Praise:
This verse out of Shabbat's Torah reading comes from the heart of Moses:
For I will proclaim the name of YHWH; ascribe greatness to our God, the Rock. His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a faithful God of and without iniquity, just and upright is He.
(Deut. 32:3-4)We praise You Lord for being our Rock – an unmovable, secure fortress this is the basic idea of God being seen as the "Rock" in the Tanach (2 Sam. 23:3a; Psa. 18:2, 31, 46; 31:2-3; 61:2).
Thank You that if we are overwhelmed, we can ask You lead us to that Exalted Rock (Psa. 61:2).
We bless You that Your work is "perfect," that is complete (Phil. 1:6; Heb. 12:2a; Jude 1:24-25).
Thank You Abba that You maintained Your holy justice when You saved us by giving Your Son for us as the perfect sacrifice for all of our sins (Isa. 53:12; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 3:5).
We rejoice that You are, in Your essential nature, a faithful God (Lam. 3:22-23; 1 Cor. 1:9).
Salvation:
Jews are in the midst of the Ten Days of Awe – between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur starts Sunday evening and many Jews will fast for a full day asking God to forgive their sins and save them. Please consider fasting as well and asking God for the same thing – that He will save His people by revealing to them their High Priest, Messiah Yeshua.
Abba, as You remind Your people in Shabbat's Torah reading that You are their Father and Creator (Deut. 32:6, 18), create in them a desire to know You personally (Jer. 31:34).
Lord Yeshua, may more Jews no longer forsake You but accept You as the Rock of their salvation (Deut. 32:15, 30-31 in the Torah portion; Psa. 18:46; 95:1; Rom. 9:32-33; 1 Cor. 10:4).
Arise God; fulfill at this season that which You promised in Hosea 14:4 in the prophetic reading:
I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely, for My anger is turned away from them.
During Yom Kippur this next week, Abba Father let many Jews ask You where is their high priest who was so central to the Yom Kippur rituals in Leviticus 16 (Heb. 2:17; 8:1; 9:11).
Lord God of Israel, we bless You for the partial fulfillment of Joel 2:28 in Acts 2, and now we ask You to complete that prophecy at this time and save all Israel (Rom. 11:26).
Messiah Lord, remove from believers all fears of sharing who You are You with Jewish people and overcome those fears by Your perfect love (1 John 4:18).
King Yeshua, anoint believers in Israel to be salt and light – especially at this time (Matt. 5:13-16).
Messiah, show secret Israeli believers when and how they should confess You openly (Matt. 10:32).
Ask the Lord concerning specific groups of Jews He wants you to intercede for this week.
Aliyah:
At the conclusion of the Yom Kippur service on Monday evening, Jews typically say "Next year in Jerusalem!" We are praying for the Spirit of God to convict them to do that which they are proclaiming twice a year Yom Kippur and Passover.
Abba Father, watch over Ezekiel 36:21-24 by gathering Your people home – for Your holy name's sake (Ezek. 20:9, 14, 22).
Lord God, thank You for every Jew who has made aliyah since Oct. 7th, yet as a majority remain in the captivity, we ask You in mercy to bring back many more (Isa. 54:7-8; Jer. 31:3).
King of Israel, let the reality that many Western Jews hide their Jewishness today, wake them up to see how they are no longer welcomed to live there – as Jews (Jer. 51:9-10).
God, speak to Jewish leaders to stop fighting for the "right" of Jews to live in "peace and safety" in the captivity, and to start fighting to bring their communities home (Deut. 30:3-5; Psa. 107:2-3).
Abba Father, turn the increased interest in aliyah among many Jews into urgency to make aliyah as soon as possible (Gen. 19:15-17; Prov. 6:4-5).
King Messiah, turn Jews from thinking that they are running away from danger to see that they are actually running towards the land of their destiny (Deut. 30:4-6; Isa. 11:11-12).
God of Jacob, as many Jews are fearful of living in Israel, show them that living in the nations today is very unsafe and that the chances of gentile security forces laying down their lives to guard them is much less than Israeli security forces – who are doing that on a daily basis (Psa. 38:12).
King of Israel, break through all barriers in Israel that hinder Jews from making aliyah (Mic. 2:13).
Almighty God, declare to Israel's ultra-Orthodox rabbis:
Let My people come!
(Isa. 62:10)Lord God, anoint believers to share with Jewish friends their need to make aliyah (Eph. 4:15a).
Messiah Yeshua, reveal to Your Body that Isaiah 60:3-11 and 16 expects gentile believers to be an integral part of Israel's restoration in these last days, and let them ask You as to what they should do.
Precious Lord, pour out Your grace, favor and sufficient finances and manpower on all believing organizations whose ministry is to expedite the aliyah process (Isa. 49:22; Rom. 15:27).
Government & society:
As Israeli politicians are in election mode what they say or promise needs to be taken in that context. Yet in today's world, most politicians need to stretch the truth in order to be elected. Only when Messiah Yeshua returns and reigns as Israel's King will God's nation have a leader who rules in godly righteousness and justice (Isa. 32:1; Jer. 23:5). Yet in Israel there are politicians who have shown by their deeds that they often do what is best for the nation.
Almighty King of Israel,
send out Your light and Your truth, and let them lead
both Israelis as they vote – and us as we pray (Psa. 43:3a; cp. 23:3b).King Yeshua, move upon the worldwide Body to pray for Israel's next government to be composed of sons and daughters of Issachar and of Zion (1 Chr. 12:32; Zech. 9:13).
Concerning the elections, Abba Father let Isaiah 46:10b be fulfilled and let Your counsel in relation to the next Israeli government stand (Prov. 19:21).
Messiah Yeshua, move miraculously and establish a biblically Zionist government (Zech. 9:13).
Shepherd of Israel, guide all of Israel's first-time voters – for Your name's sake (Psa. 23:3b).
God, we thank You that PM Bibi Netanyahu's government has lasted its full term and for all of the good it has done – militarily, extending sovereignty, and in many other areas (1 John 5:14-15).
Lord Yeshua, oversee Netanyahu and his coalition's time left in office and aid them to finish all that is essential for Israel and for Your kingdom at this time (Prov. 16:1, 9).
Almighty God, if they cannot finish that, then use the next coalition to complete all government projects that are in line with Your will for Israel (Psa. 138:8; Isa. 26:12; Phil. 1:6).
Again we ask You God to fulfill Isa. 1:25-27 and deal in righteousness with Israel's Supreme Court judges who arrogantly act as if they – and not the democratically elected officials – rule over Israel.
Lord God, thank You for the slow but steady advances of some Haredi ultra-Orthodox groups to be more involved in Israeli society in both employment and even in the military (Job 8:7).
Foreign relations:
Nations are starting to boycott Israeli products from Judea and Samaria. Please note that the Nazis started their anti-Jew campaigns by also boycotting Jewish businesses.
King of Israel, wake up the Body to the grave danger for their nations (Isa. 33:1-2) if they boycott Jews who are living exactly where You are bringing Your people back to (Jer. 32:41-44)
Messiah Lord, teach Your Body how to be more pro-God than pro-Israel when they take a stance to defend Your nation and land, as Israel's restoration is for Your holy name's sake (Isa. 43:5-7, 21).
Lord God, we thank You for the strength and courage of Israel's diplomats under Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, especially UN Ambassador Danon and US Ambassador Yechiel Leiter (2 Chr. 32:7).
God of Jacob, forbid the next Israeli government from trying to appease any nation, or any global entity, in order to win the world's favor (Isa. 26:13; Matt. 4:10).
Almighty God, as the hatred against Israel increases, move Israel to dwell alone (Num. 23:9b), and show it how You actually forbid it from being a nation like any other (Ezek. 20:32-38).
God, if the current push by many nations for a "Palestine," that is a "two-state solution," is You fulfilling Zechariah 12:2-3, tell us and lead us as we pray into it (Amos 3:7; 1 John 5:14-15).
Lord of lords, please determine if Bibi should speak to the annual UN General Assembly meeting in NYC next week, and if so, put Your words in his mouth (Psa. 50:4; 81:10; Prov. 16:9; 19:21).
Gaza:
Hamas refuses to disarm and is actually rebuilding its capacity to fight. Meanwhile, most of the world just does not care – except when Israel kills Hamas terrorists and then they cry over how Israel is destroying the "ceasefire"! Hypocrisy and anti-Semitism are now married!
Lord God, as none of this takes You by surprise, we call upon You to fulfill Deuteronomy 32:41-43 in Shabbat's Torah reading.
God Almighty, may Your divine will concerning Hamas prevail (Psa. 33:10-11; Prov. 21:30).
King of Jacob, fulfill Malachi 1:4 and whatever Esau/Edom Islam's spiritual roots tries to build in Gaza – or anywhere else on Your land – arise in fury and destroy it (Isa. 34:5; 63:1-6).
Messiah Yeshua, as Obadiah 1:11-14 basically describes the Oct. 7th massacre, please release the IDF to war against Hamas until it is totally destroyed (Ex. 17:14-16; Psa. 68:30b).
Shield of Abraham, protect the minds and hearts of all IDF soldiers who are stationed in Gaza, both veterans and new recruits – many of whom are teenagers (Gen. 15:1; Psa. 89:18).
God, sustain Israel's stance that its buffer zone in Gaza will remain as a part of Israel (Isa. 54:2-3).
King Yeshua, protect Your Body in Gaza and use them to draw many Muslims to You (Luke 10:2).
Internal security:
Our prayers for Israel to extend sovereignty and war against the terrorists often target Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley, yet this issue also includes all the land. In each place where Israel has sovereign control, both Jews and Arabs are more secure. Israelis are now seeing how its settlements are a blessing to their overall security. The enemy loves to kill Jews over the feasts of the Lord, so at this season prayers are especially needed for safety.
Almighty King, be a wall of fire around Jerusalem during the feasts (Zech. 2:4-5), as well as a pillar of fire between Israel and its enemies (Ex. 14:19-20).
God of Israel, watch over Ezekiel 28:25-26 during the feast season and release Your judgments on Israel's enemies inside and outside of the borders of the land which You have promised them.
Lord of hosts, we thank You for always being awake to guard over Your nation (Psa. 121:4).
Abba, please aid Israel's human guardians to stay alert and to avoid all distractions (Isa. 28:6).
Divine Commander, anoint Israel's security forces to fight like the prophesied sons of Zion against all Palestinian and Arab-Israeli terrorists (Zech. 9:13-15; 10:3a-7; 12:5-6).
Release Your terror upon all in the land who would attack and kill today's sons of Jacob (Gen. 35:5), including the Palestinian Authority security forces who are now a substantial army (Psa. 18:32-42).
Lord, set armed civilians in the right places at the right times to stop terrorist attacks (Josh. 4:12).
Messiah Yeshua, burden Your Body to intercede consistently for Your will concerning Your land to be done, teaching them how this is linked to Israel's salvation (Ezek. 36:24-32; Zech. 12:3-10), and to the sanctification of Your holy name (Psa. 87:2; 115:1-3; Prov. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:3).
Abba Father, use Deuteronomy 32:49 and 52 in the Torah reading to confirm to Your people that You have given them Your land, and that they are told to settle on it (Jer. 33:12-14).
Lord God, honor every Israeli politician who is openly against a "Palestine" being created on Your land with positions of influence in the next Israeli government (1 Sam. 2:30b).
Thank You for the growth of the Jewish population in Judea and Samaria, and we ask for this to also happen in the Negev, the Galilee, the North and on the Golan Heights (Isa. 49:19-20; 51:3).
External security:
America is still fighting Iran using various economic and military means. Meanwhile, Israel is keeping an eye on Turkey and the Houthis and frequently strikes Hizbullah, as the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has been rejected by that #1 Iranian proxy.
Lord God, Your promises and reputation/name are at stake if Israel is destroyed (Ex. 32:11-13), so burden more believers to ask You to arise and scatter Your/Israel's enemies (Psa. 68:1; 83:1-18).
King of kings, continue using Israel as Your weapon of war against all of Your/their enemies, both near and far (Jer. 51:20-24; Zech. 9:13-16).
Lord of lords, reinforce the activities of Your angelic hosts guarding over Israel (Psa. 35:5-6).
Messiah Yeshua, protect Your Body in the ME; help them grow numerically and spiritually; and teach them to bless and pray for Israel and the Jews (Num. 24:9b; Jer. 49:38a; Matt. 16:18b).
Lord Yeshua, heed ex-Muslim believers' prayers and save many Muslims (Ezek. 18:23; 2 Pet. 3:9).
Iran: God, as You hear the glorying of Iran's leaders who boast that since they survived, they have defeated America and Israel – arise and repay their arrogance (Psa. 12:3; 86:14; Prov. 15:25a).
Abba Father, guide Israel on how to help the Iranians overthrow that evil regime (Jer. 49:38b).
King Messiah, hide and protect Israel's spies and collaborators already in Iran (Psa. 138:7).
Creator God, open the earth beneath Iran's remaining nuclear facilities and swallow them up as their goal to annihilate Israel is a clear provocation against You (Num. 16:30)
Hizbullah in Lebanon: Lord God, protect the IDF from Hizbullah's drones (Psa. 68:33-35).
King Messiah, also strengthen Your shield over IDF soldiers in Lebanon against roadside bombs, snipers and all kidnapping attempts (Deut. 33:29; Psa. 3:3; 32:7; 121:4).
God, use the IDF to destroy Hizbullah's global drug trade and thus severely damage their finances.
The Houthis: Lord of hosts, guide Israel as to what You want them to do, or not do, against the Houthis and their expanding threats to both Israel and the rest of the Middle East (Prov. 21:30-31).
Abba, if You are hooking the Houthis' jaw, then do not stop until this Iranian proxy and its patron Iran, are totally laid low (Mic. 4:11-13).
Almighty King, if Israel should not help Saudi Arabia in its battle against the Houthis, then hold Your nation back from being pressured by America into doing just that (Prov. 26:17).
Lord God, let Saudi wonder where Turkey and Pakistan are as all three have just signed the Mecca Pact, a mutual-defense treaty that is being tested right now and is openly failing (Eph. 5:6-7).
Other: Lord, if You are dragging the current Turkish government into Your trap as per Micah 4:11-13, which we would ask You to do, please lead us as to how to pray specifically about it (Amos 3:7).
God, use Turkey's President Erdogan for Your glory as You did with Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, and many other demonic leaders throughout history (Ex. 9:16; Eccl. 8:8b; Rom. 9:17).
Abba Father, enable Israel's intelligence data concerning Turkey and Syria, and their plots against Your nation, to be enhanced by wisdom from on high (Prov. 21:30-31).
All-wise God, expose the wolves in sheep's clothing who now rule in Syria (Jer. 13:23).
Lord, protect Israel's relations with India, Azerbaijan, Greece, Cyrus, Somaliland and many other nations worldwide (Prov. 18:24).
Body of Messiah:
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse [make little of; denigrate; despise; treat with contempt; ignore] you
(Gen. 12:3a). God's threat to curse those who curse Abraham and his seed applies to the Body as well. Yeshua set us free from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13), but not from the curse of this promise which was given hundreds of years before the law. "Cursing," which includes ignoring, Israel (Num. 24:9b), and the Jews, still brings God's curse.Messiah Yeshua, lead Your Body to pray for Israel to possess all of its land (Obad. 1:17); for all Jews in their nations to make aliyah (Isa. 43:5-7); and for all Israel to be saved (Rom. 10:1), and show them that the above are biblical ways to bless Your people.
God the Son, convict believers to repudiate all proud and racist attitudes towards Israel and the Jews, and instead to bless Your people as You direct them to (Prov. 8:13; Isa. 37:23; Rom. 11:17-18, 22).
Also Abba, show believers that if they resist what You are doing with Israel with all of Your heart and soul (Jer. 32:41), then obviously they are grieving Your Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).
Burden believers to ask You how they can more effectively provoke Jews to jealousy (Rom. 11:11).
Lord, open believers' minds that are blinded by today's media and are also blind, by lack of study, to Your Word, especially as the first is likely a fruit of the second (Psa. 36:9; 119:105; 2 Tim. 2:15).
Water:
We are praying for God to supply all of the water Israel needs during the upcoming rainy season. So this verse from Shabbat's prophetic portion is very encouraging:
Be glad then, sons of Zion, and rejoice in YHWH your God, for He has given you the former rain moderately, and will cause to come down for you the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
(Joel 2:23) Amen!
IFI: Today the weather in Israel has changed drastically. It is much cooler than it has been for the past several months, the skies look like they might actually bring rain, and for this many Israelis are very thankful. May the Lord God of Israel draw each of you closer to Himself during these days.
Shabbat shalom from Zion
Chuck Cohen, for the IFI team
1 Cor. 16:13