Prayer Points: December 2024
Consider these prayer points as springboards into deeper prayer and intercession.
“And it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the nations, o house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing.” Zech 8:13
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LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Dear Prayer Partners, as we consider the prayer needs of Israel and the surrounding area this month, there does seem to be a light emerging at the end of the dark tunnel in which Israel has found itself.
Jesus Christ, the Lord and Commander of heaven’s armies, Adonai Tsva’ot is powerfully at work in the spiritual battle that is raging. As it says in Psalm 68:1-2
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke - as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.
The enemies of God and Israel are being severely weakened in Gaza and Lebanon and Iran, the axis of evil has felt the retaliation of Israel.
There is relief in Israel that Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States because he will be a greater supporter and friend than Kamala Harris would have been. We must pray that, despite this, Israel will look to the God of Israel first and foremost, to save them from their enemies and to trust in His incomparable power to scatter these enemies and render them inoperable.
No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
Psalm 33:16,18-19
PRAYER – A GOD-GIVEN SPIRITUAL WEAPON
Prayer is powerful, more so than we may realise. It is a God-given spiritual weapon to be used against the powers of darkness. We are beginning to see the defeat of the enemies of Israel in this current war.
Pray for:
- The protection of the IDF soldiers as they continue to destroy weapons and tunnels and eliminate terrorists in both Gaza and Lebanon.
- The release of the hostages back to their families.
- Those displaced from their homes in Northern Israel to be able to safely to them.
- The cessation of hostilities against Israel by all the countries surrounding them.
- A period of sustained peace and respite for the country and the people.
Pray that Israel will call upon the Lord and say:
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22
ISRAEL NEWS
CEASEFIRE IN LEBANON
A 60 day ceasefire in Lebanon came into force on 27th November. Hopes that it could become permanent will depend on the terms being respected and honoured. The ceasefire has been met with a mixed reaction in Israel.
The test for the agreement will be whether or not the two main points can be enforced. The first is preventing Hezbollah from moving southward beyond the Litani (River), and the second, preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its force and rearming in all of Lebanon. It is crucial that, from the outset, there is “zero tolerance” to violations in order to establish the tone for the future.
This is an opportunity for the Lebanese army to establish control over the country and over Hezbollah as it moves 10,000 troops into southern Lebanon as part of the overseeing force alongside UNIFIL. But, unless these new overseers are prepared to confront Hezbollah and prevent them re-establishing south of the Litani River (which UNIFIL has utterly failed to do since 2006), it will not be long before Hezbollah re-emerge as a threat to Israel’s security.
HOSTAGE RELEASE TALKS
President Joe Biden has said the US will make another push with regional powers for a ceasefire in Gaza, involving the release of hostages and the removal of Hamas from power. Incoming President Donald Trump is also said to be keen on a deal before he takes office, allowing him to focus on the relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Hamas has made some positive comments about its willingness to negotiate and compromise but would look for similar compromises from Israel. Although Israel is keen to return all the hostages to their families, the IDF has not yet completed its objective to destroy Hamas as a fighting force. Despite being willing to compromise in Lebanon they are less likely to compromise over their Gaza objectives.
THE HAREDI DRAFT
3,000 draft notices have been issued to Haredi men aged 18 to 26 but so far only 120 have reported to a recruitment office. Another 7,000 draft notices are now being issued and the new Defence Minister has said he will not block this. The IDF is issuing arrest warrants for “draft dodgers” who have failed to report.
The IDF is aiming to enlist 4,800 ultra-Orthodox men in 2025, most of them for combat roles. In the coming years, the army will need 7,500 new combat soldiers annually, in addition to 2,500 combat support personnel. The IDF has a 20% shortfall in its combat forces, a figure expected to increase by another 5% in the next few years. It is now scraping together combat personnel from every possible source - including the recall of tens of thousands of reservists.
A prolonged war on multiple fronts, is exhausting its regular and reserve combat forces. In the meantime, it is seeking to partially bridge the gap by extending mandatory service to 36 months. The IDF is moving forward with its plans, regardless of what the government decides. The establishment of an ultra-Orthodox brigade has already begun.
POVERTY
The people of Israel continue to face their worst nightmare—terrorist attacks and missile strikes are happening daily, while the nation grapples with the worst food crisis in 50 years. Due to the ongoing war, many widows, orphans, single mothers, and elderly Holocaust survivors have had to flee their homes and are living like refugees in their own country. Those who were already in poverty are in dire need. The constant uncertainty of how and when they will feed their families or receive their next meal only fuels their overwhelming fear and anxiety.
PRAYERS
- Pray for wisdom for Benjamin Netanyahu, his cabinet, IDF and other agency leaders. Pray that the Lord will help them to make wise and timely decisions.
- Pray that the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon will prove to be a wise decision with long term benefits for Israel and for those Israelis living close to the border.
- Pray for the physical and mental health of all those still being held hostage in Gaza. Pray that they will soon be released without Israel paying a huge price in released terrorists.
- Pray for the hostages’ families and friends and pray the Lord’s protection and comforting from the psychological warfare that Hamas is conducting through them.
- Pray the Lord’s hedge of protection around the IDF soldiers serving in Gaza and Lebanon.
- Pray for the people in Gaza especially the Christians. Pray for protection from the armed mafia gangs and Hamas fighters who are now preying upon the population.
- Pray for the families of all those serving in the IDF. Pray that they may know the Lord’s shalom, peace, strength and comfort whilst their loved ones serve.
- Pray for the families who are still displaced from their homes, pray that they may soon go home.
- Pray for the Lord’s restraining hand to be on those in The West Bank who would cause trouble, both Arabs and Jews.
- Pray for the unity of Israel. Pray that the re-emerging divisions will not divert attention away from the most important issues that need to be resolved.
- Pray for the open hearts of Israelis as they are witnesses to the love of Christians worldwide that are standing for Israel. May God kindle jealousy in their hearts to know personally the source of that love and conviction.
- Pray that all Israel will seek the Lord Yeshua and receive His salvation.
- Pray for the nation’s mental health. So many are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Praise the Lord that He is regathering His people to His Land despite/because of the war.
Acknowledgement: These prayer points have been consolidated from a number of sources including Prayer Letters and Newsletters originating in God’s Land.