1. Praise: The feast of Succoth, Tabernacles, starts tonight and will be celebrated for eight days. The prophetic reading for Shabbat is Zechariah chapter 14.

    • It shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And YHWH shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one YHWH, and His name one.Zech. 14:8-9

    • Thank You Lord that by believing in You, we already have living waters flowing out from inside of us – just as You proclaimed on that last great day of the feast of Succoth in Jerusalem (John 7:37-38).

    • What a joy and a privilege to hail You as our King right now (Luke 19:38)!

    • We praise You for the encouragement that Zechariah 14 gives us to see that the best is yet to come so that it is worth fighting the good fight of faith (Matt. 25:23; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7).

    • No matter what happens – we trust that nothing ever takes You by surprise (Isa. 46:10).

    • What an awe inspiring thought that Your plans for us are from eternity (Jer. 1:5; Eph. 1:11-12).

    • Praise You for Your gracious care of rebellious Israel for 40 years in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:11).

  2. Salvation: 1 John 5:14-15 says that if we pray in line with God's will He will hear and give us what we asked for – of course, in His way and time. We prayed for many Jews to be saved over Yom Kippur, and as we know this request is totally in His will, in faith, we want to thank Him for saving them and pray for them as well.

    • Abba, thank You for all the Jews who received Messiah Yeshua over Yom Kippur (John 13:20b).

    • God, protect these new born-again believers who are now in Your Son's kingdom (Col. 1:12-13).

    • Lord Yeshua, by grace lead them to find their pre-ordain place in Your Body (Eph. 2:10).

    • Help them to grow, giving each one an abiding deep hunger for Your Word (Psa. 19:7-11).

    • Bring mature mentors to each of these new members in our family (2 Tim. 2:2).

    • For any new believers on their death beds, give them a chance to tell someone else (Matt. 10:32).

    • Help any ultra-Orthodox Jews whom You touched by Your Spirit to turn from the words of man – even words of great rabbis – and to seek You in Your Word alone (Jer. 15:16; Mark 7:8-13).

    • Give the Body wisdom, patience and grace in dealing with new believers' old lifestyles which often cling for a time to their new walk with You: gay-backgrounds, drugs, drunkenness, sexual addictions, habitual liars, guilt over abortions, the violent, etc. (1 Cor. 6:11).

    • Fill every member of Your Body – new and old – with Your Holy Spirit daily (Eph. 5:18b).

  3. Government: We are told to pray for our governments, no matter how good or bad they are (1 Tim. 2:1-4), so we prayed for Israel's current chaotic unity government.

    • God, as at creation, send Your Spirit to bring order out of the current political chaos (Gen. 1:2-4).

    • Abba, thank You that despite all the opposition, Bibi Netanyahu is still Israel's leader (Dan. 2:21).

    • Keep him in that position until it is Your orchestrated time for him to move aside (Eccl. 3:1-8).

    • Place a shield on his mind so that he sees only what You are wanting him to see and the attacks from his enemies do not distract him from finishing his ordained course (1 Cor. 9:24).

    • Anoint Israeli government ministers and diplomats who are involved with international relations at this time of chaos and great change. Reveal to them what Israel needs to do (1 Chr. 12:32).

    • In particular, anoint Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi as a vessel for Your glory (Psa. 80:17).

    • Lord, please bring to nothing all plans the Israeli government is working on that do not line up with Your plans for Israel at this time in history (Psa. 33:10-11).

    • Vaccinate Israel's politicians with a healthy dose of the fear of God (Psa. 33:18).

    • Please Lord, make them slow to speak and quick to listen (Prov. 10:19; 17:28; Jam. 1:19).

  4. Covid-19 & society: Israel is in a national lockdown that will likely continue for months. Part of the problem with coronavirus is that it mutates, so it is hard to keep up with its latest form. Another problem is that the balance between health and safety vs. personal freedom is perceived differently by each person and each nation. Finally, no one really knows how to kill this virus and so far, no vaccine has been developed. Regardless of the virus' origin or who is responsible for it, Covid-19 has changed life as we know it, most likely forever. Seeing that, we need to ask how to pray about this as well as seek God for how He is using it for His glory.

    • Lord, lead us in pray as we are travelling in uncharted territory (Psa. 23:3b-4; Amos 3:7).

    • Thank You that Israel's corona-czar, Prof. Gamzu, and PM Netanyahu both apologized to the nation for not being able to effectively deal with this plague so far (2 Chr. 7:14; Psa. 10:12).

    • Lead them to know how to successfully war against this virus starting today (Psa. 23:3b; 32:8).

    • Help the government to have a simple and fair lockdown plan that can be clearly communicated to the nation, so that what is permitted or forbidden becomes reasonable and enforceable (1 Cor. 14:8).

    • Thank You for the government finally regulating protests to a smaller size (Eccl. 8:11).

    • Anoint the police to be able to enforce this justly and consistently (Rom. 13:1-4).

    • May You be the One who determines when and how Israel exits this lockdown (Psa. 124:7-8).

    • Lord, we cry to You to have mercy and deliver Your people (Psa. 107:6, 13, 19, 28; Amos 7:1-6).

    • We thank You for all the medical personnel and hospital staff in Israel (Psa. 110:3).

    • Sustain, encourage and strengthen them for this fight – for Your holy name's sake (Psa. 67:1-7).

    • Yeshua, visit all seriously ill patients who are in induced comas on ventilators and show Yourself.

    • Raise up righteous leaders in all sections of Israeli society to show their people in how to act.

    • Remove the stubborn streak of "I know what's best for me" from many Israelis. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judg. 17:6)

    • Use this crisis to heal all divisions and unite this nation – for Your name's sake (Ezek. 37:21-22).

    • Abba, lead the government know how to deal with all the other crises birthed from this virus crisis: economic, educational, domestic violence, depression and suicides, security, lack of trust in the government, and all other areas that are being magnified today (2 Chr. 1:9-10).

    • Cover all of Israel's children with Your promise in Isaiah 54:13: And all your children shall be taught of YHWH; and great shall be the peace of your children.

    • Provide parents with all the wisdom and patience needed to deal with remote learning (Jam. 1:3-4).

    • Provide all the finances to support those who are struggling economically (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:35).

    • We bless You for all the Christian ministries who are helping Israel in so many ways during this crisis (Isa. 60:10; 61:5) and we bless them in the name of Yeshua our Messiah and Lord (Psa. 134:3).

    • Show believers who erroneously set up "personal freedom" as an idol, that since we are now Your servants, we need keep our eyes on You (Heb. 12:2), and worship You alone (Isa. 37:16).

  5. Peace: The peace agreements with the UAE and Bahrain have ignited hope for further peace treaties between Israel and other Arab and/or Muslim-majority nations. And this is where the danger lies, as Israel should not extend a hand of peace to all other nations in these categories.

    • Show us how to pray in relation to every nation that wants ties with Israel now (Amos 3:7).

    • Lord, forbid "peace" treaties that are land-for-peace or weapons- or money-for-peace (Lev. 25:23).

    • Hold back the US Trump administration from pushing Israel into "peace" accords not in Your will.

    • Thank You for the apparent real peace birthed between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain (Ezek. 36:36).

    • Still, give Israeli diplomats true insight into the reality of the regimes they deal with (Jer. 33:6b).

    • We bless You for using these peace treaties to tear the sheepskin off that ravenous wolf known as the Palestinian Authority [PA] (Psa. 55:21; 140:2).

    • When, God, will the EU, the UN and other entities see the PA's truly evil nature (Psa. 120:6-7)?

    • Confront all the UN Security Council members, especially from the EU, who still insist on a "two-state solution" for Israel and the Palestinians with Jerusalem being a divided capital (Zech. 14:1-4).

  6. Security – internal: Because of those peace treaties, the PA and Hamas in Gaza are furious and have turned from Egypt to seek Turkey and Iran for help. This is very dangerous for Israel although any chance of the PA and Hamas working together is miniscule, as they hate each other.

    • Watch over this verse from Shabbat's prophetic portion: Men shall dwell in it, and there shall no more be utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. (Zech. 14:11) Amen!

    • Lord, show Egyptian leaders that siding with the Palestinians is a waste of time and effort and that at the first disagreement they will stab them in the back, whereas Israel is a true ally (Isa. 19:24).

    • Thwart all terror attacks coming from Judea, Samaria and Gaza against Your people (Jer. 31:10).

    • Strengthen the true church among the Palestinians. Use this little leaven to impact many (Gal. 5:9).

    • For God will save Zion, and will build Judah's cities so that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed also of His servants shall inherit it…Psa. 69:35-36a

  7. Security – external: How can Sunni Turkey and Shi'ite Iran work together when in reality these two major Islamic sects despise each other? Yet hatred for Israel draws together strange bedfellows, as we see when radical left-wing liberals side with radical Muslim groups in the West.

    • Lord Yeshua, spread Your wings of protection over Israel against these two nations (Isa. 31:5).

    • Provide the IDF with all the intelligence it needs to defend this nation (Prov. 21:31; Ezek. 37:10).

    • Shield all of Israel's undercover operatives (Deut. 33:29; Psa. 84:11).

    • Shield all of Israel's cyberwarfare operatives (Psa. 3:3; 119:114).

    • Strengthen the Israeli Navy as it guards all Israeli assets in the Mediterranean Sea (Psa. 44:4-5).

    • We specifically ask You to confound Iran and Turkey, as they truly hate Zion (Psa. 129:5).

    • In line with this Shabbat's prophetic portion, set them fighting against each other (Zech. 14:12-13).

    • You see the arrogance of Iran and Turkey's leaders. Use it to bring them down (Prov. 16:18; 18:12).

    • Stir up, the Iranian, Turkish and Lebanese peoples against their evil leaders (1 Sam. 2:23; Jer. 23:2).

    • At the UN General Assembly, Bibi revealed a dangerous situation Hizbullah has put the Lebanese citizens in. Let the world recall that all exposures he made in the past have proven true (Gal. 4:16).

    • Let what Netanyahu said about Hizbullah's deadly material stored in Beirut neighborhoods push the leaders of Hizbullah into panic-mode, leading them to make major geo-political errors (2 Kin. 6:8-17).

    • May the talks between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by America, on their joint maritime border be successful so as to remove this excuse from Hizbullah's argument on why they need to remain armed.

    • Lord, according to Your Word Your return is at a time of war against Israel. Even so – and with as much mercy as possible – come quickly Lord Yeshua! (Zech. 14:1-5)

  8. US Elections: The results will be literally world-shaking – regardless of who wins. Yet Trump's opponent, Obama's former vice president Joe Biden, has a track record with Israel that is extremely troubling – which becomes more of a concern for America today than for Israel.

    • Lord, we thank You in advance that regardless of what happens, You will still reign (Psa. 103:19).

    • Work behind the scenes so that Your Word is fulfilled (Rev. 17:17).

    • Help American believers to see their nation through a biblical filter, recognizing that its destiny, especially at this time in history, depends on how it deals with Your land and people (Joel 3:1-2).

    • Lord, let the American church see Israel through biblical eyes, and acknowledge it as Your unique, chosen nation – set apart from all the other nations (Num. 23:8-9; Jer. 31:35-37)!

    • We thank You for all that Trump has done to bless and build up this nation (Gen. 12:3; Num. 24:9).

    • By Your mercy, overrule all anarchy and violence that will most likely result from the November 3rd election – regardless of who wins (Psa. 145:8).

    • Speak Psalm 50:15 to our brothers and sisters in America: Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. O God, use the results of this election to glorify You!

  9. Aliyah: Jews are still coming home despite the hassles of international flights and the need to quarantine once they land in Israel. This regathering of His scattered people is one of the surest signs that the return of the King, Messiah Yeshua, the Lion of Judah, is near (Matt. 23:38-39).

    • We thank You for answering prayer and bringing thousands home over the past year (Jer. 31:7-9).

    • Bring those who can still come with their finances so they can help build up this nation (Isa. 60:9).

    • Cut through all the chains holding many of Your people captive in exile in the West (Psa. 85:1).

    • Use the US election's results to break the hold America has on Jews who are exiled there (Jer. 3:18).

    • During Sukkot confront all the Jews who do not even recognize or consider that they are singing Your song while in captivity. How shall we sing YHWH's song in a strange land? (Psa. 137:4)

    • Graciously provide new immigrants with housing, employment and language skills (Jer. 32:41-44).

    • Now that the way is opened, bring the Jews of Bahrain and the UAE to visit Israel and let them fall in love with this – their true biblical homeland (Isa. 62:4-5).

  10. Water: This verse from Shabbat's prophetic portion, confirms that rain is a gift from heaven which our God controls in both pouring out or holding back.

    • It shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up every year to worship the King, YHWH of hosts, and to keep [Succoth]. And whoever will not come up of all the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the King, YHWH of hosts, even on them shall be no rain.Zech. 14:16-17

    • Give Israel another very wet rainy season and may You receive the glory for it (Isa. 41:17-20).

Shabbat shalom, blessings from Zion and hag Sukkot sameach to you all,

For the IFI team