1. We entered His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.

    • Thank You for the privilege of being part of Your kingdom. [We give] thanks to the Father, who has enabled us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; (Colossians 1:12-13)

    • Hallelujah, that there are no surprises in heaven (Psalm 103:19).

    • We have divine security in You because You are so faithful and never change (Malachi 3:6).

    • YHWH is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who trust in Him.

      Nahum 1:7

    • Lord Yeshua, You are worthy of all praise and worship.

    • Precious Lamb of God, we praise You for who You are and thank You for all You have done.

    • What a savior we have. You are King of kings, and Lord of Lords!

    • YHWH reigns!

      Psalm 93:1; 96:10; 97:1; 99:1

  2. In the face of the current world situation -much of which relates to Israel - we prayed for Israeli leaders to have the spirit of Issachar's sons, who knew the signs of their time and also knew what Israel was to do (1 Chronicles 12:32). [By "current world situation", we include the following: the flag of 'Palestine' being raised at the UN; the entry of Russian and Iranian troops into Syria; the Iranian deal and what that means to the Middle East; the continual chaos surrounding Israel - including ISIS cells in Israel; the US administration's total lack of reliability and courage; rising anti-Semitism; Islam's invasion of Europe via immigration, etc., etc.. Welcome to the last days!}

    • Lord, guide Your people at this time to make decisions in line with Your will. There are many plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of YHWH shall stand. (Proverbs 19:21)

    • Today, open up the eyes of Israel's leaders to see and hear You. (2 Kings 6:17; Psalm 95:7b)

    • May Israeli leaders in the government and military to ask for Your guidance and help. Call on Me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. (Psalms 50:15)

    • Protect them from all deceptions and distractions (Numbers 23:23).

    • Lord, impart a sense of unity and urgency to the cabinet and security council meetings.

  3. We specifically prayed for PM Bibi Netanyahu. Often in scripture we see that when Israel's kings followed God, blessings resulted, whereas when they did that which was evil in the eyes of YHWH, the nation experienced all sorts of trouble.

    • Let Your hand be on the Man of Your right hand, on the Son of man whom You have made strong for Yourself.

      Psalms 80:17

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

      Proverbs 21:1

    • Abba, bless Bibi with health, sleep, strength, wisdom and shalom-beit [peace in the family].

    • Make Sara the perfect help-mate/wife for Bibi. Bless her with peace and wisdom.

    • Lord, release him from all responsibilities that are not of You. Aid him to delegate.

    • Surround him with people of wisdom and integrity (Proverbs 11:14; 15:12; 20;18).

    • Protect Netanyahu from a spirit of pride.

    • Guard him from the spirit of Jezebel - in whatever way it chooses to attack and intimidate him.

    • Save him by revealing the King of Israel, Yeshua, to him. When Yeshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea…behold, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who is born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him. (Matthew 2:1-2)

  4. We prayed next for Israel's internal security. There was another terror attack on the roads last night, killing a mother and father in front of their four young children. Terror attacks are on the increase in Israel - especially in Jerusalem and on the roads. Also, it was just revealed that an ISIS cell was captured in Israel a month ago.

    • Abba, comfort and heal these four young orphans and join them with a new family.

    • Aid the IDF to find the terrorists that have done this demonic act.

    • Lord, You said repeatedly that the murderer shall be put to death (Genesis 9:6; Numbers 35:16-18). Is it not time for Israel to use capital punishment with those convicted of murder or deadly terrorist attacks?

    • Lord, protect Your holy hill (Psalm 2:6; 3:4) - the Temple Mount - from the raging spirit of Islam.

    • Give Israeli security forces wisdom, strength and courage to protect the innocent and stop the wicked.

    • Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

      Ecclesiastes 8:11

    • Thank You for stopping that ISIS cell. Continue to expose all other terror groups in Your land.

    • Encourage Israelis to look to You, trusting that You are the ultimate guardian of this nation (Psalm 121:4; Jeremiah 31:10).

    • Protect and use our young soldiers who are doing a job inside Israel that in most other nations would fall under the responsibility of mature, fully trained police forces.

  5. Israel's external security has become more dangerous with Russian and Iranian troops now in 'Syria'. Russian President Putin has already complained when Israel defended itself this past week by firing at several Syrian army targets after a couple of rockets landed on the Israeli side of the Golan. And Iran is continuously threatening to destroy this nation. What should Israel do? [We're not saying that "this is that" God & Magog about which Ezekiel 38-39 prophesies - although it could be that, or a remarkable foreshadow, that could quickly morph into the fulfillment. So we watch and pray.]

    • Lord, we ask for Your wisdom and guidance to know how to pray (Psalm 25:14; Amos 3:7).

    • Abba, hedge in Russia and Iran.

    • Override all plans that are not of You (Psalm 33:10-11; Revelation 17:17).

    • Give to Israel game-changing weapons so that if it needs to deal with Hizbullah in Syria and Lebanon, not even the Russian Bear would consider getting in the way.

    • Do not allow another war between Israel and Hizbullah to break out unless it is 101% in Your timing.

    • Yet give the government courage to continue to destroy all advanced weapons that are being sent from Syria to Hizbullah.

    • Anoint PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot to work as one.

    • Replace any sprit of fear with a spirit of courage and clear thinking.

    • Keep all IDF soldiers who are patrolling Israel's Lebanese and Syrian border alert and protected.

    • You shall see, and say, YHWH will be magnified upon the border of Israel.

      Malachi 1:5

  6. We continue to take our stand against a Shi'ite Iranian nuclear weapon. We were led to pray for Iran's leaders to move in pride and do something that turned out to be so wicked that the West - and even Obama - would not be able to ignore it or make excuses for it.

    • Let the pride of Iran's leaders bring them down into destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

    • Set Iranians free by destroying Iran's king [the ayatollah] and princes [the mullahs] (Jeremiah 49:38).

    • Confound all those in the Iranian leadership who hate Zion (Psalm 129:5).

    • Send them deceiving spirits just like You did to Ahab (1 Kings 22:22-23).

    • Lord, Iran's leaders rage and blaspheme Your people - and therefore You (Psalm 83:2-4). As per the principles of Your kingdom, let them reap what they have sown (Romans 2:5-6; Galatians 6:7).

    • Use the Syrian quagmire to become a trap for both Iran and Russia.

    • Continue to stir up the fury that there is between Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Sunni Muslims, and Iran, the leader of the Shi'ites.

    • Use this hatred and division to bring down the house of Islam in the Middle East (Luke 11:17-18).

    • As this is being played out, continue saving many Muslims - especially Iranians (Jeremiah 49:38).

    • Abba, shake Iran physically and put the fear of God in them (Isaiah 2:19-21).

  7. We prayed for the Israeli local Body of Messiah. We are growing quickly, but as is often the case when numbers increase, we lag behind in spiritual maturity. We also tend to look to ministries from outside Israel who can provide finances and exposure and feed egos. This, of course, is very dangerous - yet understandable as being a believer in Israel is often a very trying life, especially in the spiritual realm.

    • And he shall pass over to his stronghold for fear, and his rulers shall be afraid of the banner, says YHWH, whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem.

      Isaiah 31:9

    • Lord, we bless and thank You for the growing Body of Messiah in Israel at this time.

    • Continue to add to our numbers and bring many Israeli secret believers out of the closet.

    • Abba, fulfill Your promise to provide shepherds after Your own heart (Jeremiah 3:14-15; 23:3-4).

    • Thank You for the shepherds that You have given us and we ask for more of them (1 Kings 3:9).

    • Give the Body spiritual discernment to know what is from You and what is not (Hebrews 5:14).

    • Thank You for all those from outside of this land whom You have called to minister here.

    • Keep away all those who want to come who are not called by You (Acts 16:6-7).

    • Protect the Israeli Body from all attempts by the enemy to infiltrate.

    • Lord, may a spirit of real prayer fall upon many at this time.

    • Aid us in Intercessors for Israel to know how to help foster more intercession here in Israel.

    • May You find many Israeli believers being watchmen and intercessors (Isaiah 62:6-7; Ezekiel 22:30).

  8. We finished our time by continuing to pray for the Jewish people in exile to come home. As anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism grow, especially in Europe, this is a great time for His people to set their sights on returning to Zion (Jeremiah 50:4-5). Pray for the Jews in Your nation - or regional area - to have a deep desire to return to the land of their forefathers, the land which God has promised to them over 200 times in the Tanach. This is for their sakes as well as for God's holy name's sake (Isaiah 43:5-7; Ezekiel 36:23-24). And the church has a responsibility in this as well (Isaiah 49:22; 60:3-11).

    • Pray for specific people or groups of Jews to come home.

    • Ask God to remove all false doctrines from His Body that hinder them from praying in faith for the Jews to return.

    • Pray for Israel's economic situation to improve so that the cost of living here decreases.

    • Aliyah - the immigration of Jews back home - has been growing yearly for almost a decade now. Ask God for a tremendous increase over the next 12 months.

We thank You for standing with this nation and with us.

Shabbat shalom and hag sameach,

The IFI team

As Israel will be celebrating Simchat Torah - the joy of the Law [lit: teaching] this Sunday evening through Monday, we leave you with these few verses.

Open my eyes, so that I may behold wonderful things out of Your Law.

Psalms 119:18

Forever, O YHWH, Your Word is settled in the heavens.

Psalms 119:89

Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

Psalms 119:105

The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalms 119:130

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1

Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.

John 17:17