1. We looked at Isaiah 42:23-25 and were blessed to realize that there were no chapter divisions in the original text.

    • So He has poured on him the fury of His anger, and the strength of battle. And it has set him on fire all around, yet he did not know; and it burned him, yet he did not lay it to heart. [Hard words against Israel yet look at how God continues his message:] But now thus says YHWH who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

      Isaiah 42:25-43:1

    • Lord, thank You for Your divine choice of Israel - and of us.

    • We bless You for Your loving chastisement that shows Your concern for us (Hebrews 12:5-7).

    • This is the day that You have made. We will rejoice in You (Psalm 118:24).

    • Thank You for the privilege to be in Your kingdom for just a time like this (Esther 4:14b).

  2. Next Tuesday, March 3rd, Israel's Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu will speak to a joint session of the US Congress - much to the disapproval of the US administration! His message will likely focus on the danger of an Iranian Shiite nuclear weapon or an Iran being left as a nuclear threshold state, as well as what an existential threat this will be to Israel. He is also supposed to expose 'Islamic' terrorism. The controversy about this has been over the top, yet that will result in more people listening than if there was no controversy. The enemy has overplayed his hand again. Another answer to prayer!

    • Abba, we thank You for sending Netanyahu to warn the US, and also the world, of this threat.

    • Lord, write his speech. Alter it even at the last minute so that he says that which is from You alone.

    • The Law [lit: Teaching] shall go forth from Zion; the Word of YHWH from Jerusalem.

      Isaiah 2:3b

    • God of Israel, protect Netanyahu from all confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

    • Grant him much clarity of thought as he speaks.

    • Guard over all his ways during this trip (Psalm 25:20; 121:4).

    • Let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19).

    • Use this meeting and his message to accomplish all that You desire (Isaiah 55:11).

    • May the support Netanyahu gets from Congress, encourage and strengthen him greatly.

    • Bring everyone to that meeting who is supposed to be there, and keep away all those who are not.

    • Use the hysterical reaction from the Obama administration to Bibi's speech wake up the US Church and American Jewish community to see what a danger the White House's relationship with Israel has become to America itself (Genesis 12:3b).

  3. There is a demonic assault on Israel's leader, in the form of hurtful words and lies. Politicians from many nations, but especially from Israel and America, as well as the mainstream media, have been the channels of choice for Satan in this area. Is this just more proof that what Netanyahu will say is vitally important for God's kingdom purposes? We think so.

    • 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

    • Lord, protect this man from all of the devil's attacks. O 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)

    • As with Daniel in the lions' den, shut the mouths of the lions who want to eat Bibi (Daniel 6:22).

    • Let all these hurtful words just fall to the ground. No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of YHWH, and their righteousness is from Me, says YHWH. (Isaiah 54:17)

    • Let Israelis see how overblown this is and use this for good in the March 17th elections.

    • It is no coincidence that all of this is happening as Israel prepares to celebrate Purim next week. We believe that just like in the book of Esther, You, O God, are working behind the scenes. Thank You.

  4. Israel's upcoming elections [March 17th] need much prayer. Again, unless the Lord redirects us, we must pray in line with His last direction, so we continue to ask Him to allow Netanyahu become Israel's next prime minister. For that to happen, his Likud party needs to gain a huge victory.

    • God, our ultimate desire is for You to give to Israel a government through whom You can be glorified.

    • Not to us, O YHWH, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and for Your truth's sake. Why should the nations say, Where is their God? But our God is in Heaven; He has done whatever He has pleased.

      Psalms 115:1-3

    • While we pray continually about this, we do rest in Your totally overriding sovereignty (Psalm 103:19).

    • … until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will.

      Daniel 4:25; cp. 2:21; 4:17, 32; 5:21; Revelation 17:17

    • Lord, the election campaign is extremely chaotic. Brood over it and bring light (Genesis 1:2-3).

    • Favor the political parties that are in line with Your will for this nation at this time.

    • Expose all underhanded or criminal activities at work during this election season (Psalm 139:12).

    • Use Bibi's speech in the US Congress to raise his profile among many Israeli voters.

    • Make Bibi Netanyahu a statesman.

  5. We prayed that the Israeli Body would take their God-given spiritual responsibility for these elections - asking for God's Kingdom to come and His will to be done in Israel as it is in heaven.

    • First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

      1 Timothy 2:1-4

    • Raise up in the Israeli Body at this time, many sons of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do… (1 Chronicles 12:32)

    • Send an anointing for intercession on Your Body during this election season.

  6. The IDF and the Shin Bet [internal security service] have recently captured several terror cells. It seems like the 'lone wolves' are starting to form 'wolf packs'. As they are unconnected with major terror groups and use simple weapons in their attacks, they are more difficult to find and stop.

    • Lord, thank You for the success that Israel's security forces have had up to this time. More, Lord!

    • Increase the ability to obtain accurate actionable intelligence against this threat.

    • Protect all of Israel's collaborators, informants and spies.

    • As You said You would bless those who bless Israel, reveal Messiah Yeshua all of the above.

    • Thank You, God, as this development could be an answer to prayer - as a 'wolf pack' would be easier to stop than a 'lone 'wolf'.

    • Confound all those who hate Zion (Psalm 129:5).

    • Lord, You promised to scatter us - and You did. You promised to gather us - and You are. You also promised to guard us as a shepherd does his flock (Jeremiah 31:10) - so we trust You to do just that.

    • Awaken and prepare all the security guards in hotels, restaurants, building entrances, etc.

  7. An answer to prayer was the successful suing of the Palestinian Authority and the PLO by a number of terror victims and their families in the US. The judgment was against the PA who is now responsible to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation. All of this should put a huge stumbling block in the path of the PA wanting to try Israel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Lord, we thank and bless You for this, and ask that this becomes another nail in the coffin of the 'dead-yet-alive' so-called 'peace' process.

  8. With the P5+1 nations [US, UK, France, Russia, China + Germany] being pressured by Obama & Co. to close a deal with Iran by March 31st, the pressure is on Israel as to how to deal with this 'clear and present' danger. Note this convergence of events: Bibi's speech [March 3rd]; Israeli elections [17th]; a solar eclipse on a New Moon feast [20th]; the P5+1 deadline with Iran [31st]; the 3rd of four Red Moons, Passover eve [April 4 th]. We are sure this is no coincidence but are not sure of what exactly it means. Now, if Israel needs to attack Iran's nuclear program militarily, it seems that after a P5+1 global agreement with Iran would make an Israeli attack almost impossible. Israel would become the world's - well, at least the West's - pariah nation.

    • Lord, You know what Israel needs to do - if anything. So we again, look to You who has promised to protect this nation - to do just that (Isaiah 41:10-16).

    • If the IDF is the weapon You use to deal with this existential threat, then give to Israel's leaders - both politicians and military - courage, strength, insight and a righteous conviction of what they need to do.

    • Make Israel's leaders like the firebrands You prophesied about in Zechariah 12:6.

    • Bring this nation into unity over this issue. Yes, we are asking for a miracle, but nothing is too hard for You (Jeremiah 32:17, 27).

    • Draw Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ya'alon, and the IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot into one accord in whatever decision they come to.

    • Forbid that the fear of man would influence this decision in any way(Proverbs 29:25).

    • Prepare Israel for any attacks - militarily, politically and/or in the media - on the day after.

    • Remembering the Holocaust and all those who did not believe the enemy of the Jews until it was too late, we plead, 'Lord, never again!'

  9. We never thought that we would quote the pop-music star Madonna - yet God can use anyone to get peoples' attention. Yesterday, in a Europe 1 radio interview, she said anti-Semitism and "growing intolerance" in Europe, has reached a level that "feels like Nazi Germany," adding that "anti-Semitism is at an all-time high," in France and Europe. Hmm, she sees that the Jeremiah 16:16 hunters have been released. Now if only the Jews in exile would see that, we could have a huge increase in aliyah this year. So that is what we prayed about.

    • Abba, again we affirm that You are in control. The rise of the hunters is in line with Your Word, will and timing. While we do not thank You for an increase in anti-Semitism, we do thank You for being faithful to watch over Your word (Jeremiah 1:12).

    • Use this tense situation for Jews in Europe - where they need to be 'closet-Jews' - to get them to consider coming to Israel, coming out of the closet, so to speak.

    • Do not allow 'political correctness' to hinder Israel's leaders from calling Your people home.

    • I will turn back the captivity of My people Israel, and they shall build the cities which are desolate, and they shall live in them. They shall plant vineyards and drink their wine. They shall also make gardens and eat their fruit. And I will plant them on their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, says YHWH your God.

      Amos 9:14-15

    • Release Your captive people from all the chains that bind them in exile, to exile.

    • Draw Your people home now - while they can still bring their 'silver and gold' with them (Isaiah 60:9).

    • Increase the flow of Your people from Ukraine, France, and all other places in the north of Israel.

    • Wake up the Jews in North America that the hunters are being prepared there as well.

    • Uses PM Bibi Netanyahu's speech to birth a godly response in the hearts of many American Jews - especially the youth.

    • In those days, and at that time, says YHWH, the sons of Israel shall come, they and the sons of Judah together, going and weeping. They shall go and seek YHWH their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces turned there, saying, Come and let us join ourselves to YHWH in an everlasting covenant never to be forgotten.

      Jeremiah 50:4-5

Again, we bless and thank you for standing with us and with this nation at this time.

Shabbat shalom from Zion, The IFI team