1. Praise:

   Deuteronomy 28, the chapter on God's blessings and curses towards Israel, is part of the Torah portion. A careful reading of this chapter reveals that what God has promised Israel under His blessings is for the most part coming to pass today while what He warned them about concerning His curses has – again for the most part – ended with the birth of Israel in 1948.

   • Thank You for seeing Your promised blessings being fulfilled in Israel today (Mal. 1:5).

   • We rejoice that You turned curses into blessings for Israel – and for us (Deut. 23:5; cp. Mic. 6:5).

   • We praise You for Your promised blessing of the fruit of the womb, which has enabled Israel to attain the highest birth rate in the Western world (Deut. 28:4).

   • All of this chapter is further proof that Your Word is firmly established in eternity (Psa. 119:89), as well as proving to us once again how Your prophetic word is sure and trustworthy (2 Pet. 1:19).

   • While Israel does not yet walk in total obedience with You, You still extend all of these blessings to Your nation because of Your amazing grace (Ex. 33:12-13; Jer. 31:2; Zech. 4:6-7).

   • Lord, we bless You for that same amazing grace which is poured out on us who also do not yet walk in total obedience with You (Acts 13:43; 15:11; 18:27; 20:32; 2 Cor. 9:8; 12:9; Rev. 22:21).

   • We are so grateful that although the world – and Israel – is experiencing a huge increase in chaos, You never panic nor are You ever taken by surprise (Isa. 42:9; Matt. 24:25).

2. Government & society:

   The struggle over the direction that Israel should take continues. It is a struggle over being a democratic and less God-fearing nation or over being a nation that is not like the other nations, but one in which God and His Word is honored. Ultimately God will have His way and He will be glorified in His nation unto the ends of the world (Psa. 85:1-13; Mal. 1:10; Luke 2:32).

   • Judge of all the earth (Gen. 18:25), intervene in Israel's High Court's plans to review recently passed "basic laws" which should not come under their judicial oversight (2 Chr. 19:6-7; Psa. 9:19-20).

   • Enable the current government to prepare to deal with the anger from many of its citizens after any High Court decisions – regardless of which way they rule (Psa. 32:7; 127:1; Isa. 27:3).

   • We again ask for You to watch over and fulfill Isaiah 1:25-27, as well as to bring much good out of the chaos and threats from the anti-government demonstrators (Jer. 32:17, 27; Rom. 8:28).

   • Abba, as the psalmist notes, please silence the tumultuous demonstrations (Psa. 65:7).

   • Also Lord, deal with the rebellious leaders who openly say that their goal is to bring down Israel's democratically elected government – in order, as they also say, "to save democracy" (Psa. 55:9-14)!

   • Rebuke all the forces of darkness that are striving to divide Your nation (Psa. 119:21; Zech. 3:2).

   • During this month of Ellul, the month of repentance, speak to many politicians who do read Your Word, gifting them to hear You and understand Your will (Deut. 6:4-9; Psa. 10:17-18).

   • Anoint them and other public figures, who do believe in Your Word, to be the major influencers for the rest of the nation in ways that will glorify You (Psa. 119:100, 104, 126-128).

   • Lord, rule in PM Bibi Netanyahu's mind and heart so that he moves in Your will (Prov. 19:21; 21:1).

   • Strengthen him to resist the US administration's flood of unbiblical demands (Psa. 118:9; 146:3-5).

   • Thank You for the recent reports showing that the integration of the Haredi [ultra-Orthodox] into the IDF and into the ranks of the employed has increased (Ezek. 37:21-22). More, Lord!

   • Move on the Haredi and secular Israelis to work together and respect one another (Lev. 19:18b).

   • Enable the Israeli government and the Israeli-Arab leaders to work as one against the crime wave that is resulting in the murder of many Israeli-Arabs (2 Sam. 22:3; Psa. 11:5).

   • Lord, thank You for fulfilling Isaiah 60:10 by having so many Israeli-Arabs and Palestinians in the construction industry in Israel.

3. Internal security:

   Yeshua taught us to be persistent in praying until the answer comes (Luke 18:1). Of course, our request must be in line with God's will (1 John 5:14-15). So we continue to ask Him to move upon Israel to extend its sovereignty over all of His land west of the Jordan River.

   • Strip away the fear of man from Israel's political and military leaders – and from most of its people as well – and replace it with a healthy biblical fear of You (Job 28:28; Prov. 29:25).

   • Reveal to all of Israel once again from the Torah portion that You have given them the land – and You have even sworn by an oath to do that (Deut. 26:3, 15).

   • Show Bibi and Israel's other leaders, that it is much more vital to not divide Your land, but to extend sovereignty over it, than it is to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia (Lev. 25:23; Joel 3:1-2).

   • Do not allow the recent uptick of deadly terror attacks to be wasted, but let it coax Israeli leaders to recognize the necessity of extending sovereignty sooner rather than later (Obad. 1:17-20).

   • Let them see that the Palestinians have declared war on Israel and Israel needs to fight back and gain total victory over them in Judea, Samaria and in Gaza (Num. 10:9; Deut. 33:27-29).

   • Remove the influence of all politicians and military leaders who thwart an increase of aggressive action against the current massive murderous terrorist wave (Ex. 18:21; Deut. 20:8; Neh. 7:2).

   • Lord, lead Israel to reinstate all security checkpoints which were removed to give the Palestinians "freedom of movement" – yet which has only led to an increase of deadly terror attacks (Judg. 5:6-8).

   • As Israel increases its war against the terrorists, fulfill both Deuteronomy 28:7 in the Torah reading, and Isaiah 60:18 in the prophetic portion.

   • Aid the IDF to totally cut off the smuggling of Iranian weapons and finances into Israel (Psa. 44:5).

   • Shut Israel's ears to the habitual condemnation from most of the nations against its obligation and right to defend its people from Islamic murderers (Ex. 4:11; Eccl. 8:11; Rom. 13:3-4).

   • We ask that You who scattered Israel and who are gathering it today – will also guard Your nation, and do it in such a way that You will be seen as Israel's Savior and King (Psa. 83:16-18; Jer. 31:10).

   • Do it so miraculously that even many Palestinians turn from Allah to You (Acts 14:15; 1 Thess. 1:9).

   • Enable the plan proposed by Israel's leaders in Judea and Samaria to double the population of this area to move forward with haste and much success (Isa. 54:2-3; 65:21-23; Jer. 31:5; 23-24).

   • Stir up believers to warn their nations of Your fury and judgment on all nations who are not actively helping with Israel's restoration – as per the warning in Shabbat's prophetic portion (Isa. 60:12).

4. External security:

   Iran is rejoicing over Israel's internal situation. It also finances and directs both the increased internal terror attacks as well as the severe threats from outside of Israel.

   • Lord, You indicate that You will use Israel to trap Your/Israel's enemies (Ex. 14:1-4; Mic. 4:11-13; Zech. 12:2-3); so we ask You to lead us as we pray for You to do just that (Gen. 18:17; Psa. 25:1).

   • Let the proud hatred of Israel's foes lead to their sudden demise (Psa. 12:3; 25:19; Ezek. 35:11-13).

   • God, please reinforce Your angelic hosts on Israel's land and sea borders (Psa. 46:7; 59:5).

   • Thank You for the reports of progress in laser technology, which will allow Israel to have at least a partial laser defense by next year, and we ask for a quickening in its completion (Dan. 2:22).

   • Increase Israel's skill at being victorious on the cyberwarfare battleground (Psa. 144:1).

   • Reveal to Israel that You want them to aim for a total victory over all its enemies (Deut. 33:26-28).

   • Download to the IDF Iran Command Your battle plans against Iran and its proxies (Isa. 55:8-9).

   • Forbid Israel from looking to the UN to hold Hizbullah back, but instead let them look to You and to fight against Hizbullah as You direct them (Prov. 21:31; Isa. 31:1).

   • We thank You for the recent report that Iran's economy is totally failing, and ask for You to give it a huge push in that direction (Num. 24:9b).

   • Yet we ask You to supply their citizens' needs, especially those who do not hate Israel (Gen. 12:3a).

   • Continue to increase the internal turmoil against Iran's evil Shi'ite leadership (Jer. 49:38b).

   • Break the bow of Elam [ancient Iran] by destroying its proxies around Israel (Jer. 49:35).

   • Destroy all relations between Iran, its proxies and all of its allies (Psa. 33:10-11).

   • Also prevent any real alliance between Shi'ite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia (Psa. 129:5).

   • Teach Iranian believers how to intercede for their nation (1 Tim. 2:1-4), and for Israel (Psa. 122:6).

   • Reign over any agreement or even partial agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia (Psa. 96:10).

5. Aliyah:

   God declares that the end-time regathering of His people is for His glory (Isa. 43:5-7, 21), for His holy name's sake (Ezek. 36:22-24, 32). That many believers do not see this and stand with their God is because they do not read, honor and trust in the only Bible Yeshua and the early Church read and preached from – the Tanach! Shabbat's prophetic portion contains verses specifically referring to gentile believers – worshippers of Israel's God who are not Jewish – who are prophesied to help with Israel's restoration in various ways (Isa. 60:5-6, 9).

   • Increase the remnant in Your Body who pray for aliyah (1 John 5:14-15) and who will openly declare that Israel's restoration is Your will today (Isa. 52:7; Matt. 3:3; Gal. 4:16).

   • Let believers see that Your aim is to be glorified in and through Your chosen nation (Isa. 60:8-9)

   • Since You are no longer holding Your people in captivity, we ask You to clear out all roadblocks which prevent the Jews from coming home – especially those in their hearts (Isa. 60:11; 62:10).

   • Draw them home by Your love (Jer. 31:3) or chase them home by increased persecution (Jer. 16:16).

   • Let Jewish families who have lost almost everything through the "natural" disasters raging in most of the world take whatever insurance monies they get and return to Israel (Ezra 1:3-4; Isa. 60:9).

   • Remind Jews who are fearful of making aliyah that Israel can fight against and defeat terrorism, yet fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, or other "acts of God," cannot be defeated (Hag. 2:6, 21-23).

   • Encourage those who began the process of making aliyah to finish it (Luke 14:28-30).

   • Lord God, increase the rate of aliyah between now and the end of 2023 (Isa. 60:22).

   • Let the leaders of the Jewish people living in the gentile nations lead them home (Jer. 33:12).

   • Place a burden for aliyah and the absorption of new immigrants upon Israel's current government.

   • Rewrite Israel's Law of Return so that it reflects Your Word's definition of 'who is a Jew' and not the unbiblical definition that rabbinic tradition has placed on it (Prov. 22:17; Jer. 8:9).

   • Spread the new immigrants throughout the length and breadth of the land (Jer. 32:44).

6. Salvation:

   We are in Ellul, the month of repentance on the Jewish calendar. Many Jews take this time to attempt to get right with both God and man, so as to enter into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, with a clean slate. Of course, without being born-again by trusting in Yeshua this is impossible because the issue is not bad deeds, but a twisted sinful nature. Let us pray for those Jews serious about this to see the futility of trying to be saved by their own righteousness.

   • We ask You to watch over the many verses from Your Word that are throughout the High Holiday prayer books, and use them to bring many Jews to a saving knowledge of You (Isa. 55:11; Jer. 1:12).

   • Reveal to Your people the futility of annually repeating prayers of repentance and turn them to cry out to You for complete salvation (Psa. 80:3, 7, 19; Heb. 9:23-28).

   • Yet we do bless You that the issue of repentance is still part of the Jewish mindset (Lam. 5:21).

   • Please reverse what Moses said in the Torah portion, and what Paul said, and give Your people a heart to know You, eyes to see You and a hearing ear at this time (Deut. 29:2-4; Rom. 11:25-29).

   • Restore the true picture of who the historical Messiah was, and still is, and tear down all distorted images that end up proclaiming a false Messiah and a false gospel (Gen. 45:1-5; Rev. 22:16).

   • Abba Father, pour out the Spirit of Your Son (Rom. 8:9; Phil. 1:19; 1 Pet. 1:11) on Your people in the Haredi, Conservative and Reform communities; upon the Religious Zionists, especially those who dwell in Judea and Samaria; on secular Jews in Israel and in the nations; Jewish politicians in Israel and in the nations; IDF personnel in all branches and of every rank; medical professionals; teachers and professors; university students; workers in the hi-tech industries; archeologists; Jews involved in the occult; drug addicts; sex-addicts; alcoholics; survivors of terror attacks and their families; families of terrorist victims; Holocaust survivors and their families; many of the new immigrants from the past few years; and all unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jewish families (Isa. 44:22; Acts 2:17-21).

   • Lord, hasten the day when Isaiah 60:21 from the prophetic reading is fulfilled – which ties together all Israel being saved with their possession of the land – so that You may be glorified!

7. Body of Messiah:

   Our continual burden for Messiah's body is for a genuine acceptance of the complete Bible. Only through this is there any hope of resisting the false teachings, deceptions and apostasies that are on the increase in believing circles today.

   • Lord, help us to obtain an understanding of Your Word that enables us to know what You are doing today – and equally as important – what is not of You (Psa. 119:105; 130; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 2:15).

   • Cleanse Your Body from all anti-biblical teachings (Eph. 4:14-15; 2 Tim. 2:16), in particular in these days false teachings concerning Israel (Num. 23:19; Jer. 31:35-37; Luke 1:54-55, 68-75; 2:32).

   • During Ellul, may many believers, including elders, repent for rejecting 76% of Your revelation of Yourself and Your purposes revealed in the Tanach, the Old Testament (Matt. 22:29; Luke 24:25-27).

   • Convince more believers that Israel is of prime importance to You today (Jer. 32:41-42; Zech. 2:10-12) in preparation for the return of Your Son (Zech. 14:1-4), and then guide them to pray for and stand with the restoration and salvation of Your chosen nation (Isa. 29:18; 55:11).

   • We bless You for how often Christians today fulfill Isaiah 60:14 in the prophetic portion, and how often they do this without even realizing that they are fulfilling an end-time prophecy.

8. IFI:

   Thank you for all of your prayers, support and encouragement to this ministry. We could not do that which we are doing without you.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Jerusalem

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Prov. 14:26-27