1. Praise: In Shabbat’s Torah portion, Moses reminds the children of Israel that God was with them, supplying all their needs during 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Please note that they were in the wilderness because of outright rebellion against God and His anointed leader, Moses, and yet He still watched over them as a loving Shepherd! This is very encouraging to us as believers because there are times that we struggle in our walk with our Shepherd, the Lord Yeshua.
    • For YHWH your God has blessed all the works of your hands. He knew your path through this great wilderness, and for 40 years YHWH your God has been with you, so that you have lacked nothing.Deut. 2:7
    • Thank You Abba, that as You remained a loving father to those who rebelled in the wilderness, and since You do not change, You continue to love Your children and Your nation today (Mal. 3:6).
    • We bless You that Your love is unconditional; it is by Your choice and in Your will (Eph. 2:4-5).
    • We praise You for being so faithful to Your chosen – to Israel as well as to us (2 Tim. 2:13).
    • Lord, thank You for being our Shepherd, so that we have all we need to fulfill Your will (Psa. 23:1).
    • You are training us to trust You without a need to understand; we bless You for that (Prov. 3:5).
    • We praise and exalt You for revealing Yourself as a God who is merciful, compassionate, long-suffering, full of covenant-love and truth (Psa. 86:15).
    • We thank You that as You chose us, no one can snatch us from Your hands (John 10:28-29; 15:16).
    • In the face of all the talk of global conspiracies, whether real or not, we declare that our God reigns (Ex. 8:22; 9:29; Psa. 24:1; 96:10; 99:1; 103:19; Isa. 52:7; Matt. 11:25; 28:18: Rev. 17:17)!
  2. Government: God’s Word tells us to pray first of all for our ruling authorities (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Yet believers often view politics as so dirty, they refuse to have anything to do with it – even in prayer. Is it possible that the reason politics is so ugly today is because many believers do not pray about it?
    • Lord Yeshua, stir up Your Body to their God-commanded responsibility to pray for their leaders.
    • From Shabbat’s prophetic portion: Your princes are rebellious…loving bribes…yet not judging the orphans or the widow’s lawsuits. Thus says the Lord, YHWH of hosts, the Mighty of Israel, ‘I will take vengeance on My adversaries…and I will turn My hand upon you, purging away your dross… Then I will restore your judges as at the first, and your advisors as at the beginning. After, you shall be called, “The city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Zion shall be redeemed with justice and those who return with righteousness’. (Isa. 1:23-27)
    • God, we again ask You to continue purging out the dross from Israeli political scene.
    • Since You sovereignly choose who rules in the nations (Psa. 75:6-7), please sovereignly turn the hearts of Israel’s rulers onto the path of Your choosing (Psa. 23:3b; Prov. 21:1).
    • Guide the Naftali Bennett-Yair Lapid coalition government to do Your will (Psa. 33:10-11).
    • You said You use the weak things in this world to confound the wise, so we prayerfully suggest that You use this very weak and fragile government for Your glory (Psa. 115:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:21-29).
    • Keep this fragmented government together for as long as You have ordained (Eccl. 3:1).
    • Then bring it to an end quickly when it has finished serving Your purposes (Matt. 12:25).
    • Strengthen the right-wing politicians – especially PM Bennett – from caving in to all extortion and manipulation by the left and the Arab parties – which sadly, he has done already (2 Cor. 6:14).
    • If Bennett cannot, or will not, resist these anti-biblical forces, even knowing that what they want is against Your will, then dissolve this government coalition quickly (Isa. 30:13).
    • Help the new ministers to birth godly, righteous policies – in line with Your plans (Prov. 21:30).
    • Expose all hidden things of darkness in the inner workings of this coalition (1 Cor. 4:5).
    • Israel’s Foreign Minister and the next PM Yair Lapid, has a very liberal and humanistic mindset, so much of which is not in line with God’s will, such as the two-state solution; compromise with the EU; flying “Gay Pride” flags over government buildings; and more. Abba, challenge him by confronting him with an open-eyed vision of Yeshua, Israel’s Eternal King and Lord (Acts 9:3-6).
    • Show the Netanyahu-led opposition to stop playing politics and start resisting government policies based on right-wing principles and not based on hatred of the left (Prov. 6:16-19).
    • If it is time for Bibi to resign from politics to open the door for a new Likud leader, please show him the exit and let him obey You (Eccl. 3:6).
    • We ask that with any proposed legislation, the opposition will vote with what is best for Israel and not vote just to get revenge against its political foes (Rom. 12:19-21).
  3. Society: We prayed into many areas of Israel’s society as the current government already has a tendency to lead this nation away from its biblical foundation.
    • Concerning the resurgence of Covid-19, lead the Health Ministry to make decisions that are best for this nation and not those that only enable individuals to maintain power (Prov. 16:1).
    • Bring forth all accurate information on the virus and sweep away all rumors and lies (Psa. 51:6).
    • Impart wisdom to Nitzan Horowitz, the new health minister, and to the rest of the government to see what should be regulated and what should not (Prov. 4:11-12).
    • Give Israel’s medical professionals some well earned rest and an economic boost (Psa. 23:2-3).
    • Open the gates for more medical professionals to immigrate and have their degrees accepted.
    • The Supreme Court rejected a law against same-sex couple surrogacy rights, proving once again that it is part of Israel’s problem, therefore Abba, in line with Shabbat’s Torah portion, lead Israel’s judges to judge righteously – or remove them (Deut. 1:16-17).
    • Lord, as You did in the wilderness, continue to supply all of Israel’s economic needs (Deut. 2:7).
    • Let a godly budget be passed soon and may it be a blessing to most Israelis (Prov. 14:34).
    • As Finance Minister Liberman makes decisions impacting the ultra-Orthodox [Haredi] community, give him wisdom and mercy in his attempts to integrate them into society (Prov. 18:5; Matt. 5:7).
    • The crime waves in Arab cities must be dealt with, first and foremost by the Arab community itself. We ask You to raise up righteous leaders in these communities who will take responsibility and teach their people what is right and what is wrong (Isa. 5:20-23; 9:2).
    • Pour out Your Spirit on Arab Israeli communities, including those who are “Christian” in name only, and show them the truth of Your death, and resurrection (John 16:13; Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 15:21).
    • Abba, strip Israel’s educational system, from the lowest grades to the universities, of the insidious spirit of humanism. O YHWH, You are our God; let not man prevail against You. (2 Chr. 14:11b)
    • Lord Yeshua, You sat and ate with sinners, so please sit with Israel’s LGBTQ community and draw out multitudes for Your kingdom’s glory (Matt. 9:10-13).
    • Remove the pride from “Gay Pride” in the hearts of many of these trapped individuals (Prov. 11:2).
  4. Security – internal: The revival of the “two-state solution” has re-infected many Western leaders, and the only vaccine against this deception is the truth of God’s Word. This week in Brussels, Israel’s Foreign Minister Lapid gave his support to it – although he did say the time was not right to move on it. We are again being led by God to stretch our faith and to pray into His ultimate solution: a total possession by Israel of all the land which God has sworn to give to it.
    • From Shabbat’s Torah portion: Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which YHWH swore unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. (Deut. 1:8, cp. vv. 21, 35)
    • We bless You for every Israeli who is today living in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley.
    • Increase their numbers exponentially at this season (Isa. 54:2-3).
    • Let Israel build in the E1 corridor between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim to the east (Neh. 2:20).
    • With renewed emphasis on the “two-state solution” assaulting Israel from much of the world, we ask You to help Israel to possess all of her possessions (Obad. 1:17b).
    • We are still amazed that the only time in Your Word when You declare that You will do something with all of Your heart and soul has to do with planting Israel back in her land (Jer. 32:41)!
    • Thank You for allowing us to see that promise come to pass today (Mal. 1:5).
    • Do not allow Bennett or the other right wing government members resist Your planting of Israel in Your land in anyway whatsoever (Jer. 30:3, 18, 31:3-5; 33:11-13).
    • Forbid this mixed-message government from giving away any more of Your land (Joel. 3:1-2).
    • Strengthen Bennett to resist Biden and all other world leaders in this confrontation (Lev. 25:23).
    • Father, continue to hardened the Palestinians’ hearts against a two-state solution (Ex. 14:4).
    • The US has just said that the Palestinians are in the worst crisis ever economically and politically. Lord, raise up some prophetic voices in the White House to remind them of Numbers 24:9b!
    • Abba, let the American Church warn the Biden administration that their attempts to re-divide Israel’s capital Jerusalem, by reopening a US-Palestinian consulate, will result in severe judgment (Isa. 37:35) – Block China from becoming involved in pushing for this unbiblical two-state solution (Prov. 26:17).
    • Stir up the Palestinian Church to bless Israel and to speak out words of truth (Gen. 12:3; Acts 26:25).
    • Lord, of hosts, please reinforce Your angelic hosts guarding this nation, so that even with a multiple personality government ruling in Israel today, it will still be divinely protected (Psa. 121:4).
  5. Security – Iran: Our prayers are being answered little by little, but the war is far from over. Most weeks there are mysterious explosions and fires which are often blamed on Israel. Also, there have recently been massive power outages, as well as earthquakes. The Iranian people are growing more and more furious at their current leadership and this is also an answer to prayer.
    • As Iran blames the fires, explosions, power blackouts and many other events on Israel, let the fear of You, Israel’s God, fall upon these worshippers of a false god (Deut. 3:22; 2 Chr. 17:10).
    • Continue to confound all those who hate Zion (Psa. 129:5).
    • Thank You that slowly but surely the Iranians’ fear of their leaders is being destroyed (Jer. 49:38b).
    • What an answer to prayer to hear the International Monetary Fund report that Iran’s foreign currency reserves have been drastically drained the last two years (Psa. 50:15). [$20+ billion to $4 billion]
    • Cut all the ties – spiritually, politically and financially – between Iran and all of its proxies (Isa. 5:8).
    • While we understand why Russia and China want the Iran nuclear deal renewed, why are America, the UK, France and Germany pushing for this as well (Psa. 2:1-5)?
    • Intervene and prevent this deal from being resurrected (Psa. 33:10-11).
    • Bless the growing Church in Iran in numbers and in spiritual maturity (Col. 1:9-13; 2 Pet. 3:18).
  6. Security: The IDF has asked for a huge increase in budget as Israel is starting to plan to war against the Iranian nuclear weapons threat by itself. Israel sees America and the West appeasing Iran and it refuses to allow the fate of the Jewish State to rest in the hands of gentiles any more.
    • Lord, You have fulfilled Your Word and made the IDF an exceedingly great army (Ezek. 37:10).
    • We ask You to continue to build it up to be Your weapon of war (Jer. 51:20-24).
    • Provide the IDF all that it needs so that it can be that prophesied new sharp-threshing instrument with teeth which will fight against those who fight against You and Your nation (Isa. 41:14-16).
    • We trust totally in You and we also thank You for the “chariots and horses” Israel has (Psa. 20:7-9).
  7. Aliyah: We see answers to our prayers in this area as well. May that encourage us all to press on for an increase in the number of Jews with their families to return home.

    • Then they shall know that I am YHWH their God, who sent them…to captivity among the nations, when I have gathered them into their own land, and have left none of them outside.Ezek. 39:28

    • Lord, increase Your drawing of Your people home from every corner of the world (Isa. 43:5-7).
    • Do not allow pride of not being chased out hinder them from obeying You to return (Prov. 16:18).
    • Let the explosive rise of anti-Semitism blast them out of their “comfort zones” (Lam. 1:3, 9).
    • Bless the working relationship between the new Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and the returning Minster of Aliyah and Absorption Pnina Tamano-Shata so that many bureaucratic doors will be flung wide open and Your people will have an easier time entering their promised homeland (Isa. 62:10).
    • Enable the government to make providing jobs and affordable housing top priorities (Jer. 32:41-44).
    • As You people return, firmly root them in Your land (Isa. 37:31; Amos 9:14-15).
    • Lord, let the Negev be settled by many Jewish immigrants (Isa. 35:1).
    • Forbid that the Environment Ministry, headed by a very left-wing politician, make the protection of “mother earth” more important than the doing of the will of Father God (1 Sam. 15:22).
  8. Salvation: Sunday, July 18th, is Tisha B’Av – the 9th of the Jewish month of Av – which is a day of fasting in remembrance of the destruction of the 1st and the 2nd Temples in Jerusalem. It also commemorates many other disasters that occurred either on or near this date. Many Jews read the book of Lamentations on this day and there are verses in that book that can definitely touch hearts and turn minds to contemplate the greatness and mercy and justice of our God.

    • It is because of YHWH’s covenant-faithfulness that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are renewed every morning; great is Your faithfulness. YHWH is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.Lam. 3:22-24

    • Turn us [+Help us repent] unto You, O YHWH, and we shall be turned [+repent]; renew our days as of old. (Lam. 5:21) Fulfill this prayer request in Your people over Tisha b’Av (Psa. 80:3, 7, 19).
    • By Your grace, let many Israelis look upon You whom they have pierced and repent (Zech. 12:10).
    • Grant a desire in Jewish hearts to search for You will all that is within them (Prov. 8:17; Jer. 29:13).
    • You drew near in the day I called upon You and You said, ‘Fear not’. O Lord, You have pleaded the causes of my soul; You have redeemed my life. (Lam. 3:57-58) Lord, please do this again with many of Your people who are truly calling on You to have mercy on Zion during this day.
    • Do not allow any of Your Words in Lamentations to return to You empty but let them accomplish all Your will in the hearts of Your people (Isa. 54:11).

Blessings and shalom from Zion

For the IFI team

www.ifi.org.il