1. Praise: As we near the end of 2020, we can praise God for bringing us into His kingdom at this time in history – to witness a resurrected and prosperous Israel and also a move of the gospel throughout most of the earth (other than in most of the West, which is where we see the headquarters of replacement theology)!

    • Even in these uncertain and confusing times, we praise You (Hab. 3:17-19; 1 Thess. 5:18).

    • We rest in the truth that regardless of what happens – our God reigns (Psa. 99:1; 103:19).

    • We bless You for answering the 2,000 year old prayer of Your saints and working out Your will on earth today as it is already settled in heaven (Psa. 119:89-90; Luke 11:2).

    • Thank You for the reality of Your promise that You do rescue us from our troubles (Psa. 107:13).

    • We so often experience that Your grace is sufficient for all we need (2 Cor. 12:9). Thank You.

    • What a blessing is Your Word which is a true and faithful light in our lives (Psa. 119:130).

    • During this Chanukah season of light, what a joy it is to see Israel as a nation growing, being protected and becoming a light to many other nations (Isa. 60:1). May You receive all the glory!

    • Blessed be YHWH God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things, and blessed be His glorious name forever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen.Psa. 72:18-19

  2. Salvation & Chanukah: We continue to ask Messiah Yeshua to save many Jews at this time.

    • For with You is the fountain of life: in Your light we shall see light. (Psa. 36:9) Amen!

    • As we have seen the light increase every night during this festival, may the light of the revelation of the Messiah shine more brightly every night from now until He returns (Psa. 18:28; John 1:4-5).

    • Thank You for using the internet to spread the good news of Messiah in Israel (Psa. 126:1-6).

    • Father God, by Your grace, draw many of Your people to Your Son (John 6:44).

    • As You do, create a hunger which will result in many seeking You (Jer. 29:13).

    • Hasten the time and pour out on Israel that promised spirit of grace and supplication (Zech. 12:10).

    • During this season, Touch unsaved loved ones of believers wherever they are (Acts 16:31).

    • May You be seen as glorified through the many salvations in Israel in these days (Isa. 45:25; 46:13).

  3. Aliyah & Chanukah: The real Chanukah battle was against the spirit of Humanism which the Greek's propagated and which many Jews at that time (around 185 BC) wanted to be baptized in. This same demonic spirit has today invaded the Church and infected many of the Jews who persist on living in exile. [For a teaching on Humanism click here.]

    • We bless You for bringing 248 Bnei Menashe, Jews from India, to Israel this last week (Isa. 43:5-6).

    • Settle them quickly, and provide them with homes, jobs, Hebrew and friends (Jer. 32:41).

    • Bring back the remainder of the Ethiopians who are waiting to make aliyah (Isa. 43:5-7).

    • Break that anti-God spirit of humanism which is so strong in Jews in exile in the West (Jer. 51:9-10).

    • Lord, it grieves us that Jared and Ivanka Trump, Orthodox Jews, have just bought a $30 million plus mansion in Florida. Turn this terrible example on its head and convict them to come home (Isa. 60:9).

    • Fill them, and many other Jews who are trapped in Babylon, with a love and passion for Your Word and for Your land (Psa. 102:13-14).

    • Either by love or by fear, lift Your people out of Babylon to Jerusalem (Psa. 122:5-9; Jer. 51:50).

    • For those who have begun the process of aliyah, but have become bogged down with the details of bureaucracy, or restrictions of Covid-19, provide all they need to come home (Phil. 1:6).

    • Draw back home all Israelis who now reside outside of Israel (Psa. 137:4-6).

    • Remove the stronghold in Israel of the ultra-Orthodox rabbis who get to determine who is a Jew.

    • Strengthen and encourage all those – whether Jewish or Christian – who are helping to carry Your people back home in these days (2 Chr. 36:22-23; Neh. 1:1-4; Isa. 49:22).

  4. Government: Whether Israel moves to new elections or not, which as of today seems likely, the current government still must deal with many momentous events. Included in that is how to relate to the next US administration, the continued signing of diplomatic deals with various nations [Morocco and Bhutan being the latest], the economic, medical and security situation in Israel and, of course, Iran and the Palestinians.

    • This Shabbat's prophetic portion has the verse which is written on the large Menorah outside of Israel's Knesset: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says YHWH of hosts. (Zech. 4:6)

    • We agree with that Lord, and ask that You, by Your Spirit, would continue to lead this nation.

    • We bring this government to You – pleading for Your mercy to be extended to it (Est. 4:11; 5:1-2).

    • We praise You for hearing our prayers and sustaining Israel even while it is under a strife-filled and dysfunctional government (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

    • Thank You for the way this chaotic government has still been diplomatically effective (Isa. 37:31).

    • Continue to sustain Bibi Netanyahu as Israel's leader until it is Your time to remove him (Eccl. 3:1).

    • Warn all of Israel's politicians to not bear false witness against one another (Ex. 20:16).

    • Warn them against lying and coveting their "neighbors" positions (Lev. 19:11; Ex. 20:17).

    • Lord, anoint the current and the next Israeli government to deal with the next US President from a position of strength and of trust in Your pre-ordained destiny for Your nation (Num. 23:8-9; 19-24).

    • If it is Your will for new elections, rule over all of the details (Prov. 21:1; Dan. 2:20-22).

    • If new elections are called, prevent the right-wing parties from attacking each other so viciously that they cannot work together afterwards (Prov. 18:19).

    • Raise up politicians whose campaigns will be based on their real policies and not just on attacking their opponents personalities (Isa. 1:26).

    • Lead the Israeli Body to pray in line with Your will for the government (Gen. 20:7; 1 John 5:14-15).

    • Yeshua Lord, King of Israel, we long for the day when Israel will be ruled in righteousness with You as its head. Come quickly, Almighty King of kings and Lord of lords (Isa. 32:1-2; Rev. 19:16; 22:20).

  5. Covid-19, vaccines & society: There are several schemes to entice Israelis to take the vaccine, including restrictions on movement if one refuses. Yet today most Israelis will not take any vaccine until more is known about it, or until Israel develops its own version. Israel is also facing another rise in the number of infected cases which seem to be leading to another, at least partial, lockdown.

    • In Your grace and mercy, lead the government to follow You in this storm (Psa. 77:19).

    • Please intervene, because it is clear that the government really does not know what to do (Prov. 3:5).

    • Lord, guard over Your promise of a future of peace and hope for Your people (Jer. 29:11).

    • As the confusing and constantly-changing guidelines remove peace from this people, Lord Yeshua, blessed Son of David, we cry out to You for mercy. Pass by and touch all who are depressed: those struggling against suicidal thoughts; those being attacked by fears of the present and future; any faced with domestic violence; those facing economic disasters; the many Israelis who are dealing with real deaths and severe illnesses with their family and friends (Matt. 4:23; 30:34).

    • Abba, protect students of all ages who are not having a normal educational experience (Isa. 54:13).

    • We thank You for helping the government to obtain millions of Covid-19 vaccines for Israel.

    • Expedite the development of Israel's own vaccine (Psa. 42:11; 67:2; Jer. 30:17).

    • Forbid that the taking or not taking of the vaccine would become a divisive issue (Rom. 14:5).

    • Forbid that the taking or not taking of the vaccine would become mandatory (Acts 4:19).

  6. Security: The heads of Shin Bet, Israel's internal security, the Mossad and the IDF's Military Intelligence Division will be coming to the end of their tenure soon. Having all three positions change hands in a short period of time could be very risky.

    • Thank You for "D", the man who has been picked by Netanyahu to take over Mossad (Psa. 80:17).

    • If he is also You choice, let him be overwhelmingly affirmed by the government (Gen. 41:37-39).

    • Provide Your appointments to fill the other two positions (Psa. 75:5-7).

    • Prevent Israel from ever appointing anyone just to please the politically correct crowd (Rom. 8:8).

    • God, please cover any gaps in intelligence gathering or analysis during this transition (Job 12:22).

    • Lord, graciously impart to these new leaders an ability and a desire to work together (Psa. 133:1).

    • Download to them new and creative ways of gathering and analyzing information.

    • Continue to protect all of Israel's agents who are in the field collecting intelligence (Psa. 44:1-4).

    • Keep the security forces updated about what the Palestinians might be planning (Psa. 44:7).

    • From this week's prophetic reading: YHWH shall inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. (Zech. 2:12) Thank You Lord that these two areas which most of the world calls "occupied" are Your inheritance which You have given to Your people for Your glory!

  7. Security – external: Turkey is trying to renew relations with Israel. This is a likely response to the possibility of Biden being the next US leader, as he would not be as friendly to Turkish President Erdogan as Trump has been. In reality, the West needs leaders who will not cozy up to Erdogan but will confront his anti-Christ ambitions, which Trump has started to do although very late in the game.

    • Lord, we do not trust Erdogan at all. We beg You to give Israel Your wisdom and a huge does of a divine caution on how to respond to these overtures (Psa. 55:21; Prov. 12:20a).

    • May Erdogan's continual cursing of Israel, his claiming of Jerusalem as his city, and his great pride bring him to sudden ruin (Num. 24:9; Prov. 16:18).

    • Lord, we ask the same for all of the current leaders of Iran (Jer. 49:38b).

    • Let Your terror fall on Turkey's and Iran's leaders and show them that they are in reality fighting against You, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Ex. 14:25b; Rev. 19:16).

    • Continue to confound all those who hate of Zion – wherever they are (Psa. 129:5).

    • As many nations are now reaching out to Israel – encourage Israel's leaders to enter these diplomatic agreements with their eyes wide open (Psa. 118:8-9).

    • Protect Israel from all the insidious snares of the enemy (Psa. 91:3a; 124:6-8).

    • We thank You for every person in these Muslim and Buddhist nations [Bhutan] who want to have a closer relationship with Israel and the Jewish people (Zech. 8:23).

    • Reveal Yeshua to them and bring multitudes into Your Son's Kingdom (Luke 2:32; Col. 1:13).

    • Lord, shield Your Body in the Middle East from the spirit of Islam and humanism (Psa. 121:3).

    • Purify them of all anti-Zionist mindsets, and any replacement theory teachings (Mal. 3:3; Eph. 5:27).

  8. The Body of Messiah: Both in Israel and globally, the Body is growing although the efforts by the enemy to deceive and wear out the saints increases.

    • From this week's prophetic portion: Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, behold, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, says YHWH. And many gentiles shall be joined to YHWH in that day, and shall be My people, and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that YHWH of hosts has sent Me unto you. (Zech. 2:10-11) [YHWH the Son is speaking and says that salvation is based on knowing that YHWH the Father has sent Him. This verse in the Tanach reveals at least in a partial way the mystery of the unity of the Godhead (Gen. 19:24; 1 Tim. 3:16).]

    • Lord, it was at Chanukah when You said that Your sheep hear Your voice (John 10:27). May Your voice become very clear to us as we draw nearer and nearer to Your return (Acts 22:14).

    • Make the Body an example of freedom in action concerning the vaccine, so that everyone can follow what they hear from the Lord without being fearful of being condemned by others (Rom. 14:23).

    • Lord Yeshua, anoint the elders to give godly advice and shut the mouths of elders who think they can lord it over Your flock (Psa. 141:3; Zech. 2:14; Acts 20:28-32).

    • Pour out on Your Body a biblical discernment of the times (1 Chr. 12:32) as well as the gift of the discerning of spirits as needed (1 Cor. 12:10b). [Discernment and the gift of the discerning of spirits are not the same thing. One is a gift from God and the other comes from studying the Word of God and using Hos Word as the filter through which we view what is happening around us.]

    • Lord, vaccinate us all from the end-time deception that You said would come (Matt. 24:4-5, 11, 24).

    • Watch therefore: for you do not know in what hour your Lord will come.Matt. 24:42

  9. Water: Rain is continuing to fall in a most miraculous way this early in Israel's rainy season. The Sea of Galilee is almost full, yet the abundance of rain have exposed infrastructure problems in Israel – especially along the coast.

    • Thank You Abba, for watching over this land throughout the year (Deut. 11:12).

    • Continue to pour out Your wet blessings from on high, allowing the rain and snow to fall exactly where and when they are needed most (Job 38:22-23; Ezek. 34:26; Zech. 10:1).

    • Lord, let the government assign a responsible individual, one whose spirit You have touched, to deal with the weaknesses that have been revealed in various cities infrastructures (Ezra 1:5).

Finally, please pray for Intercessors for Israel to have wisdom from on high and guidance for our daily prayer meetings and weekly prayer alerts as well as an ability to clearly hear God's future plans for this ministry. Continue to lift up our finances in prayer as well. We suspect that 2021 will be a continuation of the shakings we have experienced in 2020 – as He promised that He will do (Hag. 2:6-7; Heb. 12:25-29). Yet our God reigns (Isa. 52:7b), so we stand firm in the truth that He is in total control (Psa. 103:19).

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion (Psa. 134:3)

For the IFI team