1. Praise:

   As we noted last week, God demands that we live holy lives. And although that is not possible for us to do by our own efforts, yet throughout His Word He states that He is the one who sanctifies us. You shall sanctify him [the priest], for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy unto you, for I YHWH, who sanctifies you, am holy. (Lev. 21:8; see also 21:15, 23; 22:9, 18)

   • Lord God, we praise You that the reason why You brought Israel out of Egypt and brought us out of sin, is made clear in Shabbat's Torah reading: so that You could be our God (Lev. 22:33).

   • We thank You that, as we are a kingdom of priests unto You like Israel was, You have implied in the prophetic portion that You Yourself are our inheritance and our possession (Ezek. 44:28).

   • We bless You for gracing us to work out in our lives what You are working in us (Phil. 2:12b-13).

   • Thank You for telling us that You will finish that which You began in us (Psa. 138:8; Phil. 1:6).

2. Government & society:

   God tells us to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-4). As we obey, we trust in His guidance. And as we consistently lift up Israel's political leaders we do see Him working in them – and are often surprised at how He does it (1 John 5:14-15).

   • King Messiah, all authority in heaven and on earth is in Your hands today (Matt. 28:18), and since we trust You – and not in Israel's leaders – we ask You to guide us in praying for them (Prov. 16:9).

   • Abba Father, rebuke Satan's attempts to deceive both Israel's leaders and us (Zech. 3:2).

   • Lord God Almighty, raise up many more sons and daughters of Zion in Israel and let them replace the sons and daughters of Greece, especially in influential positions (Job 34:24; Psa. 109:8).

   • Lord of lords, enable Israel's current coalition to bring You glory and show each one their great need to humble themselves and seek You in prayer (Psa. 50:15; 115:1-3; Prov. 29:23).

   • God of all gods, overrule Israel's coalition if it legislates anything not of You (Prov. 21:1).

   • Judge of all judges; use the coalition's desire to institute judicial reform to fulfill Isaiah 1:24-27.

   • Abba Father, warn Israel's unelected officials, or what is known as the "deep state," to not grasp more authority than that which is rightfully theirs (Prov. 11:29).

   • Lord God, as Bibi Netanyahu is still Israel's prime minister, impart to him divine wisdom to guide Your nation on a righteous path today (Psa. 23:3b; Prov. 21:1; Dan. 2:21b; Zech. 4:6-7).

   • God Almighty, lead Netanyahu to find his encouragement in You and in Your Word (1 Sam. 30:6).

   • Lord, surround Bibi with godly advisors and let him heed their advice (Prov. 11:14; 24:6), yet make Your voice more influential in him than any other – including his own (Josh. 24:24).

   • God, use Bibi's understanding of history to make him a son-of-Issachar type of leader (1 Chr. 12:32).

   • Heal the division of vision that often exists between the IDF and the government (Rom. 16:17).

   • Abba, if Eyal Zamir was the wrong choice for leading the IDF at this time, then either replace him (Psa. 109:8), or hedge him in to command only that which is Your will for the IDF (Prov. 21:30-31).

   • Almighty King of kings, anoint Israel's political and military leaders to say less when threatening Israel's enemies – and to do more (Jam. 2:20, 26).

   • Lord God, set Israelis free from Hamas' emotional mind games that it plays by holding 20 living hostages – and dozens of dead hostage bodies (Psa. 124:6-7; Isa. 49:24-26; Jer. 32:27).

   • God of truth, erase the lies which have taken hold on some Israelis, including some hostage families, blinding them from seeing that their real enemy is Hamas – and not Bibi (Jer. 9:5; Eph. 5:6).

3. Gaza:

   Israel has escalated its assault against Hamas and is threatening to increase even that. The IDF has called up many reservists for a new campaign if no deal for the hostages is agreed upon. But it is exasperating to hear most of Israel's leaders – other than Bibi and a few others – who say that this increased pressure is to get Hamas to negotiate over the hostages. Yet God's goal, which He has stated since the Exodus, is Amalek's destruction, who Hamas clearly portrays today (1 Sam. 15:2-3).

   • Abba, forbid US President Trump and his ME envoy, Witkoff, from manipulating Israel to end this war before Hamas is destroyed and all the hostages – alive and dead – are returned (Ezek. 39:3).

   • Lord God, arise and aid Israeli society to perceive the hostage situation in its proper place in this existential war against the spirit of Islamic Jew-hatred (Ex. 17:14-17; Ezek. 35:5).

   • Almighty Healer, strip the weariness of this long war from off both the IDF and Israeli society and inspire all Israel with what a total victory over Hamas would mean (Psa. 44:5-8; 60:11-12; 68:35).

   • Abba, may You alone be the One who decides when this war ceases (Psa. 46:9; Eccl. 3:8b).

   • As the IDF intensifies the fight against Hamas, Lord of hosts, intervene and make their efforts to be "exceedingly abundantly" more effective than what we can even imagine (Ezek. 38:23; Eph. 2:20).

   • Lord God, reinforce Your divine shield over all IDF soldiers who are fighting there (Psa. 3:3-7).

   • Messiah, set Gaza free from demonic spirits and cleanse Your land (Num. 35:33; Psa. 10:16).

   • You helped Abraham and David to rescue all their hostages, so trusting in You who does not change (Mal. 3:6), we ask You to help the IDF do exactly the same today (Gen. 14:14-16; 1 Sam. 30:18-20).

   • Lord of all, thank You that tens of thousands of Palestinians have already left Gaza (Psa. 10:16).

   • In mercy, open the gates for most others to escape from living in Hamas' hellhole (Jer. 12:17).

   • Forbid any Israeli government to allow America to take over Gaza after the war, as it is an integral part of the tribe of Judah's inheritance given to it by You (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18; Zeph. 2:5-7).

4. Foreign relations:

   As we watched President Trump make deals that might benefit America, yet could be dangerous to Israel, we wondered whether this was an answer to our request that Israel would no longer trust in Trump or the US – but trust in God alone.

   • Lord God of Israel, we declare that You reign – regardless of the headlines (Psa. 103:19; Isa. 52:7).

   • While we are often confused as to what You are allowing today, yet we trust that You are never confused – and look to You to lead us in intercession (Psa. 71:1; 1 Cor. 14:33).

   • If all that is happening pushes Israel more quickly into being that people who dwells alone (Num. 23:9b), then guide us to not pray against it, but for Your will to be done on earth (Matt. 6:10).

   • Lord God, show Israelis that You forbid them from being like any other nation (Ezek. 20:32-38).

   • Abba, use Trump's tendency to speak tough, but carry a soft stick, to show all Israelis, especially its leaders, that no matter how much of a friend he is, no man is to be trusted (Jer. 17:5-6).

   • Lead Bibi as he takes the lead in dealing with America and its president (Psa. 23:3b; Prov. 21:1).

   • Guide American believers as they intercede for their nation's relations with Israel today (Ezek. 22:30).

   • God of Jacob, impart to Israel's leaders a divine courage to reject all external pressure or demands that do not line up with Your will for Your nation today (Neh. 2:20; Prov. 3:7).

   • Lord, let Israel's leaders copy Trump and produce policies that put "Israel first!" (Deut. 28:13).

   • Father God, we bless You for the sons and daughters of Zion and of Issachar whom You are raising up in Israel's diplomatic corps (1 Chr. 12:32; Job 22:21-22; Isa. 48:17).

   • Lord God, use Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Minister, its US Ambassador Dr. Yechiel Leiter and Ron Dermer, Bibi's special envoy, for Your goals with world leaders (Prov. 25:13; 28:1b; Jer. 1:8-9).

   • Also, continue to use and guard over Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon (Psa. 81:10; 119:13).

   • King Yeshua, fulfill Numbers 24:9b concerning the UN and its outreaches (Isa. 8:9-10; 54:17).

   • Messiah Yeshua, wake up believers, especially in the West, to warn their leaders not to curse Israel, but to be a true friend during its restoration (Num. 24:9b; Isa. 60:12; Zech. 12:9).

5. Internal security:

   We are praying for Israel to extend its sovereignty over much more of its land in 2025 (Isa. 54:2-3; Jer. 32:41-44). This will increase the security of Israelis and bring Israel more in line with that which God is doing with all of His heart and soul today (Jer. 32:41). And that will release much more of His blessings over His nation.

   • God of Israel, You say You are jealous over Your land (Ezek. 36:5-7), so strike down all plans to create a "Palestine" in Your land– whether from friends or foes (Psa. 33:10-11; Zech. 14:1-3).

   • Use Leviticus 23:10a in Shabbat's Torah portion to speak to Your people to possess the land today.

   • Messiah Yeshua, move Your Body to pray for this to be done as soon as possible (Jer. 32:41-44).

   • Abba Father, use the recent arson-terror attacks that burnt forests in central Israel to persuade its leaders to extend sovereignty over all of the land – for Your glory's sake (Ezek. 36:8-15; Rom. 8:28).

   • Lord Yeshua, let America's Israeli Ambassador Mike Huckabee share with Israel's leaders the many verses in the Bible commanding Israel to possess their land (Judg. 2:1-5; Psa. 126:1-3).

   • Lord, direct Israel to rebuild its north more securely and more populously (Isa. 54:2-3; Eccl. 3:3b).

   • Lord God of hosts, send forth Your angelic armies to war against the spiritual powers of Israel's terrorist enemies in Judea and Samaria (2 Kin. 6:16-17; 2 Chr. 32:7-8; 1 Chr. 15:46).

   • Abba Father, extend Your wings of protection over the IDF which is fighting against these Arab terrorists throughout these areas (Psa. 17:8; 91:4; 141:9-10).

   • May Israel's plans to block the Palestinian Authority from establishing false facts on Your land be very successful – even to the tearing down of those things they have already built (Num. 21:3).

   • Lord God, continue to use Finance Minister Smotrich and Defense Minister Katz to do the above and to hasten the planting of Israeli facts firmly in Judea and Samaria (Amos 9:14-15).

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

   • Lord, save many Palestinians and use them to provoke Jews to jealousy (Matt. 5:44; Rom. 11:11).

6. External security – Middle East [ME]:

   As already mentioned, Trump was in the ME this past week. He signed deals with several Sunni Arab nations which could prove harmful to Israel: a huge weapons deal with Saudi Arabia and Qatar; the removal of sanctions off Syria; plus only God knows what else. Trump is a deal-maker and is understandably focused on his "America First" program, yet endangering Israel by cozying up to its enemies, like Qatar and Turkey, is dangerous. God will protect Israel regardless (Psa. 121:4), but for an "ally" to ignore it… (Gen. 12:3a; Num. 24:9b).

   • We confess Lord God, that Your thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:6, 8-9), and so we ask You to be very precise in leading us in prayer (Psa. 10:17).

   • We declare that You, the God of Jacob, are still in the midst of Your people and will be their refuge in a time of trouble (Psa. 46:1-11).

   • Lord God of Israel, we look to You to be Israel's QME – its qualitative military edge – regardless of how much hi-tech weaponry Trump/America sells to Muslim nations (Psa. 3:3, 6-8; Jer. 51:20-24).

   • Give Israel Your priorities in facing its multiple enemies around it today (1 Chr. 19:10-13).

   • Lord God, show Israel what it should do with Iran, with or without American support (2 Chr. 20:12).

   • Abba Father, the prophesied removal of Iran's leaders (Jer. 49:38b) would be a tremendous mercy for the Iranian people, for Israel and for most other ME nations, so please bring it to pass quickly.

   • God, may the curses Iran's leaders have proclaimed against Israel rebound upon them (Gal. 6:7).

   • Abba Father, may those in the US administration and in Congress who are strongly opposed to Iran maintaining any type of nuclear program be more influential with Trump than any others (Eccl. 8:11).

   • Arise, Lord, against the Houthis and send forth Your Angel to war against them (Psa. 35:1-6; 68:1).

   • Lord, expose all anti-Israel plans of Turkey's anti-Christ-like leader Erdogan (Prov. 5:21; Jer. 32:19).

   • Abba, let Erdogan's curses against Israel and Bibi fall back on his head (Num. 24:9b; Gal. 6:7).

   • Sovereign Lord, let Trump and NATO leaders truly see Turkey President Erdogan's evil Islamic schemes and turn from providing him any help whatsoever (Psa. 10:4; 105:4-5; 15:26a).

   • Lord God, we thank You that more Israelis and their leaders are seeing Qatar as an enemy nation who supports both Hamas and Iran (Psa. 55:21; 62:4), and ask the same for America's leaders.

   • Lord, reveal the true heart intent of Syria's new president and his government (Jer. 17:10).

   • God, use the Kingdom of Jordan's outlawing of the Muslim Brotherhood to impact other nations – especially those in the West – to do the same (Psa. 5:4a; 10:15; 26:5).

   • Lord Yeshua, caution Your Body in Lebanon, Syria and the rest of the ME that if they curse Israel, they will end up being cursed in return (Num. 24:9b; Psa. 6:1; Mark 3:5a; Rev. 2:14a).

7. Aliyah:

   The Bible declares that Jews living in gentile nations are in "captivity." While about 8 million Jews live today in Israel, a majority still remains in a self-imposed exile. Yet since aliyah is for God's glory (Isa. 43:5-7), we pray without ceasing for those Jews stuck in the "captivity" to return.

   • Abba Father, thank You for allowing us to witness You fulfill exactly what You have prophesied so many centuries ago (Jer. 31:8-10; Zech. 8:1-8).

   • God of Abraham, speak to Your people still living in the captivity that they are way out of line with You and Your prophetic will for them at this time in history (Deut. 30:3-5; Ezek. 39:28).

   • Lord God Almighty, let the eruption of anti-Israel/anti-Semitic acts, especially in the West, push Jews who never considered making aliyah to come home to Israel (Jer. 16:16).

   • Lord God, release those Jews who are mentally and emotionally ensnared in false comfort zones in gentile nations (Psa. 107:14-16; 137:4-6), even sending them dreams or nightmares, to convince them that the time to return to Israel is now (Joel 2:28b; Amos 3:8; Zech. 10:8-10).

   • Merciful Father, draw Jews home today along with their silver and gold (Isa. 60:9).

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

   • Abba Father, let Jewish parents question whether they prefer to see their children intimidated by anti-Semites, or in the IDF defending their biblical homeland (Isa. 41:10-16; Ezek. 37:10).

   • King Messiah, draw home a huge tsunami of immigrants all at once, and let it wash away every man-made barrier in Israel which makes aliyah more difficult than it needs to be (Psa. 66:6; 98:8).

   • God of Israel, replace any bureaucrat in Israel's Interior Ministry and the Jewish Agency who is lukewarm about aliyah, with those who are, like You, zealous for Zion (Zech. 8:1-8).

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

   • Lord God, also move upon wealthy Jews and Christians to give abundantly and finance both the aliyah and the successful integration of new immigrants into Israeli society (Ezra 1:4; Isa. 60:9).

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, which is the ultimate goal of all salvations!

   • 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).

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

   • Messiah Yeshua, appear in dreams and visions to multitudes of Jews today (Rev. 1:9-18).

   • Turn many Jews to call out to You at this time of increased global hatred against them (Psa. 86:5).

   • Lord of the harvest, at this season, let there be a mighty increase of spiritual fruit from all the seeds planted and watered in Jewish lives by members in Your Body (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

   • [Ask God if there is a specific group of Jews He wants you to intercede for during the next week.]

9. Body of Messiah:

   To pray in agreement with God's will to be fulfilled, we need to see Him preparing the way for His Son's return today. And that centers on Israel's restoration and its place in His end time plans (Zech. 12:1-10, 14:1-4; Matt. 23:39).

   • Messiah, gift Your Body with many sons and daughters of Zion to help them grow to maturity and be successful in their individual ministries (Eph. 4:10-16).

   • Lord Yeshua, place a burden on Your body to pray for Israel to possess its possessions (Obad. 1:17); for Jews in the nations to make aliyah (Isa. 43:5-7) and for all Israel to be saved (Rom. 10:1).

   • Let the Body do this Abba, not primarily so that they can be blessed (Gen. 12:3a), but so that You will be glorified through Your kingdom's coming on earth (Psa. 115:1-3; Luke 11:2).

   • King Messiah, teach Your Body the necessity of interceding for their governments – including those which are anti-biblical, anti-Christ and anti-Israel (2 Tim. 2:1-4).

   • Also God, show Western believers how to pray about that Islamic spirit which has invaded their nations and is intimidating their leaders to not fully and unashamedly stand with Israel (Eph. 6:12).

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

10. IFI:

    It has been a most "interesting" week to try and hear God guide us with all the news and noise coming out of the ME because of Trump's visit. Thanks in part to your prayers we were able to gain more clarity as the week proceeded. Please continue to intercede for us. Thank you.

Shabbat shalom, and blessings from Zion

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

2 John 1:3