1. Praise:

   Shabbat's Torah portion has a wonderful example of the power of intercession. The Israelites had made and were worshipping a golden calf; God wants to destroy them. (Ex. 32:9-14). Psalm 106:23 sums up what happens: He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood in the gap before Him, to turn away His wrath, lest He should destroy them.

   • Lord, this example of the power of prayer to turn You from Your righteous judgment to Your mercy inspires us as we also stand in the gap for Israel – Your chosen people – today (Ezek. 22:30).

   • We thank You that You are the One who decides on whom to have mercy (Ex. 33:18-19).

   • Lord, what Elijah prays in the prophetic portion shows us the secret to successful intercession, as he asked You to do what You had already shown him was Your will and in response You worked in those for whom he was praying (1 Kin. 18:36-37).

   • Thank You for encouraging us all to call upon You in times of trouble (Psa. 50:15; Jer. 33:3).

2. Government & society:

   God wants us to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-4). As we obey Him, we trust that He will guide us; and as we consistently lift up Israel's political leaders we can see Him doing that – and often are surprised at how He does it (1 John 5:14-15).

   • Lord, with Moses in the Torah portion, we pray for Your grace to be upon Your nation so that they will see how they belong to You and will embrace their special calling (Ex. 33:13-16).

   • Abba, as in the prophetic portion, send forth the "Elijahs" to confront Your nation to stop being so double-minded and instead to make a corporate decision to follow only You (1 Kin. 18:21).

   • Lord God, exalt more sons and daughters of Zion to positions of influence (Zech. 9:13), and remove all sons or daughters of Greece from those positions (Job 34:24; Psa. 109:8).

   • Abba Father may all government ministers focus on Your priorities for them at this time (Psa. 23:3b)

   • Almighty God, as Bibi Netanyahu is still Israel's leader (Dan. 4:32), please guide him to do all that You have ordained for him to do (Psa. 23:3b; 68:27; 75:5-7; 80:17; Phil. 1:6).

   • Abba, thank You for hearing our prayers for Bibi as even with all he has dealt with since Oct. 7th 2023, he still seems to see clearly and is of sufficient health to guide Your nation (Psa. 18:2; 27:1-6).

   • God, bring around him advisors like Bezaleel whom we read about in the Torah portion (Ex. 31:3).

   • Lord of hosts, protect Netanyahu spiritually, shielding him with a divine "Iron Dome" (Psa. 3:3).

   • With his court trial continuing, Lord, strengthen and encourage him, and bring out the truth of all of the various allegations against him (Psa. 33:4; 51:6; 77:10-11; Isa. 40:29).

   • God, aid Justice Minister Levin to remove Israel's unelected attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, who opposes and tries to block almost all Zionistic initiatives of the coalition (Eccl. 10:5-6a).

   • Lord, so far the new IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, is speaking like a true Son of Zion, so please come upon him and enable him to act in line with that which he says (Judg. 6:34; Obad. 1:21a).

   • God, guide him to appoint only officers who are Zionists to all vital positions (Psa. 75:6-7).

   • Download to Israel wisdom on how to regulate the soldiers use of social media which gave Hamas precise details about the IDF personnel and defenses along the Gaza border (Prov. 5:1-2; 10:19).

   • Lord God, as many Israelis are still traumatized by the Oct. 7th events, turn them to cry out to You like their ancestors in Egypt did, and to trust You to hear and move on their behalf (Ex. 2:23-25).

   • Hear Your people's groans, recall Your covenant, set Your people free and save them (Ex. 6:5-7).

   • Lord God, show Your people once again that Your commands are really the best way to deal with terrorists, and let them execute both the murderers and the kidnappers (Ex. 21:12, 14, 16).

   • Lord of hosts, thank You for Zamir turning the IDF to look to Israel's local military industries to supply its needs and not to its "broken-reed allies" among the nations (Isa. 30:1; 36:6; 41:10-16).

   • Creator God, speak to Your land to supply Israel's needs abundantly (Psa. 132:15; Ezek. 36:8-12).

3. "Operation Swords of Iron:"

   US President Trump's envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, negotiated directly with Hamas basically behind Israel's back. Israel was rightly upset, yet after Bibi's closest confidante, Ron Dermer, confronted Boehler, it has now been agreed that all other hostage negotiations will be fully coordinated with Israel. Steve Witkoff is still the lead US negotiator and Boehler is for now sidelined completely.

   • God, thank You that Ron Dermer is now leading Israel's hostage-ceasefire negotiations with Hamas and that he confronted Boehler over this non-ally-like move (Psa. 51:6; 2 Cor. 4:2a).

   • We bless You for resolving this situation and for showing America that Israel will not just go along with anything that even its best ally does went it comes to Israel's overall security (Prov. 29:25).

   • Thank You for Finance Minister Smotrich who is arranging for Israel to facilitate the voluntary exit of Gazans from Gaza in line with Trump's Gaza plan (Isa. 60:12; Jer. 12:17).

   • Abba Father, do not let the Islamic holy month of Ramadan prevent Israel from restarting the war against Hamas if that is in Your will (Prov. 21:30-31).

   • Lord God, forbid that this ceasefire with Hamas continues much longer, but release the IDF to wipe out this modern-day Amalek enemy (Ex. 17:14-16; 1 Sam. 15:2-3; Prov. 16:4).

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

   • In line with the prophetic portion, Lord we call on You to answer Hamas by fire (1 Kin. 18:24a).

   • Lord of hosts, let Hamas' pride betray them (Prov. 16:18; Obad. 1:3-4, 8).

   • Abba Father, as You have done so often in biblical days, we ask that today You would rescue all the remaining hostages and remove them as human shields for Hamas (1 Sam. 30:18-19; Isa. 49:24-26).

   • God Almighty, remove Israel's reluctance to repossess Gaza – as it is theirs to possess (Judg. 2:1-4).

4. Foreign relations:

   So much of the hatred of Israel by so many in the world is because it hates Israel's God (Psa. 83:1-4). After all, in this age of "I'll do it my way," God's Word still exposes right from wrong and still calls sin "sin"! Also, Yeshua states that God's word is the "ultimate truth" which is totally unacceptable to those who refuse to accept any truth but their own (John 17:17).

   • Lord God, at times it is confusing see how You fulfill Your foreign policy (Psa. 33:10-11; Isa. 55:8-9), so as You do that, please show us so that we can pray in agreement with You (Amos 3:7).

   • Sovereign Lord, oversee all meetings between Israeli and global leaders (Psa. 103:19; Prov. 19:21).

   • God of Israel, grant courage to Israel's leaders to reject all external pressures or demands which are out of line with Your will for Your nation today (Neh. 2:20; Prov. 3:7).

   • Anoint Israeli representatives to use Your Word when resisting ungodly pressure (Jer. 23:29).

   • Lord Yeshua, bring Christian Zionists around Israeli officials in the nations who will encourage them by sharing the truth of all of Your Word (Psa. 40:10; 43:3a; 86:1; 98:3; John 17:17).

   • God of Israel, refresh and protect Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon as he resists the lies and blasphemies about Your nation that are declared in that anti-God organization (Psa. 81:10; 119:13).

   • Enable Danon, and America's UN Ambassador Elise Stefanik, to work as one (Isa, 52:8).

   • God, if now is the time for Israel to wipe the dirt off its feet and leave that anti-Christ infested UN, then release it from all fears of going outside the camp of this world (Matt. 7:6; 10:14; John 14:27).

   • Messiah Yeshua, let Your Body openly warn their birth-nations of the prophesied judgments which are on many of them because of their attitude towards Israel (Num. 24:9b; Joel 3:1-2; Obad. 1:15-16).

5. Internal security:

   It is God's will for Israel to spread its sovereignty over much more of its land at this time – from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea (Isa. 54:2-3; Jer. 32:41-44). By obeying God and doing this, security for all of its citizens would increase, as God's will is always the best policy for nations, as well as for individuals.

   • As Jews read Exodus 33:1 in the Torah portion let the fact that You again say You have sworn to give this land to their forefathers and their descendants make a deep spiritual impact upon them all.

   • Lord God, guide Your nation to possess more of its land today – not because of Trump – but because You who own the land (Ezek. 36:5) have given it to them, for Your holy name's sake (Psa. 105:7-11).

   • Messiah, burden Your Body to intercede for this that is Your will, to happen (Obad. 1:17-20).

   • Abba, either through Your Word or by circumstances, make Israel's leaders to see the great need to do this as soon as possible (Deut. 8:17-18; Psa. 44:3).

   • Creator God, delete the UN General Assembly's resolution of late 2024 which says that Judea and Samaria must become Judenrein (free of Jews) during 2025 (Job 12:16-25; Psa. 125:3; Lam. 3:37).

   • God, in relation to the above, we thank You for increasing the Jewish populations in communities throughout Judea and Samaria, and pray for the same in the rest of Your land (Isa. 49:19-20; 51:3).

   • Shepherd of Israel, guard over the Jews You are regathering against all terrorism (Jer. 31:10).

   • Abba Father, send forth an all-encompassing fear and dread of the IDF upon all of Israel's foes in the land which You have promised to it (Ex. 23:27; Deut. 11:24-25; Josh. 2:9-11; 2 Chr. 20:29).

   • Also Lord, spread Your wings of protection over the IDF in these areas (Psa. 17:8; 91:4; 141:9-10).

   • Almighty God, expose and stop any Israeli-Arab terrorist plans against Israel (Psa. 34:16).

   • Lord God of Israel, anoint all Israelis, both civilians and security forces, to be on high alert during Ramadan, Islam's holy month, which we are in at this time (Psa. 91:4; 121:4).

6. External security – Middle East [ME]:

   Israel is encircled by Muslim enemies: Turkey, Iran, and the Houthis in Yemen, Al-Qaeda and ISIS in Syria, Palestinian terrorist groups in Jordan, and now the possibility that Egypt might become a major threat again. Yet God promised that when He plants His people on His land, He also will protect them (Jer. 31:10).

   • Abba, guard over Israel according to Your Word and for Your glory (Psa. 115:1-3; 121:4; Isa. 31:5)!

   • God Almighty, continue to confound all who hate and want to destroy Zion (Psa. 35:4, 26; 129:5).

   • Lord of hosts, bless and reinforce Israel's new military doctrine of not permitting enemy forces to encamp along its borders – whether in Gaza, Syria or Lebanon (Isa. 26:15; Mal. 1:5).

   • In line with that, Lord remove Egypt's massive armed incursion into the Sinai (Ex. 14:24-25).

   • Keep Israel in the areas it has taken in Syria which are part of the Promised Land (Gen. 15:18).

   • King of kings, thwart all of Turkey's President Erdogan's anti-Israel plots (Psa. 9:19; 33:10-11).

   • Lord God, increase Israel's skill in gathering accurate intelligence and in interpreting all collected data precisely, and in knowing to whom to pass this information (2 Kin. 6:12; Isa. 29:15).

   • Reveal to Israel and America how Qatar is manipulating both of them (Job 12:17-25; Psa. 120:6-7).

   • Lord God, You made the destroyer who protects Your people from its enemies, so release it over Ramadan and destroy all of Iran's evil plans and false gods (Ex. 12:13, 23; Isa. 54:15-17; Hag. 2:22).

   • Abba Father, the prophesied destruction of Iran's leaders (Jer. 49:38b) would be a great mercy first of all for the Iranians, then Israel and many other ME nations, so please hasten that day.

   • God of hosts, show Israel how vital it is to deal with Iran's nuclear weapons program, regardless of what Iran plans to do with it, and then guide Israel's timing and methods (Ezek. 37:10; Nah. 1:7-8).

   • Lord of hosts, God of Jacob (Psa. 46:7, 11), in line with Psalm 46:9, we ask for You to have the final say as when the war with Hizbullah in Lebanon is truly over (Mic. 4:3).

   • Abba, South Lebanon up to the Latani River is a part of Your inheritance to the tribes of Asher and Naftali, therefore guide Israel as to when and how to possess it (Deut. 11: 24; Josh. 13:2-7).

   • God of mercy, now during Ramadan, shame many Muslims as they perceive that Allah is not more powerful than You, the God of Israel, and let that move them to seek You (Psa. 83:16-18).

   • Lord Yeshua, protect Your Body in the ME during Ramadan; guide them as they pray and teach them how to bless – and not curse – Israel and the Jews (Gen. 27:29; John 10:16, 27).

7. Aliyah:

   The Bible sees the Jews living in the nations as in "captivity." While around 8 million Jews live in Israel today, a majority remains in a self-imposed exile. Yet aliyah is for God's glory (Isa. 43:5-7), so we press on, praying for all Jews stuck in the "captivity" to return.

   • Lord God, convict Your people still living in captivity how out of synch they are with You and Your prophetic will for them today (Deut. 30:3-5; Ezek. 39:28).

   • Abba Father, replace in the minds of Jews the nice-sounding description of where they live – "the diaspora" [Gk. "scattering"] – with the biblical term – "captivity" (Deut. 30:3; Ezra 2:1; Psa. 126:1-4).

   • Lord Almighty, let the rise of anti-Israel/anti-Semitic acts in the West push home Jews who are so contented in exile that they have never even thought about making aliyah (Jer. 16:16).

   • Show Jews that while Israel is not 100% safe, it is safer than staying in the nations (Psa. 121:3-4).

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

   • Lord, bring home Jews with practical, as well as medical and scientific, skills (Neh. 4:16-18).

   • Gracious Father, draw Jews home today with their "silver and gold" with them (Isa. 60:9).

   • God of Israel, replace every bureaucrat in Israel's Interior Ministry and its Jewish Agency who is lukewarm about aliyah and fill their spots with those who are zealous for Zion (Zech. 8:1-8).

   • Almighty God, make extremely successful the government's new incentive program to entice new immigrants to settle in areas of Israel that are outside of the large cities (Jer. 33:12-14).

   • Lord Yeshua, open the eyes of Your Body to understand that aliyah is an answer to a 2,000 year old prayer that Your name be sanctified by Your will being done on earth (Ezek. 28:25-26; Luke 11:2).

8. Salvation:

   God speaks to the "watchmen" of Jeremiah 31:6, and tells them (31:7) to pray, YHWH, save Your people, the remnant of Israel (Jer. 31:7b). "Watchmen" [notzrim] is the Hebrew word for "Christians" today, so we pray for this with great confidence (1 John 5:14-15).

   • Messiah Yeshua, show born-again gentiles that Romans 1:16 and 11:11 are still valid today.

   • Erase from believers the concept that sharing the good news with a Jew is offensive (Luke 9:26).

   • God, use the predominance of grace which is mentioned nine times in the Torah reading (Ex. 33:12-34:9), to turn Your people from a works-oriented salvation to a grace-oriented one (Eph. 2:8-10).

   • Almighty Savior, impart a "holy dissatisfaction" into the minds and hearts of many Jews and turn them to read and study all of the Tanach – not just the Torah (Psa. 80:3, 7; Jer. 15:16; 2 Tim. 3:15).

   • God of Israel, remove the partial blindness that You put on most Jews, from Messiah Yeshua's day until today, and reveal the true Messianic King to them (Isa. 45:15; Rom. 11:25-26).

   • Lord Yeshua, redeem many sons and daughters of Zion in modern-day Israel (Zech. 9:9; 14:1-4).

   • Lord God, cause Jews who came home with help from gentile believers be provoked to jealousy by the love and concern of these Christians, and use that to draw them to Your Son (Rom. 11:11).

   • [Ask God if there is specific groups of Jews that He wants you to intercede for this week.]

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). Believers should know that God's promise to Abraham and his seed applies to them as well, as Yeshua set us free from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13), but not from the curse attached to this promise. "Cursing" Israel (Num. 24:9b), or the Jews, invites a curse to come upon the Body which then opens the door for gross deception to enter in and to be seen as if it were of God – like replacement theology!

   • Messiah Yeshua, cast out replacement theory from the Body (Eph. 5:27; 1 Tim. 4:1), and take with it all attitudes of Jew-hatred and Israel-hatred (Gen. 18:18; 22:18; John 4:22; Rom. 9:1-5).

   • King Messiah, heal Your Body of the curse of generational anti-Semitism (Num. 14:18b; Jer. 17:14).

   • God Almighty, allow Your Body to understand that You do not change (Mal. 3:6), therefore what You said to Pharaoh about Israel being Your son, Your firstborn (Ex. 4:22-23), is still the truth.

   • Lord, since Israel is the pupil of Your eye, let believers perceive the full implications of that, which is that You view the world through Israel (Zech. 2:8b)!

   • Also Abba, reveal to Your Body how planting Israel back in their land is the one thing You declared that You are doing with all of Your heart and all of Your soul – in all of Your Word (Jer. 32:41)!

   • Lord Yeshua, gift Your Body with elders to who will boldly teach and preach from all of the Word, (Acts 20:27), including declaring Your eternal love for Israel (Deut. 7:6-8; Jer. 31:35-37).

   • May the practice of true corporate prayer permeate the worldwide Body (Matt. 18:20; Heb. 4:16).

10. Water:

    Israel has had an extremely dry rainy season, and that season is almost finished. Yet let's still ask God to send the much needed rain, even out of season, on His precious land (Zech. 10:1).

11. IFI:

    Thank you for praying for us during this time of extra stress – both nationally and personally. It is much appreciated and needed.

Shabbat shalom, hag Purim sameach, and blessings from Zion

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Rev. 22:21