1. Praise: Israel celebrates Shavuot today. Rabbinic Judaism teaches that Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Sinai on this day. It is also on this feast of the Lord that the Holy Spirit fell on and filled the first Messianic Jewish believers (Acts 2:4). Because of this confluence of events, both Israel and the Church celebrate their birthdays on the same day!

    • Lord, we thank and praise You for Your Word (Psa. 119:16, 42, 50, 65, 89, 103, 105, 130, 140).

    • Bless You Lord Yeshua, for pouring out the gift of the Holy Spirit on Your Body (Acts 2:38, 10:45).

    • What a joy it is that as born-again believers we always have both available to us (Matt. 28:20b).

    • Thank You that on Shavuot Jewish people read the book of Ruth, the story of a gentile blessing her Jewish mother-in-law, and then being blessed in return by becoming a foremother of both David and Yeshua (Ruth 4:13-22; Matt. 1:5)

    • Lord, we praise You for teaching us that it is biblically expected that we should always persistently pray, and to not give up (1 Sam. 12:23a; Luke 18:1).

    • Bless You for giving us grace to intercede for Israel – even if much of the time we pray about the same things again and again. Yet as it is all for Your holy name's sake, it is not in vain (Col. 3:17, 23).

    • We thank You for the power and joy of corporate prayer (Luke 11:2 [Our Father]; Acts 1:14).

  2. PM Bibi Netanyahu's indictment case: This trial, which started this past Sunday, has been headlines news. It is driven by the left-wing, the media, and a "we-want-to-be-a-nation-like-all-the-other-nations" attitude that is dangerous to this nation whom God has called as His special treasured possession, and to not be a nation like any other nation. Yet with all of media coverage and giving of mostly anti-Bibi opinions, still we want the truth about these accusations to be revealed.

    • Lord, as this trial could go on for years, please lead us in prayer (Luke 11:1).

    • Only You can prevent this from causing a deeper rift in this nation. Abba, do just that (Jer. 32:17).

    • Miraculously cause this trial to come to a swift and truthful conclusion (Jer. 32:27).

    • Lord, we pray for the three judges in this trial: Rebecca Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am and Oded Shaham. Prevent them from seeing themselves as little gods (Duet. 1:16; 16:18).

    • Pour out the fear of God on them and lead them to a righteous decision (Isa. 1:26).

    • As much as possible, block all outside manipulation from interfering with this case (Num. 23:23).

    • Prevent Israel from moving into a "famine"-like state as when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1a).

    • You sit as King (Psa. 103:19), and we ask You to overrule all involved in this case: Bibi, the judges, the prosecution and defense teams, the witnesses and the media coverage (1 Chr. 29:11-12).

    • Lord, convince Netanyahu that since he proclaims himself innocent, he can let You defend him while he runs the nation as its prime minister (Psa. 43:1; Lam. 3:58).

    • Instead of Bibi constantly defending himself, let the reality of the deep division this situation has caused in Israel grieve him deeply – and enable him to express that publically (Jer. 10:19; Lam. 3:32).

    • By Your Spirit, bring Bibi Netanyahu into a saving faith in Messiah Yeshua (John 16:8-9).

  3. Annexation: To extend Israeli sovereignty or not to extend? This is the question for this unity government. We are asking God for Israel to have the courage to extend it sovereignty over another 30% of Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley, all areas which He has sworn to give to His nation.

    • Make this government hear Moses' words to Joshua: Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land which YHWH has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. (Deut. 31:7b)

    • Abba, Bibi repeatedly said he would do this during the election. Hold him to his promise (Psa. 15:4).

    • Remove the fear of man and of the nations from Israel's decision (Psa. 118:6-7; Prov. 29:25).

    • Replace that with the fear of God which will embolden Israel's leaders to just do it (Deut. 10:12)!

    • Impress on Israeli leaders the need to do this as soon as possible (Psa. 95:7b-8).

    • For all Israeli politicians who are not sure about this – speak to them at this time (Prov. 21:1).

    • Lord, show the settler leaders who are against this plan the lessons of biblical and modern history – that You give the land to Israel a little at a time (Ex. 23:29-30; Deut. 7:22; May 1948; June 1967).

    • Expose the international lie that this will end any possible "peace" with the Palestinians, as Arabs in these areas have shown for over 100 years that they are not interested in peace (Jer. 6:14; 8:11).

    • Shut the mouths of Western nations, especially when they see that most Arab nations are not nearly as upset with this Israeli move as they appear to be. [A report this week said that behind closed doors most Arab nations are actually for this move and are sick and tired of Palestinian intransigence!]

    • Reveal that Israel extending sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria is legal – as this area was promised to the Jewish people by the allied nations at the San Remo conference 100 years ago.

    • Anoint Israeli ambassadors with all they need to defend this extension of sovereignty (Prov. 13:17).

    • Arise against those few Arab nations and groups who are seriously threatening Israel (Psa. 35:1).

    • Warn all nations who strive to keep Your land divided that they are heading into a time of intense judgment leading to destruction if they continue this resistance to Your revealed will (Joel 3:1-2).

    • Wake up the Church in all these nations to see that either they are part of the solution by standing in the gap and pleading for mercy on their homelands, or they are the problem (Ezek. 22:31-32).

    • Wake up the Jews in exile to support this – for the sake of their descendants (Jer. 31:16-17).

  4. Israel's recovery: Is Israel moving too quickly out of Coronavirus lockdown – or is it just the right speed? Looking back we will know, and prayers help by asking God to intervene today.

    • We thank You for the very low death rate of Israelis who were sick with the virus (Psa. 91:3, 6).

    • Lord, please give the responsible Knesset Members wisdom, discernment and revelation (Ex. 31:3).

    • We again ask for very clear communication from the government to the people (Neh. 8:7).

    • Let a cautious spirit come on Your people to not just rush back into "normal" lives (Luke 21:19).

    • If there is a lesson for Israel and Your Body to learn from all of this, show us (Prov. 8:33; 19:20)

    • Bless Health Minister Yuli Edelstein with great wisdom in this – his new role (Prov. 2:2, 6-7).

    • Surround him with wise and godly counselors (Psa. 1:1; Prov. 11:14).

    • We ask the same for Yisrael Katz in his new role as Finance Minister (Job 38:36).

    • It irks many Israelis when the ultra-Orthodox break the rules of social distancing and the number of people permitted at events. Let their Rabbis hear You who through Moses said we need to choose life! I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live: (Deut. 30:19)

    • Guide Israel as it revisits its relations with China, in part because of the coronavirus (Psa. 33:10-11).

  5. Aliyah, anti-Semitism & Covid-19: Now is the time to make aliyah. God has released hunters who are riding on anti-Semitism, Covid-19 and economic shakings to chase His people home (Jer. 16:16). Yet if they refuse to come what will He release next? This is not a minor issue in the Kingdom of God since aliyah is intimately tied in with His glory. And His glory, the sanctification of His name, was the very first thing that Messiah Yeshua taught us to pray about (Matt. 6:9)!

    • Fear not, for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give up', and to the south, 'Keep not back. Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth; even everyone that is called by My name, for I have created him for My glory. I have formed him; yes, I have made him…This people have I formed for Myself. They shall show forth My praise.Isa. 43:5-7, 21

    • Since the Jewish people's return is for Your holy name's sake, we ask that whatever it takes – with as much mercy as possible – draw Your captive people back home (Ezek. 36:23-24).

    • Thank You for the new ministers in many of the Israeli ministries related to aliyah, with a heart to help Your people return.

    • Allow their love of aliyah permeate into all areas of the new government (Gal. 5:9).

    • God of Israel, please provide all the finances they need (Psa. 50:10-11; Hag. 2:8).

    • Teach the worldwide Church of their spiritual obligation to help finance the aliyah (Rom. 15:27).

    • Thus says the Lord YHWH, Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentiles, and set up My standard to the people: and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. (Isa. 49:22) Lord, You must be speaking to the gentile members of Messiah's Body as they are the only group in all history who would even be looking for the hand of Israel's God!

    • Let unsaved Jews realize that today it is safer for them at home than in the nations (Jer. 31:10).

    • Use the corona plague to help Jews who are afraid to return to overcome their fears (Jer. 51:8-10).

    • Place a huge burden for aliyah on every Israeli embassy worldwide (Prov. 13:17; 25:13).

    • Provide all necessary proofs of Jewishness to everyone who wants to return (1 Chr. 9:1; Neh. 7:5).

  6. Security – the IDF: What a miracle it is to see the reality of the IDF as an "exceedingly great army" defending this nation today (Ezek. 37:10).

    • Fear not, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel; I will help you says YHWH, Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I will make you a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth. You shall thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and make the hills as chaff…and the stormy winds shall scatter them, and you shall rejoice in YHWH, and glory in the Holy One of Israel.Isa. 41:14-16

    • Thank You God for protecting us by making the IDF a "new sharp threshing instrument".

    • Continue to increase the success of Israel's security forces to gather accurate, actionable intelligence.

    • For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all their goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. (Job 34:21-22) Amen!

    • We trust in You to protect Your nation, yet since You have said that You will do this through Israel's armies, we ask You to supply all that is lacking in finances, manpower, weapons, etc. (Mic. 4:11-13).

    • Strengthen the weak hands, and the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance…He will come and save you'.Isaiah 35:3-4

  7. Security – internal: With the Covid-19 lockdown being lifted and the talk of Israel annexing more land, there is a definite increase in terrorism in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem – including incendiary balloons from Gaza.

    • Father, is it not time to set the Palestinians free from their evil, very wealthy, leaders (Psa. 6:3)?

    • Lord, security "experts" tell Israel that if it annexes more land, violence will increase. Forbid this from being a hindrance because as long as Jews live in this land violence increases (Psa. 11:5).

    • The God of my Rock, in Him will I trust. He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, my refuge, and my savior. You save me from violence.2 Sam. 22:3

    • Provide protection for all who live in these hotspot areas (Psa. 121:4).

    • For the survivors of terrorist attacks, heal their trauma and lift their eyes to You (Psa. 6:2).

  8. Security – Iran: Recently Iran's Supreme leader published on social media his goal of a "final solution" to the Jewish problem. When confronted he stammered that he did not mean the Jews – only the Jewish nation-state of Israel, that is "the Zionist entity." Also, Iran has just passed a law forbidding the use of any and all Israeli technology.

    • Father, is it not time to set the Iranians free from their evil, and very wealthy, leaders (Jer. 49:38b)?

    • Lord, show these anti-Semitic leaders that bits of Israeli technology is in every high tech piece of equipment they have: their computers, smart phones, TVs, modern cars, and probably their advanced weapons systems. Then let them obey what they just legislated and not use any of it (Job 8:22; Psa. 83:1-5, 16-18; 109:29)!

  9. The Church: This Shavuot season is a wonderful time to intercede for the Church to be restored to its true roots.

    • Boast not against the branches [the Jews]. But if you boast, know that you do not bear the root, but the root [God's promises to Israel in the Old Testament – the Tanach] – bears you.Rom. 11:18

    • Lord, impart to Your Body a holistic understanding of Your Word (Luke 16:31; John 5:46-47).

    • Messiah Yeshua, open Your people's eyes to see that You interpreted Tanach prophecies literally – as opposed to how so much of the modern church allegorizes or spiritualizes them (John 13:18; 15:25; 17:12; 19:28).

    • Confront Your Church with these truths: the Tanach is still the Word of God today and prophecies are expected to be fulfilled literally (Psa. 119:89, 152; Isa. 40:8; Matt. 5:18; 24:35).

    • Protect all ex-Muslim believers from the curse of replacement theory (Gen. 27:29; Num. 24:9b).

    • Send a deep hunger for Your Word on the Body so that they cry to You, Your words were found, and I did eat them; and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart – for I am called by Your name, O YHWH God of hosts. (Jer. 15:16)

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion
For the IFI team