1. We rejoiced in God's faithfulness - especially in answer to some of our prayers.

    • Bless You God for the heavy dew in Jerusalem this morning.

    • Praise You Almighty King that there is still no Palestinian State on Your land.

    • Thank You Lord that the Libyan ship did not break Israel's sea blockage of Gaza.

    • We proclaim You as the One who knows the end from the beginning - therefore nothing takes You by surprise.

    • God, how wonderful to know that You not only watch over the big picture, but You are also interested in all the details of our lives.

  2. The government is in the midst of approving Israel's next two year budget.

    • Thank You that Israel is now dealing with a two year budget. We give You the glory for all the positive feedback on this idea from many financial leaders and institutes worldwide.

    • Abba, may Your priorities concerning what is important be the priorities for this budget.

    • Turn Israel's politicians into statesman whose major concern is for the nation and not their own political future.

      ...serve now LORD [YHWH] your God, and His people Israel.

      2 Chronicles 35:3b

    • We remind You of Your promise in this week's prophetic portion:

      I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning: afterward you shall be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

      Isaiah 1:26

    • Abba, help Israel eliminate all wasteful spending.

    • Provide the finances that are needed in all areas - especially educational and defense.

    • Give Israel a budget based on righteousness.

      He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in unrighteous riches, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

      Luke 16:10-11

  3. Since we have prayed for "Bibi" Netanyahu to be Israel's Prime Minister, we now have an obligation to keep him covered in prayer to be all that God has raised him up to be.

    • We bless You that Bibi admitted on American TV that he gets his rest by reading the Bible with his son on Shabbat.

    • Speak to him through Your word (Isaiah 55:11).

    • Give him all the courage and wisdom he needs to lead this nation at this time.

    • Strengthen Bibi in all those areas of his life and thinking that are in line with Your will.

    • Correct him in any areas that are not in line with Your will.

    • A man's heart devises his way: but LORD directs his steps.

      Proverbs 16:9

      The king's heart is in the hand of LORD...He turns it wherever He will.

      Proverbs 21:1

    • We hold Netanyahu into the anointing that You have provided for Israel's PM for just a time like this.

    • Make him a son of Issachar, who were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do... (1 Chronicles 12:32a)

    • Protect and bless his family - his wife Sarah and his sons.

    • Surround him with wise counselors.

      Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

      Proverbs 15:22

    • May he be blessed like the man in Psalm 1:1:

      Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

    • Quicken Bibi to godly advice.

  4. We next prayed for all of Israel's current government.

    • I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

      1 Timothy 2:1-2

    • Again, we remind You of Your promise to Israel in Isaiah 1:26.

    • Lord, bring the current ruling coalition into a unity that You can bless and use.

    • Bring Your standard to bear on Israel's Knesset [parliament].

    • Purge from the government all politicians whose main drive is selfish ambition.

      A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.

      Proverbs 29:23

    • Use this government for Your glory.

      And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the gentiles, which you [Israel] have profaned in the midst of them; and the gentiles shall know that I am LORD... when I shall be sanctified in you [Israel] before their eyes.

      Ezekiel 36:23

  5. This is a season when many young Israelis are inducted into the IDF - both men and women. Most have just graduated from school and are still in their teens.

    • Blessed be LORD my strength, who teaches my hands to war, my fingers to fight. My goodness, my fortress, my high tower, my deliverer, my shield, and He in whom I trust...

      Psalms 144:1-2a

    • Give Israeli youth vision to understand the importance of what they are going to be doing for the next two to three years.

    • Convict those who are trying to avoid serving their nation - in any capacity, whether in the IDF or through national service.

    • Thank You for an increase in new recruits requesting combat duty.

    • In that day shall LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David...

      Zechariah 12:8

    • Implant into the commanders who are responsible for training the new recruits wisdom to do the job in a way that pleases You.

    • We bless You that every Israeli soldier at their swearing in ceremony receives not only his weapon but also a copy of the Tanach - the Old Testament - which is able to make them wise unto salvation through faith in their Messiah Yeshua (2 Timothy 3:15b).

    • May they read it and may You remove the veil to see Your Son (2 Corinthians 3:15-16).

    • Strengthen all of the Messianic Jewish youth who are also going into the army.

    • May each believer find another believer to fellowship with in their unit.

    • Give them boldness and wisdom to know how and when to proclaim what they believe (Roman 1:16).

  6. The good news is that the sanctions seem to be taking a bite out of Iran. The bad news is that this does not seem to be stopping their development of nuclear weapons - yet. We must continue to stand on our watch concerning this very real threat to Israel.

    • Thank You that the sanctions are having an affect.

    • Still, it does not seem to be stopping them from developing weapons of mass destruction, therefore we ask for Your continued wisdom on how to pray.

    • Give Israel wisdom to know what it should do and when it should be done - and courage to do it.

      Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for LORD God, even my God, will be with you...

      1 Chronicles 28:20a

    • Save multitudes of Iranians and strengthen the Iranian Church.

      "I will set My throne in Elam [ancient Persia = modern Iran]...

      Jeremiah 49:38a

    • And deal with the Iranian leadership, as You have promised.

      ...and will destroy from there [Elam] the king and the princes," says LORD.

      Jeremiah 49:38b

    • Lord, we thank You for recent polls both in American and worldwide that show that most people - including most Arabs - would rather see Iran attacked militarily than see an Iran with nukes. May the governments of America and Europe pay attention.

    • Abba, thank You for Russia being now openly concerned about Iran's nuclear program.

    • We ask for You to eliminate this threat in whatever way is needed - whether through an act of God or an Israeli or US attack or some other way we are not even imagining.

  7. This coming Monday evening through Tuesday evening is the fast day of Tisha b'Av. This has been a day of calamity throughout in Jewish history. For example, on this day the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed, the Jews were kicked out of Spain in 1492, the Nazis decided on the Final Solution, as well as various other disasters. Jews fast the whole day and many will spend all Monday night reading the book of Lamentations.

    • Lord, protect Your people and Your nation from any other disasters this next week.

    • Open the eyes of Your people to Your word and save multitudes (Isaiah 55:11).

    • Speak to Israelis as they fast - especially the youth.

    • You promised that one day this fast day would be turned into a feast.

      Thus says LORD of hosts; The fast of the 4th month, and the fast of the 5th, and the fast of the 7th[this month], and the fast of the 10th, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

      Zechariah 8:19

    • Therefore, God, cause Your people to seek not just peace - but also truth!

    • When they read these following verses, may Jews throughout the world develop a deep desire to know the God of whom Jeremiah is speaking about.

      It is of LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness.

      Lamentations 3:22-23

Please remember Intercessors for Israel in your prayers as we are planning and praying over next year's January Prayer Conference (24th - 31st). The theme is Psalm 137:5-6. If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

If God wants us to have a prayer tour after the conference, we need to hear from Him.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion,
The IFI Team

Turn us unto You, O LORD, and we shall be turned.
Renew our days as of old.

Lamentations 5:21