1. Praise: In Luke 11:1-13, Yeshua teaches on prayer and gives an example of intercession that does not stop but even wakes up one's friend at midnight to obtain what is needed. This is the type of prayer we do because what God has asked us to pray about is almost never a one-and-done request. Our intercessions are marathon races, and Yeshua encourages us in these verses to ask and keep on asking; to seek and keep on seeking; to knock and keep on knocking. Here are a few of the many answers to our intercessions over the years for which we praise our wonderful Lord.

    • Thank You that the Sea of Galilee is almost full and the rainy season has not yet ended (Zech. 10:1).

    • Lord, praise You that Trump finally moved the US Embassy up to Jerusalem (Psa. 48:1-2).

    • We bless You for the Covid-19 breakthrough treatment that Israel has just announced.

    • Thank You for clearing out so much of the "dross" from Israel's political scene (Isa. 1:25).

    • We asked for Israel to have sufficient finances to enable the IDF to acquire all that it needs and the cabinet just approved a huge budget to do that. Thank You God for hearing prayer (Psa. 50:15).

    • We also praise You for the recent new developments in Israeli weapons systems (Isa. 43:19).

    • What a joy and encouragement it is to look back and see Your answers to our prayers (Psa. 61:1-2).

    • We bless You for giving us the faith and patience we need to run this prayer race (Heb. 6:12).

    • Thank You for summing up the "mystery" of prayer near the end of the Bible in 1 John 5:14-15: This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything in line with His will, He hears us [Gk: "hears" = listens with an intent to do what is asked of Him]. And if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

    • We bless You for leading us so that our intercessions often do line up with Your will (Psa. 10:17).

    • Thank You for telling us that our prayers are delightful to You (Prov. 15:8b).

    • Regardless of what happens, we rejoice that nothing takes You by surprise (Psa. 103:19).

  2. Israel's current government: The issues that today's government needs to deal with seem to grow with each passing week.

    1. Covid-19 has brought about changes in our world and in Israel that will not be reversed.

      • Aid Israel's responsible leaders to make decisions in line with Your will in this area (Prov. 16:1).

      • Thank You for the reports that the vaccine is proving to be effective (Psa. 46:1).

      • Yet forbid any problems from being hidden; reveal them so that they can be dealt with (Isa. 48:6).

      • Continue to prevent Israeli authorities from making the vaccine mandatory (Deut. 30:19).

      • May all the authorities who truly have Israel's good as their priority be led to make righteous decisions, even if many will be hard decisions (2 Sam. 23:2-3).

      • With all of the confusion in the media concerning the vaccine, give clarity to believers to hear Your voice leading them to know what we personally should do (Psa. 95:7-8a; John 10:27) .

      • Forbid this issue from causing division in the Body. Instead help us to extend mercy to each other.

      • As Israel moves out of lockdown #3, aid the public to remain cautious in their behavior (Mic. 6:8).

      • Show Israel when and how to open up the school system (Psa. 31:3).

      • Protect all of Israel's students from having a black hole created in their education because of this very unusual schoolyear (Psa. 71:17; Isa. 54:13).

    2. The International Criminal Court [ICC] in The Hague has decided that "Palestine" is a state; hence Israel can be investigated for "war crimes" that may have taken place in Judea, Samaria, Gaza and Jerusalem. Yet Israel is not a member of the ICC, "Palestine" is not a state, and these so-called "war crimes" occurred as Israel was shielding its citizens from Hamas terror and rocket attacks. Also, this arrogant court, which has no legal authority to make this claim on Israel, might investigate whether Israel's building of settlements in its biblical homeland is also a "war-crime"! All of this is why Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu rightly labelled this decision as anti-Semitic.

      • As this is an openly anti-Semitic and anti-Israel decision, treating Israel by a double standard, we ask You to arise and deal openly with this court which has now become Your enemy (Psa. 3:7; 7:6).

      • Since the ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, will be stepping down from her position in June, please Lord, fill that position with Your chosen person for just a time like this (Dan. 5:21b).

      • Show Israel how to respond to this blatant attack – to ignore it or to fight it (Psa. 143:8; Isa. 30:21).

      • Bring this very relevant verse to the attention of all the ICC judges: Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, (Isa. 5:20)

      • Thank You for the few European nations and America who have openly rebuked this decision.

      • As this decision includes investigating whether any of the Palestinian groups have also committed war crimes, if it goes forwards, let the true war criminals be judged (Gen. 18:25; 1 Kin. 8:32).

    3. So far, US President Biden has had his priorities elsewhere and not on the Middle East.

      • Thank You for this answer to prayers of keeping Biden busy elsewhere (Psa. 61:3).

      • Yet Lord, we see the anti-Israel people Biden has appointed in many positions. Please protect Your nation and give its wisdom to know what to share at this time with US intelligence (Isa. 39:2-7).

      • Show Israel how to deal with Biden's subordinates assigned to the Middle East arena (Matt. 10:16).

      • God, You heard the US State Department spokesman this past week state that Israel should not build in Judea and Samaria, there must be a "Palestine" established on Your land and that Jerusalem's final status still needs to be decided. Wake up the American Church to see the valley of Your judgment that the Biden administration is driving the US into and let them cry out to You for mercy (Ezek. 22:30).

      • Forbid the media from negatively exaggerating Biden's not having called Bibi yet (Dan. 6:22).

      • Use this time to set Israel free from looking more to America than to You (Psa. 62:8-9; 146:3).

      • Lord, bless and guard the close relationship between the IDF and the US military (Prov. 17:17).

  3. Israeli elections – March 23rd: This is an area in which we need that faith and patience we were referring to above, as this will be the fourth election in Israel in the last two years.

    • Abba, we continue to ask that this time the results would be different and that a strong conservative coalition that loves Your people and Your land will rise to guide Israel in these days (Isa. 43:19).

    • Yeshua, You are Israel's King. Please raise up the princes of Your choice to stand with You in ruling Your nation (Isa. 9:6-7; Zech. 9:13; Luke 10:1).

    • Create a government that will not hold Israel back from its divine destiny (Ex. 19:5-6; Isa. 60:1-2).

    • Place Your hand-picked people in the key positions throughout the next government (Dan. 2:21).

    • Forbid political expediency from being a huge factor in the handing out of ministries (1 Sam. 12:3).

    • Bless Israel with a defense minister who will work in unity with whoever the prime minister will be and the IDF's excellent Chief of Staff, Avi Kochavi (Prov. 24:6).

    • While we do not see anyone other than Bibi Netanyahu at this time to lead Israel, yet please guide us if we are to pray explicitly for him to be the next prime minister (Psa. 75:6-7; Luke 18:1).

    • We do ask that You would bless Netanyahu and continue to use him for Your glory (Psa. 80:17).

    • Place Your guiding and restraining hand on all unelected advisors in the government (Prov. 20:24).

    • Lord, Your chosen people are tired and discouraged with all of the lockdowns, and social distancing and airport closures and now a fourth election. Encourage them to look to You (Psa. 121:1-8).

    • Move the hearts of the Israeli voters to vote in line with Your will (Prov. 19:21).

    • Inspire the Israeli Body of Messiah to intercede over this election (Luke 18:1; 1 Tim. 2:1-4).

  4. Security – Iran: Iran insists that America drop all sanctions and rejoin the Iranian nuclear deal before it stops enriching uranium past the deal's agreed amount. Biden and company, with surprising backbone, have said, "No!" Iran must comply first before they drop the sanctions.

    • Thank You for this standoff between the US and Iran which is an answer to prayer to keep America from reentering the agreement – yet in a way we would not have thought possible (Psa. 54:1-2).

    • Use this time for Israel and its anti-Iran allies in the Middle East to present their concerns in a unified fashion to the US administration – and also to the UN (Ezek. 26:3).

    • Stop all of Iran's uranium enrichment and missile development. Break their bow (Jer. 49:35).

    • If it is Your will to use Israel to stop this Islamic nuclear threat, then give the IDF wisdom and any and all intelligence it needs to follow Your strategy and tactics (Prov. 21:31; Jer. 51:19-24).

    • Guard and guide all of Israel's spies and collaborators in Iran or with Iran's proxies (Psa. 61:3).

    • Again we ask that if Israel attacks, it will be in line with Your timing and Your way (2 Sam. 5:24).

    • Grant security, maturity, growth and wisdom to our Iranian family in Messiah (1 Thess. 5:23-24).

  5. Security – Lebanon: The IDF held military exercises along the Lebanese border this past week. While Israel views Iran as a more dangerous threat, Hizbullah is a more immediate threat.

    • Abba, please watch over all the IFI Prayer Tour prayers in the past years along that border (Psa. 4:1).

    • Thank You for the prayers You have already answered concerning Hizbullah (1 Sam. 1:17; 2:1-10).

    • Please watch over all those that still need to be answered – in Your way and timing (Psa. 65:5).

    • May this be the season in which You deal with Hizbullah and set Israel and Lebanon free from these evil Iranian-backed terrorists (Psa. 74:23; Jer. 1:19).

    • Be with all of the physical watchmen, the IDF soldiers, who are in that area (Deut. 33:29; Psa. 18:2).

    • Do not allow them to miss, or be distracted from, anything that is of importance (Psa. 38:19-22).

    • Protect and bless all the Israeli civilians who live near the Lebanese and Syrian borders (Job 22:30).

    • Provide them with peace and salvation – both physical and spiritual (Psa. 37:7-9; Zech. 12:10).

    • Continue to use the wintery weather for Your security purposes (Job 38:22-23).

  6. Security – internal: Will there be a Palestinian election or not? Only God knows – and only He knows whether it is better to have one. Palestinian society is not based on Judeo-Christian principles, the only historical model where democracy has succeeded, but on Islamic Sharia law instead.

    • Whatever happens among the Palestinians, push Israel's current and future governments to legalize the Judea and Samaria settlements and place them under civilian authority today (Ex. 23:23-31)!

    • Prepare Israel's security and political echelon to deal with the results of any Palestinian elections.

    • If there are truly free elections, Hamas will win. Give Israel plans for that nightmare (Psa. 10:16).

    • If civil war breaks out after the elections, show Israel what to do and not to do (Prov. 26:17).

    • Supply all the intelligence Israel needs to protect all Israelis living in Judea and Samaria (Job 12:22).

    • The only hope for the Palestinian is salvation, so Lord, please save all who do want to live in peace with their Jewish neighbors, and save some of the terrorists as well (Psa. 10:16; Jer. 12:14-17).

    • Lord, with signs and wonders, build Your Church among the Palestinians today (Matt. 16:18).

  7. The IDF: The fact that Israel today has an "exceedingly great army" is another proof that God is watching over His prophetic Word to fulfill it (Jer. 1:12; Ezek. 37:10).

    • As we read in Shabbat's Torah portion, let Your Angel be with the IDF (Ex. 23:20).

    • Lord, deal with any weaknesses that might lead to confusion or vulnerability to attack (Psa. 140:7).

    • Bless and encourage the young soldiers in their mandatory service (Josh. 1:6-9).

    • Anoint them for their specific tasks (Ex. 31:1-6).

    • Keep them sharp and help them to know how to respond in every situation (Psa. 144:1).

    • Be with the commanders and let them lead in a godly manner (Mark 10:44).

    • Protect the faith of the messianic soldiers, and use them mightily (Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Cor. 12:7).

    • Heal all soldiers completely who have contracted Covid-19 (2 Kin. 4:40-41).

    • Shield the IDF from the further spread of this virus on its bases (Ex. 15:25-27).

    • We ask You to protect and anoint with great wisdom the IDF Chief of Staff, Aviv Kochavi.

    • Thank You for promising that this nation remains before You forever (Isa. 66:21; Jer. 31:35-37).

  8. Aliyah: This Shabbat's prophetic portion indicates that believing Gentiles will be involved in helping the scattered Jews to return home.

    • I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them to the nations…that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the gentiles. And they [the gentiles] shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto YHWH out of all nations…to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says YHWH…Isa. 66:19-20a

    • Thank You for those Gentiles who are already involved in helping with the aliyah (Isa. 49:22).

    • Expand the remnant in the Church who can hear this as Your call to them today (Isa. 60:9-12).

    • Lead them in practical ways to help and be a blessing to Israel (Isa. 60:4-6; Rom. 15:27).

    • Lord, open the Church's eyes to see that Israel's restoration is an integral part of the preparation for Your return. When YHWH shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory. (Psa. 102:16)

    • Move on wealthy Jews and Christians to use their finances to aid aliyah and absorption.

    • Lord, in line with Your will, make aliyah a major priority for the next government (Jer. 31:10).

    • If there are any stumbling stones in the way of aliyah, purge them out (Isa. 62:10).

    • Raise up a minister of aliyah and absorption who can work closely with the ministry of the interior to encourage the return of Your people (Psa. 147:2).

    • Aliyah is blocked today as Israel's airport is closed, yet please Lord, use this obstacle to increase the desire of Jews in exile to come home (Psa. 137:4-6).

    • As Your people look at what is happening around them in exile, allow a sense of urgency to flee Babylon arise in their hearts and set their sights on returning to Israel (Jer. 31:15-17).

    • Prepare the physical land to receive all the Jews whom You are drawing back (Ezek. 36:8-12).

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

For the IFI team