jer. 30:23-24).
    • Rain upon Hamas a massive torrent of confusion, paranoia and panic (Psa. 35:4-8, 26; 129:5).
    • Continue to have Your angelic hosts fight in conjunction with the IDF (2 Chr. 20:6; Psa. 59:5).
    • Protect Israel’s soldiers physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and supply all their needs in order to fight as Your prophesied exceedingly great army (Psa. 3:3-8; 4:8; Ezek. 37:10).
    • Prohibit any successful kidnappings of soldiers – either alive or dead bodies (Psa. 20:1; 59:1).
    • Anoint the IDF to fight like David’s mighty men throughout Gaza (2 Sam. 23:8-9; Isa. 41:10-16).
    • Guard them against any friendly fire or other types of accidents (Psa. 91:4; Zech. 9:14-16).
    • God, in mercy release all remaining hostages (Psa. 79:11; Isa. 42:6-7; 49:8-9), either supernaturally or by guiding the IDF to locate them – or their corpses (Num. 21:1-3; Jer. 31:11, 15-17).
    • May Israel’s intelligence community’s failure to warn of the Hamas attack humble them and let many of them ask You for help to correctly decipher all future data (Deut. 29:29; Dan. 2:17-22).
    • Create a godly peace and joy in every reunion between soldiers and their families (Isa. 55:12).
    • Reinforce Israel’s stance against permitting the Palestinian Authority [PA] to be Gaza’s next ruler as You know that they are as evil and full of Jew-hatred as Hamas (Job 5:12; Isa. 8:9-10).
    • Lord God, use Israel’s revelation of how the PA and most Palestinians support Hamas to wake up many to the reality that there is no “peace” partners on the Palestinian side (Psa. 55:20-21; 59:7).
    • Reveal to all Israel – especially its political and military leaders – that now is the time to repossess Gaza which is still a part of Judah’s inheritance (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18; Obad. 1:17-20).
  4. Internal security:

    Although Israeli security forces war against Hamas and other terrorists in Judea and Samaria, there are still daily attacks, most of which, praise God, are unsuccessful.

    • God of all, guard over Israel, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea (Isa. 31:5; Jer. 31:10).
    • Lord God Almighty, enable Israel to be persistent in eliminating every terrorist and terrorist cell that is, at this time, residing or hiding in Your land (Deut. 7:1-2; Prov. 29:10, 27; Zech. 9:13-15).
    • As in biblical times, let Your terror fall on Israel’s enemies in Your land (Gen. 35:5; 2 Chr. 14:14).
    • Plant hatred and discord among the many Palestinian factions in Judea and Samaria (Psa. 59:11-13).
    • Oversee the placement of IDF troops and equipment in all of Your land (Psa. 44:4; Prov. 21:30-31).
    • Expose to the light and destroy every terror tunnel in Judea and Samaria (Job 12:22; Amos 9:2-3).
    • Teach every Israeli wherever they live, but especially in Judea and Samaria, to know how to defend themselves, their families and communities (Isa. 41:10-16; Jer. 30:16).
    • Remove all unbiblical restrictions making it harder for Israeli civilians to own weapons, especially ex-soldiers and other former security personnel (Neh. 4:17; Psa. 58:10-11).
    • Lord, let the war in Gaza along with the massacre that caused it prove to Israelis that the dividing of Your land is super dangerous and must no longer be viewed as an option (Lev. 25:23; Joel 3:1-2).
    • Place the existential need for Israel to extend sovereignty over all of Your land on more Israelis, including politicians and military leaders (Psa. 9:5; 10:16; 78:55; Mal. 1:1-5)!
  5. External security:

    Iran is at war with Israel through its various Middle East proxies. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, Hizbullah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and its activities in Syria, are all aimed at destroying Israel today. Thank God for Jeremiah 31:35-37!

    • Lord, lead us in prayer as there are many possible prophetic scenarios that could be at play now and we do not want to pray against the fulfillment of Your Word (Isa. 52:7; Amos 3:7).
    • Prepare the IDF, Israel’s politicians and its people for the very real possible of an all-out multi-front war against Iran and its proxies (Isa. 11:14; Jer. 49:1-2; 51:20-24).
    • Thank You for the assassination of a high-ranking Hamas leader in Beirut (1 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 21:8).
    • Use the accuracy and intelligence Israel had to kill this leader while in the midst of Lebanon’s capital city cast great fear and paranoia into the hearts and minds of all of Hamas’ leaders (2 Sam. 10:19).
    • By Your wisdom and power, enhance all attacks by the IDF on Hizbullah (Psa. 60:12; 68:35).
    • Reveal any tunnels Hizbullah has dug of which Israel is not aware (Psa. 139:12; Luke 12:2).
    • Lead Hizbullah into Your trap and totally obliterate this terrorist organization be (Mic. 4:11-13).
    • With reports of Hizbullah possibly attacking Israel from Jordan, give Israel wisdom in how to reinforce that long border, and to watch over its border with Syria as well (2 Kin. 6:12; Isa. 29:15).
    • God, show Israel if You want it to respond militarily to the reports of Iran’s increasing its stockpile of weapons grade uranium, and if not – arise and deal with it Yourself (Jer. 25:31; 46:10).
    • As Israel must be aware of the reports of how Iran is imploding, economically, socially and with a huge drought problem, help them to be prepared for further attacks as historically dictators fought against outside enemies in order to turn their people’s rage away from them (Neh. 4:9; Isa. 21:11-12).
    • Allow chaos to descend on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps because of that massive terror attack in Iran on the 4th anniversary of their leader Soleimani’s assassination (Judg. 7:22; Psa. 83:9).
    • Lord Yeshua, thank You for building Your throne in Elam [ancient Iran] through the Iranian Body’s physically and spiritually growth (Jer. 49:38a; Matt. 16:18b).
    • God, arise and fulfill the rest of Jeremiah 49:38 and destroy Iran’s current leadership.
    • Anoint Iran believers to pray for their nation (1 Tim. 2:1-4), and for Israel (Num. 24:9b; Psa. 122:6).
  6. Aliyah:

    God in His eternal love is gathering His people (Jer. 31:3). Believers should help the Jewish people return home as this is a major step to seeing all Israel being saved (Psa. 14:7; 53:6).

    • We rejoice for the confidence You have given us to pray for aliyah, as Your Word states that this is definitely Your will, as well as for Your glory (Isa. 43:5-7; 1 John 5:14-15).
    • Abba, please help Israel, even today while fighting a war, to be ready to receive the millions of Jews You are both drawing, and chasing, home at this time (Deut. 30:3-5; Isa. 11:11-2; 54:2-3; Jer. 30:3).
    • Thank You for fulfilling Your promise in Isaiah 27:6 in Shabbat’s prophetic portion today.
    • Direct rich Jews to return home and transfer their wealth to Israel and/or to use much of that wealth to aid other Jews to make aliyah (Ezra 1:3-4; Isa. 60:9).
    • We again ask You to allow all the illegally built homes in Area C by the EU for the Palestinians to ultimately house Your people instead (Deut. 6:10-11; Josh. 24:13; Neh. 9:25).
    • God, help Western Jews to face the reality that their comfortable lifestyles will not return by opening their minds to learn the lessons of 1900 years of Jewish history among the gentiles (Ezek. 39:25-29).
    • Release all Jews who are trapped in countries that will not allow them to leave (Neh. 9:10).
    • Open the gates wide for the Bnei Menashe Jews of India to return home quickly (Mic. 2:12-13).
    • In 2024, cause more believers to help Your people to return, through prayer, financially, physically or by just telling their Jewish friends and acquaintances about aliyah (Isa. 49:22; 60:3-11).
  7. Salvation:

    Israel’s salvation hastens Lord Yeshua’s return as there must be Jews in Jerusalem welcoming Him, declaring, Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHWH (Matt. 23:39).

    • Draw more Jews to study all of the Tanach, and not only the Torah (Isa. 55:11; Heb. 4:12-13).
    • Cause them to make the comparison that in this Shabbat’s Torah portion Moses, like Yeshua, was also rejected by many of his people when he first appeared (Ex. 2:14a).
    • Quicken them to also see that Moses, like Yeshua, then spent time among the gentiles and even obtained a gentile bride – before returning to release them from Egyptian bondage (Ex. 2:21).
    • Lord God, save a huge remnant from the following groups; Hamas massacre survivors; hostages still alive; ex-hostages who are trapped in their minds and emotions; hostage families and friends who do not know if their loved ones are alive; IDF soldiers, officers and their families; all Israelis severely wounded, especially soldiers and all of their families; medical personnel; Israeli politicians who are making life and death decisions daily; Israelis who are homeless because of the war in Gaza and the north; Israeli diplomats worldwide; Jews living among the gentiles who are suddenly very anxious for their safety; all Holocaust survivors; unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jews (Psa. 6:4; 31:16).
    • Lord Yeshua, anoint believers in the IDF and in Israeli society to reflect Your light to every unsaved Jew with whom we have contact (2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 1:16-19).
  8. Body of Messiah:

    We should interpret prophecy like Yeshua did, which is to expect a literal fulfillment. Yet we must also not insist that our literal interpretation is absolutely accurate in every detail. While Yeshua’s incarnation and birth fulfilled prophecy literally, no one could have explained beforehand how He would be born in Bethlehem, come forth out of Egypt, and also be from Nazareth, yet to us today these three seemingly conflicting prophecies make perfect sense.

    • God, pour out on us that same spirit that the Bereans had to search Your Word (Acts 17:10-12).
    • Let Your Spirit guide us in using Your Word to comprehend events today (Psa. 43:3a; 118:27a).
    • Lord Yeshua, raise up more children of Zion in Your Body and replace all the children of Greece, especially those who are responsible to teach Your Word (Zech. 9:13; Acts 20:28-32).
    • King Messiah, cleanse Your Body of every anti-Semitic and anti-Zionistic spirit (Isa. 5:20-23).
    • Quicken believers to intercede for their nation’s relations with Israel (Gen. 12:3; Ezek. 22:30-31).
  9. Water:

    While Israel has had some rain, the weather is unseasonably warm. Israel is now in its winter season so please pray with us for the heavier rains and even snow in all the right places.

    • Thank You for the rain You have given to Israel thus far this season (Deut. 11;11-12; Job 37:5-6).
    • God, continue to use the weather for Your glory and Israel’s good (Job 36:26-29; Psa. 104:13).
    • Father, in mercy pour out all of the water that Israel needs (Zech. 10:1; Matt. 5:45b).
  10. IFI:

    Please pray that in 2024, God will fulfill in us – as well as in you – Isaiah 28:5-6 which is in Shabbat’s prophetic portion: In that day shall YHWH of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of majesty unto the remnant of His people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. Amen!

Shabbat shalom from Jerusalem

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Num. 6:24-26