1. It is always such a privilege to worship the King of Kings - especially in His city.

    • God, my heart is fixed. I will sing and give praise… I will awake early. I will praise You, LORD [YHWH], among the people: I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your mercy is great above the heavens: and Your truth reaches unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God… That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and answer me… Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for He shall tread down our enemies.

      From Psalm 108

    • We bless You for Your faithfulness, knowing that You are the same - yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).

    • We are so blessed to know that You know the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10).

    • Thank You that You delight in the prayers of Your saints.

      The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to LORD: but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

      Prov. 15:8

  2. The "peace" process is floundering. The Palestinian Authority [PA] is not willing to talk with Israel until all settlement building - including in Jerusalem - is halted. So the PA is contemplating whether to request that the UN, EU, etc., unilaterally recognize a Palestinian State, in Judah, Samaria and Jerusalem with the pre-1967 borders. Israel has said that they also could take unilateral steps if the Palestinians do this. This is a very dangerous situation - especially if America will not block this PA proposal in the UN Security Council. And at this time, there is no guarantee of what the Obama administration would do. Is Zechariah 12:2-3 right around the corner?

    • Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all people of the earth be gathered together against it.

      Zech. 12:2-3

    • Lord, show us how to pray into this situation.

    • We declare that LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of LORD stands for ever; the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (Psalms 33:10-11)

    • Abba, watch over Your promise to Abraham in this week's Torah portion:

      By myself I have sworn, says LORD, that because you have…not withheld your son [Isaac]…that in blessing I will bless you; in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

      Gen. 22:16-17

    • Show mercy on both Israelis and Palestinians by not allowing this plan to come to fruition.

    • Send confusion on all who hate Zion (Psalm 129:5)

    • Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

      Matt. 6:10

      Amen!

  3. We prayed for Israel's government to know how to respond to this threat and to not cave in to these unrighteous demands of both the Palestinians and the world.

    • Thank You Lord for giving us a government that we can pray for - as opposed to the previous one that we had to pray against. Bless them this very day.

    • Pour out upon Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, and all of his cabinet, the anointing that You have prepared for the leading of the nation of Israel at this time.

    • Overrule them to make decisions that are in line with Your will and purposes.

      A man's heart devises his way: but LORD directs his steps.

      Prov. 16:9

    • Give Israel's leaders boldness, wisdom, courage and a steadfastness to withstand whatever onslaughts the enemy has in mind.

    • We ask You who are the Creator, to give creative solutions to Israeli leaders, to escape any and all traps of the wicked one.

    • Encourage Netanyahu as he continues to read Your Word.

    • Speak to him from Your Word - and save him.

  4. The November 2nd US mid-term elections are very important. If, as many expect, the President Obama's Democratic party loses control of the Congress to the Republicans, Obama will then have his hands tied for the remaining two years of office in domestic issues. Yet he still has the final say in foreign affairs. Although Congress can withhold or limit funds in that area, there is a real possibility that the President will turn to international affairs to gain a victory. And that means being the "One" who finally brings "peace" to the Middle East. Israel, most likely, will be under tremendous pressure from Obama & Co. after the elections - whether his party wins or loses.

    • Lord, deal with the Obama administration which has not been Israeli-friendly, and limit their power through this election.

    • May the results cause Obama to be shaken out of his arrogance and placed in a position to where he needs to cry out to You.

    • Anoint the Body of Messiah in the US to intercede for a government through whom You can glorify Yourself.

    • Have much mercy on America by raising up many in government positions who will stand strongly on the side of Your land and Your people.

      And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you…

      Gen. 12:3

    • As Obama puts increased pressure on Israel in the weeks to come, prepare us to know how to stand in the gap and intercede.

    • And prepare Israel's leaders to know how to withstand any and all pressure from the US.

    • Associate yourselves, O you people, and you shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all you of far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nothing. Speak the word, and it shall not stand. For God is with us.

      Isaiah 8:9-10

  5. It seems as if many end-time alliances are being prepared before our eyes. Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Russia, China and Venezuela are being draw together in a number of ways.

    How do we pray?

    • Lord, You are the ultimate Chess Master. As You prepare Your pieces for Your end-game strategy, teach us how to pray so that we are furthering - and not interfering - with You will.

    • These are confusing times unless You guide us by Your Spirit. We confess that without You we can do nothing (John 15:5b), but we can do all things through You (Phil. 4:13).

    • This is the word of LORD unto [all My servants], saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, says LORD of hosts.

      Zech. 4:6

    • Arise, LORD; let not man prevail. Let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

      Psalms 9:19-20

    • Iran: Thank You for all the internal problems Iran is facing at this time. Continue to increase them so that they will never be able to develop weapons of mass destruction.

    • Have mercy on the Iranians by removing their Moslems overlords from authority.

    • Have mercy on the Iranians by continuing to save multitudes of them.

    • I will set my throne in Elam [ancient Iran], and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, says LORD.

      Jer. 49:38

  6. Israel and the whole Middle East is dealing with a major water crisis.

    • Lord, have mercy on us and bring the rain and snow during this winter season.

    • Although we do not deserve it, we remind You of what Your Son said, that You, our Father in heaven, makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

    • You promised to make this land like Eden's garden. Do what You have said - for Your holy name's sake.

      And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the nations that are left about you shall know that I LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.

      Ezek. 36:35-36

    • We trust in You and not in any man-made techniques, although we thank You for giving Israelis ways to desalinate and save water.

    • If You gave Your rebellious people water in the wilderness for 40 years, how much more will You provide water for those of us who have entered into the Promised Land.

  7. Aliyah, the return of the Jews from exile to home, was the next issue for prayer.

    • I will cause the captivity of Judah and…Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first… I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and…transgressed against Me. It shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. Thus says LORD; Again there shall be heard…in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem… the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that say, Praise LORD of hosts: for LORD is good; for His mercy endures forever: and of them that bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, says LORD.

      Jer. 33:7-11

    • Lord, bring Your people home in increasing numbers.

    • Thank You for a 20% increase in aliyah this past year.

    • Abba, we ask that the Jewish community in Germany would begin to feel an unease about making Germany their home.

    • Pluck out all Jewish communities from Europe - whether by fishers or hunters (Jer. 16:16).

    • Abba, many Israelis have left Israel. Make them homesick.

      If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

      Psalms 137:5-6

    • By Your Spirit, draw the younger generation of Messianic Jews home.

      I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you.

      Jer. 31:3

    • Deal with Israel's Ministry of Interior which too often blocks Your people from coming home with joy - or even coming home at all. Remove any and all obstacles - whether people or bureaucracy - that are in the path of Your people (Isa. 62:10).

    • Open up the hearts of Your Church to understand their responsibility and privilege to aid with the return of Your people.

      Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentiles, and set up My standard to the people, and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.

      Isa. 49:22

    • For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their [the Jews] spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in material things.

      Rom. 15:27

We ended our time asking God to give leaders of the Churches and Messianic congregations in the West a deep burden for intercession, because it is imperative that the leaders lead in this very vital area in these last days.

May the Lord continue to encourage you as you stand before Him for His people, His land and ultimately, for His Kingdom's sake.

Shabbat shalom,
The IFI Team