1. Praise:

    Shabbat's prophetic portion is Zechariah 14:1-21. As this Shabbat is in the middle of the Feast of Tabernacles, Succoth, the references to Succoth found here make it very appropriate for this season: It shall come to pass that everyone who is left of the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up yearly to worship the King, YHWH of hosts, and to keep Succoth. (Zech. 14:16)

    • Lord Yeshua, we rejoice that after Your return (Zech. 14:3-4), You will reign from Jerusalem from the throne of Your father, David (Isa. 9:7; Luke 1:32).

    • Thank You Lord that the New Testament declares that You are Israel's King (John 1:49; 12:13-15).

    • We are very grateful to know You today as our King and the Lord of hosts (Psa. 24:7-10).

    • We bless You that we know You because our sins are forgiven (Isa. 59:1-2; Jer. 31:31-34).

    • We praise You for the gift of the Holy Spirit – which You tie in with Succoth (John 7:2, 37-39).

    • We praise You, God of Jacob, that You are with us and will eventually end all wars (Psa. 46:6-11).

    1. External security – Hizbullah:

      "Operation Northern Arrows," Israel's war against Iran's number one proxy in Lebanon continues. The IDF's goal is to rid Israel's northern border region from all Hizbullah terrorists and their infrastructure so that the 60,000+ Israeli citizens who live in the north, but are scattered from there, can return to their homes with a sense of real security.

      • Lord of hosts, reinforce Your angelic armies guarding Your nation today (Psa. 35:4-6; 78:49).

      • Use them and the IDF to halt the firing of rockets and drones from Lebanon into Israel (Isa. 31:5).

      • Abba Father, let Israel rebuke all criticism of this invasion (Isa. 54:17) by reminding the world that UN Security Council resolution 1701 demanded that Hizbullah be disarmed and moved to the north of Lebanon's Litani River (Joel 2:20-21).

      • Abba, in mercy have the UN remove its useless UNIFIL "peace-keeping" forces from the south of Lebanon as they are used by Hizbullah as human shields against IDF attacks (Hab. 3:2).

      • Lord, thank You for the IDF attacking Hizbullah with overwhelming force since they have fired rockets and mortars at Israel daily since last Oct. 8th (Ex. 15:14-16; Isa. 42:13).

      • Lord God of hosts, oversee the IDF's strategy and tactics in Southern Lebanon (2 Sam. 5:17-23).

      • Lion of Judah, anoint them to fulfill those prophetic words found in Numbers 24:8-9.

      • Guide Israel's soldiers to find and destroy all of Hizbullah's weapons caches and missile launchers (Psa. 31:3), and to discover and destroy Hizbullah's massive tunnel system (Dan. 2:22; Luke 8:17).

      • Block American pressure on Israel to halt military action against Hizbullah and instead to seek for a diplomatic solution (Num. 23:23) [The US has not pressured Hizbullah or Iran's proxies to stop their attacks on Israel, yet once the Jews started defending themselves, they and the world are offended!]

      • Thank You for Israel's incredible ability to collect accurate intelligence from human and artificial sources, and we ask You to continue anointing them to do this (2 Kin. 6:12; Psa. 105:14-15).

      • God of mercy, may many Hizbullah terrorists feel so ashamed as they see how Allah cannot protect them against the Jews and their God, that they start to seek Your face (Psa. 83:16-18).

      • Abba, as the Lebanese see how Israel has weakened Hizbullah, let them rise up and set their nation free from Iran's clutches through its Hizbullah proxy (Job 18:5-18; Psa. 29:5-6).

      • Protect Your Body in Lebanon and warn them against cursing Israel (Gen. 12:3a; Num. 24:9b).

    2. External security – Iran:

      Israel has not yet retaliated against Iran's attack on it by over 200 ballistic missiles some weeks ago. It has promised a harsh response yet the US is again pressuring it so that its response is limited. Yet Israel is causing great distress among Iran's leaders by diminishing Iran's two main proxies in the Middle East which it was hoping would deter an Israeli attack against its nuclear facilities. Plus Israel has killed many of its vital pawns – like Nasrallah and Sinwar.

      • Lord, vengeance belongs to You; arise and render recompense to Israel's proud foes (Psa. 94:1-2).

      • Let Israel's reprisal be in line with Your will and Your timing (Prov. 16:1, 9; 21:30-31; Eccl. 3:8).

      • God of war (Ex. 15:3), despite America's unjust and manipulative pressure, if this is Your time for Israel to attack and destroy Iran's nuclear program, then make it happen (Psa. 7:6; 33:9-11).

      • If Israel does limit its response to only military sites, as per the US request, have it target all of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps bases, as they are the Ayatollah's personal army (Jer. 50:29).

      • As the Iranian regime sees Israel warring against Hamas, Hizbullah and the Houthis, release Your terror and the fear of the IDF to fall on them in a mighty and paralyzing way (Ex. 15:3; 2 Chr. 20:29).

      • Lord God, again we ask You to break Elam's [ancient Iran's] bow (Jer. 49:35), and bring to ruin its demonic political, military and religious leadership (Jer. 49:38b; cp. Psa. 9:5-6; Prov. 10:7; 13:9).

      • Abba Father, increase the internal strife in Iran's society and set its people free (Psa. 9:1-11; 27:2).

      • Lord, protect Your Body in Iran and lead them in prayer at this time (Psa. 10:17; Luke 11:2).

  3. Foreign relations:

    God seems to be using Israel's current situation to fulfill Numbers 23:9b, where His nation is not counted as, or dealt with, like any other nation.

    • Being set apart from the nations to be drawn closer to You is a picture of being "holy"; so we bless You for turning Israel into that holy nation for which You chose it (Ex. 19:5; 33:16; Deut. 7:6).

    • King of Israel, may Your foreign policy be established on the earth as it is in eternity, and use Israel as a major instrument in that coming to pass (Deut. 28:9-10, 13; Psa. 33:10-11; Luke 11:2).

    • Show Israelis that their Western "allies" have become more dangerous than their enemies as they can pressure Israel into anti-biblical moves that it would never otherwise consider (Psa. 5:9; 55:13-14).

    • Sovereign Lord, whoever wins the upcoming US presidential elections, use it to wean Israel off of trusting in and looking to the US to trusting in and looking unto You (Psa. 146:3-5; Jer. 17:5-8).

    • Lord God of Israel, multiply the children of Zion and of Issachar in all areas of Israel's diplomatic corps throughout the world (1 Chr. 12:32; Job 22:21-22; Isa. 48:17).

    • Abba, put Your words in the lips of Israeli politicians and diplomats as they speak (Jer. 1:9; 23:29).

    • Lord Yeshua, watch over Numbers 24:9b concerning the UN and its outreaches (Isa. 8:9-10; 54:17).

    • Abba Father, continue to anoint Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon with wisdom and boldness as he defends his nation in that modern-day anti-God tower of Babel (Psa. 51:15; 81:10; 109:1-3).

    • Messiah Yeshua, have Your Body warn their birth-nations of Your judgments which are falling on many of them today because of their betrayal of Israel (Ezek. 29:6-7; Joel 3:1-2).

    • King of Israel, anoint every believer who prays over their nation's relations with Israel, and let their prayers release You to be able to have mercy on their nations (Ezek. 22:30-31: cp. Isa. 60:12).

  4. Government & society:

    The more PM Bibi Netanyahu resists the world's "suggestions" and "demands" for how Israel should defend itself, the more popular he becomes among Israelis.

    • Lord God, thank You for showing us to trust You and not Israel's leaders, yet as You have ordained Israel's leaders at this time, so please continue to lead us as we pray for them (Prov. 15:29; Dan. 2:21).

    • Abba, as Israel celebrates Your fall feasts, speak to its political leaders of their need to ask You for wisdom and guidance, and to read the Tanach habitually (Deut. 17:18-20; Psa. 1:2; Jer. 15:16).

    • Continue to promote sons and daughters of Zion in Israel's society (Psa. 1:1-6; 48:11; Zech. 9:13).

    • Continue to influence Bibi to think and act more like a son of Zion daily (Psa. 68:27-28; Prov. 21:1).

    • Lord of history, let Bibi's study of history aid him to be an insightful and bold leader (Eccl. 3:14-15).

    • Abba, surround him with godly advisors, and give him ears to hear their advice (Prov. 11:14; 24:6).

    • Lord, even now prepare the person whom You have ordained to replace Netanyahu (Dan. 2:21).

    • Almighty God, anoint Israel's current coalition for Your glory and unify them in everything that is in Your will for Israel at this time (Psa. 115:1-3; 133:1).

    • Father, sustain Israelis during this lengthy war against Iran and its proxies (Psa. 3:5), including an ability to reject the world's condemnation against Israel as it defends itself and its land (Isa. 50:8).

    • Messiah Yeshua, comfort all Israelis who need it at this time (Isa. 61:1-3), and heal all ex-hostages who are now back home of their intense mental and emotional trauma (Psa. 30:2-3; 147:3).

    • Lord God, build up Israel's economy in a miraculous way today (Psa. 132:13-15; Jer. 32:17).

    • As many "friendly" nations embargo weapons shipments to Israel, let Israel manufacture much more of its own weapons and ammunition locally (2 Chr. 32:5b; Jer. 50:25).

  5. "Operation Swords of Iron:"

    The battle against Hamas has reached a crucial stage. This past week, it was announced that the IDF eliminated Hamas' current leader and the mastermind of the Oct. 7th program, Yahya Sinwar. The question of the hostages that Hamas still has and what Israel needs to be aiming for next are issues that must be covered in prayer.

    • Abba, thank You that Sinwar was finally removed from the land of the living (Judg. 5:31; Psa. 9:5).

    • Lord God, we bless You that Israelis reaction of rejoicing openly in the streets is exactly what You say would happen when the wicked are destroyed (Psa. 58:10-11; Prov. 11:10b).

    • Abba, impart wisdom on how Israel should pursue its war against Hamas now and how it needs to reject all diplomatic solutions while Hamas still stands (Ex. 17:14-16; Psa. 33:10-11).

    • As the world focuses on the north, Lord set the IDF free of all humanistic restraints and let it fight against Hamas in a much more biblical fashion (Lev. 26:7-8; Deut. 28:7; Zech. 12:4-8).

    • God of hosts, renew the strength, courage and motivation of the troops fighting there (Isa. 40:28-31).

    • Lord, we bless You for protecting the IDF soldiers fighting in Gaza and pray for You to maintain this for the duration of the war – both from Hamas and against all accidents (Psa. 141:9-10).

    • As the events surrounding Oct. 7th have revealed the humanistic mindset of most of the IDF's top leadership, Lord either change their thinking or replace them as soon as possible (Ezek. 34:10).

    • Lord God, help Israel supernaturally to get all of its hostages back (Isa. 49:25; Jer. 50:31-34).

    • Change Israelis mindsets about the hostages from "Bring them home!" to "Let them go!" (Ex. 9:1)

    • God, support Bibi's stance that the IDF must maintain full security responsibility in Gaza and along the Philadelphi Corridor on its Egyptian border for the foreseeable future (Prov. 15:25; Mal. 1:5).

  6. Internal security:

    Israel is aggressively attacking Palestinian terrorist groups in Judea and Samaria. It is having great success but this region – Israel's biblical heartland – is not like Gaza as Jews live throughout it. There has also been an increase of deadly terror attacks in Israeli cities, as well as in Judea and Samaria, over the recent weeks.

    • God Almighty, as the world focuses on the north now, let the IDF increase its activities in Judea and Samaria and destroy the ability and will to fight of terrorists located there (Ex. 15:14-16; Deut. 30:7).

    • God, guard over Your people in all of Your land at this season (Psa. 121:4; Jer. 31:10).

    • Increase accurate intelligence gathering against these enemies (Job 12:22; Psa. 139:12; Obad. 1:6).

    • Lord, we praise You that even with the uptick in successful terror attacks, most do fail (Psa. 50:15).

    • Arrange for armed civilians be in the right place at the right time to stop the terrorists (Josh. 4:12).

    • Lord God, as per Your word, let many terrorists fall into their own traps (Psa. 35:8; Prov. 26:27).

    • Messiah, rebuke from terrorists and terror groups all demonic protection (Num. 14:9; Josh 2:24).

    • Abba, speak clearly to Your people that possessing their possessions in the land is 100% Your will for Israel today – and tomorrow (Num. 33:51-53; Deut. 8:1; 9:5; 19:8; Obad. 1:17; Zech. 1:17).

    • Erase from them all anti-biblical notions of "peace" that led to the "Oslo Accords 2-State Solution" disaster and replace it with ideas based on Your Word and promises (Joel 3:1-2; Mark 10:9).

  7. Aliyah:

    The regathering of God's scattered people is what He is doing for His holy name's sake today (Isa. 43:5-7; Jer. 31:10; Ezek. 36:22-24). Yet as Messiah Yeshua taught us (Luke 11:2), while this is His will, He waits for His people to ask Him before He does it (Ezek. 36:37; Amos 3:7).

    • Lord God of Israel, we praise You for drawing 30,000 plus new immigrants to Your land since Oct. 7th 2023, and ask for multitudes more to come home this year (Jer. 31:3; Eph. 3:20).

    • Abba, over Succoth, send a divine homesickness on all Israelis living outside of Israel (Isa. 62:4-5).

    • As Jews in the West think twice about setting up a visible Sukkah to celebrate the feast, let it sink in that they no longer have the openness to express their Jewishness as they once did (Psa. 56:5-6).

    • Almighty God, use the violent pro-Palestinian demonstrations to show Your people that "law and order" is being destroyed in most post-Christian Western nations (Psa. 11:5; Isa. 59:7-11, 14-15).

    • Abba, as today's anti-Israel demonstrations throughout the West are at least a partial fulfillment of Your prophetic hunters, let them be very effective in chasing Your people home (Jer. 16:16).

    • God of Israel, confront Jewish pride which boasts, "They will not chase us out!" and show them that You are doing the chasing, as well as the drawing (Prov. 16:18; Jer. 31:3-5, 8-10; Zech. 8:1-8).

    • Correct all Orthodox Jewish teaching which might hinder a Jew from making aliyah (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

    • Abba Father, strip off from Israel's bureaucracy man-made blockages to making aliyah (Isa. 62:10).

    • Lord God, abundantly bless every Israeli plan to absorb millions of new immigrants (Ezek. 36:8-12).

    • Lord Yeshua, move upon many Christians to speak to the Jews in their nations that the time of the captivity is over and now is the time to come home (Deut. 30:3-5; Psa. 106:47).

    • King Messiah, also reveal to Your Body their biblical duty to assist the Jews in making aliyah – by prayer, by finances and good works (Isa. 49:22; 60:1-12; 61:5; Rom. 15:26-27).

  8. Salvation:

    We prayed for many Jews to be saved over Yom Kippur. Since that was obviously in line with His will, we know that He heard us and will answer – in His way and time (1 John 5:14-15).

    • Lord, we bless You and thank for all the Jewish people to whom You revealed Yourself during the observance of Yom Kippur last Shabbat (1 John 5:14-15).

    • Confirm to them that what they now believe is in line with Your Word in the Tanach (Luke 24:27).

    • Father, continue to remove that partial blindness which has been in place over most Jews during the past two millennia (Rom. 11:25-26), and reveal Yeshua to them during Succoth (John 7:37-41a).

    • Let Jews who study Shabbat's prophetic portion question how God can have "feet" (Zech. 14:4).

    • Merciful Lord, we pray that You will pour out the promised spirit of grace and supplication on You people back in Your land, and save multitudes of them (Zech. 12:10; Rom. 11:26-27).

    • By Your grace Abba, during the feasts, save many of Your people, such as: Holocaust survivors and their families; terror attack survivors; hostages still alive and their loved ones; IDF soldiers and their families; loved ones of soldiers killed or severely wounded; widows, widowers, and orphans; Jews who are furious with God; rabbis in Israel and exile; Jewish anti-missionaries; Israeli diplomats, lawyers, university students in Israel and in exile; professors, teachers, scholars; medical personnel; Israeli media personalities; tour guides; archeologists; anti-Bibi and anti-government demonstrators; Israelis living in exile; hippies, new agers and LGBTQ+ Jews; Jews in Iran, Ethiopia, India, China; Spanish and Portuguese speaking Jews; and unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jews.

  9. Body of Messiah:

    As seen in the praise section above, King Messiah Yeshua will rule from Jerusalem. Satan knows this and so he is trying to destroy Israel to at least delay, if not negate, the fulfillment of the Word about the Lord's Second Coming. Yet how many in the Body truly understand that this is why there is the spiritual battle over Israel today?

    • Lord, reveal to Your Body that the word "scripture" in the New Testament can historically only refer to the Old Testament – the Tanach (Matt. 22:29; Luke 4:21; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Gal. 3:8).

    • Messiah Yeshua, in love rebuke all believers who refuse to trust in the Tanach (Luke 24:25-27).

    • Abba, let the Body see that the planting of Israel back in the land is the only thing that You declare You will do with all of Your heart and all of Your soul – in all of Your Word (Jer. 32:41)!

    • Lord Yeshua, show the Body that Israel's modern day restoration and salvation is crucial in setting the stage for Your glorious return (Zech. 12:2-10; Matt. 23:37-39; 24:30).

    • King Messiah, let the remnant who do understand Your plans for Israel's modern day restoration to be like leaven and impact all others in their fellowships and wider communities (Luke 13:20-21).

    • God, stir up Your Body to proclaim that Your prophesied judgments coming upon many nations at this time is a result of their evil treatment of Your nation and people (Num. 24:9b; Rev. 19:10).

    • Blessed Redeemer, let Your children accept You as both the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36), as well as the Lion of Judah (Joel 3:16; Rev. 5:5), and as that Man of War today (Ex. 15:3; Isa. 42:13).

  10. IFI:

    The significant news reports which reflect what God is doing in relation to Israel and His prophetic word, often comes in such a rush nowadays that it is hard to know what to pray about and what to include in these alerts. Please continue praying for us to hear our Shepherd's voice and intercede into those things in a way that will bring God all the glory. Thank you,

Hag Succoth sameach, Shabbat shalom and blessings from Jerusalem

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

1 Thess. 5:23-24