Note: The IFI website now has live links for the biblical references on all English prayer alerts and teachings. Hold your pointer/mouse over the reference and the whole verse should appear.

  1. Praise: The Torah portion read on Shabbat includes Genesis 22 – the sacrifice of Isaac. The prophetic portion recounts the raising of the widow's son by Elijah (1 Kin. 17:17-24). The parallel seen in these passages is clarified in Hebrews 11:17-19. By faith Abraham, when tested, offered up Isaac… concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. Our praise this morning was for the truth of the resurrection.

    • Without the resurrection, the cross would have been a defeat. Hallelujah, there is a risen Savior (Luke 24:5-6).

    • We praise You that in conquering death you have removed its sting (1 Cor. 15:55-57).

    • Thank You that through Your resurrection we have hope beyond this life. If in this life only we have hope in Messiah, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Messiah is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Cor. 15:19-20)

    • As You have said, we take comfort in these things (1 Thess. 5:9-11)

    • Even Job believed he would actually see You (Job 19:25-27). We also believe and are blessed (John 20:29).

  2. Security - Gaza: Hundreds of rockets have been fired into Israel by the Iranian proxy in Gaza – the Palestinian Islamic Jihad [PIJ] terrorist group. Earlier this week Israel assassinated its leader Abu al-Ata who was responsible for attacks against it and its citizens and was planning even more. He had been warned to stop, including by Israel and Egypt. As of now, there is a "ceasefire" – yet rockets were fired yesterday and the IAF responded, attacking PIJ sites last night. This fire/ceasefire situation angers many Israelis who want Gaza's terrorists to be dealt with once and for all. Yet reality is not that simple: when one sees Iran behind the threats surrounding this nation, then Israel must deal with each situation with wisdom and restraint until it is ready to attack and destroy Iran's regime itself.

    1. We first prayed for the people and their frustration.

      • Thank You that while over 300 rockets were fired at Israel – not one Israeli was killed (Psa. 121:4).

      • Lord, schools were shut in many areas of Israel and businesses were closed. Please provide for all that the enemy is trying to steal from Your people (Deut. 23:5).

      • Many Israelis are feeling betrayed by the government. Use this to turn their eyes to You who will never forsake them (Mal. 3:6).

      • Open the minds of more Israelis to see the bigger picture re: Iran and its threats.

      • We ask for the communities near Gaza that You would comfort them in the deadly situation that they have had to endure for more than a year so far (Psa. 119:50, 76).

      • Lord, Israel is trapped – as whatever it does has negative consequences, so we pray from Psalm 124:1-8 to You: Except it was YHWH who was for us, may Israel say; Except it was YHWH who was for us when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; the waters would have flowed over us, the torrent would have gone over our soul; …Blessed is YHWH, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. 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, Maker of heaven and earth.

      • Remind Your people of Psalm 23:4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

      • Give Your angels a charge to protect them in all their ways (Psa. 91:11-12).

      • Anoint and use the Body of Messiah there to be sources of light, truth and comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

    2. We asked God to show the government and the IDF His plans and His timing in dealing with Gaza.

      • Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing. And those who fight with you shall perish. You shall seek them, and shall not find them; men warring against you shall be as nothing, and as ceasing.Isa. 41:11-12

      • Thank You that about half the Palestinians killed in IDF retaliatory strikes were terrorists (Gen. 9:6).

      • Keep the soldiers in the Gaza area alert and clear as to their orders (Psa. 144:1).

      • Continue to prevent all successful kidnappings (Psa.140:7).

      • Impart Your wisdom and strategy to know how to ultimately retake Gaza (Zeph. 2:4-7).

      • Thank You that Israel still has Bibi Netanyahu as its prime minister and that he is still focused on protecting Your nation from all of its enemies (Psa. 80:17).

      • Now that Naftali Bennett is the new defense minister, use this new role to give him a more complete picture and to mature him (Prov. 16:9).

      • Bring Netanyahu, Bennett, the IDF Chief of Staff Kochavi and the IDF's Southern Commander Halevi into a godly unity to know what to do and how to defeat Gaza's terrorists (Psa. 133:1).

      • Lord, expose the way that these terrorists are obtaining their rockets and weapons (Psa. 139:11-12).

  3. Security – Judea & Samaria: While these regions are Israel's biblical homeland, today the Palestinian Authority rules over those areas in which most of the Palestinians live. Their rule is wicked and many Arabs would love to come back under Israel's rule – but it is very dangerous to openly express any ideas that are against PA President Abbas or his tyrannical regime. Yet there are possibilities that with new elections or with Abbas' death, the whole area could descend into chaos, and that means attacks on Jewish communities become more likely.

    • Lord God, give the IDF clear understanding of what is going on and wisdom to know how to prepare for what is coming (Prov. 21:31).

    • Enable the settlers also to be prepared (Psa. 18:34).

    • We ask You for accurate information for the IDF concerning this situation.

    • May they also have wisdom to know what to react to and when to stand back (Prov. 26:17)

    • Abba, thank You that the population in the biblical heartland is growing. Increase this growth for the sake of Your holy name (Ezek. 36:8-12, 32)

    • Protect the scattered communities of Judea and Samaria (Jer. 31:10).

    • Increase their recognition of and response to danger (Isa. 30:17)

    • Bless and protect those Palestinians who support Israel (Gen. 12:3a).

  4. Security – Iran: The current Shi'ite Iranian regime is the most dangerous entity in the Middle East and a direct threat to Israel's existence. This is exactly what Netanyahu has been warning the world about since his time as Israel's UN Ambassador in the late 1980s.

    • In Your timing may the Iranian regime is dealt a fatal blow – preferably by You (Ex. 14:13-14).

    • Yet if You will use Israel as Your battle-axe and weapon of war (Jer. 51:20), then please guide it in such a way that You will receive the glory.

    • Break the Shi'ite Crescent – this the bow of Elam (Jer. 49:35) – that Iran is trying to establish from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

    • Use the street demonstrations in Lebanon and Iraq to loosen the grip of Iran in these nations.

    • Protect all of Israel's spies and collaborators throughout the Middle East (Josh. 2:4).

    • Reveal to them accurate actionable intelligence and then aid them to pass this on to the Israelis who need to make the security decisions based on this information.

    • Abba, please continue to dry up Iran's economy (Job 15:29-35).

    • Prevent them from financing terror groups surrounding Israel and throughout the world (Isa. 42:15).

    • If EU nations continue with their economic support of the Iranian regime, touch the EU's economy so that they no longer have finances to aid those who curse and threaten Israel (Num. 24:9b).

    • Thank You for setting Your throne in Iran through the miraculous growth of the Iranian Church (Jer. 49:38a). More Lord!

    • Messiah Yeshua, forbid that any spirits of anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism or replacement theology from taking root in the hearts and minds of our Iranian brothers and sisters (Matt. 16:18).

  5. Politics: Blue & White's leader Benny Gantz has until next Wednesday to form a government otherwise Israel could be facing a third election in less than a year. Still we have not received a clear word from God as to His will. So we continue to pray in line with that which is clearly His will – for a government through whom He can be glorified (Psa. 115:1-3).

    • Lord, what are You saying to us in this unbelievable situation that Israel finds itself in (Rom. 8:26)?

    • Regardless of what we do not see or know, we trust in You: Trust in YHWH with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. (Prov. 3:5) Amen!

    • Thank You that although Israel has only had a temporary government since the spring, that that government is led by Bibi Netanyahu!

    • Show us the one whom You have appointed to replace Bibi when his time is over (Amos 3:7).

    • Please impart Your wisdom to Israel's President Rivlin who will need to make a decision as to what the next step should be if Gantz cannot form a government by mid next week (Prov. 21:1).

    • Do not allow a government to be formed that depends on the anti-Zionist Arab parties (Neh. 2:20).

    • Forbid any government over Israel that will further divide Your land (Lev. 25:23; Joel 3:1-2).

    • Give Israel a government with a real heart for aliyah – the ingathering of the Jews (Psa. 147:2).

    • Raise up Israeli politicians who desire to do what is best for this nation – and not for themselves (2 Chr. 35:3; Jer. 23:3-4).

    • We ask that You would block Avigdor Liberman from being part of the new government.

  6. Aliyah & anti-Semitism: Reports of overt anti-Semitic activity have increased exponentially over the last year. Events that would have been unthinkable a year ago are now commonplace. We believe God is allowing this terrible situation in order to bring His people home.

    • Do not be silent in the face of this increased of anti-Semitism, which is fundamentally a hatred of You and Your people (Psa. 83:1-4).

    • As You are releasing the hunters (Jer. 16:16), make them as effective as possible yet have as much mercy on Your exiled people as possible as well (Jam. 2:13).

    • Reach into Jewish communities still in captivity and bring home their key leaders (Eccl, 3:3-8).

    • Speak clearly so that many Jews in exile hear You say now is the time to return (Psa. 95:7b-11).

    • Make aliyah and integration of the new immigrants a priority in the new government (Isa. 62:10).

    • Bless and provide for all organizations, both Jewish and Christian, that help the aliyah (Isa. 49:22).

    • When YHWH brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, 'YHWH has done great things for them'. YHWH has done great things for us, and we are glad.Psa. 126:1-3

  7. Church: There is a deep need in the church worldwide to understand that all New Testament doctrine is based on the truths of the Old Testament – the Tanach. The New Testament, without the Tanach, lacks a doctrinal foundation. Our prayer was for the Body of Messiah to embrace the whole Bible as God's Word.

    • Thank You for the growth of the body of Messiah throughout the world – especially in what is known as the Third World nations (Psa. 22:27).

    • Take off believers the veil on their eyes, and let them see the need of the whole Word (Matt. 22:29).

    • Show them that they cannot be New Testament believers if they do not believe the Tanach. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how shall you believe My Words? (John 5:46-47)

    • Help our brothers and sisters to know, All Scripture [the Tanach when Paul was writing] is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16).

    • Tear down the wall of separation between the Tanach and New Testament and restore Your Body to so that it can feast on the whole Word of God (Jer. 15:16).

Finally, we are forecast for rain this weekend. While we are grateful for the rain that we enjoyed last month, we need more. Please ask God to open the heavens over exactly the right areas in this land.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

The IFI team