1. Praise:

   The annual Torah reading cycle restarts this Shabbat. The theological foundation for all of the Word is Genesis 1:1. All else in Scripture is based on this and that is why its veracity has been attacked since at least the mid-1850s. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

   • Lord God, we bless You for being the Creator of all and our creator as well (Isa. 43:15; 1 Pet. 4:19).

   • We bless You for the revelation that You created everything through Your Son, who is now known as Yeshua the Messiah because of His incarnation (John 1:1-3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16).

   • What a joy to read a foreshadow of salvation by grace when right after Adam and Eve sinned, You clothed them in skins, implying that You sacrificed an animal in order to do this (Gen. 3:21).

   • Thank You for clothing Your children with salvation and righteousness in Messiah (Isa. 61:10).

   • We bless You as the reason why Noah was seen as righteous in his generation (Gen. 6:9) is because, as the verse before that reveals, Noah found grace in the eyes of YHWH. (Gen. 6:8)

   • We praise and exalt You that Isaiah 42:9 in the prophetic portion encourages us to completely trust in You since nothing whatsoever takes You by surprise (Isa. 46:9-10).

   • We bless You that Your creation reveals Your glory and Your majesty unto us (Psa. 19:1; 97:6).

2. 1. External security – "Operation Northern Arrows:"

      Israel's war against Hizbullah, Iran's number one proxy in Lebanon continues. The stated goal is to rid Israel's northern border region from all Hizbullah terrorists and their infrastructure as at this time more than 60,000 Israeli citizens who live in the north, are scattered. Israel must enable them to return with a sense of real security.

      • God, protect Israel according to Your Word – and for Your glory (Psa. 115:1-3; 121:4; Jer. 31:10)!

      • Lord, as we intercede, watch over Your Word, and remove today's northern army (Joel 2:17-21).

      • Merciful Savior, thank You that Hizbullah's attempted strike against PM Bibi Netanyahu's family home in Caesarea was a failure (Psa. 121:3-4); please guide Israel's response (Prov. 16:9).

      • King of Israel, have the IDF maintain its offensive against Hizbullah with increased ferocity as the rockets and mortars they shoot at Israeli civilians have not diminished (Deut. 33:27; 2 Sam. 22:41).

      • Abba Father, do not permit Israel to be forced into a ceasefire with Hizbullah (Psa. 44:4-6).

      • Lord God, aid Israel's intelligence units to interpret its collected data accurately (Luke 12:2).

      • Almighty God, guide the IDF to locate and destroy Hizbullah's weapons caches, missile launchers, and their massive and dangerous tunnel system (Job 34:21-22; Amos 9:2-3; Luke 8:17).

      • As the IDF targets Hizbullah's banking system, we praise You Lord for answering our prayers about drying up Iran's finances since they have been Hizbullah's main backers over the years (Psa. 37:1-2).

      • Creator, use the weather to help Israel to fight its enemies (Josh. 10:11; Job 38:22-23; Psa. 18:13).

      • Stir up the Lebanese people to kick Hizbullah out of their nation at this time (Prov. 28:15; 29:2).

      • Lord, protect the Lebanese Body and warn them against cursing Israel (Gen. 12:3a; Num. 24:9b).

   2. External security – Iran:

      Israel has yet to retaliate against Iran's massive ballistic missile attack a few weeks ago. It has threatened a harsh response but the US is pressing it to make a limited response instead. Meanwhile, Israel is causing great distress to Iran's leaders by decimating its two main Middle East proxies which it hoped would deter an Israeli attack against its nuclear facilities.

      • Lord God of vengeance, oversee Israel's payback against this arrogant enemy (Psa. 94:1-2).

      • Messiah Yeshua, direct the timing and the targets of Israel's retaliation (Prov. 21:30-31; Eccl. 3:8).

      • May Israel's response be exactly what is needed and let it be successful in Your sight (Eccl. 12:14).

      • We ask You to go forth with Israel's armies and fulfill Isaiah 42:13 in Shabbat's prophetic portion.

      • Sovereign Lord, even in the face of America's threats and manipulation, if it is Your time for Israel to destroy Iran's nuclear program, then arise and make it happen (Psa. 7:6; 33:9-11; Jer. 51:20-26).

      • As the Iranian leaders watch Israel tear apart Hamas and Hizbullah, send forth Your terror and the fear of Israel's army upon them like a massive, paralyzing tsunami (Ex. 15:3; 2 Chr. 20:29).

      • Lord of all, confound all ties Iran currently has with Russia, China and North Korea (Psa. 129:5).

      • Lord God, cause Iran's finances to swiftly diminish (Job 20:28-29; Prov. 11:4a; 13:11a; Zech. 5:3-4).

      • God of righteousness, judge all nations, especially Western nations, who still have financial dealings with Iran – although they know it is the world's number one supporter of terror (Jer. 12:13; Hag. 1:6).

      • Lord of hosts, please use the IDF to break Elam's [ancient Iran's] bow (Jer. 49:35).

      • Also God, arise and destroy Iran's current political, military and religious leadership (Jer. 49:38b).

      • Abba Father, use all of the above to set the Iranian people free to worship You (Jer. 49:38a).

      • Lord, shepherd Your Body in Iran and guide them in prayer (John 10:16, 27).

3. Foreign relations:

   Much of the world hates Israel because it hates Israel's God (Psa. 83:1-4). Part of that hatred is because God's Word clarifies what is right and what is wrong, and dares to call sin – sin! Also, God's Word is declared to be the ultimate truth (John 17:17), which does not sit well with the humanistic mindset of today that smugly says "My truth is as valid as any other truth".

   • Lord God, Your foreign policy is above our ability to see (Psa. 33:10-11; Isa. 55; 8-9), so as You fulfill it, please show us (Amos 3:7) so that we can give You all the glory (Psa. 115:1-3; Luke 11:2).

   • Sovereign Lord, as You bring up and put down world leaders (Prov. 8:15; Dan. 2:21a), use today's leaders to fulfill Your plans (Psa. 33:11), and give us wisdom on how to pray for them (Eccl. 8:5).

   • Abba Father, let Israel's increasingly isolated status in the world continue to fulfill Numbers 23:9b.

   • God, as most of Israel's "allies" lukewarm in their support of Your nation, use that to draw Israelis, including its leaders, to trust in You alone (Prov. 16:20; Isa. 30:18-21; Luke 1:54).

   • Lord God, watch over Israel's relations with whoever becomes the next US President (Psa. 118:9).

   • Regardless of who wins, protect and prepare Your nation for the dangerous 70+ days between that election and before the new US president is sworn into office (Ex. 14:13-14; 2 Chr. 20:15; Isa, 4:5).

   • Sovereign Lord, increase the sons and daughters of Zion and of Issachar in all Israel's diplomatic force everywhere throughout the world (1 Chr. 12:32; Job 22:21-22; Isa. 48:17).

   • Teach Israel's representatives, both professionals and laypeople, to speak forth Your Word, which never returns empty, each and every time they communicate (Isa. 40:8; 55:11: Gal. 4:16).

   • As the International Criminal Court threatens Israeli leaders with arrest warrants, fulfill Isaiah 40:23.

   • Uphold and anoint Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon, as he with boldness speaks truth in that anti-Christ dominated global NGO (Prov. 28:1b; Gal. 4:16).

   • Help Israel to reevaluate its relations with, or even its need for, the UN (Isa. 40:15-17; Jer. 50:28).

   • King Yeshua, awaken believers to warn their nations that as they condemn Israel and push it to divide Your land, their societies will experience further and deeper divisions (Joel 3:1-2; Gal. 6:7).

4. Government & society:

   Since Oct. 7th, Israel's PM Bibi Netanyahu is acting more like a Son of Zion than ever before. Often in history there is a person, like a Churchill, who rises to the challenge of the moment and leads and inspires many to stand against evil in a biblical manner. Only time will tell whether we are witnessing that with Bibi, but praying for him to be that is biblical (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

   • Abba Father, anoint Netanyahu to lead Israel at this critical stage in history (Isa. 30:21; 32:3).

   • God, as his heart is in Your hands, please turn it in the direction that brings You glory (Prov. 21:1).

   • Lord God, give him an abundance of Your wisdom to lead Israel today (Dan. 2:21b).

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

   • God, like David did, let him encourage himself in You against the many, both inside and outside of Israel, who constantly criticize him and work to remove him from office (1 Sam. 30:6).

   • Abba Father, convict every Israeli political leader of their constant need to seek You for wisdom and guidance, and of their need to read the Tanach daily (Deut. 17:18-20; Psa. 1:2; Jer. 15:16).

   • Abba, we thank You for many more sons and daughters of Zion being raised up in Israel, and pray for even more at this critical time in history (1 Chr. 11:10; Obad. 1:21; Zech. 9:13; 12:8).

   • God, grace Israelis with patience and a supernatural trust in You as they endure this lengthy war against Iran and its proxies, and use Isaiah 43:1 in the prophetic portion to accomplish that (Psa. 3:5).

   • Messiah Yeshua, release an abundance of comfort to all Israelis who are grieving over loved ones who have been killed, severely wounded, or are still hostages (Isa. 63:7-9; Matt. 5:4).

   • Speak to Your land to provide abundantly all of Israel's needs today (Psa. 135:15; Ezek. 36:8-12).

   • God of hosts, continue to have the IDF look to Israel's local military industries for its needs and look less to its broken reed allies (Isa. 30:1; 36:6; 41:10-1t6).

   • Prosper the advancement of Israel's Iron Beam anti-missile laser system but caution Israel to not use it like the Iron Dome and become mainly defensive in its military strategy (Rom. 13:3-4).

5. "Operation Swords of Iron:"

   The war against Hamas in Gaza has reached a critical stage. While we have finally seen justice being meted out on Hamas' former leader and the mastermind of the Oct. 7th program, Yahya Sinwar, the issue of the hostages still in Hamas' clutches and how Israel should continue to battle this terrorist group are topics that need prayer as the world is already calling for an end to this conflict – yet Hamas is still alive and well in parts of Gaza.

   • Lord God, despite Sinwar's death, guide Israel to continue to wage war against Hamas and to reject every diplomatic solution which keeps Hamas viable in Gaza (Deut. 25:17-19; Eccl. 3:8).

   • Abba, let the nations see that since Hamas uses schools and hospitals as its "safe spaces," Israel's targeting of these facilities is absolutely right in its efforts to destroy Hamas (Deut. 19:13).

   • For Your name's sake, let Israel pursue the war in Gaza until it gains a total victory (Isa. 41:15-16).

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

   • Lord God, with most of the IDF's focus on the north, please guide its deployment of personnel and equipment that are still needed in Gaza (Prov. 21:30).

   • Let the internal investigations as to what went wrong on Oct. 7th reveal the anti-biblical thinking that prevails in the higher ranks of the IDF and give Israel's political leaders wisdom to fix it (Psa. 109:8).

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

   • Merciful God, lead the IDF to find and free all remaining hostages, alive or dead (Isa. 49:24-26).

   • 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).

   • Lord God Almighty, for Your holy name's sake, show Israel its duty to repossess Gaza as it is part of Your inheritance given to the tribe of Judah (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18; Prov. 16:9).

6. Internal security:

   Israel continues its onslaught against Palestinian terrorist groups in Judea and Samaria. It is having great success in Israel's biblical heartland, but this area is not like Gaza as there are Jewish communities established throughout. Also recently, there has been an increase of deadly terror attacks in Israeli cities outside of Judea and Samaria.

   • God, let the IDF use the world's focus on Lebanon and Gaza, to intensify its activities in Judea and Samaria and extinguish the ability and will of terrorists there to fight (Ex. 15:14-16; Deut. 30:7).

   • Considering the amount of attempts to kill Jews, we bless You God for protecting them throughout Your land over this past year – and pray for that to continue (Psa. 121:4; Jer. 31:10).

   • Lord, we glorify You that despite the increase in terror attempts, most fail, and especially that there has been no successful kidnappings in Judea and Samaria, in Gaza or in Lebanon (Psa. 50:15).

   • Supply any intelligence that is missing in relation to this area (Job 12:22; Psa. 139:12).

   • Position armed civilians in the right place and at the right time to stop the terrorists (Josh. 4:12).

   • Lord God, let most of the terrorists end up falling into their own traps (Est. 7:10; Psa. 7:14-16).

   • Messiah, strip off any satanic protection from Palestinian terror groups (Num. 14:9; Josh 2:24).

   • God, expose and destroy all of Iran's attempts to ignite terrorism in Israel (Psa. 59:12-13; Isa. 60:18).

   • Let Israel extend its sovereignty over much more of its land (Judg. 2:1-5; Psa. 105:5-11; Isa. 54:2-3).

7. Aliyah:

   Scattered Jews are being regathered to a resurrected Jewish State (Jer. 30:8-10). This is an open witness to the world of God's faithfulness to His promises (Heb. 10:23b). As this occurs just before the Lord returns (Psa. 102:16), Satan is trying to destroy Israel (Rev. 12:12-13).

   • Lord, let believers see that Isaiah 43:5-6, which is in Shabbat's prophetic portion, speaks of them co-laboring with You to bring the Jews home, which is ultimately for You glory's sake (Isa 43:7).

   • God, as we read in Jeremiah 31:7-9, thank You for linking the salvation of the Jews with aliyah.

   • God of Israel, we bless You for bringing 30,000 plus new immigrants to Israel since the events of Oct. 7th 2023, and we intercede for many more Jews to return home this year (Jer. 31:3; Eph. 3:20).

   • Lord God, continue to draw Your people back to Your land in great mercy (Isa. 54:7-8; Jer. 31:3).

   • Yet if need be, send angels to drag them out of captivity (Gen. 19:19:15-16; Acts 12:7-11).

   • Lord, let the growth of anti-Semitism and Islam in the West chase Your people home (Jer. 16:16).

   • Also God, tear down the "comfort zones" of Western Jews and let them immigrate to Israel now with most of their financial resources with them (Isa. 60:9).

   • Abba, draw whole families and even communities back home together (Ex. 12:37-38; Jer. 31:3-5).

   • Shut all doors to other nations where Jews might go, and open wide the doors in Israel (Isa. 22:22).

   • Abba Father, erase all of Israel's bureaucracy man-made blockages to making aliyah (Isa. 62:10).

   • God of Israel, press Israel, even in its wartime situation, to arrange houses, jobs, schools and Hebrew classes to facilitate the successful integration of every new immigrant (Ezek. 28:25-26; 36:8-12).

   • Abba Father, release funds from wealthy Jews and rich Christians to support both the aliyah and the successful integration of new immigrants into Israeli society (Ezra 1:4; Isa. 60:9).

   • Lord God Almighty, marry Your people to the land, and show them that it is a marriage – for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health – and not just a love affair (Isa. 62:4-5).

8. Salvation:

   YHWH, save Your people, the remnant of Israel" (Jer. 31:7b). God was speaking to the watchmen [notzrim = Christian in today's Hebrew] when He said this (Jer. 31:6a). It is His will for all Israel to be saved, yet He usually waits for us to ask Him first (Ezek. 36:37; John 15:16).

   • Lord, as Your people read Genesis 3:15, the first time the gospel is hinted at in Your Word, let them question You about the woman's Seed who crushes the head of the serpent (Matt. 7:11; Luke 11:13).

   • Father God, please take away the partial blindness which You have placed on most Jews over the past two thousand years, and reveal Messiah Yeshua to them today (Rom. 11:25-26).

   • 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 gentile hearts (Gen. 45:24-28).

   • Merciful Lord, pour out Your prophesied spirit of grace and supplication upon You people who now live in Your land, and save countless multitudes of them (Zech. 12:10).

   • Lord Yeshua, redeem many of Israel's modern day sons and daughters of Zion – and show them that You, their King Messiah, has already come and are returning very soon (Zech. 9:9; 14:1-4).

   • [Please ask God about any specific group or groups of Jews that He wants you to intercede for.]

9. Body of Messiah:

   I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse [i.e. make little of; denigrate; make despicable, treat with contempt and despise] you. (Gen. 12:3a). It is vital for believers to believe this promise of God to Abraham. "Cursing" Israel or the Jews opens a door for deception to infiltrate the Body and be accepted as if it were from God – like replacement theology!

   • Lord, move in the Body and expel from it all demonic spirits of Jew and Israel-hatred, regardless of the excuses given to justify holding onto them (Gen. 18:18; 22:18; John 4:22; Rom. 9:1-5).

   • Lord God, warn Your children to reject all proud or racist attitudes towards unsaved Jews and to bless them instead in whatever way Your Spirit directs (Prov. 8:13; Isa. 37:23; Rom. 11:17-18, 22).

   • God, expose replacement theology as a demonic, anti-Christ, and Jew-hating teaching (1 Tim. 4:1).

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

   • Lord, brainwash Your Body in all of Your Word (Eph. 5:26).

   • Reveal to the Body that You are still a Man of War today (Ex. 15:3; Isa. 42:13; Rev. 19:11-16).

   • Messiah Yeshua, ordain many more children of Zion to teach and preach on the biblical relationship between Jewish and gentile believers who are now One Body in You (Ex. 12:48-49; Eph. 2:11-22)

   • Lord, by Your Spirit teach every believer the biblical links between aliyah, the salvation of Israel and Your return in glory to Zion (Psa. 53:6; 147:2; Jer. 31:1-10; Zech. 14:1-4; Matt. 23:39).

10. Water:

    It is the season to ask for water from heaven to fall on God's land. The Sea of Galilee is in fairly good shape to start with, but we want to see it full to overflowing as that is always a sign of God's mercy to many Israelis. Please pray for that to happen during this rainy season (Isa. 41:17-20).

11. IFI:

    We really appreciate and need your prayer support. Thank you for faithfully lifting up our hands in prayer, as well as all of your words of encouragement and financial support.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Jerusalem

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Num. 6:24-26