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A Storm Over Us - Prayer and Intercession March 20, 2020

3/20/2020

Every Wednesday evening we gather for intercession for the restoration of Israel.
The following is shared with you to help you in your own praying and interceding.

These are prayer directions rather than prayer points.
We want to leave room for the Holy Spirit to lead you and your group to pray as you are led.

If you would like to receive these Prayer Directions regularly, or
If at any time you want to be removed from the list, please write us at:
ofer@israelprayercenter.org

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A storm over us
This last week, we had a very violent storm in Israel. The forest right by our home looks like a war zone; trees have fallen, the paths are strewn with branches, everything seems so devastated. Our electricity was out for hours, and sitting in the dark with candles just added to the already apocalyptic feel of things.

How symbolic of the coronavirus storm that has broken over us.

You are no doubt amid your own country's struggle with the coronavirus. You are no doubt challenged in your faith and in sorting out how you should be responding, as a believer, to this enormous challenge that has come upon the world.

Here is how we have felt led:

The Believer's calling

Trust and believe
Psa. 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

That word 'be still' in Hebrew means to make your hands slack (HALOT) it would mean something like this: Don't use your human reasoning or strength, let it go and know the Lord. Rely on His wisdom and strength at this time, turn to him, and know that He is God. He promised to be exalted among the nations and in the earth.

In panic or sorrow and fear, one can be tempted to react out of one's own human understanding and strength. Read the whole psalm: God is more than sufficient, He is a very present help in trouble.

Seek His Face
Psa. 24:6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
Psa. 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Psa. 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
Psa. 24:9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Psa. 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

What a cry for the return of the Lord! This should be coming out of those who are God-seekers. It's time to turn away from the world. It's time to reassess our walk with God, it's time to turn to Him wholeheartedly, it's time to renew our commitment to the Word of God, to His ways, to His values. It is time to call on Him! Let us be preoccupied with Him and call on Him. It may be that we will not return to what we have considered 'normal' until now. Or if the world does return to normalcy, and we haven't changed our ways, then we have lost in a big way! I am not a prophet, nor claim any foreknowledge, I do believe though that the Word of God indicates that this is just a harbinger of things to come, perhaps worse.

Let us also Hope and wait for the Glory God rather than hope for the good in this world only. 1Peter 5:1, 1Peter 1:4-5

Be a praying priesthood
1Pet. 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are called to be a spiritual house for God. That is what God has desired for us to be. That is what His Body is meant to be. We are considered by the Lord a holy priesthood, that we might stand before Him for the world, for our nations, for His plan, and proposes to be fulfilled. That we might pray for Israel as a critical component to His end-time plan. This is not real to most of the church today at all.

Pray as never before:
"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven". Lk 11:2

Pray through the whole Kingdom prayer, for yourself, for your nation, for the world at this time!
Ask the Lord to arise greatly in the earth, according to Psalm 46, proclaim these verses that express that deep desire and longing for the gates to be lifted and the King of Glory to come in.
Ask the Lord to complete His purposes on the earth.

Praying for Israel

God's purpose for Israel
All the scriptures point to an amazing fulfillment of God's promises to His people Israel. Ezekiel 36:23-38 are especially appropriate at this time. They are for today, and they do not mention devastation but blessing instead.

God's purpose is to bring life to the earth through Israel's restoration, Romans 11:15 As Israel's rejection of Messiah was reconciliation offered to the world, Israel' restoration will be an offer of LIFE for the world; to those who turn.

The offer from God is Life! Will you pray?

There is so much more, but this is at least a good start…. Perhaps we will be led to share more next time (who knows what will be next week?)

Praying for God's promises is vital!
The Word of God will be the ultimate factor in what God does on the earth. We should not be just preoccupied with the current situation (although we must pray, of course), but we should give the greater weight to the promises. It will be the fulfillment of the Word of God given as promises, that decided the way the world goes.

Please stand before the Lord for Israel during this coronavirus storm.

The government is taking extreme measures, some of this out of fear that our run-down and neglected health care system will collapse if this plague goes unchecked.
Please pray for the sick and dying
Please pray for our medical teams who are on the front lines of the battle. They are without proper gear (Israel had to use the Mossad to get some testing kits!)
Please pray a government will be formed! We have no real government in place yet!
Please pray for our economy - it is being shattered by all of this
Please pray our people will comply with instructions, we are notorious for not giving heed

Please pray for the Body of Messiah in the land
Our congregation has gone on to meet virtually on Zoom, and other means to keep praying together, hear the Word of God together, and to encourage each other.

These are the verses the Lord put on my heart as guidelines to what I should do:
1Pet. 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, …..1Pet. 5:3 …..but being examples to the flock;

We are to shepherd the flock (feed them with the Word), oversee (take care of them), and serve as an example. For this, we need God's help!

Please pray for the leadership of the congregations, that we will be enabled and strengthened to be these things to God's people
Please pray for wisdom, and inspiration to fulfill God's call
Please pray for God's provision for the congregations
Please pray for believers not to just mark time, or seek only entertainment but for grace to turn to God and seek His face.
Please pray for those with small children who need extra help, strength, and energy to care for their kids.
Please pray for those among the believers who have lost their jobs and those whose businesses are struggling.
Please pray that we as a Body will be a light to our people; and a source of comfort to our neighbors, a blessing to those who are down, and depressed, and frightened.

Let us pray for one another in these difficult times, and let us above all take our place before God — this is the time, this is our call, this is the moment.

Blessings from Jerusalem,

Reality Check - Prayer and Intercession March 13th, 2020

3/13/2020

Reality check
Luke 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
Luke 21:26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken."

We were sent a very appropriate message, by David Wilkerson, spoken or written in 1998. Although the circumstances are not exactly the same, and the threat then was economical only, its message is clear: Are you given over to God in every way? As David writes: "True freedom from fear consists of totally resigning one's life into the hands of the Lord."

You can read it here: http://www.tscpulpitseries.org/english/1990s/ts981026.html

Blessing - Yes, Commitment - No? (Where is the hiding place?)
Too often, many of God's people expect His benefits, and promises to be fulfilled in their life, but without living in a genuinely resigned or consecrated way at all.

The word "if" appears ten times in John 15; four times, it is a conjunction introducing a conditional clause. (John 15:6,7 10, 14)

Let us put it in the positive light it is given in that chapter because it is actually an invitation and wisdom given by the Lord. Yeshua is giving us the understanding we need so that we might share in the fullness of His life.

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

EBC comments on it thus: "Jesus is setting before us the prospect of the mutual indwelling of Jesus and those who will abide in him. So central is this mutual indwelling to what it means to be a Christian that Temple (name of commentator quoted by the one writing this -- OA) can say, "Whatever leads to this is good; whatever hinders this is bad; whatever does not bear on this is futile."

"……or believers to bear fruit, they must remain in Christ. All spiritual power for living out the Christian life comes from God. There is only one way for a believer to receive this power, namely, to remain in unbroken fellowship with the source of power. Paul pictures the relationship in terms of a spiritual death and resurrection: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal 2:20). (1)

What an invitation from Messiah! how few there be that avail themselves of pursuing such an abiding! Is it not time, dear friend, that we quit our friendship with the world and enter our true hiding place, the secret place of the most high? (Psalm 91:1)

It is there and only there that we shall experience the fullness of the life described in Psalm 46

Too, loving Him with one's whole heart is directly related to loving others as He loved us. Our challenge at times like these (and is always) is to think communally and not selfishly. The panic-shopping in Israel, has demonstrated this quite clearly. The atmosphere of everyone-for-himself is growing in the land. May we in the Body of Messiah rise to the challenge and live with a communal mindset.

Praying during this time of challenge

Pray for your country:
Obviously, your country needs your prayers at this time, more than ever! It is the believers' moment to intercede.

For the proper handling of this crisis in your country, beyond any other consideration (Political, economical, social, etc…)
For the medical teams that are dealing with an overwhelming situation at the hospitals
For those who have contracted the virus
For those who are suffering economically, (massive loss of jobs)
For the poor and needy who have no cushion against such times as these
For a greater openness to the claims of the Lord, and for the spread of the gospel
For the Church - that this might be a great wake up call to seriousness with Messiah (not only for its own sake but for the sake of the nation you live in. Only when those around you see a genuine life-testimony to the claims of Messiah, will they even be challenged to consider it

Praying for Israel
Israel has taken some stringent measures. People on all incoming flights from anywhere are now to quarantine themselves for 2 weeks. Schools and universities are closed, gatherings are limited to 100 people.

For the government to make decisions based on the welfare of the people
For balanced decision making without regard to politics
For our medical teams (over 900 are in isolation right now)
For the nation to respond without panic or fear
For communal thinking (people are panic-shopping, leaving little for others)
For the Lord to intervene in Israel's situation and bring a stop to the virus' advance
For our economy (many people have lost and will lose their jobs)
For the poor in the land and those who are vulnerable
For the Body of Messiah in the Land, that it might shine with the gospel (not in words only but with the testimony of life)

Praying for a possible Emergency Unity Government in Israel
There are now talks on the way of setting up an emergency unity government.
Read here. This, in my opinion, will be very good. We need a stable, united government that represents the whole nation. Maybe the virus will do what no one else has been able to, and that is to give us a government (at last!) that will be good for the whole nation.

Praying for the Messianic Body
This emergency situation is proving to be a challenge to the leadership in the land; it has created pressure on the pastors. Some of our people are very fearful and even panicky, others are careless and don't really show concern for others. As leaders, we have a need to find the Lord, to see the 'big picture" from God's point of view, to enter a place of faith and trust, to receive wisdom to know how to handle situations, to know how and when to suspend activities, how to lead our people to prayer and intercession. As leaders, we need to be men of God who stand before Him for the nation and for our congregations.

Please pray for the congregations with the various needs that this situation is presenting
Please pray for the congregational leadership - for wisdom, faith, trust and sensitivity both to the Lord and to the people
Please pray for believers in the land to awaken by this the claims of Messiah on their life
Please pray for a great response of people to the call for prayer and intercession
Please pray for God's grace in provision for the congregations and for the people
Please pray for the Lord's hand on the Body to keep in in health — that it might respond in worship, devotion, prayer and love to God and to each other

Let us give our all to Him who is worthy to receive our heart's complete attention, love, devotion, and service.

Blessings from Jerusalem,

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1. Expositor Bible Commentary, Robert Mounce Volume 10, pg. 575

Challenging Times and Our Call - Prayer and Intercession March 6, 2020

3/6/2020

Standing Before the Lord in challenging times
Israel feels a bit apocalyptic at this moment. Besides the election results, the coronavirus dominates the news. Announcements of new cases, directives to go into isolation for those returning from different countries; France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, have just been added. Lists of places where those infected have been are being published with orders for those exposed, to quarantine themselves. Large events are being canceled…you get the picture. So far, people have not panic-shopped, but it is coming.

Such times test how we have been living…have we been walking with God, or loving the world instead? Have we been trusting in Him or the economy? Such times are also a chance to awaken to our need for God and turn to Him wholeheartedly. Such times also demand a response; of prayer and of intercession.

Gen. 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

In a time of judgment, Abraham continued to stand before the Lord in prayer and intercession.

More than ever, we are called to continue to intercede for the fullness of God's plan. Especially is this important in light of Israel's role in this plan.

We looked briefly at Israel's condition, Israel's role in God's redemptive plan, Israel's need — prayer

Israel's condition and status before the Lord:
Romans 11:28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

Although "from the perspective of God's eternal choice, Israel will always be His covenant people," (MacArthur), and although His gifts and calling are irrevocable, yet for the gentiles' sake, they are (temporary) enemies.

Some, who pray for Israel, tend to pray out of an unreal or romantic feeling for Israel. Take this in: Israel, although beloved of God and called of God, is in enmity with God, as far as His Son Yeshua, is concerned. We are in a state of war with God over the Son of David, the Son of God.

Israel's calling and role in God's redemptive plan
Although this enmity has lasted two thousand years, nevertheless, it is temporary. Israel's place and purpose in God's plan are enormously important and central to His plan. God, in His faithfulness, has committed Himself, irrevocably to our forefathers by covenants! Of this, we are most unworthy; gracious is the Lord!

Rom. 9:4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;
Rom. 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

It seems like this includes just about all things that pertain to God's unfolding redemption in the earth. But we looked only at the first one mentioned: adoption. "To them belong the adoption as sons" (NET Bible)

What is the adoption?

Rom. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Rom. 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Briefly, the adoption is the fullness of salvation, which culminates in the resurrection and eternal life of our physical bodies. Can we say it this way? It's the fruit on the tree of Calvary.

What Paul is saying is that Israel is central to the completion and fulfillment of His plan of redemption! This is alluded to in the Old Testament, see Isaiah 25:6-8, and Paul teaches on this in 1Corinthians 15:51-58

According to Paul, Israel's restoration, first the physical and then the spiritual, is the move of God towards the fulfillment of His eternal plan to restore all things (Acts 3:21)

Rom. 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
Rom. 11:12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
Rom. 11:15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

This may not be all real to you, but if God has committed Himself to fulfill His plan in connection with His covenant commitment to Israel, praying for her restoration should be of the highest priority of the Church!

Israel's need — Prayer
Rom. 9:1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
Rom. 9:2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.
Rom. 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

The view of Israel's place in God's plan, as it is expressed in Romans 11, is the reason Paul expressed such a passion for Israel's restoration, even to be willing to be accursed from Messiah! Wiped out of the book of life, and into the lake of fire! (Remember that Paul was taken up to the presence of God after his conversion. He knew what He was willing to give up! (2Corinthians 12:2)

What Paul is expressing in these verses is God's own passion. It is what is burning in the heart of God! That is what drove Yeshua to the cross; the desire to see His Father's will fulfilled. And He did become accursed! See Galatians 3:13

We prayed for Israel

For the breaking of Israel at the foot of the cross
For God to release us from the chains of unbelief and rejection of our King
For light to dawn on Israel, and for the opening of Israel's "eyes" as the Lord has promised: "They shall see Me, whom they have pierced."
We prayed for God to bring us from death to life, in Him
We prayed for Israel's reconciliation with her Savior and Lord
We asked for awakening and revelation to whole communities, neighborhoods, people groups in the land
Lord, this is your desire, you are married to Israel, she is beloved by covenant, for the fathers' sake - come for your people dear Lord, and draw them to you once again
Lord you are Faithful, Long-suffering, Patient and Kind, you are Truth and Justice and full of Mercy and Compassion - Let your Grace fall upon this nation as a great flood, to sweep Israel into your arms
Lord, you met Saul on the road to Damascus, You turned his hatred into a passion for You and Your people, you can do so again massively with many. If you can turn one such man, you can turn many, who now hate you, and make them lovers of Messiah
Lord, bring Israel to Peniel…Let Israel prevail in wrestling with you, till you win! (See Hosea 12:4-6)
We implored the Lord for His return, for His reign on the earth, for His salvation to come, from the reign of Man
We asked the Lord to finish the mystery of Israel and unfold His eternal plan for the earth
We asked the Lord to look at the suffering of the whole earth (according to Romans 8:19-22) and be moved to restore Israel for the world's sake.

We prayed for the Body of Christ in the world

We asked the Lord to restore Israel for the sake of the Church (Romans 11:11-12, 15) As Israel's fall was a means of bringing salvation through the gospel to the ends of the earth, so Israel's restoration be the means of God's completing of His Body. We called on the Lord to fulfill His Will in this way.
We asked the Lord to use this "apocalyptic" time of the coronavirus to awaken many believers out of "sleep."
We asked the Lord to call many of His people in the Body to Himself, to His Word.
We asked the Lord to awaken people to their need and call to prayer and the seeking of His face.
We asked the Lord to call His people and awaken them to their need to live by faith and trust in Him.
We asked the Lord to call His people to stand before Him in intercession.
We asked the Lord to turn many churches in the west from their programs to Himself
We asked for the revelation of God's eternal plan, as it regards Israel's role, and what is at stake
We asked the Lord to visit the Church and call her to stand before Him.
Lord give your Body a passion for you, as Paul expressed in Romans 9:1-4

We prayed for Israel's government

Lord, we don't know what to say….bring order where there is political chaos, show mercy where there is such unmercifulness in the political wars, bring truth where there is corruption.
Lord establish a government that will serve the people
Lord we cry to you for an answer to the country's need for true leadership
Raise up champions to battle corruption, on all levels, state and municipal
Do something extraordinary
Rein our leaders in, O' God, they live on borrowed authority, we pray for the best combination of political parties for Israel's good.
Lord give us competent ministers in their field, rather than just political appointments of unqualified people.

Thank you for praying. In such serious times as these, let us take God seriously, so He takes our praying seriously.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
1Pet. 4:7

Blessings from Jerusalem,

A Storm Over Us - Prayer and Intercession March 20, 2020

Reality Check - Prayer and Intercession March 13th, 2020

Challenging Times and Our Call - Prayer and Intercession March 6, 2020

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