- This week's Torah portion includes the incident of the bronze serpent which Moses lifted up on a pole when God told him that looking unto the serpent would heal those bitten (Numbers 21:4-9).
But even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:14-15
We bless You Abba, for providing everlasting life in Messiah Yeshua.
We are all bitten by the serpent called sin, yet we have found healing in Your exalted Son.
…let us lay aside every weight and the sin which easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race set before us, looking to Yeshua, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
You are my God, and I will exalt You; You are my God, I will praise You. Psalms 118:28
- Hallelujah, there are no emergencies in heaven. Nothing catches You by surprise.
…I am God, and there is no other…declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past things which were not done, saying, My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure; Isaiah 46:9-10
We woke this morning to the news of the massive terror attack in Nice France last night.
Lord, please comfort all who were involved in anyway – either as survivors, or family members of the victims, or just bystanders who will have to live with this for the rest of their lives (2 Corinthians 1:3).
Heal those who are physically, emotionally, mentally and/or spiritually hurting.
Reveal Yourself to all these who do not already know You through Messiah Yeshua (John 6:44).
Lord Yeshua, use local believers to be Your hands and heart to many at this time (1 Corinthians 12:27).
May the Jews in Nice also be comforted and ministered to by the local Body (Romans 11:11, 30-31).
Cause Western leaders to name this as it is – an act of Islamic terror – so that the people can see that their leaders have an understanding of who their enemy is.
Use this to cause many throughout Europe to cry out to You (Psalm 50:15)
Of course, attacks like this make the argument that now is time for the Jews in the West to come home even more urgent.
Abba, help Jews in the EU to understand that the future of European Jewry is coming to a quick close.
Lord, for Your glory's sake, shake up all Jewish communities there to move here (Isaiah 43:5-7).
Wake up the Jews in France, the UK and in Germany especially as they see the increase in power and boldness of the local radical Muslim communities.
It seems that many are stuck with deep roots in the soil of Europe, yet we remind You of Your word:
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus says YHWH, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the fearful ones shall escape, for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your sons…and all flesh shall know that I YHWH am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
(Isaiah 49:24-26)Since terror attacks strengthen Europe's right-wing parties, use the discomfort that most Jews will have with their rise in popularity to cause them to set their faces towards Zion (Jeremiah 50:4-8).
Speak to many of rabbis that they need to start preparing their people and themselves to make aliyah.
As in the past, it seems You are tearing up the comfortable nests of Jews in exile in the West. So at this time, we pray for You to turn their hearts to Your promised home for them – Israel (Jeremiah 32:41-44).
Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of YHWH, who made the heavens and earth. Psalms 124:7-8
We prayed for Israel's security, focusing on copycat attacks by terrorists, who are often inspired by previous successful attacks – like the one last night in Nice, France.
We thank You that Israeli security forces are being more pro-active and saving lives by it.
Enable there to be inspired plans to defend this nation against attacks using large trucks or other out-of-the-ordinary means (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
Increase the efficiency of Israel's deterrence factors against terrorists, and give wisdom to those who are responsible to come up with new ones to block future terrorism.
Forbid any successful kidnappings or hijackings throughout this nation (Psalm 121:4).
Increase the security of all Israeli public transportation.
Aid Israel's security forces to be kept up to date with the latest intelligence, equipment and techniques.
We ask for all the angelic help that You can send to this nation (Psalm 91:11).
We thank You for all Your heavenly host who have been on duty, protecting Israel at this time.
Thank You for promising to protect Israel after You restore it:
Hear the Word of YHWH, you gentiles, and declare it…saying, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep/guard him, as a shepherd keeps his flock'.
(Jeremiah 31:10)Lord, as Jerusalem is the city of the Great King, we ask for You to protect this place by Your mighty power.
As birds flying, so YHWH of Hosts will defend Jerusalem; also defending, He will deliver it; and passing over He will preserve it.
(Isaiah 31:5)
The new UK government appears to be positively inclined towards Israel. Teresa May, the new prime minister, and Boris Johnson, the new foreign secretary, seem to be genuine friends of Israel and the Jews. So the prayers of many British believers have been answered. Yet there is danger, as this battle for Britain's destiny is far from over. Now is the time that British believers really need to hear the call to man the ramparts and press on in intercession to see the fullest victory of this Brexit vote as is possible.
Lord, we thank You for this turn of events in the UK.
From an Israeli perspective, we bless You for these two new British leaders.
Protect Britain's new leaders from compromising – especially over the issue of Israel (Numbers 24:9b).
Deepen the personal relationship between PM Netanyahu and both of them.
Use Israel's UK Ambassador Mark Regev to be instrumental in strengthen these nations' relationship for the benefit of both Israel and Great Britain.
Lord Yeshua, set the trumpet to Your mouth and keep the British Church on the alert (Mark 13:33).
Forbid that any would think the warfare is over and they can now return to life as normal.
The end of all things has drawn near, so be of a sound mind, and watchful in prayer.
1 Peter 4:7May 1 Timothy 2:1-2 be sounded throughout the pulpits in every Western church:
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.
We set our sights on Israel's northern [with Lebanon] and northeastern [with Syria] borders and prayed for the security of that area.
Thank You for the relative quiet along both these borders at this time, yet recognize that all this could change very rapidly, as ask for You to help the IDF to be absolutely prepared.
We are so grateful that You have drawn Hizbullah into the Syrian chaos and are draining that terrorist group financially, physically and dividing it internally. More Lord!
If Israel needs to pre-empt the more than 100,000 rockets and missiles that Iran/Hizbullah has aimed at it from Lebanon, overrule it to be in Your prefect timing and with maximum efficiency (2 Samuel 5:24).
If Israel does pre-empt, remove the fear of man and strengthen it to do only Your will (Proverbs 21:31).
Provide Israel all up-to-date and accurate intelligence information from both Lebanon and Syria.
Protect and us all of Israel's spies and collaborators throughout the Middle East.
Abba, widen the division between many in the Lebanese Shi'ite community and Hizbullah over the death of many of their sons in Syria (Matthew 12:25-26).
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor together, those who magnify themselves over me.
Psalms 35:26Let them all be ashamed and turned back, those who hate Zion.
Psalms 129:5Make the Israeli Navy an impenetrable barrier to Israel's enemies trying to attack from sea.
Make the Israeli Air Force an impenetrable barrier to Israel's enemies trying to attack from the air.
Let the priests, the ministers of YHWH, weep between the porch and the altar, saying, 'Spare Your people, YHWH, and give not Your inheritance to shame, as a proverb among the nations. Why should they say among the gentiles, Where is their God?' Then YHWH will be jealous for His land and pity His people. Yes, YHWH will say to His people, Behold…I will no more make you a curse among the nations. But I will remove the northern army far from you, driving him into a barren and deserted land…His stench and his ill odor shall come up, because he was doing great things. Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice. For YHWH will do great things.
Joel 2:17-21
We are concerned about what will happen the morning after Palestinian President Abbas either resigns or dies. The rise of a much more radical leadership is a real possibility. Yet that could be better for Israel than having another man in a suit and tie deceiving the West that he comes in peace. Remember, our goal in prayer is to see God's Word and His kingdom established on earth as it is already settled in heaven. And He is very clear that dividing His land is not His will (Leviticus 25:23; Joel 3:1-2).
Lord, Abbas is old and most Palestinians want a change. Please rule over this transition.
Raise up Your chosen man – one that makes it easy for Israel to say "No!" to the division of Your land.
Cause the confusion and chaos in the Palestinian Authority to increase – as You see and hear how they curse Your people daily (Genesis 12:3).
Protect all those among the Palestinians who actually do want to live in peace with Israel.
Open up the eyes of more Palestinians to see how utterly wicked their leaders have become – both in Judea and Samaria and in the Gaza Strip.
Lord Yeshua, have mercy on the younger generation who have been spoon-fed hatred for Israel, washed down by anti-Semitism. Yet You can change them (Proverbs 22:6; cp. with 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Lord, You are moving among many Muslims today, revealing Yourself in many ways. Do that with the Palestinians in such a measure that these new believers have a deep, positive impact on their society.
May the Israeli government have exact plans to deal with the day after Abbas.
Do not allow Israel to be caught asleep on this issue.
We prayed for Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu – who finds himself the target of another police investigation. It seems that this happens on a regular basis – but so far none of the charges have stuck.
Lord, You are the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25b). Reveal all wrongdoing.
Abba, may the investigation come to a swift conclusion and may truth be known.
We thank You for the recent diplomatic successes that Netanyahu has accomplished – with Russia, in Africa and with Egypt.
We bless Israel's leader in the name of his Messiah Yeshua (Acts 3:26).
Protect his heart and mind from all attacks of the enemy.
Lord YHWH, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.
(Psalms 140:7)Aid him to delegate and to disciple at least some of the next generation of Israeli leaders.
Continue to allow Your Word to percolate in his heart as he reads it each Shabbat.
So shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do.
(Isaiah 55:11)Give Netanyahu favor with more and more Israelis and with many more world leaders.
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
Much blessings from Zion
The IFI team