1. Praise:

   Shabbat's Torah portion explains why Yeshua said to Nicodemus, As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up (John 3:14; cp. 8:28; 12:32). The people of Israel asked Moses to intercede for them because their sin in speaking against God and Moses provoked God to release deadly serpents among them (Num. 21:4-7). Moses prayed and the Lord told him to Make a fiery [+bronze] serpent, and set it upon a pole, so that all who were bitten only needed to look upon it to be healed (Num. 21:8-9).

   • Lord, thank You that Your grace is so all sufficient that sinners who look unto You with faith (John 3:15), which is a gift from you (Eph. 2:8) are "healed," that is, saved (Psa. 123:2; Heb. 11:2).

   • We bless You God, that even before Yeshua taught Nicodemus this simple truth, You had already declared this concept of looking unto, trusting in, You for salvation – to the whole world (Isa. 45:22).

   • We praise You for being so proactive about saving us that You decreed it even before the world was created (Eph. 1:4-5, 11; 2 Tim. 1:9).

   • We are so grateful that our salvation is ultimately for the praise of Your glory (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).

2. Government & society:

   President Trump is not the first US leader to interfere with Israel's internal politics; he just does it openly as opposed to sneaking around like the others did. Maybe he thinks that as he "saved" Israel from Iran's nuclear weapons threat, he has the right to do this. Yet Israel had already severely damaged most of Iran's nuclear facilities, except Fordow, and had plans to deal with that without America's help if needed. So far, Bibi and most other Israeli leaders have not submitted to Trump's every "suggestion," yet his goal of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is very worrying. Prayer for the meeting on Monday between Bibi and Trump is in the next section.

   • God of Israel, do that which You did with Jephthah in Shabbat's prophetic portion and clothe Bibi and the rest of the sons and daughters of Zion in the government in Your Spirit (Judg. 11:29a).

   • Lord, let the intense pressure on Israel's leaders cause them to cry out to You (Psa. 50:15; 86:7).

   • God, impart great discernment to Israelis when interacting with the US administration (Eccl. 8:5).

   • Anoint Ron Dermer, Bibi's intermediary with America, with wisdom and courage (2 Chr. 19:11a).

   • Lord, give them boldness to remind Trump that for Israel's leaders it is "Israel first!" (Zech. 2:8).

   • Messiah Yeshua, protect us and all other intercessors from the twisted ways that much of today's mainstream media report on Trump and Netanyahu and the America-Israel relationship (Psa. 31:18).

   • Abba Father, You have set Bibi Netanyahu as Israel's leader today (Dan. 4:32), so anoint him and use him to achieve Your will – yet nothing more (Ex. 31:3; Prov. 21:1; Phil. 1:6).

   • God of hosts, be Netanyahu's "iron dome" against all the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual attacks that come at him from both people and demonic forces (Deut. 33:29; Psa. 3:3).

   • Lord God, surround him with wise and godly advisors, and real friends (Prov. 17:17; 18:24; 27:6).

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

   • Messiah Yeshua, comfort Israelis whose loved ones have been murdered or injured by Iran's various missile and drone attacks, or by Hamas and their attacks (Isa. 61:3; 63:7-9; Luke 6:21).

   • 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).

   • Almighty God, continue to sustain Israel's economy – for Your holy name's sake (Ezek. 36:8-15).

   • Lord of hosts, we praise You as we read that Israel will produce more of its own military hardware and ammunition locally (2 Chr. 32:5b; Jer. 50:25; Rom. 8:28).

3. Foreign relations:

   Our main focus this past week was to pray about the meeting in Washington DC between Netanyahu and Trump this coming Monday.

   • Lord God, we trust that You are fulfilling Your foreign policy on earth (Psa. 33:10-11; Isa. 55:8-9), and ask You to lead us very clearly to intercede in line with Your will (Amos 3:7).

   • Sovereign Lord, overrule in the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump and between all Israelis in Bibi's entourage and whoever they meet in the US administration (Psa. 103:19; Prov. 19:21).

   • Messiah Lord, drive out any demonic influences trying to infiltrate these meetings (Col. 2:15).

   • Lord, we thank You that President Trump has been, and remains, a true blessing for Your nation and is heads above most other Western leaders in blessing and supporting Israel (Gen. 12:3a).

   • Abba Father, hold him on this path and do not let his ego divert him (Num. 24:9b).

   • King Messiah, remind him – and all others in the US and Israeli delegations – that while he sits in the White House, You sit on the White Throne as the ultimate Judge of all (Rev. 20:11).

   • Abba, regardless of the outcome of this meeting, we pray for You to receive the glory (Jude 1:25).

   • God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, protect Israel from the sway of Jewish communities living in "the captivity" who often pressure Israel to act in ways that are against Your will (Neh. 4:1-14).

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

   • Lord God, continue to protect and use Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon (Psa. 81:10; 119:13).

   • God, if now is the time for Israel to wipe the dirt off its feet and leave that anti-Christ infested UN, then release it from all fears of going outside the camp of this world (Matt. 7:6; 10:14; John 14:27).

   • 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).

4. Operation "Gideon's Chariots" in Gaza is close to achieving all of the goals the government gave to the IDF when it began. Yet, as with Iran and Israel, Trump is pushing to end this war by a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. We believe God wants to give Israel a victory instead. Also, reports of a possible outline of this ceasefire are not good, so we pray for God to continue to harden Hamas' responses and demands in order that Israel can more easily say "no".

   • Lord God, guide us in prayer to see this war end in a way that glorifies You (Psa. 115:1-3).

   • Merciful Lord, forbid any ceasefire that leaves Hamas still in charge in Gaza or any of the hostages or hostage bodies unreturned to their families (Psa. 79:10-13).

   • God Almighty, if this war's conclusion rests on Israel's willingness to possess all of Gaza, then move on Israelis and their leaders to commit to doing just that (Judg. 2:1-4; Prov. 16:9).

   • God, renew the spirit and motivation of the IDF soldiers fighting in Gaza (2 Chr. 15:7; Psa. 103:5).

   • Abba Father, strengthen Your divine shield over all of them (Psa. 3:3-7).

   • God, we bless You that the humanitarian aid which America and Israel have let in is dividing many Gazans from Hamas, and pray this would continue (Judg. 7:22-23; Psa. 35:4; Prov. 16:4; Jer. 17:18).

   • Lord Almighty, increase the division between Hamas and the various clans in Gaza (Psa. 129:5).

   • Abba, silence the mainstream media which reports blatant lies about how the IDF is fighting this war, and reveal the truth to all who really want to know the truth (Ex. 23:1; Psa. 35:11; Prov. 14:5).

   • You helped Abraham and David to rescue their hostages, and so we ask You to help the IDF do exactly that today as well (Gen. 14:14-16; 1 Sam. 30:18-20).

5. Internal security:

   Our prayer targets remain both the extension of Israeli sovereignty over all the land west of the Jordan River and the destruction of terrorist groups throughout that area.

   • Lord God of Israel, use the following verses from the Torah and prophetic portions to show more Israelis, and Jews worldwide, that You have both given Israel Your land and You are restoring Your nation and Your people to it: Numbers 20:12, 24; 21:33-35; Judges 11:23-24.

   • Thank You that the Numbers 21:33-35 verses relate to the Golan Heights, i.e., Bashan, today.

   • Lord Yeshua, move upon Your Body to intercede for You to fulfill Your promises to Israel – as You clearly state that this is for Your name's sake (Psa. 87:2; 115:1-3; Prov. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:3).

   • King Messiah, use America's Israeli Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a zealous Christian-Zionist, to provoke Israel's leaders with his zeal for Israel to possess all of Your land (Judg. 2:1-5; Psa. 126:1-3).

   • We praise You for seeing an increase demand that Israel extend sovereignty over all of its land both from Israeli citizens and now from many politicians as well (Neh. 2:20; Psa. 133:1).

   • God Almighty, do not let Israel accept partial sovereignty over parts of the land in exchange for allowing the creation of any type of a Palestinian state on of Your land (Lev. 25:23; Isa. 8:9-10).

   • Lord God, enable Israel to press forward at full speed to establish, or in some cases to reestablish, the 22 newly approved communities in Judea and Samaria (Jer. 31:3-5; 32:41-44).

   • God of truth, reveal the truth of the incidents of violence by a few "settlers" in Samaria, as well as whether some IDF commanders are too anti-settler in their orders (2 Sam. 22:3; Psa. 118:48).

   • Lord God, quench the frustration and anger on both sides – and do it quickly (Num. 11:2).

   • Abba Father, also quench the Israeli media's tendency to exaggerate these incidents which they then use to make all settlers seem like dangerous zealots (Prov. 6:16, 18a, 19).

   • God, anoint Israel's forces in Judea and Samaria to fight like the sons of Zion against the Palestinian terrorists – who are the real enemy to both the IDF and the settlers (Zech. 9:13-15; 10:3a-7).

   • Lord of hosts, thank You for leading the Shin Bet [Israel's internal security service] to find a huge Hamas terror cell in the Hebron area and arresting 60 or so terrorists recently (Jer. 49:10; Obad. 1:6).

   • We thank You that while terror attacks have increased, most fail, and there has been no successful kidnappings of Israelis – either in or outside the land – since Oct. 7th (Psa. 50:15; 121:4; Jer. 31:10).

   • Lord God, especially as we are now in the hot summer months protect Your people and Your land from all arson-terrorism attempts (Isa. 43:2).

   • Father God, we bless You for always being awake to guard over Israel (Psa. 121:4), and ask You to make that true for Israel's security guards at checkpoints and all other posts as well (Gen. 31:1-2).

6. External security – Middle East [ME]:

   The results of Israel's and America's attacks against Iran's nuclear weapons programs and of Israel's assault on its ballistic missile arsenal, as well on its military and scientific leaders, will only be fully known after more time passes. This is also the reality of whether Trump's "ceasefire" between Israel and Iran was for the good of Israel. So our prayer burden has actually increased by all of this activity and the doubts and questions that remain.

   • God of hosts, focus Israel on Your priorities for it today, and forbid that the numerous threats it faces would confuse it to what needs to be dealt with next (Psa. 61:2b; 142:3-5).

   • King of kings, Isaiah 41:11-12 describes the mindset of Israel's ME enemies very clearly, including Iran, so put them to shame, confound them and make them like the dust before the IDF (Psa. 83:16).

   • Abba Father, fulfill Your plans for Iran – and block all plans of man (Psa. 33:10-11; 99:1; 103:19).

   • Lord God, watch over and fulfill Jeremiah 49:38 by continuing to build Your throne, that is, Your Body, in Iran and by speedily removing the scepter of authority from the Iranian regime (Isa. 55:11).

   • All-seeing God, provide Israel with accurate intelligence on what were the real results of the attacks by both Israel and America against Iran's nuclear facilities (Job 12:22; 34:21-22; Dan. 2:22).

   • Lord God, thank You that Israel's destruction of Iran's ballistic missile launchers was at least in part a fulfillment of You breaking the bow of Elam [ancient Iran], and an answer to prayer (Jer. 49:35).

   • We thank You that Israel is already planning on its next steps in its war against Iran – whether in the near future or years from now – and we ask You to oversee all of its deliberations (Prov. 21:30-31).

   • Abba, stir up internal division inside Iran's government and use that to let it fall (Luke 11:18).

   • God, if the "ceasefire" which Trump made Israel and Iran agree to is of You – we thank You – but if not, then let Iran openly and repeatedly violate it (Psa. 55:21; Prov. 26:11).

   • Messiah Yeshua, anoint the Iranian Body as they pray for their nation and for Israel (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

   • God, enable Israel's intelligence services to know what Syria's current leaders' real intentions are in relation to Israel (2 Kin. 6:8-12; Psa. 27:11-12a).

   • Abba Father, guide Israel very carefully as it attempts to have official diplomatic ties with both Syria and Lebanon (Psa. 8:2; Lam. 1:2).

   • Lord God, let any positive outcome of these talks weaken Turkey's overall influence (Ezek. 29:15).

   • God, do not let the expansion of the Abraham Accords between Israel and other ME nations become bait in the enemy's trap for Your nation – but overrule the future of these accords (Psa. 124:1-8).

7. Aliyah:

   As God allows the increase of anti-Semitism/anti-Zionism to grow in places outside of Israel, where Jews thought they were safe their interest in making aliyah increases. We have the privilege to co-labor with Him and to pray for that interest to be turned into action today.

   • We praise You Lord for how aliyah is a sign to the world of Your faithfulness and power to fulfill Your promises, even though most nations are opposed to this (Isa. 43:12; Heb. 10:23b).

   • Lord, let the increase in interest in aliyah, lead to an actual increase of aliyah (Matt. 5:37).

   • We praise You that this is beginning to happen (Psa. 107:14-16). More, Lord; much more!

   • God of Israel, we ask that the modern nation of Israel will never forget that aliyah was the number one biblical and Zionistic reason for its re-creation (Isa. 43:5-7; Zech. 8:1-8).

   • Let Israel be quick to build and repair homes that can house many new immigrants (Psa. 147:2).

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

   • God of Abraham, tell Your people who live in "the captivity" that they are out of line with Your prophetic will for them today (Deut. 30:3-5; Ezek. 39:28).

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

   • Send them dreams or nightmares, to show them their 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).

   • Messiah Yeshua, teach Your Body of their biblical responsibility to help Jews make aliyah through prayer, finances and by good works (Isa. 49:22; 60:1-12; 61:5; Rom. 15:26-27).

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

8. Salvation:

   Jeremiah 32:37-44, Ezekiel 36:24-28, Zechariah 12:2-10 and many other verses prophesy that when all Israel is saved it happens in their land. So praying for more Israeli Jews to receive the revelation of their King Messiah is 100% in line with God's will for them today.

   • 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, that is to trust in, Your Son (Psa. 2:11-12; Acts 19:20).

   • Lord God, move upon Jews who live in Jerusalem to know Your Son and to start even now to cry out, Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHWH (Psa. 118:26; Matt. 23:39)!

   • God, give dreams and visions to Your people of Messiah Yeshua glorified today (Rev. 1:9-18).

   • 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).

   • Messiah Yeshua, draw many Jews to actually read the New Testament for themselves (Acts 19:20).

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

   • [Ask God what specific group of Jews He is telling you to intercede for this week.]

9. Body of Messiah:

   God's kingdom is not a democracy, nor is the Lord Yeshua a president or a prime minister. Also, God's Word dare not be taken lightly. When it says that those who curse Israel will be cursed, woe to the believer who rejects or ignores that as still being true today (Num. 24:9b)!

   • Lord Yeshua, direct more members of Your Body to search the Tanach in order to find there the theological basis for all that the New Testament reveals is foundational for the faith (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

   • King of Israel, remove from believers any shame or resistance to worship a Jewish Messiah today before they are faced with the reality of having to do this throughout eternity (Rev. 5:5, 8-13).

   • God the Son, cause Your Body to renounce every proud and racist attitude towards Jews or Israel, and instead to bless Your people and Your nation (Prov. 8:13; Isa. 37:23; Rom. 11:17-18, 22).

   • Lord, show gentile believers how their eternal destiny is tied up with Israel and not with their birth nations (Eph. 2:11-22), and also lead them to be ambassadors for Your Kingdom (2 Cor. 5:20).

   • Almighty, because of this biblical connection, let there be much prayer as believers meet together over the weekend concerning the meeting in Washington between Bibi and Trump (John 15:16).

   • Lord Yeshua, burden the Body to intercede for Israel to possess its possessions (Obad. 1:17); for all Jews in the nations to return home (Isa. 43:5-7); and for all Israel to be saved (Rom. 10:1).

   • Messiah Lord, show the Body to pray this for Your holy name's sake (Psa. 115:1-3; Luke 11:2).

10. IFI:

    The constant "excitement" of living in Israel, and seeing His Word come to pass literally before our eyes, leads us to often feel exhausted. Thank you for lifting up our arms in prayer and for your encouraging notes as well as your financial gifts. All are needed and greatly appreciated.

Shabbat shalom, and blessings from Israel

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Col. 1:9-20