1. Praise:

   Hosea 2:19-20 in Shabbat's prophetic portion declares what God did with us when He saved us through His Son, Messiah Yeshua. Yet in context, it also prophesies what His relationship will be with His nation when all Israel is saved. I will betroth you unto Me eternally; yes, I will betroth you unto Me in righteousness, in justice, in covenant-love, in mercies, and I will betroth you unto Me in faithfulness – and you shall know YHWH. (Hos. 2:19-20)

   • We rejoice Abba for being able to know You through Messiah Yeshua (Matt. 11:27).

   • Thank You that we do not take Israel's place, but are grafted into Your promises to Your nation and thus we have an eternal relationship with You and with Israel (Rom. 11:15-26; Eph. 2:19-20).

   • We bless You Yeshua for becoming our wisdom and righteousness today (1 Cor. 1:30).

   • We praise You Lord that since You took the judgment that our sin-nature deserved, we now know God in righteousness (Psa. 9:16; Isa. 26:9; 53:4-12; 59:1-2).

   • Thank You for preparing a place for us with You in eternity right now (John 14:1-3).

   • We give You thanks, Lord God, for Your covenant-mercies endure forever (Psa. 118:1; 136:1).

2. Government & society:

   Since the Oct. 7th Hamas massacre, Israel has become more isolated. For bible-believers, this appears to be the fulfillment of Numbers 23:9b, yet for most Israelis and Jews this can be quite disturbing and frightening. For us who are called as watchmen on Jerusalem's walls (Isa. 62:6-7), this means we must not intercede based on our fears or opinions, but based on His Word and the leading of His Spirit (John 16:13).

   • As Numbers 23:9b is swiftly being fulfilled, lead us to prayer in line with Your will which is to see Israel separated from the nations, and separated unto You (Ex. 33:16; 1 Kin. 8:53; John 15:15).

   • Being separated from the world to be separated to You is one definition of being "holy," so we bless You for turning Israel into that holy nation which You called it to be (Ex. 19:5; Deut. 14:2; 26:19).

   • Thank You for telling us to not trust in Israel's government, but in You who has set Israel's current government up for just a time like this (Est. 4:14b; Psa. 75:6-7; 103:19; Dan. 2:21).

   • Remove any Israeli politicians working in secret to bring Israel's current coalition down (Psa. 44:21).

   • Move upon Israel's leaders to ask You for wisdom to lead Your nation (Prov. 1:1-7; 19:21; 21:1).

   • Abba Father, raise up many more sons Zion having the wisdom and authority needed to guide Your nation and also diminish the influence of the sons of Greece (Prov. 28:28; Isa. 32:1b; Zech. 9:13).

   • King of Israel, anoint PM Bibi Netanyahu to fulfill Your will and block him from doing or saying anything that is not in line with Your will for Israel (Prov. 19:21; 21:1).

   • While Bibi has accepted the invitation to speak to the joint session of the US Congress, if this is not Your will block it from happening (Prov. 16:1, 9). [The announced date is July 24th.]

   • Strengthen Israel's leaders from capitulating to all outside or inside anti-God pressure (Num. 23:23).

   • Shield Israel from the emotional blackmail Hamas is using over the hostages (Psa. 69:33; 146:7).

   • Harden Hamas' leaders to reject any hostage deal which would stop Israel from destroying them as both a governing and a terrorist organization (Ex. 4:21; Deut. 2:30; Josh. 11:19-20).

   • Lord, You hear the media, both outside and inside of Israel, as it lies and distorts the truth, so please fight against this very persuasive anti-God, and anti-Christ, spirit (Job 12:20; Jer. 9:3; John 8:44).

   • God, baptize Israeli Jews, and also Jews in exile, into a biblically-correct mindset and wash away all politically-correct thinking (Psa. 119:138, 142, 148; Isa. 40:7-8; Jer. 17:5-8; Luke 16:17).

   • Lord God, use the unity, courage and faith in the righteousness of Israel's cause which permeates the soldiers fighting in Gaza, to be like leaven for the rest of Israeli society (Psa. 133:1; Matt. 13:33).

   • Lord Yeshua, bring Your prophesied comfort on all Israelis who are in need of it now (Isa. 61:1-3).

3. Foreign relations:

   US President Biden's administration is once again acting against Israel's best interests. Late last week, Biden announced a plan to bring an end to the war against Hamas that he said was an Israeli plan, when in fact it was not. But now the world is pressuring Israel to accept it if Hamas accepts it – and this made-up plan is very advantageous for Hamas, yet so far, God is hearing our prayers and hardening Hamas' leaders to flat out reject it!

   • Lord Yeshua, reveal to believers their biblical duty to intercede into their nation's relationship with Israel, especially at this point in history (Deut. 32:43; 1 Tim. 2:1-2a; Rev. 19:2).

   • Also show believers in the West how to pray about the spirit of Islam that has invaded their nations and is intimidating their leaders to turn against Israel and the true Body (Num. 24:9b; Eph. 6:12).

   • Give Israel's leaders' wisdom and courage when responding to Biden's betrayal and glorify Yourself as they do that (Psa. 115:1-3; Isa. 8:9-10).

   • Do not allow Israelis to view Trump as a savior if he becomes America's next president (Jer. 17:5-6).

   • Use Biden's administration to force Israel to no longer trust in man but in You alone (Psa.118:8-9).

   • God of Israel, guard over Your nation against all of its enemies – especially those who go under the category of being Israel's "friends" and "allies" (Job 19:19; Psa. 55:13-14).

   • Improve Israel's ability to fight against all political and all lawfare attacks (Psa. 44:4).

   • Lord, justify Your nation and exalt Your truth against the demonic arrows that have been shot at Israel by so many nations and international NGOs (Psa. 33:10-11; Isa. 54:15-17; 59:14-18).

   • Lord God, openly show the world Your total backing of Israel's denunciation of the plan to create a Palestinian State on Your land which You have gifted to Your people (Lev. 25:23; Isa. 60:12).

   • Bless Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan as he ends his four year term in today's tower of Babylon and guide Israel as to whom You have already ordained to take his position (Jer. 1:5, 10).

   • As the US wants the UN Security Council to agree on Biden's hostage/ceasefire plan that enables Hamas to survive and therefore to win, use Russia and China to veto it (2 Sam. 15:31).

4. "Operation Swords of Iron:"

   We thank God Israel is pressing on in its war against Hamas even in the face of the world's condemnations. Apparently, most people, nations and NGO's have totally forgotten how this war started and what Hamas actually did on October 7th, or since it was an attack against Jews, they either do not care or even support it!

   • Hear our prayers as trumpets before You as Israel wars against its enemy in its land (Num. 10:9).

   • God, we bless You for how Israel is actually winning the war, despite the handicaps the world has placed on it and the twisting of truth in the media (Psa. 44:5-8; 60:12; 68:35).

   • Yet please prohibit it from ending until Israel gains a complete victory (Psa. 44:4-6; 46:9-11).

   • Press Israel to increase the intensity of its attacks and to see a sudden end of the war (Eccl. 8:11).

   • Magnify exceedingly the success and deadliness of the IDF in general, and let at least some among the Church see that Israel's army is that which was spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. 37:10).

   • King of Zion, strip the IDF leadership of every son of Greece and replace each one with sons of Zion to lead Israel's current and future wars in a much more biblical manner (1 Chr. 11:10; Zech. 9:13-16).

   • Let the IDF increase its offensive attacks against Hamas in Rafah on the Egypt-Gaza border, which is their final stronghold – and turn it into Hamas' final resting place (2 Sam. 22:38-41).

   • Collapse all of the terrorist tunnels connecting Rafah and Egypt, and let them swallow up all enemy combatants that are hiding in them (Ex. 15:11-12; Num. 16:30-32).

   • Yet lead the IDF to find all hostages, living or dead, who may be in those tunnels (Isa. 49:13-16).

   • Forbid Israel from being more merciful with its enemies than is Your will (Psa. 18:25-27; 97:10).

   • Continue to shield Israel's warriors, defending them at all times (Job 5:19-20; Psa. 3:1-6; 91:3-13).

   • Increase the soldiers' protection against friendly fire and other deadly accidents (Psa. 121:4; 140:7).

   • Lord God Almighty, direct Your nation (Prov. 16:9; 19:21) to repossess Gaza after the war since it is part of the inheritance of Judah (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18).

5. Internal security:

   Attacks against Jews everywhere in Israel has increased since Oct. 7th. Yet most of them have been unsuccessful – and for that we thank and praise our God (Eph. 5:20).

   • Lord, bring to pass Hosea 2:18 in Shabbat's prophetic portion as soon as possible (Ezek. 34:25)

   • We bless You that the Oct. 7th massacre opened the eyes of more Israelis to the dangers of the "two-state solution" as they see Palestinian support for Hamas increasing (Psa. 120:7; Prov. 24:20).

   • Let the Samarian communities uprooted by ex-PM Sharon in his unbiblical disengagement law, be repopulated and grow as Israel has now annulled Sharon's legislation (Isa. 54:2-3; Jer. 31:3-5).

   • Lord, forbid any successful kidnapping attempts or car-ramming attacks (Psa. 5:4-6; 10:15).

   • Uncover and block all of Iran's active support for terrorist groups in Israel (Psa. 125:3-5; Hag. 1:6).

   • Expose all terrorist plans and tunnels in Judea and Samaria (Job 28:11b; 34:21-22).

   • We declare Psalm 18:37-42 over the IDF's action throughout the land of Israel.

   • In line with Your Word, let Israel put to death all terrorist murderers (Gen. 9:5-6; Num. 35:21).

   • We bless You for the angelic hosts guarding over Israel and ask that many Israelis would have their eyes open to "see" them (2 Kin. 6:16-17; 2 Chr. 32:7-8; Psa. 59:5; 148:2).

   • Use the hatred and suspicion which exists between the Palestinian Authority [PA] and Hamas to turn them against each other and to nullify both of these terror groups (Psa. 55:9; Psa. 83:1-5, 16-18).

   • Lord, in mercy save many Palestinians and turn them into lovers of Zion (Matt. 5:44; Rom. 11:11).

6. External security:

   Iran's Shi'ite leaders for the past 45 years have been openly declaring their goal of establishing a global caliphate under Islamic Shi'ite Sharia law. Yet most Westerners just cannot believe that anyone in today's world would actually live and die for "religious" purposes, so they make all sorts of excuses as to why Iran does not really mean it. Meanwhile, most Iranians do not want what their leaders are aiming for and want to live in peace with Israel and the rest of the world.

   • Lord, like Moses, we ask You to safeguard Your Name and Your promises by protecting Israel and scattering Your enemies, Iran and its proxies who delight in war (Ex. 32:11-13; Psa. 68:1, 30; 83:1-4).

   • Use the pride of Israel's Muslim enemies to drag them down into destruction (Prov. 11:2a; 17:19).

   • God of Israel, whatever You might mean, please break the bow of Elam [ancient Iran] (Jer. 49:35).

   • Sovereign Lord, sovereignly destroy Iran's nuclear facilities (Psa. 96:10; Jer. 46:10).

   • If instead Israel will be Your weapon of war in this, then guide it concerning the timing and tactics so that the destruction of Iran's nuclear program will be complete (Prov. 21:31; Jer. 51:20-25).

   • Lord, multiply, guard over and mature the Iranian Body of believers (Jer. 49:38a; Matt. 16:18b).

   • At the same time let Jeremiah 49:38b be filled suddenly.

   • Make Iran's leaders who threaten and curse Israel reap what they sow (Num. 24:9b; Gal. 6:7).

   • Encourage the Iranian Body to pray for their nation (1 Tim. 2:1-4), as well as for Israel (Psa. 122:6).

   • Abba, as a kingdom of priests in Messiah Yeshua, we intercede for Israel, and remind You of Joel 2:17-20 as we ask You to deal with Hizbullah, the northern army threatening Israel today.

   • Send forth massive confusion, fear and erroneous thinking into Hizbullah's leaders (Jer. 17:18).

   • In Your timing, send forth Israel to war against Lebanon and Hizbullah (Eccl. 3:1, 8b).

   • During any war between Israel and Hizbullah, enable all IDF attacks to be so demoralizing that the nation of Lebanon itself quakes in fear before Israel and You, Israel's God (Psa. 29:5; Isa. 2:11-13).

7. Aliyah:

   Yeshua returns to a Jerusalem under siege (Zech. 14:1-4). So Jerusalem remains under Jewish rule until that time (Matt. 23:37-39). Jews returning to an independent Jewish State (Jer. 30:8-10), is a major sign that God is wrapping up this age, as His return is scheduled to happen when He builds up Jerusalem (Psa. 102:16) and gathers Jewish outcasts into it (Psa. 147:2)!

   • Lord, wake up more believers concerning their biblical duty to carry Your people home – in prayer, by finances, through good works, and by sharing with their Jewish neighbors that the "captivity" is over and it is past time to return to Israel (Isa. 49:22; 60:1-12; 61:5; Rom. 15:26-27).

   • Instruct any Christian Zionist who is blind to the centrality of aliyah today (Psa. 106:47; Jer. 32:41).

   • Open the eyes of believers to see that aliyah is not a "Jewish" matter, but is mainly a "Kingdom of God" matter which is being fulfilled at this time (Deut. 30:1-6; Zech. 8:1-8; 10:8-10).

   • Change Israel's view concerning its connections with Jewish groups in exile – from sustaining and protecting them to instead encouraging them to come home (Psa. 107:2-3; Isa. 27:12-13).

   • Set Western Jews free of their dangerous expectations that life will return to "normal," as the current surge of anti-Semitic hatred may never dissipate (Deut. 30:3-5; Zech. 10:8-10).

   • While it may appear counterintuitive for Jews to come to Israel during a war, show them that it is more dangerous for them and their families to stay in exile (Zeph. 3:19-20).

   • Challenge Jewish parents with the choice of seeing their children hiding before the anti-Semitic intimidation, or seeing them in the IDF fighting to defend their homeland (Ex. 17:9; Deut. 20:1-4).

   • Send an insatiable homesickness on the multitudes of Israelis living among the gentiles, especially those who are now Messianic believers (Isa. 35:10; 51:11).

   • Change Israel's rabbinical definition of "who is a Jew?" to be in agreement with Your definition and enable all whom You see as Jewish receive their Israeli citizenship (Psa. 119:116; Isa. 8:20).

   • Raise up more Israelis to perceive that now is the time for Israel to prepare housing, jobs, schools and Hebrew learning classes in order to receive many new immigrants (Isa. 54:2-3; Ezek. 36:8-12).

8. Salvation:

   Brothers, my heart's desire and request to God for Israel is that they might be saved. (Rom. 10:1) Although God said all Israel will be saved, still He waits on us to ask Him to do that (Ezek. 36:37; Luke 18:1; John 15:16).

   • Lord Yeshua, move on Your Body to persist in interceding for Israel's salvation (Luke 18:1; 19:10).

   • Wake up every born-again gentile to see that Romans 1:16 and 11:11 are still valid today.

   • Abba, with so many Jews back in the land, remove that partial blindness You sovereignly placed over Your people (Ezek. 36:23-32; Rom. 11:25-26), and pour out Your Spirit on them in abundance, especially next Tuesday evening through Wednesday which is Shavuot in Israel (Acts 2:1-4).

   • Lord Yeshua, as Joseph did with his brothers (Gen. 45:1-4), reveal Yourself to many more Jews and let them share with their families how You are alive and rule in many gentiles hearts (Gen. 45:24-28).

   • Release a holy dissatisfaction on all Jews about their relationship with You as compared to the close relationship many Jews had with their God in biblical times (Psa. 42:2; Mark 9:24).

   • Use Israel's increased isolation to turn Israelis to Yourself (Ex. 33:16; Deut. 33:28-29).

9. The Body of Messiah:

   For those in the Body who are oblivious to Israel's centrality in God's end-time plans, all the focused attention on Israel by most of the world must be very confusing. For the rest of us, this is exactly what God said would happen before His return (Zech. 12:2-3; 14:1-4). This partial blindness of the Body to Israel is because of a denigration of both His people and His Word – which obviously includes the Tanach, the Old Testament.

   • Lord, show the Body that each time they read "scripture" in the New Testament, historically it refers the Tanach (Matt. 22:29; 26:54, 56; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Pet. 2:6; 2 Pet. 1:20).

   • Also, King of Israel, reveal to Your Body the biblical links between aliyah, Israel's salvation and Your return in glory (Psa. 53:6; Jer. 32:37-44; Zech. 14:1-4; Matt. 23:39; Rom. 11:25-27).

   • Reveal to the Body that the war against Israel and the Jews are attacks against that cultivated olive tree into which they are grafted and if that tree dies then their faith is in vain (Rom. 11:17-18).

   • Increase the authority of all sons and daughters of Zion in the Body, and diminish the humanistic influence of every child of Greece (Matt. 7:28-29; Gal. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:2-5).

   • Deliver Your Body from every anti-Semitic and anti-Zionistic spirit and the anti-biblical teachings of replacement and fulfillment theology (Psa. 144:6-8; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Heb. 13:9; Jude 1:18).

10. IFI:

    Please pray for us to continue to pray primarily in line with His Word and not based on the news headlines. While this is no simple task, nothing is too hard for our God (Jer. 32:17, 27).

Thank you, Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Rev. 22:21