1. Praise:

   As the Torah reading cycle restarts, it begins with the foundational verse for all else that follows in the Word: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen. 1:1). After all if the God of the Bible did not create everything that exists, then He is not the God, or maybe there is no god. Yet if He did, then nothing is impossible for Him (Jer. 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37; 18:27).

   • Lord God, we thank You for revealing to us that You created everything through Your Word, Your Son, who eventually became incarnated as our Lord, the Messiah Yeshua (John 1:1-3, 14).

   • We bless You Lord God for using creation as a witness to Your glory (Psa. 19:1; Rom. 1:20).

   • We praise You Lord for saving us and giving Your Spirit to abide in us as we definitely need His help to conquer the chaos inside that at times overwhelms us (Gen. 1:2; John 14:26-27; 1 John 3:24)

   • Thank You Abba that Noah was seen as righteous before You because first You imparted Your grace to him – just like You do in order to You save us (Gen. 6:8; Zech. 4:6-7; Eph. 2:8).

   • Praise You God that Isaiah 43:1 in the prophetic portion applies to us now as well as to Israel – as we are grafted into Israel's olive tree and are new creations in Messiah (Rom. 11:17-18; 2 Cor. 5:17).

2. Government & society:

   The return of the hostages has been the headline news this past week in Israel. Yet there are other issues that need prayer and must not be neglected.

   • Abba Father, we rest in Your omniscience which sees all things and thus we trust that according to Isaiah 42:9 in Shabbat's prophetic portion that there are never any "emergencies" in heaven.

   • King Yeshua, help us as we intercede for Israel's government as often what is reported in the media is distortions of truth, or plain lies against its current leadership (Isa. 59:4, 14).

   • As per the Torah portion, God send Your Spirit to create order and light out of the chaos of the very strong opinions that permeate Israel's society and government (Gen. 1:2-3).

   • Creator God, create Your wisdom inside of Israel's current coalition and cover them with a mantle of Your holy fear (Psa. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33).

   • Again, Abba, we ask that You alone determine when Israel's next elections will be (Eccl. 3:1, 17b).

   • As US President Trump said that he needed to pressure PM Bibi Netanyahu at times while Israel still fights a multi-front war, and at times Bibi gave in, Abba forgive him for submitting to Trump's very grandiose but dangerous "peace" plan in Gaza and strengthen Israel's leader to resist him as needed in the near future (Deut. 31:6; Jer. 1:8-9).

   • God of Israel, as You did with Gideon, clothe Netanyahu with Your Spirit (Judg. 6:34).

   • Lord God, equip Bibi with all he needs to be Your anointed vessel in that position (Job 32:8).

   • Abba Father, bring to an end the persistent court-trails that have persecuted Netanyahu for many years and yet have still not brought forth anything worthy of a guilty verdict (Psa. 94:20-22).

   • We thank You that all of the remaining hostages who are alive have returned (Psa. 146:7b).

   • Lord, by Your Spirit, bring healing and salvation into their lives as they struggle with the difficult process of rejoining their families and Israeli society (Gen. 1:3; Psa. 107:19-21; 147:2-3; Isa. 61:1-3).

   • Yeshua Lord, help Israel's medical personnel who are trying to minister healing to the hostages who have returned as well as to their families (Prov. 20:5; Jer. 30:17; 33:6), and please send comfort to the families who have only received back their loved ones' corpses (Ex. 15:26b; Job 30:25; Rom. 12:15).

   • God Almighty, do not let any hostage corpses remain in Hamas' hands (Isa. 49:24-26).

   • Lord, as terrorists murderers were again traded for hostages, stir up more Israelis to demand the use of the death penalty to prevent this unrighteous act in the future (Num. 35:16-18, 21, 30-31).

3. Foreign relations:

   The blindness of many in the West who think all nations view life as they do is very dangerous. This is one of Trump's biggest faults in relation to Israel's Islamic neighbors. Western leaders often think that by offering Muslims more money and "peace" they can be turned away from jihad [holy war]. This is a huge error which ignores the reality that many Muslims are truly committed to Allah and the Quran. And this is why we have serious concerns with Trump's ceasefires that he has pushed Israel to make with Hizbullah, then Iran, and now Hamas.

   • Lord God, make every Israeli politician and civilian who rejects bowing down to the nations and has encouraged the rest of the nation to trust in You, even more effective today (Prov. 3:5; Isa. 50:10).

   • King Messiah, over the nations' plans for Your land and Your nation, as watchmen we remind You of what You said in Psalm 9:19-20, Psalm 33:10-11, Isaiah 8:9-10 and Lamentations 3:37.

   • God Almighty, protect Israel from all further manipulation, especially from allies, about anything that Israel must do in the near future – such as extension of its sovereignty (Num. 23:23).

   • Lord God of Jacob, with more nations "recognizing" a non-existent Palestinian State, speak clearly to Israel's leaders and representatives as to their correct and biblical response (Psa. 29:3-11; Jer.1:9).

   • Lord of all lords, protect and anoint Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon and his team who fights for Israel at that modern Tower of Babylon (Psa. 81:10; 119:13).

   • King Yeshua, alert Your Body to perceive that any nation which recognized a "Palestinian State" has blasphemed You by speaking against Your mountains (Ezek. 35:10-13), and thus the Body in those nations must cry out to You for mercy (Ezek. 22:30-31).

   • Abba Father, we again ask for Your foreign policy to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Luke 11:2).

   • King of kings, as You have ordained today's world leaders (Prov. 8:15; Dan. 2:21a), use them like You did with Pharaoh, Cyrus and others – to further Your kingdom's goals (Rom. 9:15-23).

4. Gaza:

   Part of the first phase of Trump's Gaza peace plan has been accomplished. All living hostages are now back in Israel; some hostage corpses have also returned and about 2,000 Palestinian terrorists in Israeli jails, including hundreds of convicted murderers, were released to Gaza, Judea and Samaria. The war is not even close to being over yet many in and outside of, Israel believe otherwise. This is a terrible plan especially as it invites Qatar and Turkey directly into Gaza and increases their evil influence. Already, Saudi Arabia and moderate Arab nations are backing out over this. Only by God's mercy will Israel not pay an even greater price than if it had continued to fight until Hamas were completely destroyed.

   • Lord, we ask that what You declared in the prophetic portion for this Shabbat would come to pass in the very near future: YHWH shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies. (Isa. 42:13)

   • God of hosts, give Israel courage to insist that the deal to which they agreed will be what happens on the ground in Gaza – that Hamas will be completely disarmed and disbanded (Job 17:9; Prov. 28:1b).

   • Lord God, prepare the IDF for what awaits them in the near future in Gaza (Psa. 18:34; 144:1).

   • Abba, if it is Your will, let this plan totally fall apart – even in Trump's eyes – and then recall our prayers and go out before Israel to give it a very clear victory over Hamas/Amalek (Psa. 44:4-6).

   • King of kings, block all Muslim soldiers from being stationed in Your land in Gaza (Psa. 10:16).

   • Use Hamas' hatred of Israel blind it into making major errors of judgment (Psa. 55:1-3; 83:1-4).

   • Thank You God that Defense Minister Katz said that what now must happen is the total destruction of Hamas' tunnel system either by whatever international force will take the IDF's place or, as is much more likely, the IDF itself, and we pray that all Israel supports him in this (Psa. 18:40; 28:5; 63:9).

   • Abba Father, increase Your protection over the IDF as it is in a defensive posture and as of now still remains in control of 53% of Gaza (Psa. 3:5-8).

   • Divinely restrain every terrorist who was released from Israeli prisons, blocking them from going back to their terrorist ways and please save some of them (Psa. 76:10; 83:16-18; Luke 19:10).

   • Messiah, let Your light shine brightly through all genuine believers among the Gazans (Matt. 5:16).

5. Internal security:

   Maybe the most dangerous aspect of Trump's meeting in Egypt this week with many Arab and some Western leaders is their expectations that his plans for Gaza will lead to a "Palestine" being created on God's land which He has promised to Israel. Yet, Hamas' Oct. 7th massacre removed that as any kind of possibility for the vast majority of Israelis.

   • Lord God, have mercy on Your people and Your land against the forces of darkness who desire to steal Your land from Your people and turn it over to Allah – a satanic principality (Ezek. 36:1-15).

   • God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, as this would be an attack against Your will and Your glory, arise and fight against Israel's enemies (Psa. 35:1; 68:1; Isa. 60:22; Mal. 1:5).

   • In Your jealousy Lord, once-and-for-all tear down this "two-state solution" idol (Ex. 34:14).

   • King Yeshua, burden Your Body to pray for Your will about Your land to be done as You have tied its destiny in with the sanctification of Your name (Psa. 87:2; 115:1-3; Prov. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:3).

   • Abba, give Israeli leaders the courage to resist all attempts to stop Israel from extending sovereignty over Your land which is both Your will and in line with international law (Judg. 2:1-4; Neh. 2:20).

   • Lord God, as the UAE said the Abraham Accords would be at stake if Israel does do this, please remind Israel's leaders of Your much more important accord with Abraham (Gen. 15:18).

   • King Yeshua, lead Israel to extend its sovereignty over the Jordan Valley as well (Josh. 18:3).

   • Creator, let the rebuilding of Israel's northern communities and of the 11 new communities in the Negev, as well as the 22 new, or renewed, settlements in Samaria, and its plans for the E1 corridor east of Jerusalem move ahead swiftly and be fully populated as soon as possible (Psa. 119:60).

   • Lord of hosts, move mightily and uproot Your enemies from Your land (Psa. 125:3; Jer. 12:14-17).

   • King of Israel, as You said in Exodus, go out with Israel's army against its enemies in the land and send forth Your fear before the IDF (23:27); drive out Israel's enemies (23:30); and expand its land to be in one accord with Your vision of what the Promised Land encompasses (23:31-33).

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

   • God, we bless You for protecting Your people during Your fall feasts (Psa. 121:1-8).

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

6. External security – Middle East [ME] and beyond:

   The danger of having Qatar, Turkey and Egypt working hand-in-hand with America to oversee the future of Gaza is very disturbing. The first two nations especially are not in any sense allies of Israel – or of the US. Why Trump trusts them and why believers who are supposed to be able to give him counsel are not warning him to show at least some concern is a huge mystery to us. Yet that is an area for the American Body to take up in intercession. Our burden is Israel and its response to all of this.

   • Lord Yeshua, wake up the American Body to see this dangerous blind spot in their president's view of certain things and to seriously intercede for Trump's vision to be healed (Psa. 146:8; Isa, 35:5).

   • God of Israel, we ask You to continue to fulfill Micah 4:11-13 today.

   • God of creation, increasingly confound all those who hate Zion (Psa. 35:4, 26; 129:5).

   • Lord God, thank You for overseeing the circumstances so that within a relatively short time span since Oct. 7th 2023, Israel's deterrence has been restored and has even grown (Josh. 2:9-11).

   • Because of the above, Merciful Savior, bring shame upon many Muslims as they see how Allah is defenseless against You, Israel's God, and use that to turn them to seek You (Psa. 83:16-18).

   • Lord, let Israel obtain accurate actionable intelligence in relation to Iran's plans (Job 12:22).

   • Thank You that Israel is already planning its next moves in its war against Iran – whether in the near future or years from now – and we pray for You to oversee all of those plans (Prov. 21:30-31).

   • God of Israel, hasten the fulfillment of Jeremiah 49:35-38 over Iran today.

   • Creator God, reveal the real heart intent of Syria's new president toward Israel (Jer. 17:10).

   • Sovereign King, openly expose Qatar's hidden schemes – and do so quickly (Psa. 55:21; 140:1-3).

   • King of kings, use Turkey's evil President Erdogan for Your glory just like You did with Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and many other leaders in history (Ex. 9:16; Eccl. 8:8b; Rom. 9:17).

   • Abba, guide Israel to confront Egypt's violations of its peace treaty as Egypt's military build-up in the Sinai goes way beyond anything to which Israel has agreed (Isa. 19:16-17).

7. Aliyah:

   Shabbat's prophetic portion contains this familiar verse which affirms that aliyah is ultimately for God's glory. 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, 'Keep not back'; bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the ends of the earth - even everyone who is called by My name, for I have created him for My glory; I have formed him; yes, I have made him. (Isa. 43:5-7)

   • Lord Yeshua, wake up Your Body to intercede for this as the goal is Your glory (Ezek. 36:20-24).

   • Gracious God, pour out great favor and sufficient finances upon all believing organizations whose ministry is to aid in the aliyah process (Isa. 49:22; Rom. 15:27).

   • God of Israel, pour out a deep homesickness upon every Jew who visited Israel over the feasts and who is now back in the captivity (Psa. 137:4-7; Isa. 60:4-5).

   • Abba Father, raise up many more sons and daughters of Zion in the captivity who will openly and boldly speak to their Jewish communities to make aliyah and will also lead them home (Jer. 51:6-10).

   • Lord God, bring home Your people in grace and mercy (Isa. 54:7; Jer. 31:3), yet if they refuse, let the incredible increase of anti-Semitism turn their hearts toward Zion (Jer. 16:16; 51:9-10).

   • God of Israel, remove all blockages from the path of Your people stuck in the captivity, such as true or false comfort and security; too much or too little finances; fear from the negative media reports of Israel's situation; a genuine fear of major life changes; an inflated fear of children serving in the IDF; family members who refuse to make aliyah; thinking they are too old or too infirm; etc. (Isa. 62:10).

   • God, set the Jews in Turkey, Iran and other anti-Israel nations free to come home (Jer. 16:14-15).

   • Messiah Yeshua, Shepherd of Jacob, bring back Israelis living in the nations, especially those who have had a saving encounter with You while outside of the land (Isa. 35:10; 51:11).

8. Salvation:

   The protoevangelium, the first mention of the gospel, is in Shabbat's Torah portion: I will put hatred between you [the devil] and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it [the eed of the woman] shall crush your head, and you shall bruise His heel. (Gen. 3:15)

   • Abba, open the eyes of many Jews to see that as this is the only time Your Word mentions the seed of a woman, how it must refer to the virgin birth prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 (cp. Jer. 31:22).

   • Lord God, reveal to them that the idea of original sin being passed down from Adam to the rest of humanity is plainly laid out in Genesis 5:1-3, as Seth was made in Adam's image and likeness.

   • God of Abraham, as the above requests depend on Your people reading and studying Your Word as opposed to the words of men, even learned rabbis, impart a deep thirst to do just that (Psa. 119:18).

   • By Your mercy and grace save every freed hostage and their loved ones (Psa. 107:1-2, 13-16).

   • Lord Yeshua, we ask that You would lead every Jewish person who met You during the fall feasts to the place in Your Body which You have prepared for them (John 15:2-3; 1 Cor. 12:18).

   • Abba Father, teach believers how to share the good news of Messiah Yeshua by using verses from the Tanach (Psa. 2:12; Prov. 30:4; Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Jer. 31:31-34; Mic. 5:2; Zech. 12:10; etc.)

   • [Ask God about specific groups of Jews whom He wants you to intercede for this week.]

9. Body of Messiah:

   To be in harmony with God goals today, believers must be familiar with all of His Word. As most end-time prophecies point to Israel's restoration and salvation, and the enemies that this creates, knowing His Word aids us to pray in one accord with His will for His nation despite the chaos in today's world and the overt and distorted lies in much of the media about the Jews.

   • Lord Yeshua, show Your Body that how the enemy cause humanity to sin in Eden is what he is doing today – including to believers, as he repeatedly asks them Has God really said? (Gen. 3:1a).

   • Messiah, teach Your Body that if they reject Genesis 12:3a as being applicable today, then they must also reject 12:3b, which just happens to be the gospel to the gentiles (Gal. 3:8)!

   • Abba Father, raise up more sons and daughters of Issachar in the Body who perceive the signs of the times and know Israel's place in Your last-days plans (1 Chr. 12:32).

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

   • Lord Messiah, restore the authority of all of Your Word to Your Body (John 17:17; Eph. 5:25-27).

   • With that, restore boldness to Your Body to stand for You and Your truth (Acts 4:31).

10. Water:

    Join with us as we pray for the early rains to fall on Israel's dry land (Isa. 41:17-20).

11. IFI:

    While Yeshua warned us that the time just before His return would become much more "exciting," that does not minimize how stressful it is to live in Israel today. Yet, there is no other place on this planet we would rather be. Your prayers and other ways of support help sustain us as we continue – by His grace – to stand our watch on Jerusalem's walls (Isa. 62:6-7). Again we thank you.

Shabbat shalom from Israel

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Psa. 100:1-5