1. Praise:

   Shabbat's Torah portion lists the duties of the Aaronic priesthood and of Aaron in particular. We also have a high priest, our Lord Yeshua, who fulfills the ordinances of the Aaronic High Priesthood (Heb. 3:1; 4:14-15; 8:1), although He is also a priest after the order of Melchizedek.

   • Lord Yeshua, we bless You for Your incarnation which enabled You to be a merciful an faithful high priest unto God our Father, and thus to reconcile us to Him by atoning for our sins (Heb. 2:17).

   • Messiah, we thank You for bearing our names on Your shoulders before the Father (Ex. 28:12).

   • We also praise You for carrying us on Your heart into the eternal holy of holies (Ex. 28:29-30).

   • We bless You for making even our feeble offerings acceptable to Abba Father (Ex. 28:36, 38).

   • What an encouragement to know that You, Lord Yeshua, as our High Priest, intercedes for us so that our salvation can be perfect and complete (Heb. 7:25; cp. Phil. 1:6).

   • We exalt You who are seated at Your Father's right hand, as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, (Psa. 110:1-4; Heb. 6:20, whose name means "King of righteousness" (Isa. 32:1; Jer. 23:5; Heb. 1:8).

   • We rejoice in You who are declared in the prophetic portion as the Eternal One of Israel who cannot lie or change His mind because You are God and not a man (1 Sam. 15:29; cp. Num. 23:19).

2. Government & society:

   Israel's political leaders find themselves in a very difficult situation today – especially PM Bibi Netanyahu. This is made more difficult as not one of them confesses Yeshua as their Lord, at least in public. Yet our mandate to pray for them does not depend on their faith, but on our faith in what God has revealed in His Word for His nation today.

   • Lord Yeshua, all authority in heaven and on earth is Yours (Matt. 28:18), and our trust is in You, not in Israel's leaders, so please guide us as we stand in the gap for them (Prov. 16:1).

   • Lord God, since Netanyahu is still Israel's leader, grant unto him Your wisdom and insight to lead Your pre-saved nation in a way that pleases You (Psa. 23:3b; Prov. 21:1; Dan. 2:21b; Zech. 4:6-7).

   • Abba, surround him with wise and discerning advisors and let him hear them (Prov. 11:14; 24:6).

   • Righteous Judge, let Bibi's trial show Israelis the need for judicial reform (Isa. 1:25-27).

   • God, support Justice Minister Levin in his attempt to impeach Israel's unelected attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, who constantly interferes as if she were ruling the nation (Eccl. 10:5-6a).

   • Abba, use the Shin Bet [Israel's internal security service] report on the Oct. 7th Hamas pogrom to show Israel's political and military leaders what went wrong and then help them to learn the lessons so that something like this can never happen again (Job 6:24; Psa. 25:5; Rom. 8:28).

   • Lord God, turn Eyal Zamir, Israel's new IDF Chief of Staff, into a son of Zion (Psa. 75:6-7; Prov. 16:9), and impress on him his need to read and heed Your Word daily (Psa. 119:98; Jer. 15:16).

   • God, as he is promoting many new officers in vital positions, oversee each choice he makes to be a son or daughter of Zion and hinder him from making any political choices whatsoever (Psa. 75:6-7).

   • We thank You for the excellent job that Defense Minister Israel Katz is doing and we pray that he would continue to be used by You to both speak the truth and for Israel's security (Prov. 16:1, 9).

   • Abba, show Israel how to deal with the revelation that Hamas knew details about the IDF people and defenses on the Gaza border because of the soldier's constant use of social media (Prov. 5:1-2; 10:19).

   • Lord God, arise! Set Israeli society free from Hamas' emotional mind games that it plays by holding dozens of Israeli hostages – or their bodies (Psa. 124:6-7; Isa. 49:24-26; Jer. 32:27).

   • Messiah Yeshua, comfort Your nation (Isa. 61:1-3); heal all ex-hostages who are back home, as well as their families, of the intense mental and emotional trauma they experienced (Psa. 30:2-3; 147:3).

   • Bring closure to families who have received back the dead bodies of their loved ones (Psa. 23:4).

   • God, direct the hostage families whose loved ones are still in captivity, to cry out to You for mercy instead of screaming at Bibi out of their understandable frustration and anger (Psa. 80:19; 86:7).

   • As more terrorists murderers are released, let more voices in Israel be released demanding the use of the death penalty to stop this injustice from ever happening again (Num. 35:16-18, 21, 30-31).

3. "Operation Swords of Iron:"

   American President Trump just threatened Hamas with total destruction unless all the hostages and the dead bodies are released. Israeli leaders have also done this in the past – but still we wait for someone to "walk their talk" with more than just strong words.

   • Lord God, empower and lead us as we pray into the situation in Gaza today (Psa. 92:9-15).

   • Lord, as Your people read Shabbat's prophetic portion, let them see how You raged against Amalek, and how Hamas is known as Israel's modern day Amalek enemy (1 Sam. 15:2-3).

   • Thank You that both Israel and the US have rejected Egypt's Arab-backed plan for Gaza as it leaves Hamas in power and forces the Gazans remain in an uninhabitable hazardous war-zone.

   • Abba Father, as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan has just started, do not allow it to deter Israel from restarting the war, if that is Your will (Prov. 21:1).

   • Lord, let Israel take full advantage of the total support it is receiving from the Trump administration.

   • Almighty One, remove the weariness of this war against evil off of the IDF and Israeli society and let them see the necessity to gain a complete victory over Hamas (Psa. 44:5-8; 60:11-12; 68:35).

   • Lord God, thank You that Israel stated this week that the IDF will not leave the Philadelphi Corridor on Gaza's Egyptian border for the foreseeable future (Prov. 15:25; Mal. 1:5).

   • Abba, remember what Hamas did and war against them (Psa. 74:22-23; Ezek. 25:15-17).

   • God, just like You helped Abraham and David to rescue all of their hostages, we ask You to help the IDF to do exactly that today (Gen. 14:14-16; 1 Sam. 30:18-20).

   • King Messiah, despite what Israel agreed to, show many more Israelis their biblical obligation to repossess Gaza, which is part of the inheritance of Judah (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18; Prov. 16:9).

4. Foreign relations:

   The nations' betrayal of Israel, and hatred of Israel's God, has resulted in that prophesied gross darkness covering the earth (Isa. 60:2). Therefore this is that time for Israel to rise and shine forth God's glory openly before the world (Isa. 60:1).

   • Almighty God, as You have placed today's world leaders in their positions (Prov. 8:15; Dan. 2:21a), use them to further Your plans (Psa. 33:11), and show us how to pray for them (Eccl. 8:5).

   • Precious Lord, embolden Israel's leaders to be like those midwives who feared God more than man, so that they can resist anything that US President Trump, or any other world leaders, want Israel to do, or refrain from doing, that is against Your will (Ex. 1:17; Num. 23:23; Psa. 146:3-5).

   • Abba Father, bring to Trump advisors who will warn him to not deal with Israel as if it were like any other nation, but remind him that Israel has been chosen by You (Deut. 7:6-9; Psa. 135:4; Isa. 41:8).

   • Lord God, oversee the strengthening of relations between Israel and Azerbaijan, Ethiopia and India (Psa. 33:10-11), and let this result in huge revivals breaking out in all of these nations (Num. 24:9b).

   • We bless You that Israel's relations with Azerbaijan infuriate Iran's leaders (Psa. 7:6). More, Lord!

   • Turn Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Minister, into a wise and bold diplomat (Prov. 28:1b; Isa. 43:21).

   • Lord God, give Sa'ar and Amichai Chikli, Israel's minister dealing with Jewish communities in exile and anti-Semitism, wisdom in relating to the right-wing pro-Israel groups in the EU (Job 12:12-16).

   • Lord God of Israel, turn the curses against Your people today coming from nations, global NGOs, and most of the mainstream media, into blessings because of Your love for them (Deut. 23:5; 33:3).

   • Messiah Yeshua, anoint every believer who prays for their nation's relationship with Israel and use those prayers to pave a way for You to have mercy on their nations (Ezek. 22:30-31: cp. Isa. 60:12).

5. Internal security:

   By expanding its sovereignty over more of its land, Israel will be more in line with God's will. This would also provide increased security for all of its citizens, as obeying God is always the best policy, whether for nations or individuals.

   • Thank You for a recent survey showing over 70% of Israelis rejecting the creation of a "Palestine" on Your land and the same percentage wanting Israel to extend sovereignty over all of it (Neh. 2:20).

   • Lord God, move Israel's leaders to be in one accord with the people and to extend Israeli sovereignty over its biblical heartland, Judea and Samaria, in 2025 (Isa. 54:2-3; Jer. 32:41).

   • Lord Yeshua, burden Your Body to pray for this, which is Your will, to happen (1 John 5:14-15).

   • Abba, thank You that Israel Katz has said publicly that more Jewish communities established in Judea and Samaria are essential for Israel's security (Jer. 31:3-5; Zech. 12:6-7).

   • Continue leading Finance Minister Smotrich to extend Israeli civilian rule over Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, and hide much of what he does from the headlines (Jer. 32:41-44; 33:12-14).

   • Shepherd of Joseph, protect the Jews whom You are regathering, from all terrorist acts (Jer. 31:10).

   • God of heaven's hosts, set the IDF free from all humanistic restraints, and empower it to fight in a biblical manner, which includes praying for You to lead it into battle (Psa. 18:36-40; 44:4).

   • Almighty God, with Purim approaching, just like You did with Haman let terrorists today end up hanging on the gallows they have prepared for the Jews (Est. 7:10; Psa. 7:14-16).

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

   • God of Israel, enable all Israelis, civilians and security forces, to be extra alert during Ramadan, Islam's holy month, which began last weekend (Psa. 91:4; 121:4).

6. External security – Middle East [ME]:

   Fundamentalist Muslims strive for martyrdom. The promise of living in paradise and having 70 perpetual virgins is so enticing, especially as most of them live wretched lives. But Israel's rise and its victories in wars against Islamic armies has many Muslims questioning the truth of their faith. So God is using Israel's restoration to chip away and eventually destroy the stronghold of Islam in the ME.

   • God of mercy, let many Muslims feel deeply ashamed as they see how Allah is not more powerful than You, the God of the Jews, and use that to cause them to seek You (Psa. 83:16-18).

   • Messiah Yeshua, reveal Yourself multitudes of Muslims worldwide during Ramadan (Luke 19:10).

   • Lord of all, protect Your Body throughout the ME; help them to grow numerically and spiritually; and use them greatly to impact their nations for Your glory (Jer. 49:38a; Matt. 5:13-16; 16:18b).

   • Lord God, fulfill Micah 4:11-13 today against all of Your ME enemies (Psa. 83:1-4).

   • We bless You Lord for Israel's new military doctrine which will not allow any enemy forces to camp on its borders – whether in Gaza, Syria or Lebanon (Isa. 26:15; Mal. 1:5).

   • Abba Father, sustain Israel's distrust of Syria's new Sunni Muslim radical leadership (Psa. 140:1-2).

   • God of hosts, show Israel how to enforce Bibi's directive on the demilitarization of Syria south of Damascus, with no Syrian army units permitted to establish themselves there (Psa. 44:5).

   • Magnify Yourself in Israel's growing relationship with the Druze in southern Syria (Psa. 115:1-3).

   • Reveal to Bibi and Trump Qatar's manipulations of Israel and the US (Job 12:17-25; Psa. 120:6-7).

   • Lord God Almighty, use Turkey's anti-Semitic, anti-Israel President, Erdogan for Your holy name's sake just like You did with Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar (Ex. 9:16; Rom. 9:17).

   • Abba Father, have mercy on the Iranians and "destroy" their king and princes (Jer. 49:38b).

   • Lord, caution Trump that a "deal" with Iran's leaders today is useless as the Islamic tactic of taqiyya, telling lies to help Allah gain a victory, makes whatever they say unreliable at best (Prov. 26:24-26).

   • Lord God, let Israel see how imperative it is to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons program, regardless of Iran's current plans for it, and then oversee Israel's timing and method (Ezek. 37:10; Nah. 1:7-8).

   • Lord, as the IDF just pulled out of all south Lebanon, except for five outposts, strengthen them to enforce the rules of the ceasefire with Hizbullah in a very aggressive manner (Rom. 13:3-4).

7. Aliyah:

   God is regathering the Jews for His glory (Isa. 43:5-7; Jer. 31:10; Ezek. 36:22-24). And while this is declared in the Bible to be absolutely His will, yet He waits for His Body to work with Him, by first of all, asking Him to do it (Ezek. 36:37; Amos 3:7).

   • God, we rejoice to be witnesses as You gather Your people back home (Jer. 30:8-10).

   • Abba Father, continue drawing Your people home by Your grace and mercy (Isa. 54:7; Jer. 31:3).

   • Yet Lord, if they are deaf or blind to Your merciful drawing, allow the huge increase of global anti-Semitism to wake them up and turn their hearts to Zion (Jer. 16:16; 51:9-10).

   • Let Your people see the historical pattern that when Jews live in gentile nations, there comes a time when those nations could not, or would not, protect them (Deut. 28:37, 64-67; Psa. 137:3-4).

   • Lord God of Israel, set Jews free who are mentally and emotionally trapped in false comfort zones in the gentile nations (Psa. 107:14-16; 137:4-6).

   • Lord, release Jews in Turkey, Iran and other anti-Israel nations to return home (Jer. 16:14-15).

   • Bring back home the Israelis living in the nations, especially Messianic believers (Isa. 35:10; 51:11).

   • We praise You that Israel's Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, is working to reduce the bureaucratic struggles of Jews who want to make aliyah – professional or not (Isa. 62:10).

   • Lord God, hasten the day when Ezekiel 28:25-26 comes to pass – and we see the aliyah combined with the destruction of Israel's enemies, leading to all Israel being saved.

   • Lord, let believers see that Isaiah 43:5-6 tells them to co-labor with You to bring Jews back home.

8. Salvation:

   Save us, YHWH our God, and gather us from the nations to give thanks to Your holy name, and to triumph in Your praise. (Psa. 106:47) This verse links Israel's salvation with aliyah – and then links both of them to God's glory!

   • Lord, burden many believers to pray for all Israel to be saved today, and to focus on asking for this for Your holy name's sake (Isa. 45:25; 46:13; Ezek. 36:23-32; Luke 2:32; Rom. 10:1).

   • Remove from believers the idea that it is offensive to share the good news with a Jew (Luke 9:26).

   • Lord YHWH, use Exodus 29:45-46 in the Torah reading to provoke unsaved Jews to realize that You have rescued them down through the ages in order to be their God and to dwell among them.

   • God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, turn Your people away from the humanistic rabbinic thinking to feed on Your Word instead and by that create in them a biblical mindset (Psa. 80:3, 7, 19: Jer. 15:16).

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

   • Messiah Yeshua, appear in dreams and visions to many Jews at this time (Rev. 1:9-18).

   • Almighty Savior, fulfill Zechariah 12:10 and release Your spirit of grace upon Your people who are back in the land, and let many look upon and trust in Your Son (Psa. 2:11-12; Acts 19:20).

   • Abba Father, reveal Messiah Yeshua and save Holocaust survivors and their families; survivors of terrorism; hostages still alive and their loved ones; IDF soldiers and families; loved ones of soldiers killed or wounded; widows, widowers, orphans; rabbis in Israel and exile; Israeli politicians, lawyers, diplomats; Jewish university students in Israel and in exile; professors, teachers, medical personnel; Israeli media personalities, tour guides and archeologists; Israelis living in exile; Jewish hippies, LGBTQ+ and new agers; Jews in Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia, India, and China; Spanish and Portuguese speaking Jews; unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jews.

9. Body of Messiah:

   At this stage in history, it is vital to be familiar with all of God's Word. As Yeshua's disciples we read and study His Word to perceive and agree with what He is doing today.

   • Lord Yeshua, cause many more in the Body to search the Tanach and to find the theological basis for all that the New Testament says is foundational for the faith (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

   • Stop people in Your Body from describing themselves as "New Testament believers," and let them use what should be the more accurate term, "I am a Bible believer" (Luke 24:25-27, 44-45).

   • 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).

   • Lord, raise up more sons and daughters of Zion as elders in Your Body (Zech. 9:13; Acts 20:27).

   • Lord Yeshua, move on Your Body to renounce all proud and racist attitudes towards Jews – saved and unsaved - and instead to bless them as You direct (Prov. 8:13; Isa. 37:23; Rom. 11:17-18, 22).

   • King Messiah, expel the curse of generational anti-Semitism out of Your Body (Num. 14:18b).

10. Water:

    So far, Israel has had a very dry rainy season. Yet we continue to ask God to send the much needed rain on His land. Please agree with us as we do just that (Matt. 5:45b; Jam. 5:17-18).

11. IFI:

    Moving house and leading this ministry is hard. I appreciate your prayer support for Karen and I to work together in harmony and to recognize the limitations we have at our age. Also, for me and the rest of the regular IFI prayer warriors to discern God's leading as we stand in the gap for Israel and His kingdom purposes to be done on earth as they are already settled in eternity.

Thank you, Shabbat shalom and blessings from Jerusalem

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

1 Cor. 1:9