1. This Shabbat's prophetic portion ends with these verses from Isaiah 51:

   • Isaiah 51:1-3 Listen to me, pursuers of righteousness; seekers of YHWH: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, blessed him, and increased him. For YHWH shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of YHWH. Joy and gladness shall be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

   • Lord, what a privilege it is to see Your word coming to pass before our eyes today, as Israel's wilderness is becoming fruitful and her waste cities are being restored (Ezekiel 36:34-37).

   • Thank You for calling us into the Kingdom for just a time like this (Esther 4:14b).

   • With all that is happening in the world and in our lives, we are so grateful for Your more sure Word of prophecy, to which [we] do well to take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Daystar arises in [our] hearts, (2 Peter 1:19)

   • We bless You for the current borders of Israel and we look forward to the fullness of Your land coming into the hands of Your people – for Your glory's sake (Malachi 1:5).

   • Thank You for wanting us to work with You to see Your Kingdom come on earth (Matthew 6:10).

2. This past week, Iranian naval vessels harassed a US navy ship. This brought back to us the many prayers we have prayed concerning Iran's arrogant leaders and encouraged us to continue to pray them.

   • Abba, may Iran's leaders' arrogance cause them to make major geo-political mistakes (Proverbs 16:18).

   • Arise, God and deal with this wicked Shi'ite government that rules in Iran (Jeremiah 49:38b).

   • Lord, You heard the latest threats by Iranian military commanders that Israel will be destroyed within 23 years. Deal with this blasphemous statement against Your word (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

   • Abba, why 23 years? Please reveal it to us so that we know how to pray (Amos 3:7).

   • Let them be as chaff before the wind; and let the Angel of YHWH drive them away. Let their way be dark and slippery; and let the Angel of YHWH pursue them. For without cause they have spread their net for me in a pit; without cause they have dug for my soul.

     Psalms 35:5-7
     

   • For I will defend this city to save it, for My own sake and for My servant David's sake. Then the angel of YHWH went out and struck a 185,000 in the camp of Assyria.

     Isaiah 37:35-36a
     

   • God, shake Iran politically, physically, spiritually and financially.

   • Teach the Iranian Church how to pray and on how to bless Israel (Genesis 12:3a).

3. We prayed for Israel to know how to respond to these continual threats from Iran.

   • Lord, anoint Israel's leaders to know what to do and then give them the courage and timing to do it.

   • Bless all of Israel's responsible leaders with supernatural wisdom to make the right decisions.

   • There are many purposes in a man's heart, but the counsel of YHWH shall stand.

     Proverbs 19:21
     

   • Use the sons of Issachar You have raised up among Israel's leaders to influence all decisions in relation to this Iranian threat (1 Chronicles 12:32).

   • If You want to use Israel to break the bow of Elam, then guide it very specifically (Jeremiah 49:35).

4. A coalition government by its very nature tends to be unstable. Israel's current government is no different. Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beitaynu and Educational Minister Naftali Bennett of Beit Yehudi, are continual sources of irritation to the efficient running of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's government.

   • Lord, we know that ultimately the government rests on Your shoulders (Isaiah 9:6-7), yet You allow man to run this nation at this time. So we thank You for giving to Israel Bibi Netanyahu.

   • Continue to surround him with wise counselors – allies who will not be yes-men (Proverbs 11:14).

   • Lord, warn those in the current government who are only there for their own political gain.

   • Use these "irritations" to do just the opposite of what the enemy wants – and strengthen the government.

   • Expose any plans against this government that are being grown in darkness (Job 12:22).

   • Cut off all manipulation from the government coalition and let there be a free exchange of ideas instead.

   • Raise up more ministers who have a burden like that of the Levites of old, who were told to serve YHWH your God and His people Israel, (2 Chronicles 35:3).

   • May this promise come to pass quickly: I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning; afterwards you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. (Isaiah 1:26)

5. Israel's schools begin again next week – on Thursday, September 1st.

   • Thank You that Naftali Bennett has made some positive changes in the Israeli school curriculum.

   • Continue to use him and the Educational Ministry to make further decisions that are in line with Your will (Proverbs 21:1).

   • We are so grateful that the Hebrew Bible, the Tanach, is taught in Israeli schools – and though it is not taught as the Word of God – at least it is taught and read and studied.

   • Lord, watch over Your Word in the hearts of all Israeli students (Jeremiah 1:12).

   • Lord Yeshua, reveal Yourself to the many Tanach teachers throughout Israel's society – especially in the school system (Acts 9:3-5).

   • So shall My Word be which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do.

     Isaiah 55:11
     

     Amen!

      

   • Use all of the believing children in these schools to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16).

   • May You give them favor with both their teachers and fellow students (Matthew 10:40).

   • Abba, we know that schools are soft-targets for terrorists. Make the Israeli security guards alert, sharp and discerning.

   • Place a host of angels around each of these facilities.

   • Protect Israelis children and youth physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

   • Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.

     Proverbs 22:6
     

6. The Ultra-Orthodox have their own schools and their own curriculum, and there are some major problems with it.

   • Abba, continue stirring up the parents of the Ultra-Orthodox students to demand that core issues – like mathematics, science, and others – be taught to their children.

   • Break through the strongholds of this community that keeps it isolated from the rest of Israeli society.

   • Restore to Orthodox Jews the mindset of the great Rabbis of the Middle Ages who insisted that work was a way to sanctify God and who worked to support themselves (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

   • Shine Your light into this tight-knit community and release them from their blindness (Psalm 119:18).

   • Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path…The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

     Psalms 119:105, 130
     

7. We prayed next for the latest group of new recruits to enter the IDF, as well as for any changes that the IDF needs to make to be able to protect this nation from all threats.

   • Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of YHWH our God.

     Psalms 20:7
     

     Behold, He who keeps/guards Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

     Psalms 121:4
     

   • Lord, You are the ultimate IDF that we trust in, as You are Israel's Divine Father!

   • Yet we know that both biblically and historically, You have used Israel's army here on earth to defend Your nation and land (Isaiah 41:10-16; Ezekiel 37:10; Micah 4:11-13).

   • Watch over and place all new recruits in the exact positions You have assigned for them (Psalm 103:19).

   • May each Messianic believer be paired up with at least one other believer while in the IDF (Mark 6:7).

   • Open IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot's eyes to see anything that needs to be fixed or renovated to make the IDF that much more efficient.

   • Lord, guard over the IDF's finances and allow the right amount to go to each need.

   • Lord, rid the IDF of all waste in its financial dealings.

8. Those last requests turned our attention to the still unsettled Memorandum of Understanding between America and Israel concerning US military aid over the next decade.

   • We thank You for all of the past support from America and ask that You would best that nation for it.

   • Yet Abba, if this MOU is not 101% Your will, scuttle it – even if at the last moment (Psalm 124:6-8).

   • Lord, we know that eventually, Israel needs to be weaned from American financial support. If this is the time for that, let Israel's leaders have the courage and faith to just say "No!" (Isaiah 31:1)

   • You have called Israel to be a nation that dwells apart from all other nations (Numbers 23:9b). Help it to be that in this area as well.

   • Forbid that Israeli leaders would look to America as a substitute for You (Isaiah 30:1-2).

   • If America is an idol in the hearts of any Israelis, by Your Spirit tear it down (2 Chronicles 34:7).

   • Show Israel to look "to Abraham" our father, and not to Uncle Sam (Isaiah 51:2a)!

9. We continue to have a burden to pray into the US elections – as the results will impact not only Israel, but the rest of the world.

   • Lord, have mercy on America and wake up the Church to stand in the gap, and to pray and then to vote. And I sought for a man among them who should build up a wall for the land, and stand in the gap before Me, that I should not destroy it. But I did not find anyone. (Ezekiel 22:30)

   • Bring to the light all scandals and any hidden darkness surrounding either candidate.

   • Protect and use the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, Mike Pence [a brother in the Lord and a strong Christian-Zionist], for Your glory.

   • Give the Israeli government Your wisdom to know how to relate to the next US administration.

   • YHWH has prepared His throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.

     Psalms 103:19
     

   • …the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will.

     Daniel 4:25b
     

10. We finished by praying for the salvation of Israelis and for the Messianic Body. Both are related as the Body of Messiah in Israel is the face of Yeshua to many Jews who have only had a distorted picture of the King of the Jews – the Lord Yeshua.

    • We bless and thank You that the Body of Messiah in Israel is growing and maturing.

    • Lord Yeshua, as that makes us a prime target for the enemy's attacks, we ask for Your divine protection. You, O YHWH, are a shield for me; my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to YHWH with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. (Psalms 3:3-4)

    • Abba, is it not time for You to remove that blindness that You placed over many Jewish hearts so that gentiles could come into Your Son's kingdom (Romans 11:25)?

    • Send forth Your Spirit with the accompanying dreams and visions – especially to the younger generation (Joel 2:28-29)

    • Give us wisdom to know how to speak the truth in love to unsaved Israelis whom You bring into our lives (Ephesians 4:15).

    • Watch over all the seeds planted and watered in Your people and reap a harvest (1 Corinthians 3:6)

    • Surprise all those who are seeking for truth in the wrong places with a divine revelation of Yourself.

    • Lord, we ask all of this for Your glory's sake: Not to us, O YHWH, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and for Your truth's sake. Why should the nations say, Where now is their God? But our God is in Heaven; He has done whatever He has pleased. (Psalms 115:1-3)

IFI Director Chuck Cohen is traveling to America this next week to minister in North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Please keep him in prayer to know what to say in each meeting and to be protected in all his ways.

Shabbat shalom and blessings from Zion,

The IFI team