1. Praise:

    Oswald Chambers used to tell his students that the best was yet to come. In Shabbat's prophetic reading we see why Chambers' optimism is absolutely biblical.

    • For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me …so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another, and from one Shabbat to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me, says YHWH.Isa. 66:22-23

    • Thank You for the hope that You have promised us of an incredible future – a hope which motivates us to walk in holiness before You (1 John 3:3; Rev. 20:4).

    • We praise You Abba Father, for being a living God who communicates to us through Your Word, through Your Son and by Your Spirit (Psa. 19:7-11; John 14:26; 16:12-14; Heb. 1:1-2).

    • While we do not enjoy it, we bless You for Your discipline in our lives as that is one more proof in this day that we are Your children (Job 5:17; Prov. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-8; Rev. 3:19).

    • Lord, unlike all the other so-called-gods, You are intimately involved in history (Isa. 48:5-7).

    • We bless You for watching over Your Word to fulfill it (Jer. 1:12).

    • We praise You for how the truth of Jeremiah 1:12 is so obvious today as we see You fulfilling Your Word both in Israel and in all the events surrounding Your nation (Isa. 66:8; Zech. 8:1-8; 12:2-3).

    • We thank You for being in Your kingdom today to be able to see You build Jerusalem and gather together its outcasts (Psa. 147:2).

    • We bless You for doing all this in preparation for the return of Israel's King Messiah (Psa. 102:16).

    • As You have been so faithful to guard Your covenant promises with Israel, so we take great comfort knowing that You will do the same with us who believe in Messiah Yeshua (Psa. 89:8; 1 Thess. 5:24).

    • Because Your nature does not change, You are absolutely dependable (Mal. 3:6). Hallelujah!

    • Lord Yeshua, during this Chanukah season, we joyfully confess that You are still the Light of the world who enables us to live in God's light and to escape this world's darkness (John 8:12).

    • Lord, we are encouraged at how often You have used the weak and foolish who trust You to do Your will (Judg. 7:2-8; 1 Sam. 17:40-51; Psa. 8:2; Isa. 33:22-23; 1 Cor. 1:25-29; 2 Cor. 13:9).

  2. Israel's government:

    There seems to be panic in the current coalition over how to respond to the new Omicron coronavirus mutation. There are also other issues which need to be prayed about as it is apparent that for intercessors the burden to pray for our nations' governments never ends.

    • I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men – for kings and all who are in authority – that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.1 Tim. 2:1-4

    • Lord, guide us to pray in line with Your will and not in line with man's opinions (1 John 5:14-15).

    • Let all that You desire for this government to accomplish be done – and forbid all else (Prov. 16:9).

    • Anoint every discussion on how to respond to Omicron without panic, but with Your wisdom as we plead for You to pour out Your fear upon all Israel's responsible authorities (Prov. 1:7; 15:33).

    • Do not allow politics to influence the government's coronavirus guidelines (Psa. 146:3).

    • We confess that ultimately You are the One who protects this nation from disease (Psa. 91:7-8).

    • Stop the media from blowing things out of proportion just to get the people's attention (Prov. 27:14).

    • Guide all research that Israelis are doing to both develop vaccines and medicines to treat those who are infected – and guard it from any big pharmacy companies' machinations.

    • Use Israel's breakthroughs in this and all other areas to bless the nations of the world (Gen. 12:2).

    • Anoint and use Israel's Housing Minister Ze'ev Elkin for the good of all Israelis (Psa. 75:6-7).

    • Show Israeli leaders how to deal effectively and quickly with the high housing costs (1 Cor. 4:2).

    • Expose and eliminate all corruption in Israel's housing and construction industries (Lev. 19:35).

    • Help the authorities to eliminate all unfair regulations so that Israel can prosper (Deut. 25:15).

    • Pressure the government to approve housing for the Jewish people throughout Your land – including in the Golan Heights, Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley and the Negev (Num. 32;24; Jer. 32:42-44).

    • Use the agreement signed by the IDF to build its new intelligence base in the Negev to bring homes, jobs and more population to this very important and large area of Your Land (Isa. 35:1).

    • Upgrade Israel's transportation system to make it safer and less crowded (Jer. 7:17; Nah. 2:4).

    • Forbid Israel's very liberal health minister from making abortions easier to obtain (Prov. 6:16-18).

  3. External security:

    This past Monday the P5+1 [the 5 permanent UN Security Council nations + Germany], started negotiations with Iran on reinstating Obama's abysmal nuclear deal. Israeli leaders with one voice are warning the world of how Iran through manipulation, threats and blackmail are trying to get exactly what it wants. Will these nations reinstate this deal with their eyes wide open, secretly hoping that Israel will stop this Iranian global threat? That is what we sense as then they can blame Israel for all the death and destruction of its military attacks against Iran.

    • Almighty King, overrule all that happens in these meetings in Vienna (Psa. 33:10-11).

    • Abba, we pray Psalm 9:19-20 against each one of these arrogant nations – both in the P5+1 and Iran: Arise, O YHWH; let not mankind prevail: let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O YHWH: that the nations may know themselves to be only mere mortals. Selah.

    • As we read in Shabbat's prophetic portion, are You personally deluding these Western leaders who want a deal with Iran and yet not one of them has rebuked Iran's military spokesman who said just last weekend that the destruction of Israel is still Iran's top goal (Isa. 66:4)?

    • If this is a trap that You are setting for these nations (Mic. 4:11-13) – all of whom are against Israel possessing all of its possessions (Obad. 1:17) as well as all of the P5+1 nations pushing to divide Your land (Joel 3:1-2) – then please reveal to us how to pray (Amos 3:7).

    • Abba, do whatever is needed to prepare Israel to be used by You to destroy Your enemies who are currently cursing Zion (Psa. 44:4; 144:1).

    • Today many Israel leaders boldly talk about a military option concerning Iran. Empower them to walk their talk if and when they need to pull the trigger (Josh. 1:9).

    • Turn Israel's leaders to You in prayers, so that You may be glorified (Psa. 50:15).

    • Provide intelligence to Israel that is accurate and actionable (2 Kin. 6:12).

    • Protect Israel from any deception from its enemies – as well as from its allies (Obad. 1:7).

    • Stop Israel from putting its trust in any foreign power – especially in America at this time (Isa. 31:1).

    • Prepare the IDF to deal with Iran and its proxies – Hizbullah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza and all the rest in Syria and Iraq – for Your glory's sake (Isa. 41:10-16).

    • Download Your strategy to them for each and every step of the battle (2 Sam. 5:17-25).

    • Reveal to the IDF military planners out-of-the-box tactics that are from heaven (Josh. 5:13-6:5).

    • If Israel attacks, forbid it from doing so with only half-way measures; instead let the results be such an overwhelming victory against its Iranian enemies that the world sees Your hand in it (1 Sam. 2:10).

    • Anoint every "jawbone" that Israel fights with to wreak havoc among its enemies (Judg. 15:15-16).

    • Send out the lepers and put the fear of God in all of Israel's adversaries (2 Kin. 7:3-7).

    • Almighty God of Israel, we thank You for answering so many prayers and moving so sovereignly in Iran as we hear of it dealing with a massive drought, earthquakes, floods, anti-regime demonstrations, and that it is in deep financial difficulties (Num. 24:9a). More, Lord!

    • God, move like this with Iran's proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria (Jer. 10:25).

    • Lord Yeshua, build up Your Body in Iran, numerically and spiritually (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 3:14-21).

    • Lord Yeshua, build up Your Body in Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria as well (Psa. 72:8).

  4. Internal security:

    IFI's prayer assignments are often more like marathon races than 100 meter dashes. So we continue to ask God to move on Israel to extend its sovereignty over all of the land that He has promised to it – and at this time especially all of the land west of the Jordan River.

    • Thank You for the US Ambassador to the UN telling the Security Council that Israeli settlements – the cities and other communities in Judea & Samaria – are almost at the point of making a two-state solution impossible. Amen, and add to them Lord (Isa. 54:2-3)!

    • We rejoice as we read that the communities in Samaria are an outward sign of Your covenant-faithfulness and love (Jer. 31:3-5). Hallelujah!

    • Thank You for settling Your people in Your land with all of Your heart and soul (Jer. 32:41-44).

    • Let the government strengthen these communities and help them to grow (Amos 9:13-15).

    • Again we ask for Israel to extend its sovereignty over – and build homes in – the E1 corridor to Jerusalem's northeast, Ataraot in Jerusalem's north and Givat Hamatos in its south (Obad. 1:17).

    • During Chanukah remove the fear of man that rests on Israel's leaders and replace it with a heavy dose of a healthy fear of You – our Lord and God (Job 28:28; Psa. 19:9; 34:4; 86:11).

    • Do whatever it takes to prevent Your land from ever being voluntarily divided again (Lev. 25:23).

    • Do not allow Israel to give America permission to open a consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem.

    • We praise You that most of the terror attacks inside Israel are thwarted (Psa. 121:4).

    • We ask You to continue to bless the security services as they guard Your nation (Psa. 44:4).

    • Bring to Israel all the intelligence it needs to pre-empt many of these attacks (Job 12:22).

    • Yeshua Lord, You instructed us to pray for our enemies and bless them that curse us (Matt. 5:44). So we pray that every terror attack would fail and we bless the terrorists that in their shame of failure, they would understand that the God of Israel is so much greater than their god (Psa. 83:16-18).

    • Lord, it grieves us when the IDF stops its soldiers from acting against terrorists because of public relations issues. Forbid this and release the soldiers to protect the nation at all times (Eccl. 8:11).

    • Give Israel wisdom on how to deal with stone throwers – most of whom are older teens – yet all of whom want to kill Jews because of their anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist upbringing.

    • Abba, anoint the believing church among the Palestinians with power to proclaim the good news in Judea, Samaria and in Gaza during the upcoming Christmas season (Acts. 1:8).

  5. Aliyah & Salvation:

    This week Jews throughout the world have been celebrating Chanukah – which commemorates the cleansing by the Maccabees of the defiled temple of God in Jerusalem [165 BC] during their war against the Greek King Antiochus Epiphanes. There was an internal battle that was much more dangerous than the external as many of the Jews in Israel wanted Israel to be a "normal" nation and were seduced to leave the God of the Bible and embrace humanism. This spiritual battle still rages among the Jews today – especially with those who remain in exile.

    • …behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.Num. 23:9

    • Lord, You know how many Israelis are deceived by humanism. We plead with You to deal with that seductive spirit and save many of Your people during this season of light (Psa. 119:133; Jer. 31:7).

    • Strip away all the humanistic lies that cause massive deception and a turning to other "gods" in the hearts of Your people – both in Israel and in exile (Deut. 11:16).

    • Thank You for the reports of more Jews in exile waking up to the reality of anti-Semitism in their nations. Now use this to drive them home (Jer. 16:16).

    • As Western Jews think twice about displaying the Chanukah menorah openly, use their very real fear of being outwardly Jewish in exile to draw them back home to Zion (Jer. 50:4-5, 19-20).

    • Replace the fear of making aliyah with a fear of God and a spirit of adventure (Num. 14:6-9).

    • Hold the government to its commitment to bring another 3000 Ethiopians home (Isa. 60:4-6).

    • Open wide Israel's gates so that all Jews who want to return are able to do so (Isa. 43:5-7).

    • Remove all the stones of stumbling from Israel's gatekeeper – the Ministry of Interior (Isa. 62:10).

    • Lord Yeshua, speak to many more Messianic believers to return home (Isa. 35:10; 51:11).

    • Show the gentile members of the Body that, as we read in Shabbat's prophetic portion – as the Jews took the gospel to them, now they are obligated to bring the Jews back to Israel (Isa. 66:19-20).

    • Open the eyes of both unsaved Jews and gentile believers that the Baby born in Bethlehem was – and still is – a Jew, as well as the King of Israel (Isa. 9:6-7; Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2:2).

  6. Body of Messiah:

    With all of the chaos in today's world, sometimes it is hard for believers to still recognize that Israel is undeniably still central to God's end-time plans.

    • Lord Yeshua, please reveal to Your Body what You are doing to fulfill Your Word in the world, as well as in Israel, today (Gen. 18:17; Amos 3:7).

    • Wake up many more believers to the existential danger of an Iranian nuclear weapon (1 Pet. 4:7).

    • Let the Church understand that the enemy's threats against Israel are actually attempts to delay the return of the Lord Yeshua (Zech. 14:3-4; Matt. 23:39; Acts 1:11).

    • Show us the things we should resist in prayer and those things which are a fulfillment of Your end-time purposes, which means that all of our resistance is futile (1 John 5:14-15)!

    • During this Chanukah season, strengthen the believing remnant that wants nothing more or less than to see You, and You alone, glorified (Isa. 24:15; John 12:27-28; Rev. 15:4).

    • Help our sisters and brothers who are dealing with fear from whatever source, to turn their eyes to You and to find the grace to walk in peace in this very scary and chaotic world (Isa. 26:3; Heb. 12:2).

  7. Water:

    Israel was again blessed with rain this past week – yet it is only a day here and there that the rain has fallen so far, and this land needs steady rainfalls to reach its full potential.

    • Bless Israel with rainfall in the right places where it will do the most benefit (Jer. 14:22).

    • Thank You for giving rain to the just and the unjust because You are most gracious (Matt, 5:45).

We thank you for your faithful prayers to God to sustain IFI's finances at this season.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

For the IFI team