God's Providence in the affairs of man
God's purposes are often achieved by the most simple events directed by His Providence in ordinary ways that lead unerringly to the fulfillment of His will and purpose.
Take, for instance, the meeting between Saul, the soon-to-be-king, and the prophet Samuel. If you take time to read the account, (1Samuel 9:1-10), you will see that God had already made a choice, this is why the chapter begins with a description of Saul. 
But then, what leads him to Samuel and his anointing as king, begins with the loss of 3 donkeys. Actually, it probably starts with a negligent servant who forgot to tie the donkeys or put them in their corral.

This is Providence: "The continuing and often unseen activity of God in sustaining his universe, providing for the needs of every creature, and preparing for the completion of his eternal purposes." (1) Or, "that continued exercise of the divine energy, whereby the Creator preserves all His creatures, is operative in all that comes to pass in the world, and directs all things to their appointed end." (2)
Although people are free to act as they please, God weaves it all to fulfill His own will and purpose. Ordinary decisions, failures, and even wrath, (See Psalm 76:10 and the comment below (3), are all woven, by the Lord into the story of His unfolding and unfailing Will. 

Psa. 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.

In other words, God accomplishes whatsoever He wants without difficulty. (About that last verse, just ask Jonah re the fish that was there just where they tossed him out of the boat, and just in time to swallow him before he drowned.
Encouraged by this view of God's sovereignty and Providence, we prayed in the faith that God is moving to fulfill His plan, in spite of what it looks like to us.

We prayed for the elections
Most of those who pray for Israel, think they know quite clearly what God's next step should be; we are no exemption many times. But God's Wisdom far surpasses human ways, and we pleaded with Him to exercise His providential interventions in the affairs of man.
Much of our system is corrupt, there is an enormous volume of wheeling and dealing between the parties, manipulation of the media is a daily occurrence. And yet, God is sovereign and though unseen He is working out His purposes according to His Word!

• We thanked God for His Providence in our lives
• We thanked God for His Providence in our nation
• We asked the Lord to work, in and through all of what "man" is doing, and bringing about the right coalition, that will serve the nation best.
• We prayed the manipulations of man will actually end up bringing His will to pass
• We upheld before the Lord His many promises to Israel (you can pick any that are on your heart and mind to pray into.)
• We prayed for God's agenda to come to pass, although each party has its own agenda for the nation
• We thanked God for his amazing Providence in the time of Esther. Ezra and Nehemiah would not have been had it not been for her and Mordechai. We cried out to the Lord for His overruling in all of Israel's affairs. 

We prayed for the security of this nation in the light of Providence.
"The army's Northern Command said Thursday it had canceled all leave for combat brigades on Israel's northern border, just hours after the military's commander in the north warned Israel would offer a "harsh" response to any Hezbollah attack." (4)
"The fact that Israel has found it necessary to attack targets so far from its traditional area of military operations close to its immediate borders is indicative of the alarming escalation that has taken place in recent months in the threat Iran poses to Israeli security." (5)

• We thanked God for the recent successes Israel has had in thwarting a significant terror attack from Syria, and the destruction of a munitions facility in the very heartland of Hezbollah.
• "Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him." (This was Moses' declaration whenever the cloudy pillar moved ahead to the next resting place, all towards the promised land (Psalm 68). We declared it, thanked God for His moving to fulfill His Word, and pleaded with Him that he will also cause those who hate Him to flee from His presence.
• We asked the Lord to cause our army providentially to be placed in strategic places
• We asked the Lord to providentially, work out Israel's readiness for the promised Hezbollah retaliation
• We prayed for all the intelligence Israel needs regarding the enemy's intentions and plans
• We asked for the Lord Himself to show up on the battle field as in 2Chro 20:22, or Zechariah 12:4, 8-9
• We prayed for God's Providence in protecting the people if and when the rockets start flying
• We expressed our faith and trust and confidence in the Almighty, Sovereign, Merciful Redeemer of Israel

We prayed for Israel's redemption
The scriptures describe a sudden providential opening of the heavens and a colossal outpouring of the Holy Spirit of Grace and Repentance. It will be as shocking as the Day of Pentecost was to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The main feature of this outpouring will be the revelation of the Son of God as the one we pierced, (crucified.) For those of us, who live in the daily grind of this land, it's hard to imagine such a sudden change. Yet it will be!!!
We prayed into this "suddenly" of Zechariah 12:10

• We thanked God for the Grace it will be - such an outpouring!
• In a moment the veil will be taken off our people's eyes
• In a moment we shall see Him, our King and Redeemer
• We thanked God for the coming end of our estrangement from Him
• We pleaded for the heavens to open and for the "rain" to come — we do not want just a "revival," we are not looking for some excitement, we are looking for HIM! It is Yeshua we want, it is for Yeshua we plead
• As the famine drove Jacob's family to the arms of Joseph, so dear Lord let the hunger for the Word of God compel us to your feet
• Lord, the Day of Atonement, Oh let it be a day of desperation, a day of feeling the hopelessness of sin and let this desperation drive us to you!

We prayed for the Body of Messiah

• Lord let the hope of your coming revelation be the vision of the Body in the land
• Let this hope and vision sober the Body up to get ready for such a Day of Revelation
• Lord, bless our congregation (El Roii) with an awakening and anticipation for your coming
• Lord shake the Body awake
• Let the believers take you seriously and prepare by yielding to your spirit, soul, and body.
• Refresh your Body in the things of God dear Lord Psalm 68:9
• Luke 21:34 Lord let us be sobered up to greatly anticipate your coming Glory

Thank you for praying and standing for God's purposes to be fulfilled, all for His Glory!

Blessings,

_____________________________________________________

1. Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

2. Cairns, A. (2002). In Dictionary of Theological Terms (pp. 350–351). Belfast; Greenville, SC: Ambassador Emerald International.

3. 'The fierceness of man shall turn to thy praise'. This statement of God's providential control (to have its supreme demonstration at Calvary, cf. Acts 2:23) is the main thrust of the verse.

4. https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-tensions-spike-in-north-idf-cancels-leave-for-combat-brigades/

5. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14784/israel-proxy-war-iran

Dear Fellow Intercessor and Pray-er: This blog is meant to be a teaching tool, rather than just a list of prayer points. We sincerely pray and hope that you will be enriched by it and provoked to a deeper walk with God. Too, we pray that it will aid you in your own growth as a believer and a pray-er.

1Tim. 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

What this verse seems to be emphasizing is that we must internalize the truth of this statement, that Yeshua came into the world to save sinners; that is what the cross is all about. And as exalted as Paul’s position, and as profound as His experience with the Lord was, he never lost sight of His own need as a sinner saved by Grace. Notice that his statement regarding himself is in the present tense, “I am chief,” not “I was chief.” This does not mean that he continued in sin, but rather, that, once saved,” he never lost sight of the Grace he received at the cross.

Christians often lose sight of this, and as a result, rather than be moved with compassion for those caught in the chains of darkness, they respond in self-righteousness. Paul’s response to the Grace he received, on the other hand, was to give himself to proclaim the good news of the gospel, continuing in the same heart as his master, Yeshua. Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,  Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives  And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

In Luke 9:56, Yeshua said that He “did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” Rather, He came to “destroy the works of the devil.” 1John 3:8

When you see people on the streets of your town, can you hear the sound of dragging chains? Do you see their slavery? Is your heart aroused in an anguished cry to God for mercy? Or do you only congratulate yourself for not being like them, and move on with your life? [Read Lamentations to see how Jeremiah identified with his sinful people.]

We prayed for the “shackled” in the Land
Primarily we were led to pray for those caught in the LGBT movement. Israel is a champion of gay rights, our education system is full of this. The internet and media are so full of confusing messages to youth that it is no wonder that they are utterly confused and bewildered as to the meaning of gender, sex, etc.

• We prayed for mercy on this Land regarding the bondage to sin all around us
• We prayed for the youth of this Land - that God might pour out His Spirit upon them (Joel 2:28)
• We prayed for the education system that seems bent on sowing more “confusion” among children and youth.
• We prayed for mercy and light to come upon those caught in the chains of LGBT
• We prayed for the gospel to go out with power, especially the young
• We prayed from Ezekiel 36:25, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.” [Water and the Spirit are two aspects of one reality: namely, God’s renewal of the fallen and unresponsive human heart. See John 3:5]
• We cried to God to fulfill His word in Deuteronomy 30:6
• We cried for God to supply our nation with the one thing we do not have: A Spirit of Repentance, but he has promised to supply this too! Psalm 80:3, 7, 20 [The word there in Hebrew is to return us, turn us, bring us back to you. How? By shining your face upon us = Grace.]
• Lord you did this for us
• Lord, you revealed yourself to us, we are no better or different. Have mercy on your people.
• Lord supply the repentance we do not have, give us the brokenness we cannot accomplish by ourselves. 
• Work through the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin, and at the same time, He is the power that sets us free! John 16:8-10

We prayed for the Body of Messiah in the Land
Matt. 5:15, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”

The Body of Messiah is meant to be a lighthouse for the nation, that people may see the light and come to the “harbor” of salvation and safety. The Light is Messiah shinning through His Body. We, as intercessors, are to be as lighthouse keepers, keeping the “glass’ clean for the light to shine through. Removing the “bushel basket” [Worldliness in the Body, preoccupation with self, sin…etc.]

• Lord cleanse your Body in the Land and make it a Lighthouse for you
• Lord shine through the Body with the gospel in great power
• Lord let your people turn from preoccupation with themselves and dedicate their lives anew to you
• Lord, we want to respond to your call on the mount to “watch” with you at this hour
• Lord let us be imbued with the Spirit of Prayer and Intercession for the people of Israel
• Lord let us stand with you in your own intercessions for this nation and people unto salvation
• Lord teach us how to pray your heart
  

Can you watch "one hour" with your Lord?
Mat 26:40

Psalm 98
Psa. 98:1  Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!  For He has done marvelous things;  His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
Psa. 98:2  The LORD has made known His salvation;  His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
Psa. 98:3  He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Psa. 98:4  Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;  Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Psa. 98:5  Sing to the LORD with the harp,  With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
Psa. 98:6  With trumpets and the sound of a horn;  Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.
Psa. 98:7  Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,  The world and those who dwell in it;
Psa. 98:8  Let the rivers clap their hands;  Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD,
Psa. 98:9  For He is coming to judge the earth.  With righteousness, He shall judge the world and the peoples with equity.

In this Psalm we can see God as Savior (vs.2), Covenant God (vs. 3), The (one and only) King- vs. 6) and as Judge (vs. 9). Each one of these titles or descriptions are so full of wonder that we will never fathom the depth of them neither will we ever exhaust thanksgiving and worship of Him as He appears in this Psalm. Salvation and redemption from sin or from the enemy include God’s wondrous acts in all these aspects of His being.

We will leave it for you to ponder and explore. (It will be well worth your time!)

This Psalm may have been written after some specific deliverance of God’s people at a particular time, but since that event is not specified, the Psalm has an eschatological application for us.

God right hand and holy arm, is ultimately Yeshua.  His salvation is not just for Israel but for the world as well; the gospel has gone to the ends of the earth. His wonders are the miraculous interventions of God on behalf of His children. In His faithfulness, He has intervened to save the nation from her enemies.

There is great anticipation in this Psalm, as well. The whole earth is waiting to be delivered from bondage (Romans 8:21-22), Nature will be glad for His coming. His coming as the judge will be a great relief as he will bring justice and righteousness to the earth and to the nations.

Do you long for Righteousness and Justice in the earth? If you do, then you are longing for Yeshua to return in this way, as judge.

O’ how Israel needs her Righteous and Holy God to come to her! O’ how Israel needs deliverance, and God’s intervention!  O’ that the Lord would bare His holy arm again in this Land and rescue us from sin, from our enemies, from ourselves…..

We prayed along these lines using this Psalm as an inspiration.

We prayed for Israel’s restoration to God
Psalm 98 celebrates the revelation of the Son of God as the savior of Israel

• We prayed for the New Covenant’s fulfillment by our covenant-keeping God
• We prayed into Jeremiah 31:34 - the experiencing of the conviction and grace of the crucified Messiah by the nation. They shall all know me…..for I will forgive their iniquity…
• We cried to the Lord for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as light to the heart of many
• We prayed for the removing of the veil from the eyes of the people — to see that God has rent the veil and the way to Him is open in the blood of Messiah
• We prayed that the Lord will display His Power, Glory, Love in the revelation of Yeshua in the midst of His people
• We asked the Lord to cleanse us from our filthiness as a nation according to Ezekiel 36:25
• We asked the Lord to supply to Israel what it cannot produce by itself - Repentance. How lowly is our God, who not only sent His Son to be crucified for us, but is willing to supply us with the Repentance needed to turn to Him! Zech 12:10

We prayed for the Body of Messiah in the Land and in the world
Psalm 98 celebrates God’s revelation of His Son as savior and judge; Judgement unto life!
And it must begin in the house of God. 1Pet 4:17

• We cried to the Lord for the same spirit of Repentance to fall upon the Body of Messiah
• We asked the Lord for the Holy Spirit of God to fall upon the Body again and reveal the crucified Son of God (much of the Church today is anything but Christ-centered and cross-oriented.
• We pleaded with God to give the Body of Messiah a sight of Himself in His Glory, in His beauty, in the Cross, in His lowliness and humility.
• We asked the Lord to give us a sense of our need for the Blood of Messiah
• We asked the Lord to give us a sight of His our need for Him moment by moment
• We asked the Lord to give His children in the Body a deep appreciation and hunger for the Word of God
• We prayed for the shepherds in the Body of Messiah and asked Him to give them boldness to preach the whole counsel of God without respect of persons or fear
• We prayed for the Word of God to become a fire in the pulpits of the Land
• We begged for the Word of God to come with power and conviction, to give sight and light of Yeshua, to produce faith and hope in the hearts of those who hear
• We asked the Lord to call His people from the distraction of the world, and its entertainments to Himself, to the things of God, to the heavenly riches in Messiah
• We asked the Lord to give His people a hearing heart for the things they hear of the Word of God

We prayed for the Security of Israel, as Iran endeavors to squeeze Israel in its three-toed claws
Psalm 98, no doubt, celebrates God’s deliverance of Israel from her enemies. Our Covenant God remembers in His promised mercies to deliver Israel in His covenant faithfulness.

Iran continues to plan Israel’s end. With her two proxies (Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza) Iran plans to attack Israel at the right time. Recently it was reported that Iran and Hamas have come to an understanding that if there is war in the north (with Hezbollah), Hamas will join in it, to divert Israel’s strength between two fronts, at least.

• We looked to the God of the armies of Israel to save Israel (and not merely to the armies of Israel)
• We put before the Lord His great promises and reminded Him of His covenant with Israel
• We looked to God according to Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple 1Ki 8:44
• We called upon the Lord for deliverance in the day of trouble Psalm 50:15
• We prayed with the words of Jehoshaphat, “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?” 2Chro 20:16 and context
• We prayed for the leadership of the Land that they might not act out of fear nor provocation but from a well thought out plan and purpose
• We prayed that the coming elections and personal calculations, will not be a factor in weighing a preemptive strike if necessary

Its wonderful that we can stand together in the things of God. May you be blessed and encouraged as you look to the Lord in prayer. Psa. 34:5  They looked to Him and were radiant,  And their faces were not ashamed

Blessings from Jerusalem,