1. We read Amos 9:14-15, which is part of this Shabbat's prophetic portion, and then praised God for His precious and clear promises.

    • I will bring again the captivity of My people of Israel; they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, says LORD your God.

      Amos 9:13-15

    • We are so encouraged because You are so faithful to fulfill that which You have spoken.

    • Then the nations that are left round about you shall know that I LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.

      Ezekiel 36:36

  2. There is unrelenting pressure on Israel's current government to submit to the world's demands - and the US administration is the one exerting the most pressure. Almost all of the demands ask Israel to do something that is actually dangerous for her security or, worse, something unbiblical - like dividing the land. Therefore we must stand in the gap for Prime Minister Netanyahu and his coalition. And today the US' special Middle East envoy George Mitchell is here to try and restart "peace" talks between Israel and the Palestinians. We started by praying against the division of Jerusalem.

    • We bless You for reuniting Jerusalem in 1967.

    • We are amazed as we see Jerusalem becoming exactly what You said it would be in the days before Messiah Yeshua returns.

      Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, even though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

      Zechariah 12:2-3

    • We thank You that Netanyahu has said "no" to stopping construction for Jews in any part of Jerusalem.

    • Abba, continue to strengthen Netanyahu and his coalition to "just say no" about dividing this city. Anoint them to know how to deal with Obama and his emissaries.

    • We thank You for Jerusalem's mayor Nir Barkat's position in all of this and ask that You continue to enable him to stand against the division of this city.

    • Lord, protect this city for Your holy name's sake.

      And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of LORD of hosts shall do this. Therefore thus says LORD concerning the king of [America], He shall not come into this city...For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake, and for My servant David's sake.

      Isaiah 37:31-35

    • ...Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, says LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

      Zechariah 2:4b-5

    • We proclaimed Nehemiah 2:20b.

      The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

      Amen

  3. The world's pressure extends to all of the land of Israel - wanting this nation to make more concessions to a people that have not move one iota from their original hardline stance.

    • Lord, please open up more eyes to see that the Palestinians are not wanting a state - which they could have had any time in the last 16 plus years. They want to see Israel destroyed!

    • Continue to harden the hearts of the Palestinian leadership so that nothing Israel may do or offer will be enough (Exodus 14:4-7; Psalm 129:4-5).

    • When the 10 month settlement freeze is over in September, give courage to Israel's leaders to fully restart the building of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria (Zechariah 12:2-3 - Judea; Jeremiah 31:4-5 - Samaria).

    • We remind You of Amos 9:14-15 again [see #1] - asking You to guard over this word.

  4. We then prayed for our brothers and sisters in Messiah in the nations to have their eyes opened to how their nation's pressure on Israel is bringing them into God's fierce judgment.

    • Father, reveal to the Body of Messiah in America that their current administration under Obama has become one of Israel's most dangerous foes in these days.

    • Wake them up to stand in the gap for their nation - specifically as it relates to Israel.

    • For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. I will plead with them there for My people and My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and divided My land.

      Joel 3:1-2

    • Lord Yeshua, do the same with the believers throughout the West - especially in the UK.

    • Enable Your Body to intercede for the elections that are coming in their nations - the UK in May; Holland in June; America in November.

    • May they pray in line with Your will for these days.

    • Cause the Israeli Body to become an interceding army for Your kingdom plans.

    • I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land [put the name of your nation here], that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out My indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, says the Lord GOD.

      Ezekiel 22:30-31

    • To realize that all God is looking for is someone to turn His judgment to mercy! Stand before Him and continue to stand and pray.

      Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

      Hebrews 4:16

  5. As we considered all of the shaking that God has done - or allowed - in the last couple of months, with 20 earthquakes greater that 6.0 on the Richter scale since the beginning of 2010 [5 greater than 7.0 and one 8.8 near Chile], and now with the volcano in Iceland, we continued to prayer for the worldwide Body.

    • Abba, guide us to be in the right place at the right time as we walk in faith in You.

    • Lord, shake out of Your Body all apathy and self-centeredness.

    • Remove from us all that will hinder You using us for Your glory in these days.

    • We place our finances in Your hands (Psalm 37:3; Philippians 4:19).

    • We ask You to reign over our schedules and travels (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 16:9).

    • We look to You for the health we need to be used by You (Psalm 103:2-3; 147:3).

    • Trust in LORD with all your heart; lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes. Fear LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your [body and soul]. Honor LORD with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all your increase. So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine.

      Proverbs 3:5-10

    • We confess that the safest place to be is in Your will. We desire that and ask that for Intercessors For Israel and all who receive this prayer alert.

  6. Yeshua taught in Luke 18, that we need to persist in pray and not faint, especially when it seems that God is not answering. Although we have seen some answers to prayers concerning the Iranian threat, still the danger becomes greater with every passing day.

    • Oh that You would rend the heavens; that You would come down - that the mountains might flow down at Your presence, as when the melting fire burns, the fire causes the waters to boil - to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!

      Isaiah 64:1-2

    • Shake Iran's foundations. Shake the earth under its feet and shake the political/social fabric of that nation.

    • Use this shaking to set many Iranians - and others - free from the spirit of Islam.

    • They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and the caves of the earth, for fear of LORD, and for the glory of His majesty, when He rises to shake terribly the earth.

      Isaiah 2:19

    • In their arrogance, cause Iran's leaders to overplay their hand.

    • Set Israel free from the trap the Iranian leaders are setting for her (Psalm 124:1-8).

    • Give Israel's leaders wisdom and courage to know what to do and when to do it in this situation with Iran.

    • Encourage them that they do not need America's approval - but they do need You to guide them and protect this nation.

      You are my rock and my fortress; therefore for Your name's sake lead me, and guide me.

      Psalms 31:3

    • Help Netanyahu and Israel's other leaders to seek You in this situation.

We ended by praying for Israel's salvation through Messiah Yeshua. It is so encouraging to hear that Netanyahu is reading the Bible, there is a weekly bible study in the Knesset - Israel's Parliament - and the IDF's Chief of Staff, Gabi Ashkenazi was quoted as saying that the Bible was the ultimate guide for Israel's army! All of this is very good news.

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
and returns not there, but waters the earth,
and makes it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater,
so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth.
It shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

Isaiah 55:10-11

Thank you and Shabbat shalom from Zion,
The IFI Team