1. Praise: Shabbat's Torah portion has the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of God (Gen. 32:24; cp. Hos. 12:3-5).

   He is so persistent that the Angel has to dislocate Jacob's hip to get him to release Him (32:25-26). His name is then changed from Jacob to Israel (32:27-28) – but although he becomes a prince with God, he also ends up limping for the rest of his life (Gen. 32:31-32).

   • Thank You God for Isaiah 33:23b which declares that the lame take the spoil.

   • Our flesh hates it, but we praise You for teaching us that when we are weak, then we are strong since we can no longer trust in our own strength but only in You (2 Cor. 12:10; cp. Eph. 6:10).

   • Lord God, like Jacob confesses in the Torah portion, we too confess that we are not worthy of the least of all Your mercies and truth which You have showed to us, Your servants (Gen. 32:9-10).

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

   • We bless You that as You never change (Mal. 3:6) we agree with Jacob that You have answered us in our time of distresses and looking back, we see how You were with us all the time (Gen. 35:3).

2. 1. External security – the Middle East [ME]: Early this week, the Syrian regime fell to Turkish backed radical Islamic rebels.

      Neither Iran nor Russia helped their ally, Syrian President Assad. The immediate impact is that Iran's "ring of fire" around Israel is now gone. Hizbullah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and now Syria, where Iran developed and transferred weapons to Hizbullah, as well as used it as a base for other Shi'ite terrorist groups against Israel, are no longer available for its use. Yet Israel is taking no chances and has reinforced its forces along its Syrian border on the Golan, has taken the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, and has basically destroyed Assad's chemical and weapons depots, and its army and navy armaments to keep them out of rebel hands. This sudden upheaval in the ME map has us praying for Israel to have God's protection and His wisdom to know what to do and not do.

      • Lord, once more be a pillar of light to Israel and a cloud of darkness to its enemies (Ex. 14:19-20).

      • Provide Israel with extremely accurate actionable intelligence at this time (Job 12:22; 28:11b).

      • Guardian of Israel (Psa. 121:4), guard over Your nation and show it what it needs to do in respond to this sudden change of leadership in Syria and the resulting turmoil in the ME (Psa. 23:3b).

      • Lord Yeshua, lead us in prayer as it is clear that neither Iran nor Russia are able to protect their ME allies and this leaves what might become a very dangerous vacuum (Psa. 10:17; 1 John 5:14-15).

      • Sovereign God, we praise You as this is at least in part an answer to our prayers for You to confound all those who hate Zion (Psa. 35:4, 26; 40:14-15; 71:24; 109:29; 129:5).

      • While we thank You for the downfall of Assad's cruel rule, still with Turkish backed Islamic rebels taking over, have mercy on the Syrian people who are hoping for something better (Prov. 13:12a).

      • Expose all of the nefarious plans of Turkey's dangerous leader Erdogan (Prov. 15:3; Dan. 2:22).

      • Abba Father, lead the various Kurdish groups in Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran to work in unity and guide Israel's response to the request from the Kurds in Syria for its help (Psa. 103:19).

      • God, reveal to Israel what the Iranian regime is planning as confronted with the deep shame of their proxies destruction, they could race towards the development of a nuclear weapon (Jer. 11:18; 49:10).

      • God, if this is what they are doing – arise and destroy Iran's nuclear facilities (Psa. 68:1, 30b).

      • Yet if You want to use Israel to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons programs, then, Lord God, let Iran's hyped-up pride and deep shame drag them into Your trap (Prov. 16:18; Ezek. 38:4a, 10).

      • We bless You for hearing that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp members are enraged over Assad's fall from power and accusing one another of causing it (Psa. 129:5; Mark 3:25). More, Lord!

      • Lord of hosts, that prophesied destruction of Iran's leaders (Jer. 49:38b) would be a great mercy for the Iranians, most ME nations, and Israel, so use the shock of Assad's fall to hasten that fulfillment.

      • Let Russia's and China's financial dealings with Iran become a huge liability (Prov. 11:21a; 16:5).

      • Lord Yeshua, shepherd Your Body throughout the ME, and guide them in prayer (John 10:16, 27).

   2. External security – Hizbullah: It is most interesting to see how Israel is keeping to its agreed 60 day ceasefire with Lebanon.

      As Hizbullah has not agreed to this, Israel is still striking them hard in South Lebanon. It seems that Israel has learned the lesson of Oct. 7th that it has no one to depend on but itself. There was a report several weeks ago of Hizbullah terrorists fleeing Lebanon into Syria, and now we hear that Hizbullah terrorists are fleeing Syria (2 Kin. 19:7; Isa. 2:10-21)!

      • Lord God, use this "ceasefire" for Israel's good and Your glory (Psa. 106:4-5; 115:1-3; Rom. 8:28).

      • Abba, impart great wisdom to the IDF to know how to war against Hizbullah in Lebanon, and forbid that they let up the offensive pressure in any way (Job 12:13; Isa. 30:21)

      • Lord, release Israel's "lepers" and put Your fear into all remaining Hizbullah terrorists (2 Kin. 7:5-7).

      • God, we bless You for answered prayer, as the Syrian regime's fall has effectively stopped all routes leading into Lebanon which Iran used to resupply Hizbullah with weapons (Judg. 5:20; Isa. 59:7).

      • As the Lebanese see Hizbullah weakened, God of all nations, move on them to rise up and set their nation free from this Shi'ite Islamic terrorist organization (Job 18:5-18; Psa. 29:5-6).

3. Government & society: Our intercession for Israel's leaders – both political and military – is being answered as many are making decisions like sons and daughters of Zion.

   In other words, they are lining up with God's will more often, even if they cannot quote chapter and verse. All of this encourages us to persist in prayer so that God will have more of an influence on all Israel's leaders.

   • Lord Yeshua, we bless You for teaching us to trust in You and not in Israel's leaders, yet since they are leading Your nation by Your will, guide us as we intercede for them (Psa. 10:17; Prov. 15:29).

   • Lord God, promote even more sons and daughters of Zion in Israel (Psa. 1:1-6; 48:11; Zech. 9:13).

   • Abba Father, PM Bibi Netanyahu needs Your wisdom and insight to be Israel's leader today, so we ask for You to give him that in abundance (Prov. 16:1; Dan. 2:21b; Zech. 4:6-7).

   • Judge of all the earth, step in and scatter these court proceedings against Bibi as not only are they based on flimsy evidence, but now is not the time for him to be distracted from what is happening both in and around Israel in the ME (Gen. 18:25b; Psa. 124:6-8; Prov. 19:9).

   • Yet, if these court proceedings will continue, then against all logic Lord God, use this trial to refresh and reinvigorate Netanyahu (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28).

   • Use his trial to show many more Israelis of the necessity for massive judicial reform (Isa. 1:25-27).

   • God of Israel, just like David, may he encourage himself in You (1 Sam. 30:6).

   • Almighty God, show each of Israel's political leaders their great need to seek You for guidance and wisdom and also show them that these are found in Your Word (Deut. 17:18-20; Psa. 1:2; Jer. 15:16).

   • Abba, please be the One who determines what comes out of Israel's right-wing leaders' mouths and do not let it be used by Israel's mostly left-wing media against Your will (Psa. 141:3; Prov. 16:23).

   • Messiah Yeshua, give Your perfect peace to Israelis who are traumatized by the horrific events starting on Oct. 7th 2023 and continuing on until today (Isa. 61:1-3; Matt. 5:4).

   • Thank You Abba for sustaining Israel's economy while it fights a multi-front war (Psa. 132:13-15).

4. Foreign relations: Donald Trump's election as the next American President has impacted the world in many ways – mostly good so far.

   Yet it is imperative that Israel does not go from being so whiplashed by how the Biden administration dealt with it that it now looks to Trump as a savior.

   • King of Israel, may Your foreign policy be established on earth as it is in heaven, and let Israel have a major role in enabling that to come to pass (Deut. 28:9-10, 13; Psa. 33:10-11; Luke 11:2).

   • While we are grateful that Trump will be America's next president, still we pray that not one Israeli, especially any in a position of authority, would put their trust in him – instead of in You (Psa. 118:9).

   • Abba, surround Trump with advisors, like J. D. Vance and Mike Huckabee, who will clearly warn him against treating Israel as if it were just another nation (Deut. 7:6-9; Psa. 135:4; Zech. 2:8).

   • Lord, enable Trump and his team to have excellent relations with Israel's new US Ambassador, Dr. Yechiel Leiter, and to heed his warnings against dividing Your land (Lev. 25:23; Joel 3:1-2).

   • God Almighty, have the final say in Israel's relationship with Russia and China (Psa. 33:10-11).

   • Protect Your nation from its Western "allies" – as well as its enemies (Prov. 25:19; Ezek. 29:6-7).

   • God, anoint Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon, and protect and use him as he declares with great boldness Your truth in that anti-God, humanistic place (Prov. 28:1b; Gal. 4:16).

   • God, if it is time for Israel to wipe the dirt off its feet and leave this demonized global NGO, please take away all fear from going outside the camp of this world (Matt. 7:6; 10:14; John 14:27).

   • Messiah Yeshua, speak to Your Body to warn their birth-nations of Your prophesied judgments on them based on how they deal with Israel, as Obadiah 1:15-16 in Shabbat's prophetic portion states.

5. "Operation Swords of Iron:" After seeing Hizbullah decimated before the IDF, Hamas is now seriously negotiating a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.

   Yet their motive is for them to remain as rulers in Gaza, which is a non-starter for Israel. So Israel has wisely said that any ceasefire deal is just that – and not an agreement to end the war.

   • God, as per the prophetic portion, use Hamas' pride to deceive and destroy them (Obad. 1:3-4, 8).

   • Bring this upon them because Obadiah 1:12-14 in that portion precisely describes what they did, and did not do, on Oct. 7th to the Israelis along the Gaza security fence (Amos 1:6).

   • Lord, we again ask that if Israel's resistance to possess Gaza is the main hindrance to it obtaining a complete victory, then speak clearly about this to Israel's leaders and people (Judg. 2:1-4).

   • Abba Father, as we read that Abraham and David rescued all of their hostages, so anoint the IDF to do the same today (Gen. 14:14-16; 1 Sam. 30:18-20).

   • Permit a hostage deal only if it is 100% in line with Your will (Psa. 96:10; Prov. 19:21).

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

   • Lord God, with Israel's pre-war expectations in mind, we praise You for supernaturally protecting the IDF soldiers fighting in Gaza and thank You for watching over Deuteronomy 20:1.

   • Abba, continue to guard over the IDF against Hamas attacks and traps, all kidnapping attempts, and against friendly fire and any other types of accidents (Psa. 4:8; Zech. 9:16; 10:5-8).

6. Internal security: Israel must listen to God and possess all of its land by extending sovereignty over all of it.

   Only then will there be any chance of living more securely until Messiah returns. Thank God that more Israelis are backing this point of view, partly because they understand that the Trump administration will be a lot less negative towards this biblical commandment.

   • Lord God of Israel, either by Your Word or through circumstances, impress Israel's leaders of their need to extend Israel's sovereignty over more of Your land now (Deut. 8:17-18; Psa. 44:3).

   • Lord Yeshua, anoint Mike Huckabee, the US' next Israeli Ambassador, with wisdom and boldness to declare what Your Word says about Israel's need to possess its possessions (Obad. 1:17-20).

   • Speak to Israelis through the Torah portion that even today's Palestinian city of Nabulus, which was called Shechem, was bought by Father Jacob and is part of the land promised (Gen. 33:18-20).

   • God of Israel, encourage Finance Minister Smotrich with Genesis 35:11-12 in the Torah reading as he continues to work towards Israel's extension of sovereignty over all of its land.

   • Shepherd of Israel, guard over Your regathered people (Gen. 49:24; Jer. 31:10).

   • Improve Israel's ability to guard over its roads, checkpoints and public transportation (Psa. 121:8).

   • Lord God, as in the Torah portion, let Your terror fall on all Palestinians on Your land (Gen. 35:5).

   • God of Israel, push all terrorists into the traps they have set for the Jews (Est. 7:10; Psa. 7:14-16).

   • Lord God, hasten the cleansing of Your land from all Your enemies (Deut. 20:16-18; Jer. 12:14-17).

   • Abba Father, You are jealous over Your land (Ezek. 36:5-7), so totally stymie all plans from the UN or other nations to divide Your land and create a "Palestine" (Psa. 33:10-11; Zech. 14:1-3).

7. Aliyah: God is regathering His scattered people – for His holy name's sake (Isa. 43:5-7; Jer. 31:10; Ezek. 36:22-24).

   Yet as Messiah Yeshua taught us (Luke 11:2), while this is absolutely His will, He waits for His people to ask Him before He fulfills it (Ezek. 36:37; Amos 3:7).

   • We bless You Lord, for aliyah being a testimony of Your faithfulness to Your promises in the eyes of the world – so that they are without excuse to not believe in the Bible (Isa. 43:12; Heb. 10:23b).

   • God, draw millions more Jews back home in Your mercy and for Your glory (Isa. 43:5-7; 54:7).

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

   • Lord, use the explosion of anti-Semitism in the world to chase Your people home (Jer. 16:16).

   • Release all Jews who are mentally and emotionally trapped in captivity (Psa. 107:14-16; 137:4-6).

   • Abba Father, deal with Jewish pride which says, "They will not chase us out!" and show them that You are doing both the chasing, and the drawing (Prov. 16:18; Jer. 31:3-5, 8-10; Zech. 8:1-8).

   • God Almighty, stop Jewish leaders from fighting for the right to live in "peace and safety" among the gentiles and turn their efforts towards making aliyah instead (Jer. 51:9-10).

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

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

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

8. Salvation: A recent survey has shown that Israelis are becoming more religious since Oct. 7th and this trend seems to be increasing.

   While this most likely means a closer adherence to Rabbinic Judaism, and not necessarily a closer walk with the Living God, still we view this as God's gentle drawing of His people to Himself, and then, to His Son and Israel's Messiah, our Lord Yeshua.

   • Lord God, watch over Hosea 14:4 at this season and heal Your people's backsliding as You love them though Your amazing grace (Jer. 31:2-3; Zech. 12:10; Rev. 22;21).

   • Draw Jews by Your love to Yourself through Your Son, Yeshua (Jer. 31:3; John 6:45).

   • Messiah Yeshua, place an urgent burden on gentile believers to pray for Israel today (Rom. 10:1).

   • Lord Yeshua, let the light of Your glory to shine brightly through all believing Israelis at this time and use them to provoke other Israelis to jealousy (Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 11:14).

   • God, speak to secret Jewish believers as to when they should openly confess You (Matt. 10:32).

   • Gracious Lord, please fulfill Zechariah 12:10 by pouring out Your spirit of grace and supplication upon You people who reside on Your land at this time (Zech. 12:10; Acts 19:20).

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

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, disciples of Yeshua 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).

   • Messiah Yeshua, reveal to Your Body that the only Bible You had, read and trusted in during Your time on the earth was the Old Testament – the Tanach (Luke 24:44; John 5:46; 2 Tim. 3:15-17).

   • Lord, heal Your Body of its biblical anorexia and prophetic illiteracy by injecting it with a hunger to "eat" all of Your Word (Jer. 15:16; Amos 8:11; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 5:13-14; Rev. 6:9).

   • God Almighty, let Your Body see how impossible it is to see You fulfill Your end time prophecies if they do not know what Your Word declares about these last days (Luke 24:25:27).

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

   • 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 still a Man of War today (Ex. 15:3; Isa. 42:13).

10. Water: We bless God for the wet weather that has returned to Israel, but it needs more.

    Let's pray for more rain based on His mercy over His land (Matt. 5:45b).

11. IFI:

    It is only by hearing our Shepherd's voice today that we can know what He wants us to pray about and also how to pray about it. The massive amount of information overload leads to being so overwhelmed that this is the only path that keeps us "sane". So thank you for praying for us to hear our precious Shepherd's voice.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Jerusalem
Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team
Num. 6:24-26