1. Praise: the prophetic portion this Shabbat ends with Isiah 9:6-7. We used that to praise the lord recognizing that He's still in control.

    • For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.Isa 9:6-7

    • We gave Him praise that the government is on His shoulders.

    • Your throne is established in heaven and your kingdom rules over all! (Psa. 103:19)

    • We bless you for watching over Your word to perform it (Jer. 1:12).

    • We confess all authority on heaven and earth belongs to You, Yeshua. (Mat. 28:18)

    • Praise God, His name [essential nature] is a strong tower we can run into! (Prov. 18:10)

    • The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23), Amen!

  2. Elections: Israeli national elections will be held on March 2nd. Yet all polls are showing that we will basically have the same results: the right wing getting more seats but not enough to form a government. In fact, apparently the Israeli elections committee has already designated a date for a fourth election!

    • Lord, have mercy on this nation and bring forth a government that is more in line with Your will than ever before in Israel's modern history (Isa. 46:13).

    • Thank You that ultimately the government is on Your shoulders (Isa. 9:6-7).

    • Abba, may You determine the outcome and not let it rest in the hands of man (Psa. 118:8-9).

    • The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing of it is from YHWH.Prov. 16:33

    • May Your kingdom come and Your will be done in Israel on March 2nd (Luke 11:2).

    • Watch over the weather on election day so that all those who will vote in line with Your will – will be encouraged to vote and all those who would waste heir vote will do something else (Psa. 68:9).

    • Continue to clear out the dross and raise up for Israel with a righteous government (Isa. 1:25-26).

    • Expose all manipulation and bribery, and replace it with Your righteousness (Prov. 14:34).

    • We have confidence that You are at work in Israel's leaders today (Prov. 21:1).

  3. Elections: We prayed for the Israeli Body to pray into these elections.

    • Lord Yeshua, stir up Your Body to see their responsibility to pray into these elections (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

    • May this verse be made alive to many at this time: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)

    • Stir up the elders to teach and preach on the importance of government and the need to pray for it.

    • The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.Jam. 5:16

  4. Government: Israel has had a transitional government for almost a year now. While we are very grateful that during all this time Bibi Netanyahu has been the prime minister, yet everything he does is tainted by the media and the opposition as for his own political gain. Still, this is the government which God has allowed to govern Israel today.

    • We bless You for how well the transitional government has dealt with security threats (Judg. 6:12-16).

    • Continue to release them to deal with Israel's enemies regardless of any political cost.

    • We thank You for the current defense minister, Naftali Bennett (Dan. 2:21).

    • Continue to allow him to make all decisions that are needed regardless of any personal political cost.

    • Give all the current ministers a true heart to serve this people even if their time in office will be brief (2 Chr. 35:3b; Ezek. 48:19).

    • As Bibi reads this week's prophetic portion, let Isaiah 9:6-7 awaken faith in Him in Messiah Yeshua.

    • Lord, we confess over this transitional government: YHWH is exalted, for He dwells on high. He has filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And He will be the security of your times, and strength of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of YHWH is his treasure. (Isa. 33:5-6)

  5. The Palestinians: The Trump "Peace to Prosperity" plan has thrown the Palestinian Authority into total chaos. They have just returned from the UN where they saw that their attempt to condemn the plan in the Security Council received very little support. Also, a recent poll has shown a huge majority of Palestinians refusing to accept the peace proposal, as well as a large majority in favor of a violent uprising against Israel in Judea and Samaria. Israel's security concerns in this area are vital to cover in prayer.

    • Thank You for all of Israel's various security forces (Ezek. 37:10).

    • While we know that ultimately it is You who guards this nation (Jer. 31:10), we often see in Your Word that You guarded Israel by helping Israel's army to defeat its enemies (Isa. 41:10-16).

    • Awaken all Jewish residents ["settlers" in the world's jargon] in Judea and Samaria to be super alert and to live under Your divine protection (Psa. 18:2-3; 140:7).

    • Provide safety and security – especially on the roads – to all who travel.

    • Continue to allow Israel's intelligence gatherings to be supernaturally sharp (Job 12:22; 28:11b).

    • Expose and overthrow all of the enemies' plans against Your people (Psa. 33:10-12).

    • Restrain Israelis from striking out at Arab villages or farms in what is known as "price-tag" attacks.

    • Expose all deception when Palestinians or the anti-Israel left wing NGO's commit destruction of trees or property and blame it on the settlers (Deut. 33:29).

    • Lord, help Israel to deal with this exact situation as expressed in Your Word: I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (Psa. 120:7)

    • Thank You for preventing all successful kidnapping attempts in recent years. Please continue to watch over us about this crucial threat area (Psa. 121:4).

    • Aid the Israeli security forces to be ready if another intifada – an uprising – is called for (Psa. 68:1, 30b).

    • Lord, watch over this word: And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that YHWH fought against the enemies of Israel. (2 Chr. 20:29)

  6. The UN Human Rights Committee has historically been very anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. They have just issued a list of 112 companies they want the world to boycott just because they do business with Jews living in the biblical heartland of Judea, Samaria and East [biblical] Jerusalem! Most of these businesses are Israeli run, but some are from the US, UK and other nations.

    • Lord, where is the outcry from the world – especially from Germany and other nations – warning that this is exactly what the Nazis did in the 1930s which led to the Holocaust?

    • Wake up the Church to see how wicked and unjust this is and to take an open, vocal stand for the people and nation into which we are grafted (Ezek. 33:6-7; Rom. 11:18).

    • We do thank You for the heart intent of the UNHRC being exposed for all to see (Psa. 109:3-5).

    • We ask for the profits of these 112 companies to be greatly increased as one of the ways in which You arise and respond to this demonic decree (Num. 24:9b).

    • As these companies employ thousands of Palestinians, let a cry against this decree arise from them.

    • Let Israel's response be to annex more of Judea and Samaria as soon as possible (Obad. 1:17-18).

  7. IDF: The IDF has just come out with its five year plan to prepare to defend this nation both now and into the future. Called Tnufa, or Momentum, this is a reorganizing of several areas and the addition and removal of some divisions. There will be increased links between the various arms of the IDF as well as a new Iran Command concentrating specifically on the threat emanating from the Islamic Republic. This plan tries to look up to 30 years in the future; what will Israel need to defend itself against an increasing technological threat from its enemies, as well as more accurate missiles, etc.

    • Thank You Lord for IDF Chief of Staff Kochavi who plans on how to fight the wars of the future and is not just trying to defend this nation by what happened in past wars. This is a specific answer to pray and we give You the glory for raising this man up at just this time (Psa. 50:15).

    • Lord Yeshua, You who are the Commander of heaven's armies (Josh. 5:13-15), please add to this plan anything that is missing and remove from it all that is not of You (Psa. 41:2).

    • Continue to lead Kochavi in his every move (Prov. 16:9).

    • If believers are involved in the making of this plan or in its out-workings, give them words of wisdom and knowledge so that others take notice that there is something different about them (1 Cor. 12:8).

    • Lord, please handpick the person who should lead the Iran Command (Psa. 75:6-7).

    • Give discernment to the IDF commanders to see what is urgent and what is important (1 Kin. 3:9).

    • Abba, even in this time of only having a temporary budget, we ask You to provide all the finances that are needed to see Momentum come to pass (Hag. 2:8).

    • May the next prime minister and defense minister work in one accord with Kochavi (Psa. 133:1).

    • Prepare the next generation of IDF soldiers who will be entering the army this year (Deut. 20:1-4).

  8. Various: There were several issues we touched briefly in prayer.

    • Water: The Sea of Galilee, the Kinnert, is almost full. Report on this in the Times of Israel internet based newspaper, this Israeli product added in its subheading, that this lake is where Jesus walked on the water. It was written as if everyone knows this is true. Hallelujah!

      • Lord, thank You for how much water You have poured out on the Kinnert this season (Psa. 147:7-8).

      • We still need 1.2 meters to be fully full. We ask for that before the summer season comes (Zech. 10:1).

      • Yeshua, thank You for the proclamation that You walked on that sea (Matt. 14:25). Lord, please walk in the Galilee again and reveal Yourself to many (Isa. 9:1-2).

    • Coronavirus: There are true and false reports about this virus and the spirit of fear and panic are spreading. As believers and as the restored nation of God, we must not give into this.

      • Lord, please protect Your Body, especially in China, from this plague (Psa. 91:1-13).

      • Give the Chinese Body wisdom to know what You are saying and then lead them in pray (Rom. 8:26).

      • Let the gifts of healing flow through our Chinese brothers and sisters (1 Cor. 12:9, 28).

      • Bring comfort and hope to all those who have lost loved ones. Draw them to Yourself (2 Cor. 1:3-6).

      • Protect Israel from having this virus invade it. For YHWH is our shield; yea, our King is the Holy One of Israel. (Psa. 89:18)

      • Give Israeli scientists wisdom to come up with a cure (Psa. 107:20).

      • Pour out Your wisdom on us to know how to pray and how to live in these "exciting" days (Jam. 1:5-8).

    • A locust invasion: Billions of locust are eating their way through northeast Africa and the famine and deaths that will most likely follow are of biblical proportions.

      • Lord, have mercy (Hab. 3:2).

      • If You are saying something, please show us and lead us in prayer (Amos 3:7).

      • As they descend on various nations, cause the people look to You and cast away all their false gods and idols (Psa. 121:1-2; Joel 2:25).

      • Please protect Your nation from this plague of locust descending in it (Ex. 8:22; 9:26).

  9. Anti-Semitism & aliyah: This is one of our major burdens, which we constantly carry into the throne room, pleading with God to release His people from exile and to bring them home.

    • Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Heb. 4:16

    • Lord, use the rise in anti-Semitism to stir up the Jews to come home (Jer. 16:16).

    • Lord, use the rise of anti-Semitism to stir up Your Church to see the signs of the times (Mark 13:33).

    • Then let them hear You guide them to help carry and pay for the Jews to return (Isa. 49:22; 60:3-11.

    • Continue to provide all the needs of organizations – like Ebenezer and Nefesh b'Nefesh – who are doing a great work in making a way for Jewish people to return (Isa. 61:4-5).

    • Move on the Jewish Agency to concentrate on aliyah and not to waste time and money in reestablishing Jewish communities in exile (Ezek. 39:27-29).

    • Abba, draw through Your covenant love all the young Jews who have visited this land via Birthright and other programs (Jer. 31:3).

    • Encourage new immigrants [olim]to talk to their families about coming home.

    • Help the olim with an ability to learn Hebrew quickly and painlessly.

    • We again ask that the next government will open wide doors for the return of all of Jews (Isa. 62:10).

    • Make the next government willing to do whatever is needed to help the new olim to be rooted, grounded and fruitful in Israel. He shall cause those who come from Jacob to take root; Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. (Isa. 27:6)

This past week, Chuck Cohen was interviewed on radio specifically about US President Trump's peace deal and his thoughts about this deal as a Messianic Jew. Here is the link for this 20 minute interview.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

The IFI team