Prayer Points: May – June 2018

Consider these prayer points as springboards into deeper prayer and intercession.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16 (KJV)

USA Embassy moves to Jerusalem

On 14^th May Israel celebrated the USA relocating its Embassy to Jerusalem thus recognising Israel’s right to decide its own capital. Since then Paraguay and Guatemala have also relocated their Embassies to Jerusalem and others are expected to follow suit.

• Praise God for the bravery of President Trump in keeping his promise to recognise Israel’s right to determine its own capital withstanding internal and international pressure to do so.
• Praise God for the bravery of Paraguay and Guatemala for resisting that same pressure.
• Pray that other countries will follow suit – countries including Czech Republic, Romania and Honduras have expressed a desire to move to Jerusalem.

“I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.  I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.”     Psalm 101:2-3

Hamas admits deceiving the public

Some of Hamas’ top leaders have admitted that the “peaceful Right to Return” protests were a “clear terminological deception” to cover for violent attacks against Israel. Hamas hired civilians including women and children paying $14 a person or $100 a family and $500 if they were injured. It has emerged that, the 62 killed included 50 ununiformed Hamas members and 3 Islamic Jihad members. They spoke proudly of being willing to sacrifice “the bodies of our women and children” to provide cover for their activities.

• Praise the Lord for helping the IDF to prevent a mass breach of the border and keeping safe those Israeli citizens who live close to the border.
• Pray that the truth regarding Hamas’ evil intentions and methods on the Gaza border be thrust into the international spotlight to temper the lies.
• Ask God to cut through the propaganda and deception and to guard over Israel’s reputation.

“Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak the word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.”

Isaiah 8:10

Hostility from Gaza continues

On 28^th May Israeli homes and cars were damaged by machine gun fire from Gaza and on 29^th into 30^th May 130 rockets and mortars were fired into Israel targeted at civilian areas. The Iron Dome dealt with many mortars but some got through landing close to schools causing damage and a number of minor injuries and people suffering from shock. In the previous week an explosive laden drone from Gaza landed in open country. Gazans are still trying to breach the border and infiltrate Israel in order to kill and kidnap Israelis. There is a real danger that this could escalate into full scale war.

• Praise the Lord that there have so far been no serious casualties – pray that this will continue.
• Pray for the safety and security of those living close to the border with Gaza.
• Pray for an end to this cycle of violence and that it will not escalate into full scale war.

“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””     Psalm 91

Palestinians fear a leadership vacuum

PA President Mahmoud Abbas has been hospitalised several times over recent months and has been in hospital for over a week suffering from a lung infection. His health is a major concern as there is no clear succession plan should he die or be unable to continue. The power struggle that will follow will create further instability. The average age of the PLO Executive Committee is 70 whilst the average age of the population is 20 in the West Bank and 17 in Gaza. Young Palestinians are close to despair with their aging and ineffective leadership.

• Pray for a new team of Palestinian leaders to come through.
• Pray for wise and sensible men and women to emerge who will abandon the current ideology and seek to forge a realistic future for their people.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”  Proverbs 14:34

Russia agrees to keep Iranian and Hezbollah forces away from Israel’s border

Russia and Israel have agreed that Iranian forces and Hezbollah should move at least 25 kilometres away from Israel’s Golan Heights border. Russia has also agreed not to intervene in Israel’s operations to thwart Iran’s attempts to gain a permanent foothold in Syria.

• Intercede for the safety of Israel’s northern borders, her communities and those serving in the IDF.
• Pray for great wisdom to be given to Israel’s political and military leaders to know how to respond to everything that is happening in Syria.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

James 1:5

As Jesus said:

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

John 9:4

Acknowledgement: These prayer points have been consolidated from a number of sources including Prayer Letters and Newsletters originating in God’s Land.