[If this were a normal year, some of you would be with us in Jerusalem for our Prayer Conference. Yet 2020 and 2021 are not normal years – and whether we ever get back to "normal" only God knows. Still, we miss you and wish you were here. Lord willing, next year in Jerusalem!]

  1. Praise: Shabbat's Torah portion includes Exodus 12 – the story of the original Passover in Egypt. We note with joy that in that Passover, which all other Passover feasts recall, the "Passover" is the Lamb itself (Ex. 12:11, 21, 27; Deut. 16:2, 5-6)!

    • Lord Yeshua, we praise You for being the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

    • Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and riches, wisdom, and strength, honor, and glory, and blessing. (Rev. 5:12) Amen and amen!

    • You came as the Lamb; You are returning as the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5). Come, Lord Yeshua!

    • God, what security we have to know that as You see the blood You protect us from Your righteous judgment! The blood shall be a sign on your houses, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. (Ex. 12:13)

    • Thank You God for judging openly all of the world's false gods, back in Egypt and in the world today. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night…and against all the Egyptian gods I will execute judgment: I am YHWH. (Ex. 12:12)

    • Bless You for giving Your children light in the midst of Your judgments (Ex. 10:22-23; Isa. 60:1-2).

    • We praise You Holy One of Israel, as from the very beginning, when You set Your nation free from Egyptian bondage You also had non-Jews in mind – a foreshadow of the gentile members of the Body of Messiah (Ex. 12:48-49).

  2. Israel & the Biden Administration: US President Biden has chosen so many of ex-President Obama's former people that it seems likely he will return to Obama's policies. While this can be dangerous for Israel – it will end up being even more dangerous for America.

    • Place in Israel's cabinet "sons of Issachar" and by Your mercy reveal to them the true heart intents of the members of the new US administration (1 Chr. 12:32).

    • Lord, override all attempts to restart a "peace" deal based on two-states in Your land (Job 5:13-14).

    • Give Israeli leaders a united stance against all US demands which are not in Your will (Isa. 30:1-3).

    • Remove the fear of man from Israelis and replace it with the biblical fear of God (Eccl. 12:13).

    • May Israel's leaders not resist You positioning Your nation to be different from all other nations and to dwell alone (Num. 23:9).

    • Anoint Gilad Erdan in his position as Israel's ambassador to the US and to the UN (Psa. 81:10).

    • Use him to open many hearts to hear Israel's genuine concerns (Psa. 49:1-3).

    • Let him give wise counsel to Israel's leaders about Biden & Co.'s plans towards Israel (Prov. 19:20).

    • Show our American family in Messiah how vitally important it is for them to intercede for their new government – as Biden could quickly lead the US deeper into Your valley of judgment (Joel 3:1-2).

  3. Israeli Elections: March 23rd will be the fourth national election in two years in Israel. It reminds us of what our parents used to say: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again."

    • We are tired of praying into another election, yet strengthen us to do it (Matt. 7:7-8).

    • Is it not time to give Israel the shepherds after Your heart You have promised (Jer. 3:14-15)?

    • Lord, help Israelis to get it right this time – and to vote for the right and not the left (Eccl. 10:2)!

    • Let the politicians run a clean campaign – about policies and not personalities (Prov. 6:16-19).

    • Shut the mouths of so many politicians who end up lying, by brazenly declaring that they will do this or not do that and then changing their minds after the election (Psa. 15:4b).

    • Create a government that is stable and which furthers Your kingdom purposes (Luke 11:2).

    • Create a government that will bring Israelis into a greater sense of unity and purpose (Psa. 133:1).

    • Raise up leaders who love Israel – both the people and the land (Isa. 62:4-5; Luke 7:5).

    • Exalt those to leadership who have a heart for the ingathering of Your people (Ezek. 36:23-24).

    • Remove all the dross from sitting in the next government (Isa. 1:25).

    • Guard over and keep all those who are doing a good job now into the next government (Isa. 1:26).

  4. Current government: Israel's leaders today still need to tackle many vital issues and so our prayers for them are also vital.

    • Despite its disunity, we thank You for all that the Israeli government has accomplished (Psa. 118:1).

    • Bless You for continuing to use PM Bibi Netanyahu in many ways, especially his strong stance against – and open declarations of – the danger of an Iranian Islamic nuclear device (Psa. 80:17).

    • May Netanyahu and other leaders not weaken their warnings when speaking to Biden (Ezek. 33:7).

    • Protect the government so that the new US leaders will not be able to manipulate it (Num. 23:23).

    • Forbid Israel's current ministers from being distracted by the elections, thus preventing them from fulfilling all that You have placed them in office for a this time (Jam. 1:8).

  5. Covid-19 & Israeli society: Both in Israel and globally, this virus has turned life upside down. While Israel seems to be doing better than many nations, there are still issues it needs to deal with. A return to "normal" in the world seems very unlikely. Are we prepared for the new "normal"?

    • Lord, teach us how to pray into this corona crisis (Psa. 10:17; Rom. 8:26).

    • Please direct what data Israel shares with Pfizer on the results of its vaccine (Prov. 17:28; 20:24).

    • While increasing numbers of Israelis are being vaccinated, the numbers of newly diagnosed and seriously ill have also been increasing. Reveal how much of this is because of the virus' mutations and what can be done to stop them (Num. 16:46-48).

    • If these statistics are being driven by specific communities, speak to leaders within these groups and guide them with wisdom and a care for the wellbeing of their neighbors (Lev. 19:18b).

    • Anoint the police to know how to deal with those who ignore the government guidelines – especially in the Haredi – ultra-orthodox – communities (Rom. 13:4).

    • Protect those who are already sick and all those who care for them (Jer. 29:11). 

    • Provide all that they need at this time – including mental and emotional support (Isa. 61:3).

    • Bless all of Israel's medical personal and give them rest, strength and encouragement (Matt. 25:21).

    • Thank You for the reports saying that Israel is in good position to recovery financially (Deut. 28:12).

    • Sustain the owners of small businesses who have been deeply hurt by the lockdowns (Psa. 138:7a).

    • Guard the hearts and minds of parents towards their children in this chaos (Deut. 4:10; 6:7; 11:19).

    • Provide the needed support for those with mental health issues (Isa. 26:3).

    • Be all that the widows and orphans need to make it through (Psa. 68:5).

    • Use this chaotic time to show Israeli rabbis that they must seek You for answers (Psa. 9:10).

    • Reveal Messiah Yeshua to all who are struggling in regard to all these issues (John 6:44-45; 14:6).

    • Bless and guide all the NGO's, including Christian groups, who are aiding Israel today (Isa. 60:10).

    • Abba, You said that the situation of Your people would be better after their return from exile, so we ask You to watch over these promises for today (Ezek. 36:11; Amos 9:13-15).

  6. Security – Iran: With continued Israeli strikes on Iranian weapons depots and its soldiers in Syria and on the Syrian-Iraqi border, along with increased Iranian aggression and a change in the US administration, a full-fledged war between Israel and Iran could happen suddenly.

    • Lord, as Iran's leaders are Your enemies (Psa. 83:1-5), arise and scatter them (Psa. 68:1)!

    • Provide the IDF's 3rd Directorate (its Iran command) with all the intelligence it needs to formulate both strategy and tactics for this time (Prov. 16:1, 9).

    • Solidify all plans that are in line with Your will and blow away any that are not (Prov. 21:31). 

    • Whatever happens, we ask that You would determine the timing (Eccl. 3:1, 8b).

    • If Israel needs to attack, may the results be a total destruction of Iran's capability to wage war on Israel or any of its new Middle East allies (Mic. 4:11-13).

    • Draw the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp [IRGC] into Your trap (Ex. 14:1-9).

    • Bring to nothing all the counsel of Iran's leaders and let Your counsel prevail (Psa. 33:10-11).

    • Create a lack of cohesion, poor communications and great suspicion of each other and use these to divide the Iranian forces internally (Psa. 129:5; Luke 12:52).

    • Destroy Iran's capability to shoot missiles – its "bow" – in line with Jeremiah 49:35.

    • Cut off from Iran all finances for military use and its alliances with terrorists (Isa. 14:22; Jer. 50:16).

    • Prepare Israel to defend itself from all attacks – whether from Iran or its proxies (Psa. 44:4; 91:5)

    • Give the Iranian church a burden to stand in the gap for their nation (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

    • Lead them in prayer, especially about their leaders' continual cursing of Israel (Ezek. 22:30-31).

    • Prevent President Biden from rushing into reengaging with Iran and the nuclear deal (Eph. 5:15).

  7. Security – internal: The cold weather has put a dampener on terrorist attacks. Yet as Biden has people in his administration who will likely focus on the Israeli-Palestinian issue as the reason for a lack of Middle East peace, we expect to see an increase in terrorist activity.

    • Show the Biden administration that returning to the land-for-peace two state solution is like a dog returning to eat its vomit (Prov. 26:11).

    • Do whatever it takes to hinder the Biden administration from resurrecting this anti-biblical plan.

    • Lord, as much as possible, we ask You to stop all potential terrorist attacks (Isa. 41:10-14).

    • If You do not do choose to do this sovereignly, then empower the IDF to stop them (Isa. 41:15-16).

    • Provide all the intelligence the security forces need to know what is being planned (Job 28:11b).

    • Be with the IDF soldiers and aid them to not be distracted by the weather, smartphones, other young men or women, etc.

    • Give these young soldiers discernment to know who is a terrorist and who is innocent (Ezek. 44:23).

    • Protect the IDF from Covid-19 (Num. 16:48; Psa. 91:3, 6).

    • Guard over all of Israel's spies and collaborators among the Palestinians (Josh. 6:22-23).

    • Israel's Shepherd, defend this nation which You are regathering for Your name's sake (Jer. 31:10).

    • Tie Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gantz and the IDF Chief of Staff Kochavi into a threefold cord in dealing with any and all Palestinian terrorism (Eccl.4:12).

    • We condemn all lying tongues which declare that Israel is an apartheid state (Isa. 54:17).

  8. Worldwide Church: This is a time of intense and sudden changes in the world, and unless we are looking to Yeshua, many in the Body will be filled with doubts and fears, and that prevents us from being about our Father's business.

    • We continue to ask You to encourage our brothers and sisters in America who might be struggling with anger, disappointment and disillusionment, and questioning what effect intercession really has (2 Sam. 10:12; 2 Tim. 2:1).

    • For all of the Body of Messiah, please guard our hearts, minds and spirits today (1 Thess. 5:23).

    • Turn our focus totally and completely to You (Psa. 123:1-4).

    • Show many in Your Body that praying against evil policies is in line with Your will (Prov. 8:13).

    • Awaken the UK church to face the reality that with their nation now out of the EU, they must pray for their leaders with even more zeal to be aligned with Your will concerning Israel (Isa. 60:12).

    • Lord Yeshua, as You build Your church, rise up and cast out replacement theology (2 John 1:9-11). 

  9. Aliyah & salvation: When the fulfillment of "all Israel" being saved occurs, the physical location is in the land of Israel (Ezek. 36:24-28; Zech. 12:2-3, 10). And that is a major reason why the aliyah results in God being glorified.

    • You shall see and say, 'YHWH will be magnified from [+beyond] the border of Israel'.Mal. 1:5

    • Use the coronavirus crisis to shake Your people loose from their worldwide Exile (Jer. 51:50).

    • Impact them with the truth that they can either save their lives or their comfortable – but deceptive – lifestyles (Jer. 50:4-5).

    • Complete the ingathering of the Ethiopians and the Bene Manasseh [from India] (Isa. 43:5-7).

    • Lord, help Israel place the new immigrants [olim] throughout Your land (Jer. 50:19; Obad. 1:19-20).

    • Smooth the path for the olim – especially in dealing with Israel's bureaucracy (Isa. 62:10).

    • Give them the courage to overcome all obstacles (Num. 14:6-9).

    • Anoint the olim with the skill to learn Hebrew quickly and fluently (Zeph. 3:9).

    • As olim arrive, by Your grace root and ground them in the land (Isa. 27:6)

    • Especially for olim from the West, shut their mental escape hatches which tell them that they can always return to their country of birth (Num. 11:5).

Water: Israel has just had another wet and cold week. The Sea of Galilee rose dramatically and is less than a meter from being full, and snow fell on Mount Hermon. Yet Israel's infrastructure needs work to preserve the water and to prevent damage and flooding. Please pray with us into this vital area as we recognize that no matter what Israel does, God has arranged it that Israel will always need to trust in Him to supply its water needs (Deut. 11:12).

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

The IFI team