1. Praise:

    Shabbat's Torah portion reminds us that when God's glory appears sometimes it is a fearful experience: Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle…came out, and blessed the people, and the glory of YHWH appeared unto all the people. And fire came forth from YHWH's presence, and burned up the whole burnt offering and the fat that was on the altar. When the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. (Lev. 9:23-24)

    • Lord God, we bless You for making us your children (1 John 3:1), yet we ask You to never let us forget that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (Heb. 10:31, cp. 12:19).

    • Yeshua Lord, we praise You for revealing Your Father's glory to us (John 17:1-5).

    • We thank You God for establishing a relationship with us by sending Your Son to die on the cross and carry away that which separated us from You – our sin nature (Isa. 59:1-2; Jer. 31:34).

    • Abba Father, during these confusion and frustrating times, we rejoice that nothing ever takes You by surprise (Isa. 42:9; 44:7-8; 46:9-10; 48:5-7; John 13:19; 14:29; Acts 15:18).

    • YHWH our Lord, how excellent is Your name [+ nature; reputation] in all the earth!Psa. 8:9

  2. External security:

    A two week ceasefire was reached between America and Iran in order that negotiations towards a "peace deal" can be reached. Pakistan is the mediator! While Israel is a part of this, it does not include Israel's war against Hizbullah. US President Trump's stated demands would end this war with a victory for both the US and Israel – although the Iranian regime change we have been praying for is not be part of it. Iran's demands are absurd. Is this another dangerous "ceasefire" deal by Trump that leaves Israel in a precarious situation as his previous ceasefire deals with Hamas, Hizbullah and Iran? Only God knows and it is in Him we place our trust and to Him that we pray.

    • Iran: God, we again ask for that which You revealed as Your goal for Iran – a total regime change – to come to pass swiftly and suddenly (Jer. 49:38b).

    • Lord, continue to harden the hearts of Iran's current leaders and prepare Israel and America for a renewal of the fighting in order to gain a complete victory (Ex. 4:21; Psa. 44:4).

    • God, use Psalm 26:10 to convince Bibi and Trump that a ceasefire will just not work (Eccl. 8:11).

    • Lord God, guide these two ally nations to discover all of Iran's hidden enriched uranium and to have wisdom from on high to know how to handle it (Eccl. 9:18a; Isa. 54:17a).

    • Lord Yeshua, it seems impossible for the Iranians to retake their nation from their current rulers, but we ask You for that – as nothing is too difficult for You (Jer. 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37; 18:27).

    • Abba Father, be a refuge for all Iranians who have no hatred in the hearts towards Israel (Psa. 9:9)

    • God Almighty, raise up as Iran's next leaders those who want relationship with Israel (Dan. 2:21).

    • King of kings, let Iran's deadly missile attacks against its neighboring Arab nations divide the house of Islam, and use that to bring down this demonic principality over the ME (Mark 3:24-26).

    • Abba Father, protect and guide all Israeli and US fighter pilots (Isa. 11:14; Jer. 48:40; 49:22).

    • Lord of hosts, give Israel divine strategy and tactics to destroy Iran's remaining ballistic missiles and the launchers – its modern "bows" (Psa. 144:1; Prov. 21:30-31; Jer. 49:35).

    • Lion of Judah; fulfill Jeremiah 49:38a and continue to build Your throne, Your Body, in Iran today.

    • Hizbullah in Lebanon: Lord God Almighty, use Israel to destroy Hizbullah completely and to set both northern Israel and Lebanon free (Prov. 28:15: Psa. 9:5-6; Isa. 14:5).

    • Speak Abba, and break Hizbullah, these proud cedars of Lebanon (Psa. 29:5; Isa. 2:12-13).

    • King Yeshua, fulfill Joel 2:17-21 and drive Hizbullah off of Israel's northern border (Zech. 11:1).

    • God, uncover all of their weapons caches and tunnels throughout Lebanon to the IDF (Job 12:22).

    • Abba, as captured Hizbullah terrorists relate that they are being pressured to fight Israel, let massive numbers surrender recognizing that Israel is much more merciful than their leaders (1 Kin. 20:31).

    • Lord God, spread Your wings of protection over the IDF soldiers in Lebanon (Deut. 33:29; Psa. 3:3).

    • God of mercy, in mercy protect them from any successful kidnapping attempt (Psa. 32:7; 121:4).

    • Lord, bless Israel's goal of establishing a buffer zone up to the Litani River and let it remain there as that is part of the inheritance of the tribes of Naphtali and Asher (Deut. 11:24; Josh. 19:24, 31-32, 39).

    • General: King of Jacob, You are still the God who is a man of war; so arise and empower Israel to know how to war against all of its modern-day adversaries (Ex. 15:3a; Psa. 68:1, 30; 115:1-3).

    • Abba Father, as Esau/Edom is one of Islam's spiritual roots, please fulfill Obadiah 1:3-4 and use Islam's pride to draw them down into destruction (Prov. 16:18; 29:23a).

    • Lord God, whatever You are allowing, or even orchestrating (Zech. 12:2-3), to trap the nations in their Jew-hatred, let it happen quickly, and if now is that time, fulfill Micah 4:11-13 (Obad. 1:15).

    • All-wise God, enhance Israel's ability to gather accurate intelligence, to interpret that data correctly, and to know what to do next, even to the point of preempting their foes (2 Kin. 6:12; Isa. 29:15).

    • Almighty, expose Syria's and Turkey's anti-Western actions to Trump and other Western leaders, and continue to help Israel to see them as dangerous enemy nations (Psa. 28:3; Prov. 12:20a).

    • Merciful Savior, greatly shame many Muslims as they watch how defenseless Allah is against You, and Your nation, and let that turn them to seek You (Psa. 83:16-18).

  3. Government & society:

    Israel's national elections are not yet scheduled although they should take place by late October. They could be held sooner if Israel's current wars end. Regardless, we need to keep this vital issue in prayer.

    • God of Israel, anoint our prayers for Israel's current government (Psa. 32:8; Luke 11:1b).

    • Lord Messiah, strengthen PM Bibi Netanyahu to lead Israel for as long as it is Your will (Job 32:8).

    • Lord God, bring to Bibi wise and godly advisors and some true friends (Prov. 17:17; 18:24; 27:6).

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

    • King Messiah, shield Bibi and his coalition from distractions or diversions of the election campaign that would hinder them from leading Israel to victory today (Deut. 6:4-5; 10:12).

    • God Almighty, as You are restoring Israel for Your holy name's sake, anoint Israel's political and military leaders to advance that goal (Ezek. 36:20-24).

    • Sovereign Lord, let critical issues, like the extension of sovereignty and judicial reform, be debated in the campaign, and block the opposition from running only on an anti-Bibi platform (Zech. 8:16a).

    • King of kings, intensify the impact of Israel's "sons of Zion" – politically, diplomatically militarily, commercially, educationally, and throughout the rest of society (Prov. 25:11; Eccl. 12:10; Isa. 22:22).

    • Lord God, we grieve over the increasing number of Israelis who have been killed by Iranian missiles and ask You to enhance supernaturally the IDF's protection over Your nation (Isa. 31:5).

    • Messiah Yeshua, teach Israel how to find and deal with the dangerous remnants of the illegal cluster bombs that Iran has specifically aimed at its citizens (Job 28:3; Luke 12:2a).

  4. Foreign relations:

    Israel's war against Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas is impacting its ties with other nations and global NGOs. For nations who hate God's nation, the close cooperation between America and Israel, both militarily and politically, interferes with their goal of destroying Israel. Also, the use of cluster bombs is illegal yet Iran constantly fires them at Israeli civilians but not one nation or global NGO has condemned this. In this way, most of the world is cursing Israel by not caring for the Jews or their nation – and the results will be very dangerous for them (Gen. 12:3a; Num. 24:9b).

    • Lord Yeshua, wake up believers in nations who ignore or betray Your nation, letting them see how furious this makes You, and have them stand in the gap begging for mercy (Ezek. 22:30-31; 29:6-7).

    • King of kings, You have set up every world leader in their positions today (Prov. 8:15; Jer. 27:5), so use them for Your glory as You did with Pharaoh, Cyrus and so many others (Rom. 9:15-23).

    • God, anoint Israeli leaders to hear Your voice louder than the world's (Job 33:14-18; Psa. 29:3-9).

    • Almighty God, impart to Bibi and other Israeli leaders Your wisdom and boldness to resist all well-meaning yet anti-biblical advice from their "allies" (Num. 23:23; Psa. 33:10-11; Ezek. 37:4-10).

    • God of Israel, encourage Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar and its UN Ambassador Danon to declare Your truth and let it confound all of Your, and Israel's, adversaries (Jer. 1:9-10; John 17:17).

    • Abba, let Israel's renown stubbornness come into play when Israel does what is right in Your eyes, like legislating a death penalty against terrorists, despite the world's reaction (Num. 35:16-18, 30-31).

    • Lord of lords, if now is the time for Israel to resign from the openly anti-Christ UN, then strip from it all fear and let it do so regardless of what America does (Matt. 7:6; 10:14).

    • Lord Messiah, guide Israel to aid nations, especially non-Western ones, that respect it and want its help (Deut. 4:7; 26:19; Psa. 141:9-10; 148:14; Isa. 62:12).

  5. Gaza:

    The IDF continues to war against Hamas, yet in a limited way. Israel is waiting to see if Trump's naïve ceasefire plan will actually disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza. Despite agreeing to the plan, Hamas continues to break it, refuses to disarm and to leave Gaza. Only the IDF has the skill courage, and motivation to deal with this vicious terrorist organization.

    • God Almighty, may Your divine will in relation to Gaza prevail (Psa. 33:10-11; Prov. 21:30).

    • God of Jacob, fulfill that which You threatened to do to Gaza in Amos 1:6-7.

    • Lord, with Hamas taking back total control over the 45% of Gaza under its rule, give the IDF plans from on high of how to defeat these terrorists when they are released to do so (2 Sam. 5:23-24).

    • Shield of Abraham, guard over the minds and hearts of all IDF soldiers stationed in Gaza, both the veterans and the new recruits (Gen. 15:1; Psa. 89:18).

    • We thank You Lord for the IDF destroying all terror tunnels under the area in Gaza they control, for finding weapons caches and for killing Hamas terrorists (Job 12:22; Psa. 95:4; 139:12).

    • God, prevent Israel from retreating from the area of Gaza under its control as not only would that be dangerous, but that area is part of the tribe of Judah's inheritance (Josh. 15:1, 47; Judg. 1:18).

    • Lord God, if this war will not end until Israel repossesses all of Gaza, show this to Your people and their leaders and then make them zealous to do just that (Judg. 2:1-4; Psa. 80:3; Prov. 16:9).

    • Abba, let the war against Iran drain the finances of Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Prov. 11:4a).

    • Almighty God, forbid Israel from being manipulated to concede on its demand that Hamas be totally disarmed and prohibited from having any hand in the future governing of Gaza (Num. 23:23).

  6. Internal security:

    In Shabbat's prophetic reading, God tells King David about the Covenant He will make with him. The first thing He does is promise His people a land: And I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them anymore as in the past, (2 Sam. 7:10)

    • God of David, let this introductory verse to the Davidic Covenant convince many more Jews, both in Israel and in the captivity, that Your promise of the land is still of great importance today (Isa. 55:11).

    • Lord Yeshua, burden more believers to intercede for Israel to possess its land (Obad. 1:17), showing them that this is not political, but prophetic, and for Your holy name's sake (Ezek. 36:34-36; 37:14).

    • King of Israel, promote in Israel's next government biblical Zionists who are zealous for Your sake to see all of the land of promise coming under Israel's rule (Psa. 75:6-7; Jer. 32:41-44; Zech. 8:2-8).

    • God Almighty, somehow speak to Your people as Joshua spoke to Israel in Joshua 18:3.

    • Abba, download to Israelis divine strategy for the various steps needed to extend Israel's sovereignty over all of their land today (Psa. 32:8; Isa. 30:21).

    • Almighty King, we rejoice at all of the new settlements that this government has just approved and ask You to help them to be built and inhabited supernaturally swiftly (Amos 9:13-15; Obad. 1:17-20).

    • We praise You God that in 2025 Jews had greater liberty to pray and even praise You on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and we ask You to bless and protect Minster of National Security Ben-Gvir for spearheading this very important, even prophetic, work (Psa. 100:4-5).

    • Lord God of Israel, let the illegal buildings that the EU built for the Palestinians in Area C be used for homes for Jews who make aliyah and resettle Your land (Deut. 6:10-11; Josh. 24:13).

    • Almighty One, shut up the lying spirit of Islam that bullies most world leaders to reject Your will and to erroneously think the "two-state solution" will bring peace (Psa. 28:3; 120:6-7; Jer. 6:14; 8:11).

    • We thank You Lord God of hosts for decreasing the number of terror attacks in Israel in 2025 and ask for that wonderful answer to prayers to be maintained during 2026 (Psa. 44:4).

    • Yet Divine Commander, anoint Israel's security forces throughout their land to fight like those sons of Zion against all Palestinian and Arab-Israeli terrorists (Zech. 9:13-15; 10:3a-7; 12:5-6).

    • King Messiah, as 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. 35:4, 26).

  7. Aliyah:

    Most Jews living in "captivity" resist God's call to return and live in Israel. So God is releasing more "hunters" to chase them home (Jer. 16:16). Jew-hatred and anti-Zionism are growing in the West, and while Jews there are still free to make aliyah, most refuse do it. Ezekiel 39:28 seems to indicate that Jews will either live in Israel, or will not live at all! Thus praying for aliyah is of great importance for them, as well as it being ultimately about God's glory (Isa. 43:5-7, 21).

    • Abba Father, fulfill Ezekiel 36:21-24 by gathering Your people out of the captivity and bringing them home – for Your holy name's sake (Ezek. 20:9, 14, 22).

    • Lord God, gather back to Your land a huge remnant from the West (Jer. 31:10; Zech. 8:7-8).

    • Abba, may the lack of flights to Israel today awaken a fear in Jewish hearts that if they do not come as soon as possible, they might not be able to come at all (Isa. 13:13-14; 48:20).

    • In mercy God of Israel, give Your people dreams, visions, even nightmares, so that they finally see that now is the time to return to the land of their forefathers (Job 4:12-14).

    • As nations like Belgium make circumcision illegal, remind Your people that once gentiles decide to not let Jews live as Jews, history shows that they then often decide to not let Jews live (Psa. 106:47)!

    • Lord, challenge Jewish pride which says, "They will not chase us out!" by showing them that You are doing the chasing in order to draw them home (Prov. 16:18; Isa. 43:5-7; Jer. 31:3-5).

    • God of Jacob, show Jews in the West that they can either save their lifestyles or their life and the lives of their loved ones by "fleeing" from today's "Babylon" (Jer. 30:10; 46:27).

    • Lord, open Israel's gates for a big remnant of Jews from "third-world" nations to enter (Isa. 43:5-7).

    • Abba Father, replace the rabbis' definition of "who is a Jew?" with Your definition (Psa. 119:116).

    • Lord Yeshua, give Your Body more leaders who see, and speak out about, the connection between may Your name be sanctified (Luke 11:2) and the return of Your people to Israel (Ezek. 36:21-24).

  8. Salvation:

    Shabbat's prophetic reading includes the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:11-17).

    • Lord God, as unsaved Jews read this may they be struck with the fact that no mere human could be David's Greater Son as You establish His throne for all eternity (2 Sam. 7:12-13, 16).

    • Abba Father, draw many Jews to read Matthew 1:1 and to realize that the New Testament starts by looking back to that specific Davidic Covenant, and declares that Yeshua is the Son of David.

    • Lord, impart to Your people a deep desire to "eat" all of Your Word (Jer. 15:16).

    • Messiah Yeshua, while they are reading and studying the Word, remove the blindness that has been over the Jewish eyes for the past two millennia and let all Israel be saved (Rom.11:25-26).

    • Lord Yeshua, reveal Yourself to Holocaust survivors and families; survivors of terrorism; hostages and loved ones; IDF soldiers and families; loved ones of soldiers killed or severely injured; all Israelis with PTSD; medical personnel; widows, widowers, orphans, and traumatized children; politicians, judges, lawyers, diplomats; university students, teachers, professors; astronomers, scientists; rabbis and Jewish anti-missionaries; Jews in Judea and Samaria; Jews on their death beds; Jews with shame over past abortions; Israeli archeologists and tour guides; Israelis in the nations; Jews who just made aliyah; alcoholics, hippies, LGBTQ+, new agers; Jews in Iran, Ethiopia, Turkey, India, China; Jews married to gentile believers; unsaved loved ones of Messianic Jews.

  9. Body of Messiah:

    Yeshua confronted the Jewish rulers in His day on their failure to discern the signs of the times (Matt. 16:2-3). Today He is challenging His Body with their ignorance, or worse, their lukewarmness, about those prophecies which He is literally fulfilling concerning Israel.

    • Abba Father, warn believers who are lukewarm about the restoration of Israel that You – the One whom they proclaimed as their God – are jealous [+ zealous] over it (Zech. 8:-18).

    • Confront Lord, any of Your disciples who do not take Jeremiah 32:41 seriously.

    • God Almighty, remind believers that if they are ignorant of what the Tanach states about these days, they will also be ignorant of what end time prophecies You are actually fulfilling (Luke 24:25:27).

    • Messiah Yeshua, gift Your Body with many more children of Zion who will teach the whole counsel of God – from Genesis to Revelation (Zech. 9:13; Acts 20:27; Eph. 4:8, 11-15).

    • Lord God, restore a boldness in Your Body to stand for Your truth (John 17:17; Acts 4:31; 20:27).

    • Shield Your Body in Israel from deception and impart to them a love of the truth (2 Thess. 2:10).

  10. Water:

    Israel received decent rainfall recently. Now we are trusting in God that as we come to the end of this year's rainy season, He will continue to provide all of Israel's water needs.

  11. IFI:

    As headlines so often twist the reality of the news, we continue to keep our eyes focused on His lines in His Word. Pray for us to have wisdom to know how to pray and to lead others in prayer.

Blessings and Shabbat shalom

Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team

Rev. 22:21