1. Praise: Israel is celebrating the feast of Purim. It is a wonderful story of God protecting His disobedient people. The Jews in Persia at that time should have gone home to Israel when King Cyrus opened the way, but instead chose to enjoy the leeks and onions of exile. Is this why God's name is not in the book of Esther, and why He works behind the scenes? If we compare this with 40 years of wilderness wanderings, we see that as His children, He will discipline us but He will never leave us!

    • Bless You for often saving us in ways we do not perceive, like giving insomnia to a king (Est. 6:1).

    • Praise You God for Your everlasting mercies even in the face of our disobedience (Psa. 78:32-39)

    • We thank You that You have chosen us from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-6).

    • What peace we have in the midst of strife as we look to You – our Shepherd (Psa. 23:1; John 10:14).

    • Lord Yeshua, like the high priest in Shabbat's Torah portion, You still carry us on Your shoulders before the Father and bear our judgment upon Your heart (Ex. 28:12, 29-30; Isa. 53:4-5). Hallelujah!

    • Since the high priest in the Tanach is a foreshadow of You, Lord Yeshua, we know that You also are Holy to YHWH in all that You say and do (Ex. 28:36-38; Heb. 4:15).

    • As we abide in You we too are seen as holy in God the Father's sight. Thank You Lord (1 Pet. 1:16)!

    • Lord, You have overcome the world and as we abide in You we also can overcome it (John 16:33).

    • Thank You that with You, Messiah Yeshua, as our High Priest, the way is open for us to have access to enter boldly through grace into the Holy of Holies as we seek You in prayer (Heb. 4:14-16),

  2. Current government: In less than a month, Israel will hold new elections. Yet the government of today still needs to deal with many important issues. Also, it takes time after the elections to form a new government, so today's government will hold the reigns until the new one is sworn in.
    Covid-19: Regardless of whether you think Israel's leaders, or any world leaders, are dealing with this righteously, we are told to pray for our governments. When Paul wrote that to Timothy, the Roman Empire was not even close to being righteous!

    • I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.1 Tim. 2:1-2

    • Lord, we ask You to work in and through Israel's government for Your glory (Psa. 115:1-3).

    • Overrule all Israeli government decisions that are not in line with Your will (Psa. 33:10-11).

    • Forbid any decisions which are based solely on political gain (Job 5:12).

    • Block the power of making these national decisions from going to the leaders' heads (Luke 1:51).

    • If any vaccine results are being hidden, let them be exposed (Job 12:22).

    • With all the fake news running freely throughout the world, please God – You who treasure truth almost above all else – let the truth about these vaccines be known (Isa. 59:14-15; 3 John 1:14).

    • As Israel's economy reopens, direct the authorities to make the correct decisions (Prov. 8:15).

    • Lead the general population in such a way that they will not aggravate the situation (1 Pet. 2:13).

    • Break the idolatry in many hearts which looks to the government for all the answers, and turn more Israelis to look to You at this time (Psa. 62:8-9; 80:3, 7, 19).

    • Block out all the background noise – from the governments, the media, friends, or whatever – so that we, Your Body, can hear Your will for each of us individually about the vaccine (John 21:21-22).

    • Prevent a spirit of bitterness from growing in the Body against the government or against those who have a different view on whether to take, or not take, the vaccine (Eph. 4:31; Heb. 12:15).

    • Grant us grace in our responses to each other and with the government (Acts 23:5; Col. 4:6).

    • Show Your Body the difference between our rights in this world as opposed to our responsibilities as bondservants in Your kingdom (Acts 22:25-29; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Tit. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1:1).

  3. Current government & Iran: The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency has bowed to Iran's demands and will not be making any further surprise inspections to Iranian nuclear sites. Also, Iran's leaders are threatening to enrich uranium to 60%, a short jump from it being weaponized. While US President Biden has not removed Trump's sanctions, he is opened to rejoining the Iranian nuclear deal which Israel is very openly against. Iran's leaders' goal are to dominate the world under Shia Islam.

    • Lord, although Iran constantly promises to destroy Israel, we remind You of Your promise to guard Your nation as You regather Your people from the ends of the earth (Psa. 121:4; Jer. 31:10, 35-37).

    • Although Israel's current government is as divided as ever, perform a miracle Lord, and give unity to those tasked with making the decisions concerning Iran (Psa. 122:6-8; 133:1).

    • Let Israel have such great wisdom in this situation that all who are genuinely concerned about this Shi'ite nuclear threat look to Your nation and follow its lead (Deut. 28:13; Isa. 41:15-16; 60:3).

    • Show Israel how to respond to America's dealings with Iran (Prov. 21:1).

    • If Israel should confront America's policy, give it the very words that should be spoken (Ezek. 33:7).

    • If Your will is an Israeli preemptive strike against Iran's nuclear program, whether military, or via a massive cyber-attack, may it be Your plan and Your strategy, Your timing and Your guidance which reigns supreme (Psa. 22:28; 47:8; 135:6; Lam. 3:37).

    • Provide all the intelligence Israel needs on Iran's nuclear progress and if it is clear that they are on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, give Israel that courage to hit back first (Mic. 4:11-13)!

    • Protect all of Israel's spies and collaborators in Iran and in its neighboring nations (Gen. 12:3a).

    • Lord, we have asked You to act sovereignly through various "natural" disasters – and we renew this request again (Psa. 18:7; 50:15).

    • Open the ground under all of Iran's nuclear sites and swallow them suddenly (Psa. 104:32; 144:5).

    • Shake Iran's economy as well, and stir up the Iranian people to resist their evil rulers.

    • Let confusion and fear sent directly from Your throne cause the Iranian leaders to make major geo-political blunders (Psa. 40:14; 129:5).

    • Wake up Russian President Putin so that he sees that Iran is not his ally (2 Thess. 2:10-11).

    • As this is Purim, may many Iranians stand with Israel and the Jewish people once again (Est. 8:17).

    • Aid the Iranian Church to grow exponentially during this season (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47).

    • Let them provoke to jealousy the thousands of Jews still living in Iran (Rom. 11:11).

    • Send a spirit of intercession on all Iranian believers who live outside their nation (Acts 2:33).

  4. The IDF: If Israel needs to use military force with Iran – more than what they are doing in Syria at this time – the IDF will need to be totally prepared, offensively and defensively. There is also the issue of the Palestinians elections that could put Hamas in charge of Judea and Samaria and whether Israel would – or could – allow that.

    • Lord, thank You for Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi who is an answer to pray that You would give the IDF a leader who will train and plan to fight and win the next war and not the last one (Luke 11:9-10).

    • Surround him with wise advisors so that the IDF's effectiveness is improved (Prov. 19:18; 24:6).

    • Work out a shared sense of unity between the political and military leaders towards Iran (Isa. 42:16).

    • Provide the IDF with all the accurate actionable intelligence it needs to make its plans (Prov. 21:31).

    • Lead the IDF in how to deal with all the surrounding Iranian threats: those coming from Syria, in Lebanon from Hezbollah and in Gaza from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Psa. 44:4-7).

    • Impart to IDF strategists how to deal with the PA elections and their various outcomes (Jer. 33:2-3).

    • May all of Israel's soldiers guarding all its borders be alert and undistracted (Psa. 121:3).

    • Oversee the deployment of personnel and equipment (Psa. 103:19).

    • Protect Israeli soldiers, sailors, and pilots from accidents or friendly fire tragedies (Job 5:19).

    • Thank You for preventing successful kidnapping attempts. Please continue to do so (Psa. 106:8).

    • Wisdom to the IDF to stop the coronavirus spreading and infecting the troops (Psa. 91:6).

  5. Israeli Elections – March 23rd: To say that praying into Israeli elections for the 4th time in two years is getting old would be an understatement. We need fresh oil by daily being filled with God's Holy Spirit to persist in prayer on this issue.

    • Thank You Lord for helping us to pray into another round of Israeli elections (Job 33:26).

    • We ask that this time, You would do a new thing – in line with Your Word in Isaiah 43:19.

    • Lord, we see You already answering many of our prayers, and we thank You (1 John 5:14-15).

    • Still, this constant seeking and knocking are spiritually exhausting. Revive us again (Psa. 85:6).

    • Raise up the leaders whom You have anointed for Israel for just this time (Est. 4:14; Psa. 75:5-7). 

    • Continue to place new leaders in the Knesset who have a heart for Your people and land.

    • Show us how to pray for PM Bibi Netanyahu and if he is still Your man for the hour (Psa. 89:20-21).

    • Bless Israel with a leadership that will model what You desire for its government (Prov. 14:34).

    • We grieve at the way right wing leaders and their parties tear each other apart. Give them wisdom to realize that they need to work together (1 Chr. 12:32)

    • Heal the deep wounds and betrayals that hinder these people from working together (Prov. 18:19).

    • Humble them and use their abilities for the best interests of Your nation and people (1 Chr. 12:38).

    • Let those You want to use start to campaign based on policies and not the "anyone-but-Bibi" line.

    • Encourage the electorate to get out and vote – despite their discouragement and anger (Psa. 61:1-2).

    • Please shorten the time between elections and the formation of the next government (Psa. 31:15a).

    • Watch over this promise in the next election: I will gather the remnant of My flock from all nations where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, says YHWH. (Jer. 23:3-4)

  6. Antisemitism: An example of antisemitism today is what the International Criminal Court has ruled. Israel, who is not a member of the court, can be tried for war crimes against "Palestine", which is not even a state. Since this is dealing with Israel by different standards than any other nation, it fits the international working definition of anti-Semitism perfectly.

    • Lord of hosts, hedge in and deal with this unrighteous ICC pre-trail decision (Psa. 35:12)

    • You see Your nation being persecuted, Arise and stop this trial from going forward (Prov. 15:3).

    • Show the incoming prosecutor to adjudicate based on legal international standards (Isa. 5:20).

    • Let the new US administration follow Trump and strongly resist the ICC.

    • Give wisdom to Israel's government to know how to deal with this wicked decision (Deut. 4:6).

    • Give wisdom to the Israeli lawyers who are preparing for what may come (Luke 21:25).

    • Forbid that any Israeli representative in the nations would be ashamed to use Your Word to defend Israel's existence and its right to defend itself on the land that You have promised to Your people over 200 times in the Tanach [Old Testament] (Gen. 12:7; Ex. 13:11; Deut. 1:8; Jer. 32:41-42; Mal. 1:5).

    • As anti-Semitism has increased in many other forms and forums – particularly on social media – we ask You to use it to drive Your people home (Jer. 16:16).

    • Lord Yeshua, expel the spirit of anti-Semitism from Your Body worldwide (Rom. 11:18-22).

    • Raise up shepherds who will speak out against this, confronting believers on how they worship the King of the Jews – and yet hate, distain, or just ignore His people (Gen. 12:3a; Matt. 2:2; 27:37).

    • Remove the biblical back hole that many Christians have about Your chosen people (Heb. 5:11-14).

    • Scatter all elders who are afraid to preach the truth about Israel to their congregation (Acts 20:27).

    • Convict Your Body of replacement theory and restore all Scripture to it (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

    • Lead believers in places that teach replacement theory whether they should stay or go (Jer. 51:9-10).

  7. Aliyah: It is way past time for Jewish people in the Exile to return to Israel. God forbid that a Haman [hiss; boo!] will rise to rule in a nation – or over many nations – and the Jews will once again be face to face with horde of fanatical anti-Semites who will try to hunt them down and kill them.

    • Lord, please forbid that Your people refuse to learn the many lessons of history which prove that Jews are always seen as the world's scapegoats and as foreigners (Est. 3:8).

    • As the Jews in exile read Esther over Purim, show them that they are in the wrong place by their own free-will choice and that Zion's gates are open for them today (Isa. 60:11).

    • Give Your people, including Messianic Jews, a longing to return to Israel (Psa. 137:4-6; Isa. 62:4-5).

    • Lead the next government to prioritize the bringing back and settling of Your people in the land of Israel (Psa. 147:2; Ezek. 11:17).

    • Let righteousness reign over the Israeli Interior Ministry so that all Jews who want to come home – can come home (Prov. 14:34).

  8. Water: We have had more rain and snow and so we and the land are rejoicing.

    • Thank You for Your faithfulness in providing water (Jer. 14:22).

    • We do ask You to totally fill the Sea of Galilee before the end of the rainy season (Zech. 10:1).

    • Show Israel how to use the water You provide for Your present and future purposes.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

For the IFI team