1. Before going into Gaza, some Israeli soldiers sang, 'We have no one to rely upon except our Father in heaven!' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mol04iyYvBw&feature=youtu.be] Shabbat's prophetic portion ends with this: Will you not from this time cry to Me, My father, You are the guide of my youth? (Jeremiah 3:4)

    • God of all, Creator of heaven and earth, thank You for being our Father.

    • We bless You for sending Your Son, Messiah Yeshua, and the promised Holy Spirit.

    • Hallelujah! You do reign over all (Psalm 47:2; 103:19)

    • We declare to this nation, 'Your God reigns!' (Isaiah 52:7)

    • It is by YHWH's kindnesses that we are not destroyed, because His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

      Lamentations 3:22-23

    • Thank You for preparing a table for us - in the presence of our enemies. (Psalms 23:5)

  2. More than 30 IDF soldiers have been killed during this war against Hamas in Gaza. Tunnels and houses that are booby-trapped have killed some; snipers others; and an anti-tank missile took out one of the IDF's Armored Personnel Carrier killing all inside. We continue to pray for supernatural protection of these young men as they fight for this nation, its people and families.

    • Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of YHWH our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save, YHWH; let the King hear us when we call.

      Psalms 20:7-9

    • Lord, how my foes have increased! Many are the ones who rise up against me. Many are saying of my soul, There is no deliverance for him in God. Selah. But You, YHWH, are a shield for me; my glory, the One who lifts up my head.

      Psalms 3:1-3

    • Lord of hosts, command Your angels to protect all of Israel's soldiers.

    • Supernaturally reveal all hidden traps and explosives (Psalm 18:28).

    • Supernaturally reveal all tunnels and help the IDF to destroy them. Yes, the darkness does not hide from You; but the night shines as the day; as is the darkness, so is the light to You. (Psalms 139:12)

    • Confound all of Hamas' and Islamic Jihad's demonic schemes against Your nation (Psalm 129:5).

    • Give clarity to the IDF, including clear communications between all branches and officers and soldiers, and clear goals to the leaders - both military and political.

    • Protect all soldiers against 'friendly fire'.

    • Enable accurate interpretation of all the information obtained by Israel's drones over Gaza.

  3. Comfort My people, says Your God (Isaiah 40:1).

    • Abba, You who are the God of all comfort, please send a huge dose of that comfort on all of the families in Israel who are grieving this weekend over loved ones recently killed in this war (2 Corinthians 1:3).

    • Use this terrible situation to draw Your people to Yourself (Jeremiah 31:3).

    • Call on Me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

      Psalms 50:15

    • What the enemy intended for evil, turn to good (Deuteronomy 23:5).

    • Use the messianic believers in Israel as a balm to the hurting (1 Peter 3:15).

    • I have spoken these things to you so that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

      John 16:33

  4. We prayed next for Israel's political and military leaders. So far, Prime Minister Netanyahu has stayed the course and his approval-ratings among Israelis have skyrocketed. This is an answer to prayer - yet we need to continue to hold him, and the other responsible leaders, in prayer during this battle.

    • Lord, we thank You for PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Gantz.

    • Continue to guard the unity among them that has been very evident in this battle (Psalm 133:1).

    • Continue to give them strength and courage to resist the world's pressure for an ungodly cease-fire.

    • We are blessed at how even the left leaning politicians in this government (Livni and Lapid) are backing this battle against Hamas. Continue to push them in the 'right' direction!

    • Captain of heavens hosts, reveal Your battle plans to Israelis who need to give orders (Joshua 5:13-6:5).

    • Impart wisdom to all the commanders in the south as to how best to use the men, women and equipment that they are responsible for.

    • Lord, reveal Your end goal for this battle. And the king shall perish from Gaza… (Zechariah 9:5b)

  5. Make Israel's government, especially the security cabinet which is ultimately responsible for this war, more afraid of You than of the opinions and pressures from the world.

    • In the fear of YHWH is strong hope, and His sons shall have a place of refuge.

      Proverbs 14:26

    • Give them courage to resist all cease-fire plans until they have finished the job that needs to be done against all of the terrorist groups in Gaza.

    • Align the security cabinet 101% with Your purposes for this battle - at this time.

    • Abba, we remind You of Your words and hold them over the security cabinet: YHWH brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He breaks the plots of the people. The counsel of YHWH stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations. (Psalms 33:10-11)

    • A man's heart plans his way, but YHWH directs his steps.

      Proverbs 16:9

      There are many purposes in a man's heart, but the counsel of YHWH shall stand.

      Proverbs 19:21

      The king's heart is in the hand of YHWH. As the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He will.

      Proverbs 21:1

    • Watch over Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman, and use what comes out of his mouth for Your glory.

  6. As believers, we desire to see God's righteousness manifest on earth. So there are times when the unrighteous decrees of the nations are infuriating. This week, the UN Human Rights Committee voted to investigate Israel's actions in Gaza for war crimes. EU nations abstained and only America voted against this unjust decision. Why 'unjust'? Because there was no talk about Hamas' very obvious war-crimes of shooting at Israel's civilians from behind their civilians and of hiding their weapons in homes, under hospitals and mosques, as well as in UN refugee camps.

    • Arise, YHWH; let not man prevail. Let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, YHWH, let the nations know they are but men. Selah.

      Psalms 9:19-20

    • Lord, use this satanically inspired investigation to wake up more Israelis that we are, and always will be, a nation that shall dwell alone, and not be counted among the nations. (Numbers 23:9b)

    • Thank You for the tremendous strength of purpose and unity we have seen in this nation since the kidnapping and murder of the three Jewish teens over a month ago.

    • Enable the IDF to strike such a fierce blow against Hamas that Your fear falls on all the surrounding terror groups in the ME - as well as on Iran. [Rahab] said to the men, I know YHWH has given you the land, that your terror has fallen on us, and that all those who live in the land faint because of you. For we have heard how YHWH dried up the water of the Red Sea for you… and what you did to the two Amorites kings on the other side Jordan…whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard, our hearts melted, nor did any spirit remain in any man, because of you. For YHWH your God, He is God in Heaven above and in earth beneath. (Joshua 2:9-11) Amen!

  7. We thank God for the unity of this nation and ask Him to watch over it as this conflict continues. We sense that hard times will only increase as we draw closer to both Israel's national salvation and the return of her King, Messiah Yeshua.

    • We bless You for the mothers of those three kidnapped and slain boys, who set the spirit of unity and a faith in You during their time of severe trail. Bless them and reveal Your Son to them soon.

    • Use the rabbis to call this nation together and shut the mouth of rabbis who only add to division.

    • Lord, move upon the Israeli Body to be absolutely in one accord concerning what this nation must do to bring security to its citizens (Ephesians 4:3).

    • Make all Israeli Jews one in Your hands - just as You promised in Ezekiel 37:19.

    • Thank You for all the Israeli Arabs who are quietly - but firmly - standing with Israel at this time.

    • We especially thank You for the recent awakening of Israeli Arab Christians who have thrown their lot in with this nation and its people. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16b)

    • Move upon the Israeli media to report truth - and not be so 'politically correct' or balanced, or tolerant that they end up distorting the real story.

  8. Last night, there were riots in areas around Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria. Today being the last Friday of Ramadan, security forces are on very high alert. Also, Hamas in Gaza, and 'our peace-partner', Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, have called for this weekend to be 'days of rage' against Israel's war in Gaza. We prayed for the security forces to do whatever it takes to protect innocent citizens from these spirits of anarchy, hatred, anti-Semitism and Islam.

    • Lord, alert the security forces to what they will need to do to keep the peace (Romans 13:3-4).

    • Lord, overrule. YHWH has prepared His throne in the heavens; His kingdom rules over all. (Psalms 103:19)

    • Arise God. Scatter the demonic forces driving this hatred against the Jews and Israel (Psalm 68:1,30).

    • Expose the ringleaders of these riots and help the police to capture them.

  9. There have been huge demonstrations against Israel's war vs. Hamas from Muslims in the West, together with radical Leftists. Yet the only demonstrations we hear that are standing for Israel's right to defend itself is from the Jewish community. Where is the Church? Where are the Christian Zionists?

    • Lord Yeshua, send a healthy dose of the fear of God upon Your Body, so that they fear You more than fearing what man can do to them (Proverbs 29:25).

    • Remove the fear of intimidation from believers.

    • Remove the desire to be politically correct and plant in our lives the urgent need to be biblically correct.

    • Lord, where are all the big-wig leaders of the Church who normally stand with Israel?

    • Reveal to many Christians that what really is at stake is the foundation of their faith. …it is not you that bears the root, but the root bears you. (Romans 11:18b)

  10. We spent some time praying for the innocent Palestinians in Gaza - especially the children - that the Lord would watch over them, help them to escape and reveal Himself to them.

  11. Believe it or not, Jews are continuing to make aliyah - immigrating to Israel - at this time. As one of Israel's leaders stated, they are the real heroes! This is an absolute answer to prayer.

    • Lord, we thank You for continuing to bring home those whom You have scattered (Jeremiah 31:10).

    • Increase the numbers of Jews returning - especially from France and Ukraine.

    • Remove all fear of the Jews who were already planning to move here this summer.

    • We thank You for the lone soldiers - three of whom have died in this war in Gaza. [Lone Soldiers are those who make aliyah without their families and immediately enter the IDF.]

    • Abba, speak to the Israelis who are living outside of this land. Convict them that their place is here with their nation, people and families.

    • Messiah Yeshua, provoke Messianic Jews in exile that now is the perfect time to return (Isaiah 51:11).

    • Lord, please keep Your hand on Israel's economy so that it remains strong to continue to fight this war, as well as to welcome home the returning exiles.

We are so grateful for your prayer support for us and our nation.

Blessings and Shabbat shalom

The IFI team

Note: During times of crises, IFI has sent out emergency prayer alerts - sometimes written and sometimes in a video format. At this moment, they are only available in English. If you want to receive them and are not receiving our regular prayer alerts in English, go to our website [http://www.ifi.org.il/subscription] and sign up for the alerts in English as well. You will continue to receive the language of your choice for the regular alerts - as well as the English version - but you will also be able to receive any special emergency alerts in the future. Thanks and blessings from Zion.