Prayer Points: November 2020

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

“Call on Me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50: 15

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Israel and the UAE & Bahrain diplomatic ties

• A growing number of Arabs, particularly those living in the Gulf, say they finally understand that Israel is not the enemy of the Muslims and Arabs. This change of heart ….. is the direct result of the expansionist ambitions of Iran and Turkey in the Arab world and the feeling among Arabs that those two states pose the real threat to their national security. (quoted from an online article)
• The normalization of relations has followed apace, with the agreement to normalize diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates ( UAE), Bahrain and Sudan. On Wednesday 21^st October a UAE plane landed at Ben Gurion airport for discussions on aviation, investment, science & technology and visa exemption. They also agreed to 28 flights a week between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi and Dubai. They exchanged plans to open embassies in each others' countries. Up to ten more Arab and Muslim countries are being lined up for normalization after the US Presidential election has taken place. While this normalization process proceeds, some have expressed a word of caution hoping that Israel will exercise discernment in deciding which countries it establishes diplomatic ties with.
• Praise the Lord for these steps forward in peace between Israel and her Arab and Muslim neighbours!
• Ask for His hand of blessing over the friendship and cooperation among these nations, that they will bear fruit for everyone involved.
• Pray for protection of the leaders involved especially on the Arab side. Pray too for the protection of the flights between the two countries.
• Pray that more nations will see the blessing that comes from peace with the Jewish state and that they will follow suit.
• Pray that the Israeli leaders, Netanyahu in particular, will not run away with their excitement and seek relations with less trustworthy nations. Pray that God will stay their hand when necessary.
• Pray that the Palestinian leaders, both Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza, will accept the new reality of Israel's better relations with neighbouring Arab countries.
• Pray that God will stay the hand of those who would want to use this development as an excuse for a third Intifada.
• Pray that the normalisation of relations with Sudan will not lead to the forced repatriation of Sudanese refugees in Israel against their will.

"The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!" Psalm 97:1

Prospective cease-fire between Israel and Hamas

• Qatar, which funds Hamas and Gaza, has been trying to negotiate a year-long cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Qatar's funding is significant and it has agreed to continue the funding through 2021. This funding is thought to have achieved Hamas' co-operation for a ceasefire, although there is disagreement on how to invest the next tranche of money. Qatar wants the money to be invested in infrastructure projects including a gas pipeline to Gaza's only power station which is still operating on coal.
• However, the other major terrorist organization in Gaza, Islamic Jihad is opposed to these talks and Qatar's involvement with Gaza. It is thought to have been responsible for the recent rocket attacks into southern Israel. Continued rocket attacks will put these talks in jeopardy.
• Pray that Hamas will be able to contain Islamic Jihad and that the year long cease-fire will be agreed and that it will hold.
• Pray that the rocket attacks will now stop.
• Pray that these negotiations will lead to the release of the two Israeli civilians held captive by Hamas and the return of the bodies of two IDF soldiers killed in 2014.

“He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations– let not the rebellious

rise up against him.” Ps. 66:7

Renewed threat from Iran

• On 18th October the embargo on Iran buying arms under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) came to an end. This will allow Iran to purchase and export arms without restrictions, despite Iran’s blatant and open violations of all its obligations under the agreement.
• Iran is likely to seek advanced weapons, particularly from Russia and China, with an emphasis on air defense systems, such as the Russian S-400 system and Chinese J-20 fighter jets. These weapons would improve the defense of Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran will also seek components that will enhance the performance of its missiles that are expected to carry nuclear weapons in the future.
• However, there seems to be little chance that these deals will be realized anytime soon, due to Iran’s economic difficulties and American pressure.
• The United States has sought to apply what are called 'snapback' sanctions against Iran, but the United Nations' Security Council, Russia and China decided otherwise. However, the United States has imposed its own further sanctions on Iran and threatened to impose them on any individual or entity that aids Iran's weapons programme.
• Pray that the United States will continue its resolve to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions.
• Pray that the Western states in the JCPOA agreement will see the sense of the United States stance over Iran.
• Pray that the United States sanctions will be really effective against Iran and that this will lead to unrest among the Iranians and a change of government.
• Pray that despite Iran's new found freedom to purchase weapons it will simply not have the finance to proceed.

 “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

Threat from Hezbollah

• Hezbollah continues to be on the back foot since the massive explosion in Beirut a few weeks ago and the arms depot which exploded a few weeks later in southern Lebanon.
• Israel continues to make airstrikes against Hezbollah and related fighters in Syria whenever they pose a threat to Israel. One such threat on the Golan Heights border at the end of October was successfully neutralized.
• Pray that the Lord will consolidate the discomfort of Hezbollah and that the Lebanese people's anger will not abate until changes are made in the government which includes Hezbollah ministers.
• Pray that the Lebanese people will rise up against Hezbollah causing them to be dislodged from southern Lebanon (as the PLO was chased out of Beirut in the 1980s).
• Pray that God will keep Israeli Intelligence a step or two ahead of the plans of the enemy (both human and spiritual).
• Lift up Israel’s military and defence leaders before the Lord in prayer, asking for His protection over them as well as His provision of wisdom, strength and discernment as they face the heavy task of keeping Israel safe.
• However, thank the Lord—the ultimate Defender—for His continued protection over Israel’s land and borders.

The Lord delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 37:40

The Coronavirus crisis

• Covid-19: Israel's second lockdown has had success with a fall in confirmed cases. Now Israel is trying to move forward slowly with its exit strategy leading back to a new "normal" life. The corona committee, is presenting a six stage exit strategy to Benjamin Netanyahu for cabinet discussion on 29^th October for implementation from the beginning of November.
• It is reported that the Utra-Orthodox (the Haredi) are still following their rabbis' instructions and flaunting those of the Government.
• A vaccine created at the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) is being tested.
• Pray that the number of infections will continue to decline and pray that God will give the authorities wisdom in the way and the speed with which they relax restrictions.
• Pray that the Ultra-Orthodox Jews will either co-operate with the authorities or be made to do so, in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Ask the Lord to show them that preserving life is more important than preserving their man-made traditions.
• Pray that Israeli Muslim Arabs will stop ignoring the covid rules and regulations.
• Pray that the young people and students will understand the wisdom of the restrictions and co-operate with the Government.
• Pray over the research team at the IIBR and their potential vaccine, asking the Lord to bless the team and the fruit of their labour. Ask God to use this vaccine not only to bless Israel, but the world at large. Cover the team's research and testing in prayer, asking that the vaccine will prove itself successful in clinical trials with human volunteers.

“Call on Me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50: 15

Israeli Society

• There continue to be demonstrations, sometimes violent, against the Government and the police by the Ultra-Orthodox and by anti-Netanyahu protestors. Such division in society must be very displeasing to God.
• Ask the Lord to bring peace to Israeli society and let the instigators of violence be apprehended.
• Pray that the Lord will expose the negative attitude of the Ultra-Orthodox to Government rules and that Israeli society will bring pressure on the Ultra-Orthodox to conform.
• Pray for protection of the police and for them to be given wisdom in how to handle these sometimes riotous demonstrations.
• Ask God, to protect His nation from the spirits of lawlessness and violence that are being released like an overflowing flood on many nations during the coronavirus pandemic.

“He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness.”   1 Corinthians 4: 5

Jewish believers in Israel

• Messianic Jews in Israel (now numbering around 30,000) continue to witness to fellow Jews about Yeshua and his salvation and also to other ethnic groups such as the Bedouin. They sometimes face massive persecution and obstruction by the Ultra-Orthodox community.
• Pray that the Messianic believers in Israel will continue to be given opportunities to witness to their fellow Jews about the salvation of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.
• Pray that God will protect them from persecution.

“I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be My salvation

 to the ends of the earth.”  Is. 49:6

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