1. We began by reading the opening verse of Shabbat's prophetic portion.

    • I will greatly rejoice in YHWH, my soul will be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the robes of salvation, He covered me with the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom adorns himself with ornaments, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

      Isaiah 61:10

    • Yeshua, thank You for being our salvation and our righteousness (Matthew 1:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30).

    • We bless You for placing us in Messiah Yeshua - even before creation (Ephesians 1:3-5, 11).

    • In You, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

    • Hallelujah, that our salvation is paid in full. As Messiah said, It is finished! (John 19:30).

  2. Rosh Hashanah [Yom Teruah in Leviticus 23:24] - begins next Wednesday evening. Many Jews in Israel, and among the nations, prepare by trying to put things right between them and both God and man. As opposed to the world's tradition of partying, the Jewish New Year is a time of deep introspection and repentance. Ten days later is Yom Kippur, the holiest day on God's calendar. What a wonderful season to intercede for 'all Israel' - wherever they may live - to be saved.

    • We bless You for every Jew who has entered the Kingdom of Your Son this past year (Colossians 1:13).

    • Abba, You have ordained these feasts as special times set aside for You to meet with Your people. As unsaved Jews do that - honor their obedience to this command by revealing to them their true Messiah.

    • Lord, open many hearts to see You as their Brother, Lord, Savior, and King Messiah. Their eyes were opened, they knew Him, and He became invisible to them. Then they said to each other, Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us…and while He opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:31-32)

    • Do a deep work in lives as Jews listen to the shofar being blown during Rosh Hashanah.

    • Abba, as we have planted and watered good seed in Jewish hearts this past year, we ask You for an increase now (1 Corinthians 3:6).

    • We proclaim to Zion: Behold, your salvation comes. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. (Isaiah 62:11b)

  3. According to many prophecies, Israel experiences national salvation when they are back in their Land (Deuteronomy 30:1-6; Ezekiel 36:23-27; Zechariah 12:2-10, etc.). So our next prayer was for aliyah - the immigration of Jews from exile to home.

    • During the High Holiday services, speak to the Jews in exile that 'Next year in Jerusalem', means them and their families.

    • For Your glory's sake, bring Your people back to Your land (Isaiah 43:5-7).

    • Open wide the doors for Your people to escape from nations where they want to get out - but cannot, such as Ukraine and Iran (Isaiah 62:10).

    • Lord, regardless of the outcome of the Scottish referendum yesterday, awake the Jews throughout the UK that now is the time to leave.

    • Abba, we ask for a huge draining of all Europeans nations of their Jewish populations - with them returning to the land that You promised their forefathers to give them. If you are driven out into the outermost parts of the heavens, YHWH your God will gather you from there…and YHWH your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. And He will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers. (Deuteronomy 30:4-5)

    • We thank You for the dramatic increase in Jews from France making aliyah. More, Lord!

    • Lord, move upon American Jews to come home now - while they can still bring back all of 'their silver and gold' (Isaiah 60:9).

    • May the worldwide increase of anti-Semitism be openly spoken about in synagogues during this season.

    • Impress on the rabbis to encourage their people to return home - and to lead the way by example.

    • Impart a deep hunger for this land and for Jerusalem. If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget. If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth; if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalms 137:5-6)

  4. For all Israel to be saved, they need to be alive. So we prayed for Israel's security with the very fluid situation on its Syrian border particularly in focus. The UN 'peacekeepers' who were between Israel and Syria on the Golan were pulled out because of the fighting that has been ongoing along this border in Syria, as well as the increased threats of ISIS. We had to smile as they fled into Israel to find safety. Is anyone at the UN listening?

    • We bless You for Your promised protection of Israel as You restored it from exile (Jeremiah 31:10).

    • We also bless You for Your promise of making Israel's army exceedingly great as part of how You would protect it (Ezekiel 37:10; Micah 4:11-13, etc.).

    • By Your grace, give Israel an ability to do its part in this co-operative endeavor. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And He shall cast the enemy out from before you, and shall say, Destroy! (Deuteronomy 33:27)

    • King Messiah, the Lord of hosts, keep all of the IDF alert and awake.

    • Impart to the soldiers much discernment to know beforehand what the enemy is trying to do.

    • Continue to help Israel to develop game-changing, cutting-edge weaponry to defend this people.

    • Thank You for hearing our prayers of confounding all those who hate Zion (Psalm 129:5).

    • Abba, enable accurate, timely intelligence to reach Israel and then give wisdom on what to do with it.

    • Aid Israel to know how to fill in the vacuum on the Syrian border with the UN troops gone.

    • Use the retreat of the UN troops to open up many more Israeli eyes to see that the only army which we can depend on to defend us is the IDF.

  5. The situation with Gaza needs prayer as there is only a temporary cease-fire and this past week a mortar was fired from there. Hamas was quick to apprehend the terrorists who fired that mortar, and if that is true, it shows that at least for now - Israel's deterrence has been restored.

    • Lord, do not allow Hamas to don sheep's clothing to deceive the world that they also are now 'moderate'.

    • Watch over the relationship between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah/Palestinian Authority, using it to show Israelis that there really is no true 'peace' partner on the other side.

    • Reveal all hidden plans of the enemy - including all undiscovered or newly dug terror tunnels.

    • Strengthen the security cooperation between Egypt and Israel.

    • During negotiations over Gaza, enable Israel's leaders to not bend on any of their/Your redlines.

    • As we approach the feast season, Lord please provide absolute protection over all of Israel's southern communities (Psalm 121:4).

    • 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, O YHWH; let the King hear us when we call.

      Psalms 20:7-9

  6. Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar shook Israel's political scene by announcing his resignation after the High Holidays. His reason is for more family time, yet the rumor mill is churning out all sorts of alternative reasons - some of which may even be based on fact. His relationship with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has not been good. He was also seen as a likely candidate for a future Likud leader and even prime minister. The truth is hard to discern in this - but this situation needs our prayers.

    • Strengthen the current government during the feasts, drawing them all closer to Yourself. Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you. (Jeremiah 31:3)

    • Lord, we want Your counsel only to prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

    • Bring the government into alignment with Your will for Israel at this specific time (Psalm 33:10-11).

    • Move ministers around so that all can be in their God-ordained place.

    • Raise up Your person to take over Sa'ar's place as the head of the Ministry of Interior.

    • During his time away, whether for a season or forever, heal the relationship between Sa'ar and Bibi.

    • Muzzle all media and political attempts to use this situation to weaken Netanyahu in the minds and hearts of the Israeli people.

    • Impart to Netanyahu all the wisdom he needs to lead the government and nation today (Psalm 80:17).

    • Lord, if this resignation of Sa'ar is linked with his recent approval of gay-couples to make aliyah, with much mercy show him how You see that decision.

  7. The Israeli budget needs to be passed by the end of the year or Israel will go to new elections. It does not seem that any of the current government ministers want to see new elections - yet Finance Minister Yair Lapid, a novice politician, is at odds with Netanyahu on the essence of a new budget.

    • Give us a budget that enables righteousness and justice to flow in this nation (Proverbs 14:34).

    • Lord, when Bibi and Lapid meet, let there be a coming together of a budget that is best for Israel.

    • Humble them to compromise on the things that can be compromised on.

    • Bring down pride and let wisdom to prevail. Only by pride comes argument, but with those who take advice is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10)

    • Do not allow Netanyahu to be moved from his position that the defense budget needs to be increased - especially as there is the rising danger surrounding Israel from Allah's fanatical hordes.

    • We are so grateful for You giving and maintaining a strong economy in Your nation.

    • Deal with all unrighteousness during this season and convict those who have an 'evil eye' [a biblical term for being greedy (Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 28:22)].

  8. The pressure to see the creation of a Palestinian State on God's land continues no matter what else the world is dealing with. Is Hamas still in a unity government with Abbas? Is ISIS beheading, raping, rampaging, caliphating and dangerous? Does Putin have plans for Ukraine? Is Iran rushing towards nuclear weapons? Is anti-Semitism breaking out like a plague? Speaking of which, are we facing an Ebola global pandemic? No matter. If Israel would only divide its God promised land, 'world peace' will descend from on high - or ascend from below - and all other issues will fade away. What hypocrisy! What deception! Yet our God takes notice and He is not pleased.

    • The land shall not be sold forever; for the land is Mine. For you are strangers and pilgrims with Me.

      Leviticus 25:23

    • I have heard all your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, Desolation! They are given to us for food. So with your mouth you have boasted against Me, and have multiplied your words against Me. I have heard them.

      Ezekiel 35:12-13

    • Behold, in those days…when I will bring again the exiles of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, bringing them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat [YHWH the Judge]. And I will fight with them there for My people and for My inheritance Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and divided My land.

      Joel 3:1-2

    • We bless and thank You that despite the pressure from the nations and from many in this nation, You have heard our prayers - for there is still no Palestine (1 John 5:14-15)!

    • We also thank You that the majority of Israelis have seen that a full-fledged Palestinian State would be very dangerous and are against it.

    • Abba, do whatever it takes to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian State on land that You have promised hundreds of times to the children of Israel.

    • Press on the Palestinian leadership to overreach, bringing the whole 'peace process' down as a result.

    • When Netanyahu speaks at the UN in a few weeks, anoint him mightily (Psalm 81:10).

    • God, arise and defend what You are doing here for Your glory. And your eyes shall see, and you shall say, YHWH will be magnified from the border of Israel. (Malachi 1:5)

Shabbat shalom and Shanah tovah.

The IFI team

Please note that next Friday is a holiday in Israel - the second day of Rosh Hashanah. There will be no Friday Prayer Alert because of that - although if there are urgent issues, we might send out a shortened alert in the middle of the week. Blessings from Zion.