Prayer Points: July 2022

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

Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence.

2 Chronicles 6:19

ISRAEL NEWS AND PRAYERS

The Government – new elections 1^st November 2022

The 24th Knesset voted to disperse on Thursday morning 30^th June in a 92-0 vote and to hold the next election on November 1. Consistent with the coalition agreements signed last June, Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid will become prime minister when the clock strikes midnight. These next elections will not include Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, as he announced on Wednesday that he will not run. Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked is expected to head the Yamina Party after Bennett's departure.

Aliyah

Over 25,000 people from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Moldova have made Aliyah since the start of the war.

Iranian assassination & kidnap attempts foiled

An Iranian attempt to assassinate Israeli citizens including diplomats in Turkey was thwarted and a ten man assassination squad was arrested. Israel has warned all its citizens abroad that Iran has plans to kidnap and assassinate Israelis outside Israel.

Airport queues and chaos

As in many countries, Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv is suffering from staff shortages resulting in overcrowded terminals and chaos. Passengers are being advised to arrive at the airport four hours before their flight’s departure time. This situation is not expected to be fully resolved until early 2023.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial

Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial continues for three days each week at the Jerusalem District Court. The court begins its summer recess on July 23 and the trial is set to resume on September 5.

A key witness, Hadas Klein, is expected to testify in the coming weeks. Klein was an aide to tycoon Arnon Milchan, and is the main prosecution witness in Case 1000, in which Netanyahu is charged with accepting gifts worth about 700,000 shekels from Milchan and another billionaire friend, James Packer, in return for favours. Her testimony could prove embarrassing for Netanyahu, but so far, the trial has had little impact on his public support, and if anything, has served to boost his standing among his loyal base.

A bill barring anybody under criminal indictment from serving as prime minister was introduced by coalition lawmakers in late June but did not progress. Radical reforms to reduce thepower of the judicial branch are a top priority for the Likud and other parties in the pro-Bibi bloc if they return to power.

Another possibility is that a future Netanyahu government could reintroduce the so-called French Law, which prevents a sitting prime minister being prosecuted while serving in office. The opposition also fears Netanyahu may appoint a new attorney-general who will agree to a favourable plea bargain deal that does not include a prison term or a moral turpitude clause that would stop Netanyahu from serving in public office.

PRAISE AND PRAYER

• Praise the Lord that Israel has been able to absorb so many refugees from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Pray that those who have made Aliyah settle quickly into a new life and a new culture and that they are able to integrate into their new homeland.

• Praise the Lord for keeping Israeli citizens safe from Iran’s assassination and kidnap plot.

• Pray for the safety and security of Israel and its people from external enemies wherever they are. Pray that the Lord will make known the plans of Israel’s enemies so that they can be thwarted before they can be carried out.

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all Israel. Pray that people can walk the streets without fear of stabbing or shooting or car ramming.

• Pray for genuine and lasting reconciliation between all the various groups in Israel.

• Pray that Israel will accept Messianic Jews who want to make Aliyah.

• Pray that the love and commitment to unity shown by Messianic and Arab Christian Pastors will be a beacon of light in the darkness.

• Pray that eradicating poverty will be a priority for every Israeli government and that all Holocaust Survivors will be able to live out the last days of their lives in dignity rather than poverty.

• Pray that tourists will return to Israel in large numbers and for the airport to have staffing levels that will allow for a smooth operation.

• Pray that Israel does not have to take military action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb. The consequences for the people and country would be very severe.

• Pray for a speedy conclusion to Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial and for justice to be done.

Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd,
    and carry them in your arms forever.  Psalm 28:9 (NLT)

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