1. Praise: It is good to praise the Lord – all of the time.

    • In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will in Messiah Yeshua concerning you.1 Thess. 5:18

    • Oh, give thanks to YHWH, for He is good! For His mercy endures foreverPsalm 118:1

    • We thank You for Your unending compassion, loving kindness and faithfulness (Lam. 3:22-23).

    • It is better to trust in the YHWH than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in YHWH than to put confidence in princes.Psa. 118:8-9

    • We will be anxious for nothing, but we bring all our concerns to You with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6-7).
    • Kings may rise and fall, but You reign forever and Your Kingdom is everlasting (Luke 1:52).
    • Thank You that You watch over Your word to perform it and establish it (Jer. 1:12; Psa. 119:89)
    • You are our refuge and strength. Help us to be still and know that You alone are God (Psa. 46:1, 10).
  2. Government: The mandate to form a government coalition was handed back to President Rivilin last Wednesday by Blue & White’s Benny Gantz, just one day before Attorney General Mandelblit decided to indict PM Netanyahu on all charges including bribery. The baton to form a government is now passed back to the Knesset – Israel’s parliament – to see whether 61 Knesset Members can agree on someone to be prime minister. If not, then Israel heads towards another election in March of next year.
    • Lord, show us how to pray in this very confusing and discouraging situation (Luke 11:1).
    • We declare that Yeshua is still Israel’s King and that the government is on His shoulders (Isa. 9:6-7).
    • Abba, have mercy on Your people at this time (Psa. 98:3; 130:7).
    • Let Your fear fall on all Israeli politicians (Deut. 10:12; Eccl. 12:13).
    • Pressure them to make decisions that are best for Israel’s sake and not for their own sakes (2 Chr. 35:3).
    • Raise up a banner in the Knesset against the pride of man (Job 33:16-17).
    • Remove all who are just look for an opportunity to advance themselves.
    • As You have promised, give Israel leaders with servant hearts (Jer. 23:3-4).
    • If there is someone whom You have chosen to take Netanyahu’s place, reveal that one to us so that we can pray for their advancement (Amos 3:7).
  3. Netanyahu: After the indictment verdict was announced – Bibi Netanyahu said he would not resign and would fight this unrighteous – to him – decision. He is still innocent as far as Israeli law is concerned but now he needs to both run this nation, as he is still the prime minister, and defend himself in court at the same time. Oy vey!
    • Abba, we thank You for all that Netanyahu has accomplished in his time as Israel’s leader (Acts 7:22).
    • As the prophetic portion on Shabbat (1 Kin. 1:1-31) is how King David had not clearly made Solomon his successor and the problems that brought, Lord, show Bibi that he also has not anointed his successor.
    • Comfort him from the battle over the past three years of being under legal investigations (Isa. 40:1-2).
    • Keep him sharp and able to separate the security of Israel from his own legal problems (Prov. 16:7, 9).
    • Move on him to order his priorities in line with Your will (Prov. 19:21; 21:1).
    • Through Your grace protect Bibi from any root of bitterness gaining a place in his heart (Heb. 12:15).
    • Protect him from all ungodly counsel and counselors (Psa. 1:1).
    • Whether he should step down or continue to lead, only You know; Your will to be done (Matt. 6:10).
    • Lord, at this very difficult time in his life, please save Bibi Netanyahu (Jer. 31:7b)!
  4. Security – Syria: Last week Israel was hit by missiles from Gaza; this week rockets from Syria were launched at Israel – all taken out by the Iron Dome. Israel responded by attacking in Syria many Iranian and Syrian targets, killing about two dozen people – most of whom were Iranians. What now?
    • Lord, thank You for the massive IDF exercise that is happening in the north right now (Prov. 24:6).
    • We bless You for the courage of Israel’s responsible leadership to make this strike and let Iran know that they are not going to bully Israel to death (Zeph. 3:15).
    • Reveal to Israel exactly what Iran is planning and when it is supposed to happen (Eccl. 3:18).
    • Protect all of Israel’s collaborators and spies throughout the Middle East (Psa. 32:7).
    • Show them all the actionable accurate intelligence needed to defend Your nation (Prov. 21:30-31).
    • We praise You for the competence and preciseness of Israel Air Force strikes.
    • Do not allow their success to make them proud (Prov. 11:2).
    • Thank You for protecting them as they go out and come back in on their missions (Deut. 28:6).
    • Keep all IDF forces sharp and alert and remove from them all distractions (Psa. 17:1-2).
    • Guide the IDF to reposition its equipment and soldiers to be in the right place at the right time (Psa. 31:3).
    • Do not allow Russia’s presence in Syria to hinder Israel’s war against Iranian entrenchment.
    • Encourage the Israelis who live in the north to remain strong (Mic. 7:14 – Bashan = Golan today).
    • Thank You for their commitment and You protection over them (Isa. 31:5).
    • Thank You for Your angelic protection over all of Israel’s borders (Mal. 1:5).
  5. Security – Iran plus: Anti-Iranian regime riots are happening in Iran, Iraq and in Lebanon. This is an answer to prayer as we have often asked God to confound Israel’s enemies (Psa. 129:5).
    1. Lebanon
      • Lord, totally break all communication and financial provision between Iran and Hizbullah in Lebanon.
      • Set the Lebanese free from their terrorist overlords (Psa. 79:11).
      • All tunnels on the Israel-Lebanon border not yet discovered, uncover them today (Isa. 26:21).
      • Bring Hizbullah’s leaders to open shame before the Lebanese and the world (Psa. 35:26; 83:16-17).
      • Protect and guide Lebanese believers to know how to pray and to bless Israel (Gen. 12:3a; Psa. 122:6-9).
    2. Gaza
      • Lord, we Israelis sinned in leaving Gaza, a part of Your promised inheritance to us (Josh. 15:1, 47).
      • Forgive us and cover our transgressions – in line with Your promises (Hos. 14:4; Mic. 7:18-20).
      • We thank You for the Hamas demonstrations being cancelled again today (Psa. 136:17-22).
      • Stir up even more the dissension between Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists (Psa. 55:9).
      • Concerning all of Gaza’s terror groups: Let them be humbled and put to shame, those who seek after my soul; let them be turned back and be brought to shame, those who plot evil to me. Let them be as chaff before the wind; and let the Angel of YHWH drive them away. Let their way be dark and slippery; and let the Angel of YHWH pursue them. For without cause they have spread their net for me in a pit; without cause they have dug for my soul. Let destruction come upon him, he will not know; and let his net which he has concealed catch him, let him fall in it, into destruction. (Psa. 35:4-8)
      • Let both the enemy and Israelis see You hand of protection over this nation when after 450 rockets were fired at it last week, not one person was killed (Psa. 121:4).
      • Yet heal the many who were injured – physically, emotionally and mentally (Jer. 17:14).
      • We thank You for the courageous Israelis who live there. Bless and prosper them (Deut. 28:2-8).
  6. Security – Judea & Samaria: This past week US President Trump’s administration stirred up more controversy, this time by declaring that Israeli “settlements” in Judea and Samaria are not illegal under international law. For those who understand the international laws involved in this issue, this stance is absolutely correct – and it lines up with both historical and biblical facts. Yet the rest of the world was shocked and disagreed completely.
    1. Israeli settlements are not illegal
      • Lord, thank You for moving on the Trump administration to declare this truth (Psa. 103:19).
      • Bless him and his people greatly for standing with You and Your people (Num. 24:9b).
      • Abba, this has added to the current shaking of the nations. Now use this for Your glory (Hag. 2:6-7).
      • Make many – especially the younger generation – search out the truth for themselves and see that these settlements are not illegal (Psa. 25:5; 51:6).
      • Give Israel a government that will know how to possess its possessions (Obad. 1:17).
      • Forbid Israel’s temporary government from making any foolish decisions based on this US declaration.
    2. The Palestinian Authority was furious over this declaration and basically encouraged a renewal of attacks against Israeli settlers in Judea, Samaria and East – in reality biblical – Jerusalem.
      • Lord, protect all the Israelis whom You have resettled in Your land (Jer. 32:41-44).
      • May there be a heighten security alert because of this American declaration (Neh. 4:17-20).
      • Be with Israel’s security forces as they hunt terrorists at night and guard Israelis during the day.
      • Abba, Jews living back in Samaria is open proof of Your covenant love for this people (Jer. 31:3-5).
      • We bless and thank You for this as ask for Your continued protection on them all (Deut. 33:29).
      • We include Jerusalem and Judea in this prayer request as well (Zech. 12:2-9).
      • Move on the young settlers to be lovers of Your land more than haters of Arabs (Isa. 62:4-5).
      • Forbid any further successful kidnappings, car-rammings or knife attacks (Psa. 33:10).
      • Shield Israel’s soldiers from the spirts of hate and Islam that constantly attack their souls (Psa. 3:1-3)
  7. Aliyah: Anti-Semitic acts are now reported daily in many Western nations. A recent survey has revealed that 25% of Europeans hold anti-Semitic viewpoints. This spirit can be seen sometimes overtly and at other times more subtly. The Church, the Body of Messiah, has also been infiltrated with this spirit. We see in most clearly in the form of Replacement Theology.
    • Lord, work in Your Body so that it can be without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27).
    • Thank You for the recent declaration of repentance from anti-Semitism by the Church of England.
    • May that same humble spirit permeate the Body of Messiah worldwide (Acts 26:20).
    • Reveal the thoughts and intents of many hearts and show where You desire repentance (Jer. 17:9).
    • We bless You for the growing number of Christian Zionists, and from Jerusalem, we proclaim to them, YHWH who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!(Psa. 134:3)
    • Show Your will to each of them individually, whether it is prayer support for Israel, or active financial support for aliyah, or something else entirely (Isa. 49:22; 60:11-12).
    • Abba, we praise You for the 30% increase in aliyah this year (Isa. 43:5-7).
    • We are amazed at the many and varied ways that You work to bring about Your purposes (Jer. 16:16).
    • Prepare Israel for the influx of new immigrants that is to come (Isa. 60:4-10).

    • Thus says YHWH of Hosts: Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west. I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.Zech. 8:7-8

    • Since “truth” and “righteousness” are only found in Messiah Yeshua, we thank You for this promise linking aliyah to salvation (John 14:6; 2 Cor. 5:21).
    • Please speed up both the aliyah and the salvation – for Your holy name’s sake (Ezek. 36:23-32).

Please join us as we pray for the rain to fall. So far, we have had a dry early rain season and we need to have God’s heavenly provision for this land. Thank You in advance.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

The IFI team