1. Praise:

   Shabbat's Torah portion includes the Aaronic benediction: 'YHWH bless you, and keep you: YHWH make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: YHWH lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.' And the priests shall put My name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. (Num. 6:24-27)

   • We thank You Lord Yeshua, that as our High Priest (Heb. 7:26; 9:11-12), this is in essence how You bless us – as all these blessings are now found in You (2 Cor. 1:20).

   • What a blessing to know that as our High Priest You intercede for us to be saved completely (Heb. 7:25; cp. Phil. 1:6; Heb. 12:2; Jude. 1:24).

   • We praise You Abba, that like You did with Moses in the Torah portion, You often speak to us from above Your mercy seat which covers Your law (Num. 7:89; cp. Isa. 16:5; Jam. 2:13).

   • Hallelujah! King of glory, Lord of hosts, You reign supreme over Your creation (Psa. 24:1-2, 7-10).

2. Government & society:

   Will the government fall due to the Haredi – ultra-Orthodox – leaving the coalition over a new draft law for their sons to take part in the defense of their nation? We continue to pray for God to maintain this government until it is His time to remove it.

   • Yeshua, King of Israel, take the reins of Your nation and reign supreme (Psa. 103:19; Isa. 33:22).

   • Abba, we trust that You, as it says in Daniel 2:21 are the One who brings down and sets up leaders, so we pray that if the fall of PM Bibi Netanyahu's government at this specific time is not of You, then please intervene and stop it (Prov. 19:21).

   • Abba Father, turn all government ministers to focus on Your priorities for them today (Psa. 23:3b), and show them their great need to humble themselves before You (1 Kin. 3:9; Prov. 29:23).

   • In Your mercy Lord, protect each one from all of the manipulative witchcraft that comes against them from both inside and outside of Israel (Num. 23:23; 1 Sam. 15:23; Mic. 5:2).

   • God Almighty, open wide many more doors for Israel's sons and daughters of Zion to become very influential, inside, as well as outside, of the Jewish nation (Prov. 25:11; Eccl. 12:10).

   • Abba Father, use the pressure that is on Bibi to show him that You alone are his shield (Psa. 3:3).

   • Surround him with godly counselors whose advice he seriously considers (Prov. 11:14; 24:6),

   • King Messiah, rebuke Israel's Supreme Court judges, who while although unelected, think that they can overturn that which the elected government decrees (Prov. 27:5; Eccl. 7:5).

   • Righteous Judge, let Bibi's farce of a trial show Israelis the need for judicial reform (Isa. 1:25-27).

   • Thank You for giving Defense Minister Israel Katz boldness and clarity (Prov. 28:1b; Eccl. 8:1).

   • Protect his relations with Bibi, IDF Chief of Staff Zamir and Shin Bet head Zini (Psa. 133:1).

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

   • Messiah Yeshua shield Israelis minds from the mostly humanistic and manipulative mainstream media in Israel – and do the same for Your people in "the captivity" as well (Isa. 59:14b).

   • Lord God, also 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).

   • Abba, we bless You for maintaining Israel's economy despite its current wars (Psa. 132:13-15).

3. Operation "Gideon's Chariots,"

   the IDF's intensified military campaign against Hamas in Gaza continues. As Hamas has basically rejected America's latest ceasefire/hostage deal, will US President Trump "release" Israel to rain "hell" on Hamas or will he decide to sweeten the deal for Hamas and negate one of the most "just" wars in world history. Hamas spiritually mirrors Amalek today, so God's marching orders are for their total annihilation (1 Sam. 15:2-3).

   • We thank You God for once again hardening Hamas' hearts to reject what would be a very bad deal for Israel that was offered by US President Trump's naïve ME envoy Steve Witkoff (Ex. 4:21; 7:3).

   • Lord God, help Israel and America see through Hamas' demon-inspired ability to twist words and ideas so that while they have rejected this deal, they say they have not – thus delaying the inevitable massive IDF attack against them (Psa. 79:9-10).

   • God, as in the prophetic portion, raise up another Samson to deliver Israel from the Philistines whom the Palestinians say are their ancestors although the Philistines were basically from Europe (Jer. 13:5).

   • Almighty Healer, take away the fatigue of this extended war from of both the IDF and Israeli society and encourage Israel with what a total victory over Hamas will mean (Psa. 44:5-8; 60:11-12; 68:35).

   • God Most high, increase Your protection over the IDF against Hamas attacks and traps, kidnapping attempts, and against friendly fire or all other types of accidents (Psa. 4:8; Zech. 9:16; 10:5-8).

   • Thank You Lord for the reports that the humanitarian aid which Israel has agreed to let in has begun to separate the Gazans from Hamas control and has even led to the rise of certain Palestinian clans who are now fighting against Hamas openly (Psa. 35:4; Jer. 17:18).

   • May Israel's supply of arms to some of the clans so that they are able to fight against Hamas turn out to be a strategy that is from You (Prov. 21:30-31)

   • Arise, God; expose the lies in the media that the IDF kills Palestinians seeking aid (Prov. 6:16, 19a).

   • We also praise You for America vetoing a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and basically equated Israel with Hamas (Isa. 5:20)..

   • God, remind Bibi of his insistence that Israel remain in total security control over all of Gaza on the "day after" so that Hamas cannot take back control (Prov. 2:21-22; 12:7; Mal. 1:5).

   • Abba Father, protect all living hostages during the fighting and set them free (Psa. 91:3-4; 124:7-8).

   • We thank You Lord for guiding the IDF to recover two hostages' bodies last week (Jer. 31:16).

   • Forbid Israel from allowing any other nation or entity to take over Gaza after the war, as You gave it to the tribe of Judah as a part of its inheritance (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18; Zeph. 2:5-7).

4. Foreign relations:

   Most of the hatred of Israel in the world is because many hate Israel's God (Psa. 83:1-4). In this age of "I'll do it my way," God's Word still declares right from wrong and dares to call sin "sin", which is so offensive especially to the left and woke crowds! Also, Yeshua states that the Word of God is the ultimate truth (John 17:17), which is another totally unacceptable concept to those who refuse any truth but their own.

   • Lord Yeshua, we declare that You reign – regardless of the headlines (Isa. 52:7; Matt. 28:18).

   • Lord God, fulfill Psalm 82:8 in our time and gain great glory from it (Isa. 6:3).

   • Almighty King, overrule Israel's circumstances so that Numbers 23:9b is ultimately fulfilled.

   • Give Israeli representatives a midwife-type of courage to fear You more than any "Pharaoh" and to disobey all outside demands which are against Your will (Ex. 1:17; Num. 23:23; Psa. 146:3-5).

   • Shepherd of Israel, clothe Netanyahu with all that he needs to deal biblically, boldly and righteously, with US President Trump and all other world leaders (Psa. 23:1; Isa, 30:21).

   • God, turn Israelis away from trusting in any man and turn them to You (Psa. 118:8-9; Isa. 30:1).

   • Abba Father, anoint Israel's representatives, both professionals and laypeople, to use Your Word, as Your Word does not return empty (Num. 23:19; Isa. 40:8; 55:11: Matt. 24:35).

   • Lord Yeshua, draw Christian Zionists alongside Israel's representatives who will encourage them by sharing the truth as expressed in Your Word (Psa. 40:10; 43:3a; 86:1; 98:3; John 17:17).

   • God of Israel, turn the curses against Your people coming from nations, global NGOs, and most of the mainstream media, into blessings – simply because You love them (Deut. 23:5; 33:3).

   • Messiah Yeshua, wake up more believers to warn their birth-nations of Your judgments falling upon many of their countries today because of their betrayal of Israel (Ezek. 29:6-7; Joel 3:1-2).

5. Internal security:

   God is hearing our prayers as more Israeli leaders and others want to extend its sovereignty over more of its land. Amazingly, this is in response to the push from many nations and international NGO's to divide God's land and establish a Palestinian State (Rom. 8:28).

   • God, we bless You for how Israel is responding to the threats to recognize a Palestinian State which are coming from France, the UK, Canada, Malta, Saudi Arabia, the UN and others (Prov. 29:25).

   • Yet Lord, bring Israel to a place where they want to do this because it is Your will (Lev. 25:23).

   • As this is the only thing in Your Word that You say You do with all of Your heart and soul, stir up the global Body of Messiah to stand with You and intercede for this (Jer. 32:41; 1 John 5:14-15).

   • Abba, create a major distraction for the world before that UN conference France and Saudi Arabia are hosting in mid-June to try to solidify the establishment of a Palestine on Your land (Isa. 29:6).

   • Thank You Lord Yeshua, for America's Israeli Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a true son of Zion, who blasted France for trying to push for the creation of a "Palestine" today (Isa. 60:3; Zech. 2:11).

   • God, do not let anything hinder Israel's plans for the establishment – or reestablishment – of 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria (Jer. 31:3-5; 32:41-44).

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

   • Also, let Israel reestablish each of its Gaza communities which were uprooted (Amos 9:15).

   • Almighty God, release the IDF from humanistic chains, and lead it to fight terrorists in Judea and Samaria in a biblical way, and also by asking You to lead it into battle (Psa. 18:36-40; 44:4).

   • Lion of Judah, please anoint the IDF to fulfill Numbers 24:8-9.

   • We thank You that although terror attempts increase, most fail, and there has been no successful kidnappings of Israelis anywhere in the land since Oct. 7th (Psa. 50:15; 121:4; Jer. 31:10).

   • Guide armed civilians to the right place at the right time to help stop terrorist attacks (Josh. 4:12).

6. External security – Middle East [ME]:

   So far Trump's and Witkoff's attempts to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran are as successful as their attempts with Hamas, as Iran has rejected what America has placed on the table. Our prayers are focused on what Israel needs to do with Iran and its other ME enemies, regardless of what America or the West says or does next.

   • Lord God, continue to mold Israel into a very effective and terrifying weapon, and use it to bring You glory and honor – both in Israel and throughout the world (Isa. 41:15-16; Jer. 51:20-14).

   • We praise You for Israel's laser weapons already being used to defend Your nation (Prov. 4:18).

   • God of hosts, help Israel to focus on Your priorities for it today, and prevent the many threats it faces from confusing that which needs to be dealt with now (Psa. 61:2b; 142:3-5).

   • Lord God, help Israel obtain accurate actionable intelligence of its enemies schemes, the ability to interpret what is obtained and the wisdom to know how to response (Psa. 59:10; Prov. 15:3).

   • God of the nations, arise and destroy Iran's current leadership (Psa. 68:1, 30b; Jer. 49:38).

   • Lord, You heard Ayatollah Khamenei refuse to give up Iran's nuclear program tied in with his desire to see Israel removed from the earth, therefore God watch over Haggai 2:22 and remove him.

   • Lord of hosts, show Israel how imperative it is to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons program, regardless of what America does, and then orchestrate Israel's timing and methods (Ezek. 37:10; Nah. 1:7-8).

   • Lord God, fulfill Nahum 1:5a against all of Iran's underground nuclear facilities.

   • Abba Father, sustain Israel's distrust of Syria's new Sunni Muslim radical leadership (Psa. 140:1-2).

   • God Almighty, use Turkey's anti-Semitic, anti-Israel President, Erdogan for Your holy name's sake just like You did with Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar (Ex. 9:16; Eccl. 8:8b; Rom. 9:17).

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

7. Aliyah:

   As noted last week, one way God answers prayers for all Israel to be saved (Jer. 31:7b) is aliyah – He brings His people back home to His/their land (31:8-10)!

   • We bless You that Israel has received 43,000 new immigrants since Oct. 7th, 2023 (Isa. 43:5-7).

   • Abba, draw Your people home in grace and mercy (Isa. 54:7; Jer. 31:3), yet if they resist let the growth of anti-Semitism worldwide shake them up and turn their hearts to Zion (Jer. 16:16; 51:9-10).

   • Lord God, release Jews who are mentally, emotionally and financially trapped in false comfort zones in gentile nations (Psa. 107:14-16; 137:4-6).

   • Send them dreams or nightmares, to show them the need to move to Israel (Joel 2:28b; Amos 3:8).

   • God of mercy, draw Jews home today while they can still bring their silver and gold (Isa. 60:9).

   • God of Israel, for Jews who are scared of living in Israel in the middle of a war, show them that life outside of Israel today is also a war and the chance of gentile security forces laying their lives down to protect them is much less than Israel's security forces who already do that daily (Psa. 38:12).

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

   • Lord God, strip Your people of their false hope of life ever returning to a pre-Oct. 7th "normal," as You have released the hunters (Deut. 30:3-5; Jer. 16:16; Zech. 10:8-9).

   • Almighty God, remove from Jews the nice-sounding name of where they reside: "the diaspora" [Gk. "scattering"], and replace it with the biblical term: "captivity" (Deut. 30:3; Ezra 2:1; Psa. 126:1-4).

   • Lord God, set Jews in nations like Iran and China free to be able to return home (Ex. 8:1).

   • We praise You for Israel's Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, who is working to reduce bureaucratic struggles of Jews who want to make aliyah (Isa. 62:10).

   • Lord Yeshua, remove that huge mountain which blocks aliyah for many Jews – the rabbi's definition of who is a Jew – and replace it with the biblical definition (Isa. 62:10; Mark 7:9, 13).

   • Embolden more believers to speak in love about aliyah to their Jewish acquaintances (Eph. 4:15a).

   • Lord God, 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:

   God is building up "Jerusalem" today (Psa. 147:2). "Jerusalem" is often symbolic for all of Israel, which is being prepared for Messiah Yeshua's return (Psa. 102:16; Zech. 14:1-4). And as we watch Zechariah 12:2-3 being fulfilled, Zechariah 12:10, Israel's salvation, cannot be far behind!

   • Precious Redeemer, send a "holy dissatisfaction" into the minds and hearts of many Jews and turn their hearts to the whole of the Tanach – and not just the Torah (Psa. 80:3, 7; Jer. 15:16; 2 Tim. 3:15).

   • Also draw many Jews to actually read the New Testament and see how kosher it is (Acts 19:20).

   • Lord God of Jacob, since Jews love to ask questions, let them ask their rabbis of the need of blood to make atonement for their sins (Lev. 17:11; Isa. 45:11a; Matt. 7:11).

   • Abba Father, turn many Jews, in Israel and in the captivity, to call out to You at this time of increased global hatred against them and their homeland (Psa. 86:5).

   • King Yeshua, stop hiding from Your people (Isa. 45:15), and as Joseph did remove Your "Egyptian" garments and let them see that You are in reality their brother (Gen. 45:1-3).

   • Almighty Savior, fulfill Zechariah 12:10 and release Your spirit of grace upon Your people who are back in the land, and cause many look unto, and trust in, Your Son (Psa. 2:11-12; Acts 19:20).

   • God, give wisdom to Christian "lovers of Israel" of how to provoke Jews to jealousy (Rom. 11:11).

   • Lord Yeshua, anoint more gentile believers to cry out to You for Jewish salvations (Rom. 10:1-2).

   • Lord, show secret Israeli believers when and how they should confess You openly (Matt. 10:32).

   • [Seek God for what specific group of Jews He wants you to intercede for during this week.]

9. Body of Messiah:

   Israel just celebrated Shavuot, known as Pentecost in most believing circles. As we read what was proclaimed in Acts 2 on that Shavuot, we note that Peter's emphasis was on the proof of Yeshua's Messiahship – which was, and still is, His resurrection! And the proclamation of Messiah's resurrection needs to be reinstated as one of the central proofs of the good news today.

   • Lord Yeshua, forbid that the miraculous nature of the resurrection would prevent believers from openly confessing that You have indeed risen out from the dead (Luke 24:5b-6a; Acts 3:22-33).

   • God, enable us to declare with absolute faith that which Job declared: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand [+arise] in the last day upon the earth: (Job 19:25)

   • Lord Yeshua, provide Your Body with many more sons and daughters of Zion to help them grow to maturity and be fruitful in their individual ministries (Eph. 4:10-16).

   • Help the Body to know that You are still a Man of War today (Ex. 15:3; Isa. 42:13; Rev. 19:11-16).

   • Abba Father, reveal to the Body how Israel's modern resurrection and its salvation is central to the preparation for Your Son's return in glory (Zech. 12:2-10; Matt. 23:37-39; 24:30).

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

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

10. IFI:

    Thank you for standing with us and with Israel. Also, we would recommend that you make sure your "seat-belts" are properly fastened as this end-time ride is bound to become faster and more painful as we get closer to our Lord's return.

Shabbat shalom, and blessings from Zion

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Rom. 16:27