1. We begin with reading from Hosea 2 which is one of the portions read in synagogues this week. Hosea is speaking of his straying wife.

   • Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths.  She shall pursue her lovers, but not overtake them, and she shall seek them, but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better with me then than now.’Hosea 2:6-7

   • Therefore, I will now allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.  From there I will give her her vineyards,  and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she shall respond as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.Hosea 2:14-15

   • Thank You, Lord, for Your unfailing love and unending faithfulness.

   • We are grateful that You know the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10)

   • Bless You that You know how to draw us back from wrong paths. With Your rod and Your staff You direct us gently. (Psalm 23:4)

   • You never slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)

   • We are humbled by the fact that You have betrothed us to You forever. (Hosea 2:19-20)

   • You are the door of hope. (Hosea 2:15)

   • Your word never changes. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths. (Psalm 119:105)

2. Salvation for Israel - The feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) begins tomorrow evening. It is a profound season for both Jews and the wider body of Christ. It is a time of revelation, when Jews remember the giving of the Torah, and the body of Christ remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is one of the three festivals in scripture when Jewish men were commanded to go up to Jerusalem. (Deuteronomy 16:16)

   • As we have passed through a difficult week, with the end of Ramadan, the failure of the coalition negotiations, and the Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, may You use this time to reveal Yourself and meet with Your people.

   • Pour out Your Spirit of revelation on Your people.

   • For he gives the Spirit without measure.John 3:34

   • May the wind and rain of Your Spirit cleanse Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

   • We desire a time of renewing and refreshing in You. May those who do not turn to You for satisfaction find an emptiness in themselves that cannot be filled in any other way.

   • Father, draw them to Yourself.

   • No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me.John 6:44

3. Syrian border - Over the last week we have twice had missiles aimed toward Israel from within Syria. While they were not effective, it is an indication of the desire of Iranian forces working in Syria to test their capabilities against us. Reports indicate that there has been a response from the Israeli Air Force.

   • Lord of Hosts, our prayer is that our leadership, both military and political, will know how to respond and have the decisiveness to act when needed. (1 Chronicles 12:32)

   • We ask You for physical security on that border and over our soldiers.

   • So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.Isaiah 59:19

   • Frustrate any plans for evil that are being planned. Reveal them to Israel. (Psalm 64:6-9)

   • Bless those who collect intelligence for Israel. Keep them hidden and give them accurate information. (Psalm 64:2)

   • May we receive accurate and precise information about Iranian bases in Syria. (Psalm 7:14-16)

   • Protect our soldiers who are guarding on that border. Shield them in the heat and give them rest at night. Preserve them from fear of the enemy. (Psalm 64:1)

   • Preserve our Israeli Air Force pilots who are flying missions in and out of Syria. (Psalm 121:8)

4. Iran - Iran remains an implacable enemy of Israel, dedicated to our destruction. Reports suggest that they could possibly be 6-8 months away from development of a nuclear weapon. Externally, they continue to aggressively pursue a policy of funding and directing terrorist groups. Internally, the nation struggles with famine and a weakening economy.

   • Those who align themselves against Israel align themselves against you. (Psalm 2:2-5)

   • You have said that You have set Yourself against Elam to set You throne there. (Jeremiah 49:38) We hear that the church in Iran is one of the fastest growing bodies in the world. Use Your body in Iran to intercede on their behalf and give them Your prayers.

   • Protect Your body in Iran.

   • Show Yourself to be the Most High God and cause many in this nation to turn to You. (Psalm 83:16-18)

5. Samaria - Wildfires have been raging in Samaria since Wednesday. It is thought that arson has been involved in the setting of these fires.

   • Bring in the firefighters that are needed to control and put out these fires. Protect them and local residents in safety.

   • Encourage those who have lost property and crops. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

   • You are just and righteous. May the instigators be caught and brought to justice.

   • You, O Lord are [uncompromisingly] righteous and consistently just when I plead my case with You, yet let me discuss issues of justice with You.Jeremiah 12:1

   • Preserve us from copy-cat crimes.

   • You love this land and have returned us to it. Have mercy on it and us (Isaiah 62:4)

   • Use these events to turn hearts to Yourself. (Psalm 81:11-14)

6. Gaza - In spite of the cease fire agreement that is unofficially in place, Friday demonstrations on the Gaza border continue, along with the use of incendiary devices that are launched into Israel across the border.

   • We ask for Your protection for our soldiers and the residents of the Gaza communities. Bless them this Shabbat and Shavuot with rest and the ability to rejoice in You. (Matthew 11:28)

   • May the Gazans become disillusioned with their leadership, especially the young people. Cause them to rise up against their oppressors.

   • Dry up the funding that pays for the ongoing demonstrations. (Jeremiah 51:36)

   • Bless the believers in Gaza. Strengthen them and help them to stand strong and grow in You.

7. Elections - The failure of the coalition negotiations has resulted in a move to new elections on September 17th. The new campaign has already begun with a great deal of mudslinging and character assassination. Issues are not always clear. And the Israeli electorate is becoming tired and cynical about the process.

   • Show us how to pray. (Luke 11:1)

   • Work in the hearts of those who need Your work. Where there has been pride at the core of the problem, do a miracle.

   • Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.Proverbs 16:18

   • Give us, in mercy, the government that we need, not the government that we deserve.

   • We ask You for a government that reflects Your purity, righteousness and justice, not a religious spirit. (Isaiah 9:7)

   • In their disillusionment, may Israelis turn to You. (Psalm 34:18) (Psalm 51:10)

8. Benjamin Netanyahu - Since the failure to form a coalition, it has appeared that Netanyahu was prepared to make a number of promises that were not consistent with previous behavior in order to win allies.

   • Bring him to his knees before You. (James 4:10) May he humble himself before You so that You can lift him up.

   • Provide him with counselors and an ear to hear them. (Proverbs 11:14)

   • May he turn to You with all his heart and look to the foundations. (Proverbs 21:1)

   • Remind him that unless You build the house, the builder labors in vain. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

9. IFI leadership - Elihayu and Chuck are currently in Scotland ministering at the conference in Blairmore.

   • Abba, refresh them and give them the rest that they need. (Psalm 3:5)

   • Anoint them afresh for this season.

   • Give Your prayers to those at the conference, to be offered back to You as incense.

Shabbat Shalom from the IFI team. May the Lord bless you from Zion.