Prayer Points: February – March 2019

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

I will contend with those who contend with you … then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Saviour, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Is. 49:25-26

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

URGENT: The Continuing Threat of War with Iran

• The relationship between Israel and Iran has become quieter in the last month, but we must keep our prayer guard on high alert. The threat of war with Iran and Hezbollah is still very real with the new chief of the IDF (Lt. General Aviv Kochavi) warning of the possibility of war on the northern border. CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL NOT ALLOW SATAN TO PRE-EMPT GOD'S OWN PLANS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST.
• Iran claims that hundreds of Israeli air strikes on its assets in Syria have failed to curb its agenda in the war-torn country. This may be more that boasting. A security agency in Israel has issued its Strategic Assessment for Israel (2018-2019) declaring that Israeli air superiority was unlikely to halt the Iranian military build-up and that Israel must consider direct military strikes against the Islamic Republic. They also report that the Syrian military is re-establishing itself and will be better able to counter Israeli air strikes with the help of the Russians.
• Senior Iranian Cleric says that Iran has the formula to build a nuclear weapon: Ahmad Khatami implied this week that Iran now has the capability of building a nuclear bomb, but has no intention of building a weapon of mass destruction! Iran has been celebrating the 40^th anniversary of what it calls the "heavenly" victory of the Islamic Revolution. He also admitted that the economic situation in the country is serious for the Iranian people.
• This 40^th anniversary seems to have precipitated a rash of declarations concerning Iran's capabilities, including one from Ali Akbar Salehi, vice president of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization who said that Iran is now producing more centrifuges and testing more advanced forms. Iran is now enriching uranium with 5000 centrifuges. There is clearly no let up on this front.
• Some Arab states unite in their condemnation of Iran: Arab officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain said following the Middle East summit in Poland that the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran was a mistake and that the Islamic Republic's aggression is the most urgent issue facing the region. They vowed to intensify the Arab world's confrontation with Iran.
• Hezbollah threatens to attack Israeli passenger aircraft at Ben Gurion airport. A video circulated on social media appears to have threatened to attack Israeli passenger flights and popular tourist destinations in Israel. The group vowed to take revenge for Israeli air strikes on weapons stockpiles belonging to Hezbollah and Iran in Syria and Lebanon.
• Tensions on Gaza Border soar as an Israeli soldier was wounded by an IED which detonated near to him. Palestinian rioters threw incendiary and explosive devices at Israeli security forces. The previous week 11,000 Palestinians rioted at the border. Israeli authorities now believe that the Hamas is pushing for all-out war. Hamas sees this as a way to garner international sympathy and support, and to bring in reconstruction funds for Gaza.
• It has been noted by the Israelis that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are no longer sending their men to the border with Israel as many were detected and killed even though dressed in civilian clothes. When the information leaked out that they had been doing this Hamas had to acknowledge that many of their fighters had been killed. Now they are sending women and children and risking these civilian lives.
• Israel freezes 139 million dollars marked for payment to the Palestinian Authority (PA): This is tax monies owed to the PA and exactly matched the amount paid to terrorists and their families by the PA in 2018. The PA has refused to stop making these payments and Israel has now passed a law ordering the seizure of sums corresponding to those paid to terrorists and their families.

• Call upon the Lord to open the eyes and the ears of the world to Iran’s sinister nuclear ambitions to establish hegemony in the region. Pray that the admission and the clear commitment to forge ahead with nuclear testing will serve as a wake-up call to rally world leaders behind Israel to ensure that Teheran’s ambitions are not realized.
• Intercede that the Islamic Republic’s regime will crack and fall. Pray that the United States sanctions against Iran will be really effective. (Unfortunately this affects the civilian population, but there is evidence that people are protesting, despite the risks attached to this and it may be the only way to bring down the regime.)
• Bring Hezbollah’s threat of terror, death and destruction before the Lord, praying specifically for the infrastructure and landmarks targeted by the terror organization. Ask Him to draw a dome of protection over the land, skies and people of Israel.
• Thank the Lord for the brave men and women of the IDF guarding Israel’s southern border with Gaza. Praise Him for protecting the young soldier from more serious injuries, and pray for complete and speedy healing. Ask the Lord to bring the on-going violence on the Gaza border to an end.
• Ask the Lord to bring Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s despicable practice to the light. Pray that the evil mindset that sends women and children to the frontlines will be exposed and condemned internationally. Ask Him to enable the civilians in Gaza to see the real meaning of Hamas and Islamic Jihad's intentions.
• Praise the Lord for Israel’s decision to withhold the money earmarked for rewarding Palestinian terrorists and their families, thus taking a firm stand against terror. Pray that the PA will be forced to amend its ways, which will, in turn, remove a strong incitement to terror.
• SPIRITUALLY: Reminder: we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6) and we should pray against the plans of the enemy, conscious of our authority in Christ.
• SPIRITUALLY: The spirit (Prince) of Persia referred to in Daniel (Daniel 10:13 & 20) still operates in Iran which is why this nation is proving to be such a threat in the Middle East.
• Continue to pray that God will sow confusion among the satanic principalities and powers in the Middle East so that they fight among themselves as to how to manage their forces ranged on earth. (This was a tried and tested technique in the Old Testament. See Jehoshaphat's battle against the armies of Moab, Ammon and Edom in 2 Chronicles chapter 20, especially verse 22. The significant thing is that Jehoshaphat first sought the Lord.)

The Lord almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights. Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; He will shield it and deliver it, He will “passover” it and it will be rescued.” Isaiah 31:4-5

Knesset Elections on 9^th April

• Much activity is going on in Israel to do with the forthcoming national elections. New parties are forming and new alliances are being made. Many Christians praying for Israel have become enamoured with the Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and in terms of Israel's defence he has been a strong leader. However, his time may now be over and we need to pray that a strong leader, be it Netanyahu or someone else, is elected to head the nation.
• Pray that through all the confusion of elections in Israel with its multi-party proportional representation that God's choice for leader and government will prevail.
• Pray that whatever government comes into power, that it will remain steadfast in its military preparedness and resolve.
• Pray that it will continue to build links with the Arab nations who are now fearful of Iran.
• Pray that it will not indulge in unwise peace overtures, despite pressure that may come from the United States in its desire to see the Israel-Palestine issue resolved.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” Psalm 122:6

Anti-Semitism

• Anti-Semitism reaches alarming proportions in France: Anti-Semitism is rising all across Europe, including Britain, but has become especially nasty in France with attacks on Jews and defacing of Jewish graves.
• Ask the Lord to awaken the nations—especially the European nations—to the threat that anti-Semitism poses to the Jewish people and the world at large. Pray that leaders and laymen everywhere will take a stand for God's Chosen People and fight against anti-Semitism. 
• While we want to oppose this wicked outlook, we can also ask God to lead those whom he wants to make Aliyah to Israel, to make that decision now.

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked

and make the righteous secure.”   Psalm 7:9

Rainfall and the level of water in the Sea of Galilee

• It is good to report that the recent winter rains have dramatically increased the level of the Sea of Galilee. With a few more centimetres it will be safe to resume taking water from it. However, the level is still 4 metres below what is considered its maximum level.
• Give thanks to the Lord for this abundance of winter rain.
• Pray that Israelis will recognise that God is in charge of their rainfall just as he was in the days of Elijah.
• Pray that more rain will arrive until the dry season starts in April.
• Pray that Israelis will be wise about their water usage.

The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

1 Kings 18:44

 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.