1. Praise:

   In Shabbat's prophetic portion we hear King Solomon praising the Lord God of Israel for being faithful to fulfill His Word to his father King David – two times.

   • Blessed be YHWH God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to David my father, and has with His hand fulfilled it… [i.e., the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by David's son] (1 Kin. 8:15)

   • YHWH has performed His word that He spoke, and I am risen up in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as YHWH promised…1 Kin. 8:20a

   • What joy we have as we see You fulfilling Your Word in our day – especially with Israel (Jer. 1:12).

   • We bless You to be able to watch You watching over Your declaration in Psalm 147:2.

   • You have proven over and over again that Your Word will not return to You empty (Isa. 55:11), so we trust You to complete all the work You have started in us – for Your name's sake (Phil. 1:6).

   • We are grateful for Your gracious gift of faith given to us so that we can believe in You (Eph. 2:8).

   • Thank You for reminding us that we need faith and patience to inherit Your promises (Heb. 6:12).

   • In these days of increasing lawlessness and evil, we praise You for being a God who will ultimately judge with righteous judgment and mercy (Isa. 33:22; Lam. 3:22; Dan. 9:9; John 5:30).

   • We rejoice in Your all-inclusive command to be anxious for nothing but to pray about everything which will results in Your supernatural peace guarding our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:6-7).

   • Thank You for telling us that we will never understand everything You are doing, but to trust You anyway and to rest in the reality that You know the end from the beginning (Deut. 29:29; Prov. 3:5).

   • We bless You for the prophecies given in Your Word – knowing that they will be completed even if they seem impossible at this time (Isa. 42:9; Jer. 32:17, 27).

   • Hallelujah! Despite all of mankind's plots and schemes, Your plan will be fulfilled (Psa. 33:10-11).

   • Thank You for reminding us to not trust in the headlines – but in Your lines, that is in Your Word.

2. Government:

   As Israel needs to tread very diplomatically in the war between Ukraine and Russia, many nations will end up not being pleased with it. We see this already – especially from the US and Ukraine. Is this another way for God to keep Israel as a nation set apart? Also, as we see the ways in which the world is dealing with Russia – at this point mainly economically – we pray for Israel to learn the lessons as at some time soon, the world will come against the Jewish State in a similar way – regardless of what it does or does not do.

   • For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be counted among the nations. (Num. 23:9) Amen, Lord. Do it!

   • Remove the fear of being different from all Israeli-Jews and also from the Jews in exile (Est. 3:8-9).

   • Lord, guide us in prayer so that we do not interfere with Your plans because You told us that in the end of this age You would draw all nations against Israel to judge them (Isa. 34:1-2, 8; Joel 3:1-2), and that You would pour out on Israel a revelation of their true Messiah (Zech. 12:2-3, 10-13:1), as well as prepare the way for the return of that Anointed One, Yeshua – Israel's King (Zech. 14:1-4).

   • Help Israel examine the methods the world is using to halt Russia's invasion of Ukraine and make the connection that most likely this is what the world will do with Israel when it refuses to submit to their ungodly and anti-biblical diktats – a total economic and diplomatic boycott (Rev. 13:17).

   • Please Lord, raise up a prophetic voice to warn Israel's leaders about this (Psa. 49:3).

   • [Israel is conflicted between standing for what is morally right and condemning Putin's invasion of Ukraine versus not being overly anti-Putin so that it maintains its freedom to attack Iranian weapons and outposts in Syria – and thus fulfills its moral obligation to protect its own citizens.] Lord God, in this no-win situation for Israel, guide it to do that which is in line with Your will (1 Sam. 15:22).

   • Fill Israeli politicians' mouths with Your words and shut the mouths of all others (Psa. 81:10; 141:3).

   • Do not allow Israel's government to be so distracted by the events in Europe that they miss the vital things that require their attention for their nation at this dangerous time (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

   • Hedge in Foreign Minister Yair Lapid from trying so hard to make Israel a nation like all others that he makes Israel's situation much worse, because it is then chaffing at Your bit (Acts 9:5).

   • Have mercy on Israel and do not allow Lapid to become Israel's next prime minister (Psa. 75:5-7).

   • We thank You for the good relations Israel has with China, and we ask that You would protect those ties – and guard Israel from any underhanded Chinese dealings (Josh. 9:14-15).

   • As Israeli President Herzog visits Turkey next week, send angels to protect him (Psa. 91:11-12).

   • Provide him with godly counsel in his interactions with Turkey's President Erdogan (Prov. 15:22).

   • Forbid Israel from agreeing to anything with Turkey that is not in Your will (Prov. 16:9).

3. Aliyah:

   God is using Russian President Putin's actions to chase many Ukrainian Jews home to Israel. This does not mean that God approves of Putin's action, but the truth of Romans 8:28 can be clearly seen to be at work pertaining to those whom He has called.

   • We bless You for Israel's Minister of Aliyah & Immigration, Pnina Tamano-Shata, who is actively preparing her ministry to receive and to help settle thousands of Ukrainian Jews (Jer. 31:8-9).

   • Both Pnina and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked are removing some bureaucratic blockages from the process of Jews getting their citizenship. This is a huge answer to prayer, and we pray for more stones to be removed in this important arena (Isa. 62:10).

   • As Jews fleeing Ukraine might feel guilty of betraying that nation, Lord God, please show them that in Your sight Israel is their homeland and this is Your time for them to come home (Isa. 43:5-7).

   • We ask for a miracle that Russian Jews who are Israeli citizens will welcome home Ukrainian Jews with open arms (Psa. 147:14a) – especially in every Messianic congregation in the land.

   • Let the European Jews see how many Ukrainians have fled to Israel with only the clothes on their back and place in their hearts a resolve to come home now – with their silver and gold (Isa. 60:9).

   • Thank You that because Covid-19 stopped Israel's tourism industry, there are many empty hotels that will provide temporary housing for this huge influx of immigrants (Psa. 31:2; 68:6; Rom. 8:28).

   • Yet these new immigrants are going to need permanent housing soon – so remind the government to do what it has promised and provide affordable housing in all areas of Your land (1 Chr. 4:10).

   • Lord, the Palestinians are afraid that Israel will settle many Ukrainian Jews in Judea and Samaria, building up the settlements there. What a great idea! God, show Israel to do it (Job 3:25; Jer. 32:41).

   • Bless the preparations for language classes, job placements, and all else for the new immigrants.

   • Enable Jews, especially those in the West, to see that they were not sent into exile to fix the world – the so-called tikkun olam – but that this is the time to quickly flee Babylon (Jer. 51:6-9).

   • Use US President Biden's State of the Union address this past week to wake up Bible-believing Jews in America to see how far from the Bible their nation has drifted, and draw them home (Zech. 8:8).

   • Remove whatever in Israel is preventing the remaining Ethiopian Jews from coming home.

   • Bring Spanish and Portuguese speaking Jews to settle the Negev (Obad. 1:20).

4. Internal security:

   We are aware of how the enemy loves to kill and destroy during the feast season. As Passover, Resurrection Day and Ramadan all occur within the same timeframe next month Israeli security forces are already planning ahead. Also, the Palestinians are complaining that they are not getting enough attention from the world because of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and a tried and true way to change that is by terror attacks or another war with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Also, they have just called for a "day of rage" today, Friday, to divert the world's attention back to themselves.

   • Demanding attention and raging in order to get it is what we expect from babies. Lord, use this to do just the opposite and show the world that these people do not deserve a state (Psa. 7:6; Prov. 6:34).

   • Lord, arise and squash any terror attacks that are being planned against Your nation (Psa. 68:1, 30).

   • In mercy, save as many Palestinians as possible – including whole families (Josh. 2:18).

   • If this is a time for Israel to retake more of its God-given land, let them do just that (Obad. 1:17).

   • We praise You for the reports that many Arabs in the Middle East are fed up with the Palestinians, and ask that this mindset would run rampant throughout many Arab nations – including their leaders.

5. External security:

   Negotiations with Iran in Vienna about its nuclear programs have taken a back seat in Western nations and in the media because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While this is to be expected – yet for Israel the Iranian threat is a much more serious and immediate threat to its existence than whatever Putin is doing.

   • Harden the hearts of the Iranian negotiators in Vienna so that the other nations just cannot meet all of their outrageous and arrogant demands and a new deal is not signed (Psa. 33:10-11; Prov. 21:1).

   • We agree with former Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's advice to the Knesset [Israel's parliament] this past week that Israel should basically be quiet about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict but must shout from the rooftops about the Iranian threat (Num. 10:9; Ezek. 33:3-6; Zech. 9:14).

   • Guard Israel from being distracted by the headlines and so let their guard down concerning the danger that continues to emanate from Teheran (Psa. 125:3).

   • If there is any intelligence Israel is missing, reveal it to the right sources (Job 12:22; Dan. 2:22).

   • We thank and bless You that You constantly guard over Your nation (Psa. 121:4).

   • God of Israel, deal with Iran supernaturally so that You alone receive all the glory (Psa. 115:1-3).

   • With all the "accidents" happening in many Iranian factories, army bases and high-tech companies, send a spirit of paranoia on Iran's leaders so that they see Israel's Mossad at every turn (2 Chr. 18:21).

   • Let Iran's leaders be judged for releasing terror in the land of the living (Isa. 14:5; Ezek. 32::24).

   • As is happening to Russia, derail Iran's money train and dry up its finances (Job 36:19; Psa. 52:1-7).

   • Reveal the truth of the God of Israel to Your Body in Iran and drive out all spirits of anti-Semitism and that demonic doctrine of replacement theology (Isa. 29:24; Matt. 15:9; Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 4:1).

   • Thank You Lord, for watching over Your Word and setting Your throne in Elam through the growth of the Iranian Body of Messiah (Jer. 49:36a).

   • We ask that You would suddenly fulfill the next part of that verse and remove the scepter from Iran's current "king and its princes" – and please raise up pro-Israel leaders in their place (Jer. 49:38b).

6. The IDF:

   It is awesome to see that what God prophesied in Ezekiel 37:10 is come to pass as most of the world affirms that the IDF is today an exceedingly great army.

   • Use the IDF's Chief of Staff Kochavi to focus Israel's politicians, especially Prime Minister Bennett and Defense Minister Gantz, on the very serious threat from Iran (Ezek. 3:17; 33:3, 7).

   • Guide the IDF's Iran Command as it plans and strategizes on what Israel must do to stop an Iranian nuclear threat from becoming a reality (2 Chr. 32:22).

   • Keep the IDF alert on Israel's borders, as it is literally surrounded by Iranian proxies (Psa. 140:7).

   • Yet if Israel is surrounded because You are drawing nations into Your trap, then prepare Israel to "arise and thresh" – and may it all results in You being glorified (Mic. 4:11-13).

   • Be very clear with all IDF commanders on where and when and how to fight (Josh. 5:13-6:5).

   • Provide the IDF with all it needs – personnel, equipment, finances, wisdom, courage (Josh 1:6-7).

   • Provide IDF reservists with all they need when they are called up to do battle as well (Psa. 144:1).

   • Expedite the development of the IDF's laser weapons and increase their effectiveness (Jer. 50:25).

   • Bless, protect and use all Messianic Jews and Christians serving in the IDF today (Psa. 44:4-8).

   • Lord, save all the Muslims, Bedouin and Druze who are also serving in the IDF today (Gen. 12:3).

   • Maintain good cooperation between Russia and Israel over IDF action against Iran in Syria.

7. The Body of Messiah:

   With the rise of the internet and social media, all of us are threatened with information overload. Yet as His Body, we should train ourselves to hear and heed the Lord's voice and then to carry only those burdens He specifically places upon us. We cannot fight every battle, and if we fight in a battle that is not of Him for us, we end up exhausted as well as leaving a huge gap between us and the other watchmen who are in their God-ordained positions on His walls.

   • Lord Yeshua, train us to keep our eyes on You (Psa. 123:1-2; Heb. 12:2).

   • As our Shepherd, lead us in paths of righteousness – for Your name's sake (Psa. 23:3).

   • And when You do lead us into battle, show us that table that You have prepared before us when we are in the presence of our enemies (Psa. 23:5).

   • Lord, teach us to carry only that which is Your burden for us personally (John 10:3-4).

   • Prevent us from carrying burdens not from You and then becoming burnt out (Matt. 11:28-30).

   • Guard us all from the various guilt trips that the devil loves to lay on Your people (Rom. 8:1).

   • Guard us also from those who come in Your name and still try to deceive us (Matt. 24:4-5, 11, 24).

   • Protect Your Body from information overload and deception (John 10:1-5; 1 Cor. 7:35; 14:10).

   • Give Your Body a hunger to consume all the information that is found in Your Word (Jer. 15:16).

   • We bless and thank You for the growing Body of Messiah in Israel at this time (Matt. 16:18).

   • Prepare it for the days ahead and impart courage for the things You know it will have to face in a very short time (1 Thess. 5:1-6; 1 Tim. 4:1-6).

8. Water:

   The report at the beginning of the week was that the Sea of Galilee was only .9 meters below being totally full. What a joy to hear how God has watched over our prayers for this.

   • Thank You for the rain and snow with which You have already blessed Israel this season, and for the minimal damage that has been suffered from the weather ((Job 37:6; Psa. 65:10).

   • We again ask You to fill the Sea of Galilee and the aquifers completely before the end of the rainy season – and open many Israelis' hearts to know that this is from You (Isa. 41:17-20). 

9. IFI:

   Please continue to ask God to grant us an anointing to know how to pray into these very hectic and dangerous days. Also, ask Him to supply all of IFI's needs so that we can complete the race that He has ordained for this ministry. Thank you.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Jerusalem,

For the IFI team