1. Praise:

    Genesis 22, the story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, is the final chapter of Shabbat's Torah portion. This story is an incredible foreshadow of God the Father's sacrifice of His Son for the sins of the world.

    • Abba Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your beloved Son to die in our place (John 3:16; cp. Gen. 22:8a; Isa. 9:6)

    • We bless You for revealing that Yeshua is Your beloved Son (Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Luke 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:17) and for the foreshadow we see when You asked Abraham to sacrifice his son whom he loved (Gen. 22:2) in order to demonstrate his total commitment to You (Gen. 22:12).

    • While Isaac was saved from death (Gen. 22:10-12), You Lord Yeshua, died for us and we are so blessed that by Your resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the New Covenant is sealed between God Your Father and all whom He calls (Jer. 31:31-34; John 11:25; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 1 Pet. 1:3).

    • We praise You Abba that after this test (Gen. 22:1), You said to Your friend Abraham (Isa. 41:8), that the promise of the gospel to the gentiles would come through his Seed (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:8).

  2. Government & society:

    Israel's political leaders constantly face very challenging decisions – especially PM Bibi Netanyahu. Yet as we pray for them (1 Tim. 2:1-4), we can often see God guiding, and even overriding, their decisions (Prov. 19:21; 21:1).

    • Abba Father, we trust in Your omniscience which sees all things and thus we know that as per Isaiah 42:9 there are never any "emergencies" in heaven.

    • King Yeshua, guide us to intercede for Israel's government as often what is reported in Israel's media is distortions of truth, or out-and-out lies against the current leadership (Isa. 59:4, 14).

    • We acknowledge Lord God, that You are answering our prayers and raising up sons and daughters of Zion in Israel (Isa. 52:2; Mic. 4:13; Zech. 2:10; 9:13), and now we ask You to thoroughly remove the offspring of Greece from every influential position in Your nation (Psa. 75:6-7).

    • All-wise God, download Your wisdom to Israel's current coalition (Psa. 111:10; Prov. 9:10).

    • Lord God, as we consider most of the rest of the world's political leaders, we bless and praise You for giving Israel a leader like Bibi Netanyahu at this stage in history (Jer. 27:5; Dan. 2:21).

    • As US President Trump has boasted about pressuring Netanyahu to agree to his "ceasefire" deals, and at times Bibi gave in, Abba Father forgive him for fearing man more than You and strengthen him to resist Trump, or anyone else in the future (Deut. 31:6; Isa. 43:1-2; Jer. 1:8-9).

    • In the Torah portion Abraham calls You "the Judge of all the earth" who does right (Gen. 18:25), so we pray for You to shut down the politically-inspired court cases against Netanyahu (Psa. 35:1).

    • Righteous Judge, arise and fulfill Isaiah 1:24-27 and remove all of Israel's judicial usurpers.

    • As Israel has no written constitution, God of Abraham, let Your Word be its guide and let it have the final say in all areas of life into which Your Word speaks (Psa. 119:9, 116, 154; Isa. 8:20).

    • Lord God, in line with the above, You ordain the death penalty for murderers and kidnappers, so as that has passed its first reading in the Knesset, let it be fully approved and applied (Ex. 21:12, 14, 16).

    • Yeshua Lord, anoint Israel's medical personnel who are ministering to the returned hostages, and to their families (Prov. 20:5; Jer. 30:17; 33:6), and also by Your Spirit comfort all families who have received back their loved ones' corpses (Ex. 15:26b; Job 30:25; Rom. 12:15).

  3. Foreign relations:

    The blindness of many in the West, especially its leaders, who think that all nations view life as they do, is dangerous. This is a huge blind spot of President Trump's, especially about Israel's Islamic neighbors. Offering Muslims money and "peace" to turn them away from jihad [holy war] is absurd as it assumes that most Muslims are not really committed to Allah and the Quran. Thus Trump's ceasefires forced on Israel between it and its enemies – Hizbullah, Iran, and recently, Hamas – are naïve and presumptuous. The reality is that Israel is still at war with each of them.

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

    • Abba, because You are merciful, we ask You to convict all Western leaders of their arrogant view towards the rest of the world before they are severely judged (Job 26:12; Psa. 12:3).

    • Lord Messiah, use Israel's diplomats to try to warn the West about this perilous outlook (Jer. 6:10).

    • Creator God, arise and break the trap that the nations are pushing Israel into (Psa. 124:18).

    • We praise You for the more aggressive approach of Israel's foreign ministry under Gideon Sa'ar, in particular as it often speaks truth and rebukes the lies that are broadcast about Israel (Gal. 4:16).

    • King Yeshua, guard over Netanyahu's relationship with a very unpredictable US President, guiding him as to when it is acceptable to compromise, and when it is not (Psa. 9:19-20; 17:4-5; 141:3).

    • God of Jacob, as more nations "recognize" an imaginary Palestinian State, place Your words in the mouths of Israel's representatives as to a correct and biblical response (Psa. 29:3-11; 81:10; Jer.1:9).

    • Lord we proclaim Isaiah 7:7 and 8:9-10 over all attempts to "recognize" a "Palestine" on Your land!

    • Abba, if the election results in the US last week, where Trump's party lost all major races, is linked to the dismissive way Trump has been treating Israel, reveal it to the American Body (Num. 24:9b).

  4. Gaza:

    The IDF's war against Hamas has morphed from an offensive fight to a defensive one as Israel waits to see if Trump's ceasefire plan leads to a disarmed and expelled Hamas. Hamas agreed to Trump's plan, but has broken it by not returning all the hostage bodies, attacking the IDF, and refusing to disarm. America is presenting a plan to form an International Stabilization Force [ISF] to the UN Security Council to enforce Trumps' plan, yet regardless of who takes part, they will all end up becoming Hamas' human shields to stop any Israeli attempt to destroy Hamas and defend itself. Yet Trump continues to press forward. Israel, as usual, needs God's intervention.

    • Lord, that last line brings us encouragement and confidence because we have seen You fight against Israel's foes consistently since 1948 and trust that You will continue to do just that (Psa. 121:4).

    • Lord God of justice, based on Deuteronomy 32:41 and Isaiah 34:5, we ask You to arise and render vengeance unto Your enemies who hate You (Psa. 83:1-4), specifically Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

    • We thank You for the good working relationship between the IDF and US troops stationed in Israel, yet we ask You to block America's tendency to stop Israel from totally defeating Hamas (Gen. 24:56).

    • Lord Yeshua, You rebuked the storm and then the wind and waves stopped, so please rebuke phase two of Trump's plan today and say, Be silent! Be still (Mark 4:39-41)!

    • King Messiah, prevent all foreign troops, like ISF, from entering into Your land (Lev. 25:23).

    • Almighty Creator, open up the earth in Gaza and destroy all remaining Hamas tunnels (Deut. 11:6).

    • Abba Father, arrange circumstances that will make it obvious to all that Israel must defeat Hamas, and do it before the ISF comes into existence at the beginning of 2026 (Prov. 21:30-31).

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

    • Man of War, let this war end only when You have completed all of Your will (Ex. 15:3; Psa. 46:9).

    • Lord God of heaven's armies, use the ceasefire to aid the IDF to be refreshed and prepared, mentally and physically, for the completion of this war in Gaza (Psa. 18:34; 144:1).

    • We bless You Lord for bringing back all of Israel's hostages who were still alive and we ask that all of the dead hostages would be brought home as well, yet do not let these corpses become a hindrance when You tell Israel to ignore the world and go in and eradicate Hamas completely (Deut. 25:17-19).

    • Almighty God of hosts, reinforce Your angelic shield over IDF soldiers in Gaza against explosive devices, attacks, kidnapping attempts, accidents or friendly fire incidents (Psa. 32:7; 121:4).

    • God of Jacob, remove Israel's reluctance to repossess Gaza, as it is theirs to possess (Judg. 2:1-4).

  5. Internal security:

    While our intercession for Israel to extend its sovereignty focuses on Judea Samaria, and the Jordan Valley, the issue of internal security covers all of the land. Security is vital as "all Israel" is saved in God's land and yet for Jews to be saved – they must be alive!

    • As we read how important Your covenant with the land is to You (Psa. 105:1-11; Jer. 32:41), we ask You, Almighty God of Israel, to make it just as important to Your people (Psa. 115:1-3).

    • 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).

    • 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).

    • Thank You that Netanyahu and other top government officials have all recently said that there will be no Palestinian State established on Your land – and now hold them to it (Lev. 25:23).

    • Abba Father, hasten the extension of Israel's civilian law to many Jewish communities – both big and small – in all of Israel's biblical possessions (Isa. 44:26b).

    • Lord God, anoint Finance Minister Smotrich and Defense Minister Katz in their efforts to increase the building of Israeli facts on the ground in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley (Amos 9:14-15).

    • King of Israel, as You promised, create a devastating fear and dread of the IDF upon all of Israel's enemies in Your land (Ex. 23:27; Deut. 11:24-25; Josh. 2:9-11; 2 Chr. 20:29).

    • Lord God of hosts, fortify Your angelic armies to battle against the demonic powers behind Israel's enemies throughout their land (2 Kin. 6:16-17; 2 Chr. 32:7-8; 1 Chr. 15:46; Dan. 10:12-13).

    • Lord Messiah, the Palestinian Authority is part of Israel's problem; divide them internally and set them and Hamas against each other whenever, and wherever, they interact (Job 38:13; Psa. 129:5).

    • Yeshua Lord, save many Palestinians and uproot the spirit of Islam out of Your land (Psa. 125:3a).

  6. External security – Middle East [ME] plus:

    Israel has dealt major blows to Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas, yet the reality is that it has not defeated any of them. Trump has stopped Israel from gaining victories through his "ceasefires." In Arabic ceasefire is hudna, which for Muslims is only a break in actual warfare so that they can regain strength and then attack and destroy their enemies – Israel and the West. And rebuilding their war machines is exactly what they are doing today.

    • Lord God, enable Israel to use each hudna for its good and Your glory (Rom. 8:28).

    • God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, use the Islamic principality's eternal hatred against Your people to draw it into eternal destruction (Prov. 16:18; Ezek. 35:5-6).

    • Great God, impart to Israel accurate actionable intelligence of its enemies' plans, and help it interpret that data accurately and then to know if and when it needs to response (Psa. 59:10; Prov. 15:3).

    • King Messiah, give Israel Your priorities as it still faces multiple threats around it (1 Chr. 19:10-13).

    • God of Israel, continue to watch over and fulfill Micah 4:11-13 at this time.

    • Also, Lord God, hasten the fulfillment of Jeremiah 49:35-38 in Iran.

    • God of hosts, thank You for Israel already planning its next moves against Iran – most likely in the near future – and we ask You to oversee and modify all of those plans as needed (Prov. 21:30-31).

    • Abba, reveal to Israel the true status of Iran's nuclear weapons program's progress (Job 12:22).

    • Creator God, uncover the deepest thoughts of Syria's new president toward Israel (Jer. 17:10).

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

    • God, protect Israel from Turkey and Syria who have signed a mutual defense pact (Psa. 3:7; 17:8-9).

    • Thanks You Lord for giving Bibi wisdom and courage to tell Saudi Arabia that any normalization of relations between Israel and that nation will only occur after Hamas is destroyed (Prov. 16:1, 9)!

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

    • Lord God, drill a hole in Qatar's financial storehouses and drain them completely (Job 27:13-17).

    • Lord Yeshua, caution Your Body throughout the ME that if they curse Israel, they will reap what they sow and be cursed in return (Num. 24:9b; Psa. 6:1; Gal. 6:7; Rev. 2:14a).

  7. Aliyah:

    We are God's witnesses as He fulfills His Word and brings the scattered Jews back to His Land (Jer. 31:10). We also have a great responsibility as our King Messiah wants His Body to be very much involved with this prophetic fulfillment (for example Isaiah 49:22 and 60:10-11).

    • Lord God of Israel, as per Jeremiah 23:3-4, thank You for regathering the remnant of the house of Israel, and for increasing them, and now please set over them many more righteous shepherds.

    • Lord, use the election this week of Mamdani, a Muslim anti-Zionist anti-Semite, as mayor of NYC, to send shock waves throughout the Jews in all of America (Jer. 51:6-10; Zech. 8:7-8).

    • God of Jacob, remove from Western Jews "Bibi-derangement-syndrome" as an excuse of so many of them to refuse to even consider making aliyah (Psa. 137:5-6; Jer. 51:50).

    • God, confront Jewish pride which says, "They will not chase us out!" and show them that it is You who are doing the chasing to draw them back home today (Prov. 16:18; Isa. 43:5-7; Jer. 31:3-5).

    • God of Jacob, help Jews in exile see that most gentiles link them to Israel whether they agree with Israel's policies or not (Matt. 26:71-73).

    • Lord God, teach Your people history's lessons that when they live among the gentiles, at some point those nations could not, or would not, protect them (Deut. 28:37, 64-67; Psa. 137:3-4).

    • Abba Father, as we read in the Torah portion, if need be send Your angels to drag the Jews out of their modern-day "Sodom" (Gen. 19:16).

    • King Messiah, draw back whole families and communities together (Ex. 12:37-38; Jer. 31:3-5).

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

    • Messiah, draw Jews home with practical, as well as medical and scientific, skills (Neh. 4:16-18).

    • Lord Yeshua, as Micah 2:12-13 declares, be that prophesied Breaker and create for all Jews who desire to return, but are stuck in the captivity, major breakthroughs.

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

    • Lord Yeshua, speak to wealthy Christians and Jews to give generously and help to finance both the aliyah and the integration of new immigrants into Israeli society (Ezra 1:4; Isa. 60:9).

  8. Salvation:

    Genesis 19:24 in Shabbat's Torah portion hints that the Godhead is a unity and not a singularity: Then YHWH rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from YHWH out of heaven;

    • Lord God, use this verse to cause Your people to consider that how many believers see the Godhead is in line with Your revelation in Torah (Zech. 2:8-11; Mat. 11:27; 16:27; 28:19; John 1:18).

    • Father God, place within Your people a deep thirst for a relationship with You (Jer. 29:13-14), and then turn them to the Tanach to find wells of refreshing living waters (Isa. 12:3; 55:1).

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

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

    • God, increase the Messianic Body in and outside of Israel exponentially at this time (Matt. 16:18b).

    • Messiah Yeshua, remove from Your Body all fear of sharing You with Jewish people and replace it with Your perfect love (1 John 4:18).

    • [Ask God about any particular groups of Jews He wants you to pray for this week.]

  9. Body of Messiah:

    The first mention of "prophet" is linked to prayer: Restore the man [Abraham] his wife, for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for you, and you shall live… (Gen. 20:7)

    • Lord, as there are many in Your Body who are spiritually attracted to the prophetic these days, let them see that prophecy is spiritually linked with prayer (Jer. 27:18; Amos 3:7).

    • 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).

    • God Almighty, show believers that they cannot know what end time prophecies You are fulfilling now if they do not know what the Tanach says about these days (Luke 24:25:27).

    • As Your Body intercedes for Israel, as well as for other burdens, provide them with ammunition in the form of various verses from Your Word which relate to those prayers (Isa. 55:11).

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

    • Also Lord, teach Western believers how to pray about the spirit of Islam that has invaded their nations and is manipulating their leaders to turn their backs on Israel (Eph. 6:12).

  10. Water:

    Please pray along with us as we continue to ask God for the early rains to drench Israel's dry land (Psa. 68:9; Isa. 41:17-20; Matt. 5:45b).

  11. IFI:

    Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and your financial support.

Shabbat shalom from Israel

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Jude 1:24-25