1. Praise:

   Shabbat's Torah portion starts with God's call of Abram. A beautiful type of Messiah Yeshua is contained in this portion as Abram meets Melchizedek, king of Salem, which is likely the earliest mention of Jerusalem in the Bible: Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, brought forth bread and wine, and he blessed him, saying, 'blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor [+ creator; owner] of heaven and earth: and blessed be the Most High God, who has given up your enemies into your hand'. And [Abram] gave [Melchizedek] tithes of all. (Gen. 14:18-20)

   • Lord God, thank You that even this early in Your Word, You are declared as the Most High God who is the possessor, or creator, or owner, of both heaven and earth (see also Gen. 14:22).

   • We bless You that since You have created everything, nothing is too hard for You (Jer. 32:17, 27).

   • While Satan may be "god" of this age (2 Cor. 4:4) – hallelujah – You reign (Psa. 103:19; Isa. 52:7)!

   • We thank You Yeshua for being both our King (Isa. 6:5; Matt. 2:2) and our High Priest (Heb. 2:17).

   • We rejoice that soon the whole world will honor You as the King in Jerusalem (Zech. 14:16).

   • We confess that You are good and that Your covenant-love is everlasting (Psa. 118:1; 136:1).

2. Government & society:

   Both the Torah and prophetic portions contain many exhortations to Israel to Fear not! This is what God is saying at this time to Israelis – and to their leaders –as they are in the midst of fighting a seven-front war with, as of now, no end in sight.

   • Lord God, let Isaiah 40:27-28 and 41:10 in the prophetic portion encourage Your nation greatly during its time of war, increased stress and global isolation.

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

   • Abba Father, impart to PM Bibi Netanyahu Your divine wisdom to lead Israel today (Dan. 2:21b).

   • As his heart is in Your hands, turn it to the way that most sanctifies Your name (Prov. 21:1).

   • God, thank You for making Netanyahu more of a son of Zion each day (Psa. 68:27-28).

   • Lord, now that Bibi has fired Defense Minister Gallant, may the next DM, Israel Katz, work in one accord with him and if there are disagreements, let them be dealt with in private (Prov. 14:29; 19:11).

   • [The firing has stirred up the anti-Bibi, anti-government crowds and opportunistic politicians outside of the coalition to renew vicious demonstrations against Bibi.] Lord, speak peace to the raging sea of left-wing, humanistic Israelis who are infected with a hatred of Bibi (Job 26:12; Mark 4:39).

   • Anoint Gideon Sa'ar in his new role as Israel's foreign minister and enable him to work well with the rest of the coalition ministers – especially with Netanyahu (Gen. 13:8; Psa. 133:1).

   • Lord God, give a spirit of discernment and humility to all government decision makers (Eccl. 8:5-6).

   • Bless the IDF's efforts to facilitate a Haredi [ultra-Orthodox] combat battalion (Num. 1:3, 20; etc.).

   • We praise and thank You that a new Israeli budget has passed and ask for You to tweak whatever needs tweaking so that this budget is pleasing in Your sight (Isa. 60:17).

   • As "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; Rom. 8:28).

3. Foreign relations:

   God is using Israel's pariah status in the eyes of many nations today to fulfill Numbers 23:9b: Behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be counted among the nations. He needs to do this as obviously a pre-saved Israel looks on this status with dread.

   • Lord God, Your foreign policy is often hard for us 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, increase the sons and daughters of Zion and of Issachar in Israel's diplomatic corps everywhere throughout the world (1 Chr. 12:32; Job 22:21-22; Isa. 48:17).

   • With Donald Trump winning the US presidential elections, Lord restrain President Biden during the 70+ days until Trump is inaugurated from taking out his frustrations on Israel (Isa, 8:9-10).

   • Abba Father, forbid any Israelis from looking to Trump as a savior (Psa. 118:9; Jer. 17:5-6).

   • Lord God, turn Israelis away from trusting in America at all, to trusting only in You (Psa. 146:3-5).

   • Messiah Yeshua, wield Your authority over the UN and its outreaches which constantly curse Israel through their lies and false accusations, and silence them (Jer. 10:25; 30:20; Zech. 2:13).

   • Rebuke Turkey and Palestinian Authority President Abbas, as one wants the UN to issue a global sanction on selling arms to Israel and the other wants Israel expelled from the UN (Num. 24:9b)!

   • Anoint and protect Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon, as he continues to speak truth in a very bold manner in that anti-Christ stronghold (Prov. 28:1b; Gal. 4:16).

   • Cause Israel's representatives – professionals and laypeople – to speak forth Your Word every time they communicate, as what You say never returns void, (Num. 23:19; Isa. 40:8; 55:11: Gal. 4:16).

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

4. 1. External security – Iran:

      After Israel's retaliation for Iran's ballistic missile, Iran had been threatening to hit back severely. Many think they might do this through their Shi'ite proxies in Iraq. Yet this could be the excuse Israel needs to wipe out Iran's nuclear weapons program, removing this threat from both Israel and the rest of the world. Trump seems to be in favor of this as well.

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

      • If You are fulfilling Micah 4:11-13, please mold Israel into Your sharp threshing instrument and let the result bring glory and honor to You – both in Israel and in the world (Ezek. 39:13b, 21-22).

      • Lord God, watch over and fulfill the matching verses in Isaiah 41:15-16 from the prophetic portion.

      • Abba, Isaiah 41:11-12a, also in the prophetic portion, is very appropriate for the mindset of Israel's Middle East enemies, so shame and confound them and make them as nothing before the IDF.

      • Let Iran's leaders reap the curses that they continually sow against Israel (Gen. 12:3a; Gal. 6:7).

      • Thank You for anointing Israel's skill in collecting accurate intelligence from human and artificial sources, and continue to aid them to decipher all collected data accurately (2 Kin. 6:12; Isa. 29:15).

      • If now is the time for Israel to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons programs, then, Lord of hosts, use Iran's arrogant pride and deep shame to draw them into Your trap (Prov. 16:18; Ezek. 38:4a, 10).

      • Use the election of Trump to produce great fear into Iran's leaders hearts and let that cause them to make huge geo-political mistakes which will ensnare them in Your trap (Prov. 29:25).

      • Lord of all, break all ties Iran has with Russia, China and North Korea (Psa. 129:5; Acts 10:36b).

      • God, thank You for the IAF breaking, at least in part, Elam's [ancient Iran's] bow (Jer. 49:35).

      • As per Your word, destroy Iran's political, military and religious leaders suddenly (Jer. 49:38b).

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

   2. External security – "Operation Northern Arrows:"

      Despite major pressure on Israel and Lebanon to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah, US efforts failed. As we asked God to not allow the American mediation to be successful unless it was absolutely His will, we now believe that He wants Israel's battle against Hizbullah to continue until Israel defeats Hizbullah completely.

      • Let this war against Hizbullah end when You want it to, and not a moment before (Eccl. 3:8).

      • Encourage the IDF to hit the arrows on the ground until Hizbullah is defeated (2 Kin. 13:17-19).

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

      • Lord of hosts, provide the IDF with accurate actionable intelligence from all captured terrorists, and keep them from being deceived (Job 12:16).

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

      • Lord God, fulfill Joel 2:17-21 as we pray and remove Hizbullah's spiritual protection as well as to remove them far off from Israel's northern border (Mal. 1:5).

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

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

      • Lord Yeshua, warn Your Body in Lebanon to not curse Israel (Gen. 12:3a; Num. 24:9b).

5. "Operation Swords of Iron:"

   The Gaza war against Hamas has dragged on for over a year. Yet Hamas is still embedded among the civilians throughout Gaza and the hostages are still trapped there somewhere. So despite the world's desire for a ceasefire, Israel must continue to fight.

   • God, instigate infighting among the Democratic Party in America over their massive loss to Trump and let that turn the Biden administration away from pressing Israel to do things in Gaza that will both prolong the war and protect Hamas (Ex. 8:23; Luke 11:17).

   • Lord God, enable Israel to end this war in victory and to resist all diplomatic solutions which allow Hamas, or worse, the Palestinian Authority, to rule in Gaza (Deut. 25:17-19; Psa. 44:4; 132:18). [The PA would be worse because the world views it as a "moderate peace partner," when in truth their aim is the exact same as Hamas, but they go about it using deception as their favored weapon.]

   • God, give divinely inspired new tactics and strategies to the IDF to use against Hamas (Psa. 18:34).

   • Lord of hosts, empower Israel's soldiers to fight as the sons of Zion (Zech. 9:13-15; 10:3a-7).

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

   • Merciful Father, help Israel to rescue the hostages – both living and dead (Isa. 49:25; Jer. 50:31-34).

   • God, if Bibi's plan to offer $5 million to any Gazan who turns in a hostage is of You, then let it be done, but if not – then scuttle it before it is even started (Psa. 44:26; 124:6-8; Isa. 49:24-26; Jer. 31:1).

   • Lord God, for Your name's sake, let more Israelis see it as their biblical duty to repossess Gaza as it is part of the inheritance You have given to the tribe of Judah (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18; Prov. 16:9).

   • Expose the duplicity of Qatar and let Israel cut all ties with it (Psa. 12:2; Prov. 12:20a; Jer. 9:8).

   • Use Israel's victories over Hamas, and Hizbullah, to be a huge strike against the spirit of Islam ruling in the minds and hearts of masses of people in the Middle East (Est. 8:17).

6. Internal security:

   Before Messiah's return, the only way for Jewish people living in their land to live "securely" is for Israel to extend its sovereignty over all of it. In Shabbat's Torah portion alone, God promises the land to Abram and his seed 7 times: (Gen. 12:1, 7; 13:14-17; 15:7, 18, 17:8).

   • Precious Lord God, give Israelis a vision and a burden to possess all of their land (Prov. 29:18).

   • Bless Finance Minister Smotrich's extension of Israeli civilian rule over more Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, and continue to hide most of this from the headlines (Jer. 32:41-44; 33:12-14).

   • Abba Father, let a trusted advisor warn Trump against any plan to divide Your land (Joel. 3:1-2).

   • Block all EU, Arab, or other nations' plans to establish a "Palestine" (Psa. 33:10-11; Isa. 23:9-11).

   • God of Israel, use the illegal buildings the EU built for the Palestinians in Area C to become homes for the Jews as they return and resettle Your land (Deut. 6:10-11; Josh. 24:13).

   • Shepherd of Israel, watch over Jeremiah 31:10 and guard Your regathered people (Psa. 80:1-2).

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

   • Reinforce the deployment of IDF and security forces on the Jordanian border with angelic hosts and expedite the formation and readiness of the new IDF Jordan Valley battalion (2 Kings 6: 16-17).

   • Almighty God, let terrorists fall into the traps they set for the Jews (Est. 7:10; Psa. 7:14-16).

   • 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).

   • Abba, place armed civilians in the right place and at the right time to stop any terrorist (Josh. 4:12).

   • God, expose and stop all Israeli-Arabs who are planning terrorism against Israeli Jews (Psa. 34:16).

   • Lord, save many Palestinians and use them to provoke Jews to jealousy (Matt. 5:44; Rom. 11:11).

7. Aliyah:

   What a joy it is to see the return of the Jews to the land God has promised them. This is an incredible public display to the world of God fulfilling His Word (Jer. 1:12; 31:10). Yet this also comes with great responsibility as He orders His Body to be actively involved with the aliyah.

   • Lord, bless You that the aliyah leads to all Israel being saved (Psa. 14:7; Jer. 31:7-9; Joel 2:32).

   • Almighty Father, bring Your people back to Your land in great mercy (Isa. 54:7; Jer. 31:3).

   • Abba, use the surge of interest in aliyah to become an actual surge of aliyah (Jer. 50:4-8).

   • Yet if Jews hop between two opinions, send angels to drag them out (Gen. 19:15-16; Acts 12:7-11).

   • Free Western Jews of their dangerous expectations that life will return to pre-Oct. 7th "normal," as the increase of anti-Semitic hatred will not dissipate until You return (Deut. 30:3-5; Zech. 10:8-10).

   • Use this week's pogrom of Israeli soccer [football] fans in Amsterdam by roving Arab mobs to wake up all Jews in Europe, in fact in all of the West, to their very precarious situation (Jer. 16:16).

   • God, continue to destroy the "comfort zones" of Western Jews, and move on them to immigrate to Israel now with most of their financial resources with them (Isa. 60:9).

   • Abba, open further paths for Jews to return other than just the airlines, as most of them are not flying into Israel at this time (Isa. 14:1-2; 49:22; 60:4, 8-9).

   • Lord God, tear down Israel's bureaucratic man-made blockages to making aliyah (Isa. 62:10).

   • Change the rabbinical definition of "who is a Jew?" to line up with Your definition (Psa. 119:116).

   • 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, reveal to more believers how aliyah is an answer to the Body's 2,000 year old prayer for Your name to be sanctified through Your will being done on earth (Ezek. 28:25-26; Luke 11:2).

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).

   • Abba Father, we again pray for You to strip away the partial blindness You have placed on most Jews since Yeshua's time, and reveal Messiah to them at this time (Rom. 11:25-26).

   • Reveal to unsaved Jews who read the Torah portion this week that works are the fruit, and not the root, of salvation (Gen. 15:6).

   • Anoint Messianic Jewish IDF soldiers to provoke others soldiers to jealousy (Rom. 11:14).

   • Show born-again gentiles that Romans 1:16 and 11:11 are still valid today.

   • 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).

   • [Please seek God for the specific group or groups of Jews He wants you to intercede for this week.]

9. Body of Messiah:

   As Jews need to return to the land, believers need to return to God's Word. At this time in history, Yeshua's disciples should be reading and studying all of the God-breathed scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17) which shed light on what He is doing at this hour (for ex. Jer. 32:41).

   • Lord Yeshua, inject Your Body with a love of the truth in these days (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

   • King Messiah, show them that both You and Your Word are the truth (John 114:16; 17:17).

   • Abba, thank You for sharing that You rejoice when Your children walk in truth (3 John 1:4).

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

   • Lord, remove that man-made veil of replacement theology from Your Body (Eph. 5:27; 1 Tim. 4:1).

   • King of the Jews, expel from Your Body 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).

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

   • Teach Your Body the joy and efficiency of true corporate prayer (Psa. 133:1; Matt. 6:9; 1 Cor. 6:19).

   • Alert the American Body that the prayer battle over Trump has actually just begun (Luke 18:1).

10. Water:

    Israel received its first real rainfall this past week – hallelujah! The Sea of Galilee is in good shape considering that we are at the start the rainy season. Please ask God to continue to open the skies and fill that biblical lake up, and to send the rain to fall in all other places on His land. May Israelis see this as a sign of God's mercy, which at this time of war would go a long way to encourage them to trust in Him even more (Isa. 41:17-20).

11. IFI:

    After some initial bumps, PayPal is now ready to receive donations for IFI. We want to thank you who do support us financially and to know that as we are able, we send portions of that to other organizations to help in Israel's war-efforts. Of course, we bless and thank all of you who pray for us and encourage us in various ways.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Jerusalem

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Isa. 40:31 [from Shabbat's prophetic portion]