Prayer Points: November 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

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News

Benjamin Netanyahu indictment decision – The Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has now said that he will give his decision whether or not to prosecute Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust by 15^th December.  

Attempts to form a government – Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to achieve the necessary 61 seats to form a coalition government and President Rivlin has now given Benny Gantz, the Blue and White party leader, twenty-eight days to try and form a majority coalition.

Attempts by the President to bring Likud and Blue & White together as a national unity government have failed due to a number of issues:

1. Gantz has refused to work alongside Netanyahu whilst he is under threat of prosecution for bribery. However, there is speculation that this stance might change if the charges are reduced to lesser charges or dropped completely.
2. It is also reported that Gantz and Netanyahu could not agree on who should be Prime Minister first/second on an alternating basis during the life of the coalition should they come together.
3. Another issue appears to be Netanyahu’s reluctance to sever ties with his traditional right wing religious partners and join a coalition with Blue & White without them.

The decision whether or not to indict Netanyahu on bribery charges is likely to be a key element in determining whether or not a government of national unity can be achieved. The parties want to wait for the indictment decision before committing to decisions on if or how they are willing to compromise.

It is possible that Gantz could form a minority government with an agreement from Arab MKs outside the coalition to support him in Knesset votes.

If Gantz’ 28 day period expires without agreement, there will be a further period of 21 days during which any Knesset member can try to form a majority coalition – which, coincidentally or not, ties in with the 15^th December date for the Attorney General’s decision on Netanyahu’s indictment.  

If there is no agreement by then, there will be another general election, the third in 12 months. In the meantime Benjamin Netanyahu remains as Prime Minister.

• The rainy season – Israel has already been blessed with new season rain and is bracing itself for a rare “medicane” – a Mediterranean Hurricane – which will bring strong winds, heavy rain and flooding to the south of the country on 1^st & 2^nd November.

• Lebanon – there is civil unrest in Lebanon with protestors demanding a complete change of government. After two weeks of protests the Prime Minister has stepped down. There is concern that the situation could result in civil war or that Hezbollah could start a war with Israel to divert attention from the internal situation.

• Iran – there is concern that Iran is getting bolder following its attack on the Saudi oil fields and the muted reprisals.

• Gaza – there have been over 2,000 missiles fired from Gaza in the last 12 months but it is the north that is the more serious threat – Iran in Syria and Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Prayers for Israel and the region

• Continue to commit the political situation in Israel into the Lord’s hands. Pray that God will break through the impasse that has left the country without a properly functioning government for so many months. Pray that personal agendas can be set aside for the benefit of the country.

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the peace of Israel. Pray the Lord’s protection from knife, shooting and car ramming attacks.

• Pray that the Lord will keep the people and the land safe from outside attack, from missiles and incendiary devices. Ask God to put a shield around Israeli communities on the border with Gaza, providing His supernatural protection from the missiles and fires that the enemy is using to destroy land and property.

• Pray for God to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Pray that Iran’s destabilising activities in the region will not spill over into a much greater conflict.

• Pray for great wisdom and discernment for government and military leaders to know how to appropriately respond to events and those who wish them harm.

• Praise the Lord for the winter rains that refresh the land and start to fill the Sea of Galilee and the aquifers which store water underground.

“Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.

 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”

Psalm 3:1-3

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