1. Praise: This Shabbat’s Torah portion relates the story of Balaam, the prophet for profit! Although hired to curse Israel, God had other plans and His will prevailed.

    • Shall I curse whom God has not cursed? Or shall I defy whom YHWH hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.Num. 23:8-9

    • God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should change His mind: has He said, and shall He not do it? Has He spoken, and shall He not make it good?Num. 23:19

    • Thank You Lord for watching over Your Word to accomplish it (Jer. 1:12).
    • We praise You that Your Word never returns to You empty – but it does Your will (Isa. 55:11).
    • Thank You that Your covenant-love never ceases and Your mercies never end. As Your Word says they are new – or renewed – every morning (Lam. 3:22-23).
    • We rejoice in serving You, our always faithful God (1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:13).
    • What a pleasure it is to use Your Word as the foundation of our intercession (1 John 5:14-15).

    • Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy – to the only wise God our Savior – be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.Jude 1:24-25

  2. Israel’s unity government: We pray often into the same issues, which is what Messiah Yeshua taught us to do – to pray without ceasing so that we faint not (Luke 18:1). At this time in history, Israel’s current government needs much prayer for it to do that for which God established it. It also needs a divine unity as there is already a serious threat of another election.
    • Lord, we lift up to You all the current leaders and heads of ministries, and ask that regardless of their thought processes and heart intents – that only Your will prevails (Prov. 19:21).
    • We thank You for each righteous and honorable minister in this government (Isa. 1:25-26).
    • Yet please shake up this government so that what remains is from You (Heb. 12:26-27).
    • Lord, pour out Your fear on Israel’s leaders and remove the fear of man (Psa. 118:6; Prov. 29:25).
    • Direct the government to come up with a workable budget within the first 100 days of its rule – unless it is Your will for Israel to automatically go to new elections (Psa. 33:11)!
    • Thank You for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. Strengthen him for Your sake (Psa. 80:17).
    • Protect his life – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually – and save him (Jer. 31:7b).
    • God of Israel, please continue to turn his heart in the direction of Your will (Prov. 21:1).
    • Give him discernment to know what he can compromise on and what he cannot.
    • Lord, You have raised up Gabi Ashkenazi as foreign minister. Now lead him (Psa. 23:3).
    • Use Benny Gantz, the defense minister and alternative prime minister, for Your glory (Dan. 9:18).
    • Help them both to make the mental transition from military commanders to politicians (Jer. 10:23).
    • Remind them that they joined with Netanyahu for the well-being of the nation of Israel, and not for the advancement of their own political careers (Num. 24:5-7).
    • We ask for divine wisdom for Education Minister Yoav Gollant – especially as he deals with the impact of the coronavirus on the school year, the teachers and students, etc. (Deut. 4:10; 6:7).
    • May he continue to base the Israeli educational system on a biblical foundation (Psa. 34:11).
  3. Extension of sovereignty: What is mistakenly called “annexation,” is actually Israel extending its civil rule over areas that are under its military rule. Whether Israel does this over a small area of what is in US President Trump’s peace plan, or over all of it, makes no difference to nations and international organizations who have been fuming just thinking about what Israel might do. Some have already threatened Israel if it does this (Psa. 2:1-2).
    [Note: July 1st was never the date to accomplish this. It was the day that both Netanyahu and Gantz agreed that Bibi could bring this issue before the cabinet for discussion and a vote.]

    • As this process drags on, it gets more confusing and the headlines become more depressing. Lord, guide us to know how You want us to pray so that You alone receive the glory (Psa. 115:1-3).
    • Lord, overrule! Extend Israel’s sovereignty over all areas that You are giving it today (Deut. 7:22).
    • Lord, give boldness to Israel’s leaders to extend sovereignty over all areas of Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley that was originally offered – before the Trump administration changed its demands so many times that only You know what America is actually offering Israel today (Isa. 54:2-4).
    • Abba, reveal the truth of the disturbing reports that Trump’s team now wants Israel to give “good-will gestures” to the Palestinians by ceding more land to them (Prov. 22:28).
    • Remind Israel’s leaders that Israel has already done this and got burnt every time (Psa. 55:21)!
    • Remind Bibi that he agreed to what Trump presented in January and most of these changes are not what he, or Israeli voters, agreed to. Strengthen him to just say “No, thanks!” (Num. 23:23).
    • Strengthen Netanyahu to resist the bullying threats from the rest of the world (Josh. 1:6).
    • In fact, make him more determined to go ahead the more the nations try to bully Israel (Ezek. 3:8).
    • We condemn every one of these threats in the name of Yeshua (Isa. 54:17).
    • Bring Israel’s governing coalition into unity over this extension of sovereignty (Prov. 15:22; 20:24).
    • Help all these territories to be ready to switch from military rule to civil rule.
  4. Security – internal: The IDF and Israel’s other security forces are preparing for an increase of violence as Israel extends its rule over more of Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley. Yet no one knows whether this will lead to another intifada with many deaths, or just a brief display of anger and then a let’s-go-back-to-work attitude from the Palestinians. Considering that the security forces are stopping an average of three terror attacks a day – the difference might not be noticeable.
    • Thank You Lord for anointing Israel’s security forces to stop most terror attacks (Isa. 41:15-16).
    • Once the extension happens, please cover the working relationship during the transition from the IDF to the Israeli police so that there is no confusion or gaps in protection (Neh. 4:6-9).
    • As opposed to what is happening in the West, we ask that in Israel’s new budget there will be enough monies to refund the police (Eccl. 8:11)!
    • As many Palestinians are quite apathetic over this, we ask for their sake, that You keep it that way and forbid their leaders or any Islamic fanatics from stirring up tension and violence (Psa. 55:9).
    • Provide Israel with all the intelligence it needs to stop all pre-planned attacks (Dan. 2:47).
    • Give divine guidance to know where to positon all its security forces and equipment (Prov. 21:31).
    • Help all the IDF leaders to be extra focused and not be distracted at all (Jam. 1:8).
    • Do not allow the relative lull on Gaza’s border to make the IDF forces less watchful (Matt. 24:43).
    • Abba, You hear the threats from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza against any extension at all by Israel. Let them reap what they sow and fall into their own traps (Psa. 35:8; Eccl. 10:8).
    • Cut off all outside influences which want to push the Palestinians to “resist” Israel – whether from enemy nations, terrorist groups, or humanistic left-wing NGOs ((Num. 24:9b).
  5. Security – Iran: There were reports that the huge explosion outside of Tehran this past week was an Israeli cyberattack on a secret underground Iranian military installation. Since then, there have been two more explosions in “sensitive” areas in Iran. Whether these attacks/explosions are from Israel or not, the destruction of the first facility, a missle development site, and the damage of the last place, the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, are both answers to prayer. Yet they are also a wake-up call to watch and pray as Iran will most likely try to exact revenge on Israel regardless.
    • Lord, however You choose to do it, we look to You to protect this nation (Jer. 31:10).
    • Thank You for all the excellent intelligence Israel has on Iranian activities (2 Kin. 6:12).
    • Fill in any missing gaps in intelligence that are vital for Israel to be aware of at this time (Jer. 32:17).
    • Confound all links between Iran and other nations or terrorist groups which are based on hatred of Zion, and are aiming to annihilate the Jewish nation (Psa. 35:26; 129:5).
    • Miraculously move in the UN to renew the arms embargo on Iran this October (Psa. 33:10).
    • Dry up totally the funds of Iran’s regime which supports terrorism worldwide (Jer. 50:26-27, 37-38).
    • Lord, hasten the day when You destroy the king and princes of this modern day Elam (Jer. 49:38b).
    • Thank You for beginning to set Your throne in Elam by growing the Iranian church (Jer. 49:38a).
    • Strengthen our Iranian brothers and sisters with wisdom in Your Word and with much wisdom in pray for their nation and for Israel at this time (1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8).
  6. Security – Turkey: This once strong ally of Israel has been turned into a vicious enemy by its President Erdogan. He has a deep hatred for Israel and it shows itself consistently. He is also a megalomaniac who sees himself as the head of a new Ottoman Empire and as the new Caliph of the Sunni Islam world. There is definitely an anti-Christ spirit ruling over him.
    • Lord, give us wisdom to know how to pray about this very dangerous man (1 Sam. 16:7).
    • If there is any intelligence Israel is missing in its dealings with Turkey, please reveal it (Job 12:22).
    • As Erdogan surrounds Israel in Turkey, Libya, and Syria, draw him into Your trap (Mic. 4:11-13).
    • Since pride leads to destruction – destroy Erdogan’s power and influence (Prov. 16:18; 17:19).
    • Let his egotism spoil all his dealings with his “allies” – Russia, Iran, Libya, NATO (Joel 2:20).
    • Give Israel wisdom on it relationship with this NATO nation (Prov. 26:24-26).
    • Provide angelic protection for all America’s nuclear weapons on its military base in Incirlik, Turkey.
    • Let Trump see how anti-Zionistic and evil Erdogan is and downgrade their relationship (Prov. 16:9).
    • Enable the Turkish Church to pray in line with Your will about this dangerous leader (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
    • Anoint them to also pray blessings on Israel, Your nation (Gen, 12:3a).
  7. Covid-19: Infections are increasing in Israel at this time. Whether this is because more testing is being done, or because tests do not differentiate between living and dead viruses, or because it is the second wave, only God knows. Yet the rumors and conspiracy theories about this issue are enough to make one very sick – even without having this disease!
    • Lord, while we are confused about the truth of this – You are not. Please lead us in prayer.
    • God, we do see this as being used as another hunter to drive Your people home (Jer. 16:16). But is there something else You are saying that will give us further direction in intercession (1 Sam. 3:9-10)?
    • As Aaron stood between the living and dead with incense, we stand with the incense of our prayers asking You to stop this plague from plaguing Your people (Num. 16:47-48; Rev. 8:3-4).
    • Lord, thank You that despite the increase in numbers of Covid-19 carriers in Israel, there are still very few deaths or Israelis in serious conditions (Psa. 98:3; 118:2).
    • We also thank You that hospitals are not being overwhelmed as was an original concern.
    • Anoint Health Minister Yuli Edelstein to cut through all the political garbage and come up with a workable, effective plan from on high (Prov. 16:1, 9).
    • Then Abba, help the Israeli health ministry to communicate clearly to Your people (Matt. 5:37).
    • Allow the Israeli officials in these planning meetings to really hear one another (1 Cor. 14:29-32).
    • Bring the health and economic ministries into unity over how to deal with this crisis (Psa. 133:1).
    • Please give anointed ideas to heal Israel’s economy as well (Deut. 28:8).
    • Lord, by Your power create in Israelis more disciple to heed government instructions (Psa. 51:10).
    • We especially ask for this in the ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities, and pray that the shepherds of these groups will guide their flocks into green pastures (Jer. 23:4).
  8. Aliyah: There are definite signs of many Jews wanting to return home. There could be almost 90,000 new olim [immigrants] by the end of 2021. And that would be an answer to prayer!
    • This is wonderful news. Bring in 90,000 plus Lord (Ezek. 39:28)!
    • Use the “hunters” of rising anti-Semitism, the Covid-19 pandemic and the violence and chaos in the cities of Western nations to help Your people see Israel as a safe-haven today (Zech. 8:7-8)!
    • Equally as important, Lord, birth homesickness in the hearts of Jewish people for Israel who never have even considered making aliyah (Jer. 50:4-5).
    • Speak to older Jewish people in exile to release and support their children and grandchildren to come home (Jer. 31:12-13, 16-17).
    • Create in Israelis who live outside of Israel a deep desire to return home (Psa. 137:1-6).
    • Prepare the nation of Israel to receive Your people now (Jer. 30:3; 33:10-14).
    • Stir up all sectors of Israeli society to expand their tents to absorb more olim (Isa. 49:19-20).
    • Shake up rich Jews in exile to finance this move (Ezra 1:4).
    • Shake up rich Christians to finance this move as well (Isa. 60:5-6; Rom. 15:27).
    • In Israel’s new budget, in spite of all the various areas that need more money, please make sure there is more than enough finances to facilitate the return and settling of Your people (Ex. 36:4-7).
    • Give wisdom to Finance Minister Yisrael Katz to arrange affordable housing to be built (Jer. 32:15).
    • Thank You for providing so much water this past season (Psa. 65:10).
    • Use Israel’s extending of sovereignty to provide more land for the new olim to settle (Jer. 3:14-19).

    • Fear not: for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give up’; and to the south, ‘Keep not back: bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the ends of the earth’; even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him [Israel in context] for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.Isa. 43:5-7

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

For the IFI team