1. This week's Torah portion begins with the most important verse in all of scripture.

    • In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

      Genesis 1:1

    • From the prophetic portion:

      Thus says God the LORD, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; He that gives breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

      Isaiah 42:5-6

    • We praise and bless You for being the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.

    • Thank You for all that You have done in the Jewish people over the holydays.

    • We bless You for bringing Gilad Shalit home.

  2. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is continually under pressure - regardless of what he does or does not do. Most of the media here and worldwide - as well as many heads of state - only see him as a hindrance to "world peace". Yet we see him as God's man for this time.

    • 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. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

      1 Timothy 2:1-3

    • We thank You for raising up Netanyahu to be Israel's leader at this time.

    • Abba, give him wisdom, courage and an anointing to lead this nation in ways that are pleasing to You.

    • Renew his strength and keep him healthy.

    • Protect him and his whole family - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

    • Reveal Messiah Yeshua to him and save him for Your holy name's sake.

    • And use the pressure to cause him to draw closer to You.

    • Give to Bibi wisdom to know whom of his counselors he should listen to and to discern those whose counsel is not of You.

      Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…

      Psalm 1:1a

    • May Your word be a light to his path (Psalm 119:105b).

  3. While we bless God for the release of Israel's kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit, we do not agree that trading 1,027 terrorists for one soldier is what is best for Israel. The Israeli government is going to be formulating a set policy on how to deal with situations like this in the future.

    • Abba, help the government to come up with a godly policy - one that is in line with Your Word and Your character.

    • Enable the government to stick with the policy they formulate and not to compromise.

    • Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

      Romans 13:1-3a

    • Send the fear of God on both the government and Israel's enemies.

    • Remove from Israel's current government all ministers who would be a stumbling block from addressing this issue in a way that pleases You.

  4. Israel's enemies have already threatened to kidnap more soldiers and civilians because they have seen how profitable it is to them. Therefore, we prayed against any further successful kidnapping attempts.

    • Lord, in the face of these threats, we proclaim from this week's prophetic portion:

      The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man. He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war. He shall cry, yes, roar. He shall prevail against His enemies.

      Isaiah 42:13

    • Abba, protect Your people from the wicked plans of Your enemies (Psalm 83:1-3).

    • Give to Israel's intelligence services wisdom concerning the schemes of her foes.

    • Give to the soldiers vigilance, strength and energy to be supernaturally watchful.

    • Do not allow anything to hinder Israel's security forces and all of her citizens in being able to defend themselves and all others from terrorists.

    • May this nation be biblically correct - and not politically correct - in dealing with those who want to destroy her.

    • Have mercy and be Israel's protection.

      Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler…He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall trust. His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

      Psalms 91:1-4

  5. Balagan is a wonderful Hebrew word. It describes a complete total mess, an upside down situation - like the condition of a home after an all-night teen party! And that is the best way to describe the current Middle East [ME] situation - except in Israel. Wherever we look - Libya, Egypt, Syria, among the Palestinians, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran - we see a balagan. The good news is that the God of Israel still reigns. He still sits on His throne - therefore, this is His balagan.

    • The LORD has prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom rules over all.

      Psalms 103:19

    • God of Israel, give us wisdom how to pray concerning the current ME situation.

    • And give to Israel wisdom to know how to respond both now and in the near future.

    • Enable her to be prepared for whatever that future may hold.

    • Raise up in both the government and the IDF, sons of Issachar, who were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do… (1 Chronicles 12:32)

    • Continue to watch over and stir up this ME balagan for Your purposes (Psalm 129:5).

    • Lord God of hosts, use Turkey and Iran's struggle for the leadership of the ME to hinder their plans and schemes against Israel.

    • May the recently uncovered Iranian assassination plot in the US wake up the nations to the existential danger Iran is to them - and not just to Israel.

    • Protect all of Israel's spies and informants in the surrounding nations.

    • Prepare the IDF for war.

      Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

      Psalms 144:1

  6. The UN Security Council next meets on November 11th. That could be when they will decide to vote on the creation of a Palestinian state on the land God has promised to Israel.

    • King of kings, overrule.

      The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.

      Psalms 33:10-11

    • Do not allow Netanyahu, or anyone else in Israel's government, to make any further compromises in order to entice the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.

    • Lord, continue to harden the hearts of Israel's enemies - especially the leadership of the Palestinians - so that they will not accept any offer at all.

    • So far, all they have said is "No!" to whatever Israel has offered them - and for that we bless and thank You!

    • Use the possible resurrected Fatah-Hamas reconciliation agreement to kill this so-called "peace" process once and for all.

    • We remind You of Your word:

      I will bring again the captivity of My people Israel, and 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. 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 the LORD your God.

      Amos 9:14-15

  7. Aliyah, the immigration of the Jewish people from exile/captivity to the land of Israel, was next on our hearts for prayer.

    • From this week's prophetic portion:

      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 for My glory, I have formed him; yes, I have made him.

      Isaiah 43:5-7

    • Lord God of Israel, this is what You say that You will do. We say "Amen!" Watch over Your word to fulfill it.

    • Stir up Jews to come home from the most unlikely areas - like China, Mexico, Singapore, Latin America, etc.

    • Make a way of escape for Jews who still live in Arab-Islamic countries which hold their families ransom when they try to leave.

    • Open up the eyes of European Jews to see the anti-Semitic handwriting on the walls.

    • Use the global economic shakings to shake Jews out of their comfort zones.

    • Thank You for last year being a good year for aliyah. Make this year even better.

    • Open up the hearts of Israelis to welcome their brothers and sisters as they come home.

    • Lord Yeshua, speak to Messianic Jews concerning Your will and timing for them to return, as You said twice, The ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:10; see also 51:11).

    • Lord Yeshua, wake up the Church to their God-given responsibility to aid in the return of Your people (Isaiah 49:22; 60:4-9).

Shabbat shalom and thank you for standing with us and this nation at this critical time.
The IFI team

…the prayer of the upright is [LORD's] delight.

Proverbs 15:8b