We had to cancel this morning's meeting because God answered our prayers for water in a way that was exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think… (Ephesians 3:20b). Jerusalem, and other areas in Israel, especially in the north, is covered in snow. The snowfall on Mount Hermon has been very heavy and steady. This recent storm has brought much needed water. The Sea of Galilee is rising quickly, and though it still needs more than two meters to be totally full, Israel is in better shape water-wise than it has been for over a decade. Thanks for your persistent prayers concerning this need. You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, by which You upheld Your inheritance when it was weary. (Psalms 68:9)

Because we were not able to meet for prayer, this alert will be in a different format. We will list issues about which we are praying and trust the Spirit of Yeshua to lead you in pray as well.

  1. This week's prophetic portion ends with Ezekiel 28:25-26: Thus says the Lord YHWH: When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and have been sanctified in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their land that I have given to My servant Jacob. They shall dwell safely in it, shall build houses and plant vineyards. Yes, they shall dwell safely when I have executed judgments on all those who despise them all around them; and they shall know that I am YHWH their God.

    In these verses, and in other verses in Scripture, God's restoration of Israel, and His judgment on their enemies, is linked with Israel's salvation for His glory. So as we pray into the upcoming Israel elections [Jan. 22nd], these issues are uppermost in our minds. Therefore, please pray for a government -

    • to be elected through whom God can glorify Himself (Psalm 115:1-3)

    • that honors God's gift of the land to His people (Numbers 14:6-9)

    • that will encourage Jews in exile to come home (Isaiah 62:10-12)

    • that will put more effort into absorbing the Jews who have returned into Israeli society

    • that will defend this people by supporting the IDF in all areas of actual need (Isaiah 41:14-16)

    • that will deal with Israel's economy with wisdom from above (Proverbs 11:11; 14:34; Isaiah 1:26-27)

    • which, while respecting Israel's allies, will not submit to any pressure from them to do that which is against the will of God for Israel at this time (Numbers 23:8-9)

    • that is more unified than what we have today (Ezekiel 37:15-28)

  2. We are praying much for Israel's current Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, to find himself the next prime minister, having received a huge mandate from the people. The polls show that the Likud-Beytenu joint faction has slipped some - but the so-called 'center-left' parties are correcting that slip by shooting themselves in their collective foot. And with less than two weeks to go, some polls show almost a third of eligible Israeli voters still undecided. Please pray for -

    • Netanyahu's party to be elected with a huge number of seats in the Knesset [Israel's parliament]

    • the people of Israel to see that in many ways, we are much better off today than we were four years ago

    • media coverage and reporting to be fair [We know this will take a huge miracle, but then again the One we are asking to do this is the same One who divided the Red Sea, so why not ask? Behold, I am YHWH, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27)

    • Netanyahu to boldly speak about the very positive accomplishments of this current government

    • the economy to remain stable

    • his family to be supportive and protected

    • Netanyahu to be protected from any attacks, whether assassination attempts or leaders in foreign nations who would love to see him defeated [We are specifically thinking of US President Obama. Many Israelis look to America as our only remaining friend and our ultimate protection. The opposition in this election are using Bibi's relationship with Obama to try and scare voters into removing him from office.]

    • Netanyahu to cry out to God and have a deep revelation of his Messiah Yeshua (Matthew 16:15-16)

  3. God clearly states that Israel's salvation will result in Him being glorified. And I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel. And I will not let them profane My holy name any more. And the nations shall know that I am YHWH, the Holy One in Israel. (Ezekiel 39:7) Regardless of the headlines, Israel's salvation is a prayer that we know is in line with God's will. Let the Lord lead you to pray for specific people or groups. Here are some suggestions from our heart:

    • Israelis who have lost loved ones [not many, praise God!] or property during this past week's storms

    • Survivors of terror attacks

    • Holocaust survivors (Psalm 119:25, 28)

    • Unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jews (Acts 16:31)

    • Soldiers in the IDF, including those serving in the Air Force and Navy

    • Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children and siblings of those in the IDF

    • Government officials

    • Judges and lawyers (Isaiah 1:26)

    • Israelis who are living outside of the land

    • Israeli youth

  4. God has promised to save 'all Israel' in the land, therefore aliyah - the immigration of Jews back to Israel, is another intercessory burden always in line with His will. Again, pray specifically and believe Him for a huge increase in 2013. 2012 saw around 16,000 Jews return home. Hallelujah! More Lord! Fear not; for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Do not keep back; bring My sons from far and My daughters from the ends of the earth; everyone who is called by My name; for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. (Isaiah 43:5-7)

  5. We watch with horrified amazement at the slaughter in Syria and the nations impotence to deal with it. Yet, when it comes to Jewish homes in Jerusalem, the nations are unified in its condemnation and threats. Since we view the world through a biblical filter, we wonder whether this is Zechariah 12:2-3 coming to pass. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the peoples all around, and they shall also be against Judah in the siege against Jerusalem. And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples. All who lift it shall be slashed, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. Pray for the Lord to rule over all events in the nations surrounding Israel.

    • For much mercy on the people in Syria (Matthew 5:45)

    • That Yeshua would break into this demonic situation to bring many Syrians to Himself (Matthew 8:28-32)

    • For God to hold back Islamic fundamentalist forces from overrunning Jordan at this time

    • That He would continue to confound all those who hate Zion (Psalm 129:5)

    • For God to open up the eyes of many Lebanese to want to be free from the terror of Hizbullah ruling in both their lives and their government

    • That the internal strife in Egypt would increase - along with an increase in the growth of the Church there

    • For God to protect Israel from the demonic forces surrounding it today [See Ezekiel 28:26 above]

  6. With Obama's nomination of John Kerry as US Secretary of State, Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense, and John Brennan as CIA chief, it is obvious that this US administration is turning more liberal and isolationist. This does not bode well for either Israel or the rest of the West. Specifically, if Iran must to be dealt with militarily, it appears that Israel will need to do it alone. While God will go out before her to battle, this does not guarantee that there will not be a major price to pay - both in lives lost and in diplomacy (Deuteronomy 20:1-9) - to remove this existential threat. Continue to pray for Israel's leaders to know exactly how to deal with Iran - both in the face of Iran's progress in developing nuclear weapons and with recognition that the US no longer has Israel's back. Israel's political and military leaders need to have wisdom on the timing of any attack, what weapons to use and how to deal with global condemnation on the morning after.

  7. We are today only ten days away from the Monday evening start [21st] of Intercessors for Israel's annual International Prayer Conference in Jerusalem. We would appreciate your prayer covering during this time of preparation - as well as during the conference and prayer tour. We hope to be able to send out video updates every afternoon, so that you can get some idea of how the Lord Yeshua leads us in intercession. The videos will be posted on our website. Here are some areas that IFI would appreciate pray for.

    • For the Lord to bring everyone whom He has ordained to be here and to keep away all those who are supposed to be on assignment elsewhere.

    • For the health and strength of both the leadership team and the congregation

    • Absolute clarity in hearing the voice of our Shepherd Yeshua (John 10:27)

    • Willingness to do things that are different if He so directs (Proverbs 16:3, 9)

    • The unity of the Spirit to be quickly established and zealously guarded throughout both the conference and the prayer tour following (Ephesians 4:1-3)

    • For the urgent to not overshadow the important - unless it is God's urgent!

    • Whenever the leadership either leads in prayer or preaches/teaches that we would be able to communicate clearly and that the congregation would be able to receive that which is from above. If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, so that God may be glorified in all things through Yeshua the Messiah, to whom is the glory, and the might forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)

    • Safety for all involved

    • Wisdom and patience for the administrative team and all the volunteers

    • That when all is said and done, the Father would be satisfied and able to say to all of us, Well done, good and faithful servants. Enter into the joy of your Lord. (Matthew 25:21)

Blessings and peace from a snowy and cold Jerusalem

The IFI team

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings,
making peace heard; who brings good news, making salvation heard;
who says to Zion, Your God reigns!
The voice of Your watchmen shall lift up!
They lift up the voice together; they sing aloud.
For they shall see eye to eye, when YHWH shall bring again Zion.

Isaiah 52:7-8