Watchman's Prayer Letter
A Guide to Intercessory Prayer

July 2008 Jewish Year 5768

"I will stand upon my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer." (Hababbuk 2:1)

GIVING AWAY "THE STORE"

"On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 'To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates…'" (Genesis 15:18); "The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants." (Leviticus 25:23)

In a recent article, Jerusalem Post columnist Caroline Glick notes how Israel's leaders have been carrying on a "liquidation sale of Israel's strategic assets" (JPost: 20 June). She notes that in the face of the burgeoning threat of nuclear annihilation, Israel may be discarding its strategic assets one by one. Recently government leaders have:

Legitimised Hamas and given them breathing space to restock and re-arm by agreeing to a ceasefire. This ceasefire went into effect at 6 AM Thursday morning, June 19th. This in turn has had the effect of raising Hamas' reputation on an international basis. No doubt world governments will soon be beating a path to Hamas headquarters in order to "cosy up" to this terrorist organization. Though it was not part of the agreement, Hamas unilaterally extended the ceasefire to the West Bank. This rather clever ploy ties Israel's hands-at least for the moment-and forestalls Israel's threatened invasion of the Gaza Strip. Israel says this is Hamas' last chance.

Recognised Hamas control over the southern Rafah crossing terminal. Glick points out that this amounts to de facto recognition of the Hamas regime in Gaza. Controlling the southern border, Hamas may be able to import weapons at will. Though Egypt has shown some cooperation in destroying arms-smuggling tunnels, after this it may be unwilling to thwart Hamas.

At the same time Israel, in tandem with Condoleezza Rice, has for all practical purposes recognised the new Hizbullah-controlled government of Lebanon. Prime Minister Olmert has expressed a desire to open negotiations with the Lebanese government, and is willing to hand over the disputed Shebaa farms in order to enhance relations.

Perhaps most alarming of all, the government has shown willingness-even eagerness-to open face-to-face talks with Bashar Assad of Syria, and is apparently preparing to give up the Golan Heights. As of this writing, indirect negotiations have already been going on for some time. For the next round of negotiations, Glick says Prime Minister Olmert "practically got down on his hands and knees to beg Assad to meet with him face-to-face when they visit Paris [at the same time] next month." The Syrians have said there will be no handshakes (or, by implication, Middle Eastern kisses). But France's President Sarkozy has another idea. And it could happen.

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (Proverbs 27:6)

As for talking directly with Syria, the idea has raised eyebrows all over the Western world. Even such a known liberal as UN Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, recognizing Syria's reputation for exporting terrorism, has strongly criticised Israel's willingness to talk to Syria. "Israel has given Syria a huge gift, without thus far receiving anything in exchange." Now, he says, Europe will be "courting the Syrians because of the negotiations with Israel, and they are no longer being asked to give anything in exchange."

Pray that God will give Israeli leaders the wisdom to see that they must do nothing that would either compromise the land, which has been given to Israel in perpetuity (Genesis 17:7-8), or put Israel's security in jeopardy.

WHAT ABOUT ISRAELI SOLDIERS HELD HOSTAGE?

"When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out his…trained men…and went in pursuit as far as Dan." (Genesis 14:14); "For he will avenge…the blood of the slain and the captives…and make atonement for his land and people." (Deuteronomy 32:43)

Though talk is big-and cheap-the Israeli government seems to put little value on the lives of Israeli soldiers held hostage by Hamas and Hizbullah. Actually Israel had attempted to link the release of Gilad Schalit to the ceasefire, but this was rejected by Hamas, which wants hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in exchange for him. Israel went ahead and agreed to the six-month ceasefire without securing Gilad Schalit's release, as many had hoped they would. Some think this may have been tantamount to signing is death warrant. We sincerely pray that this is not so.

Recently the family of Yehuda Katz, one of three IDF soldiers taken captive by the Syrians in 1982, petitioned Israel's High Court of Justice to order the government to include the subject of Yehuda Katz in any forthcoming peace negotiations. Now, Gilad's parents are petitioning the High Court about their son. If anything further is to be done, it will need to be done before Israel opens the border crossings and ends the blockade of Gaza a few days hence. Otherwise, their attorney says, Hamas will have no incentive to release Schalit.

As of this writing, however, negotiations are going on between Israel, Hamas, and Egypt for Israel to release 450 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Schalit. Negotiations have been delayed over a dispute involving 30 Hamas prisoners (Haaretz: 21 June).

Continue to lift up in prayer the captured soldiers. Pray that their captors will be prevented from further harming them, and that negotiations or other means will quickly bring about their release.

IS ISRAEL TRAINING FOR A STRIKE ON IRAN?

"The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven." (Deuteronomy 28:7); "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you." (Leviticus 26:7)

Earlier in June, more than 100 Israeli fighter jets, including F-16s and F-15s, took part in a massive exercise that many sources believe was a practice run for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. The New York Times reported that in the exercise Israeli fighters and refuelling planes flew some 900 miles over the Mediterranean and Greece, which is the same as the distance from Israel to Iran's main uranium enrichment plant at Natanz. Sources believe that the exercise achieved two purposes: the first being actual training for a strike on Iran, and the second, a message to world governments-especially Iran-that if diplomatic efforts to halt Iran's drive for a nuclear weapon fail, Israel will take matters into its own hands. The IAF so far has refused to either confirm or deny that the exercise had anything to do with a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

In reaction to the training exercise leaked by the US government, an Iranian government spokesman said the exercise "proves that Israel jeopardises global peace and security" (JPost: 20 June). At the same time, curiously, the spokesman said Iran believes Israel "has no ability" to strike its nuclear facilities. An Israeli official, on the other hand, told The Times in London that it would do well for Iran to understand the meaning behind the drill.

In the meantime, Debkafile news agency has reported "Uproar, military alerts, and an oil price surge" as a result of the training flight. At the same time, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General El Baradei said he would quit if Israel strikes Iran. Any military offensive in Iran "will turn the Middle East region into a fireball," he warned.

Ask God to protect Israel from her enemies, especially from the evil schemes of the dictators of Iran.

A FEW DAYS OF NORMALITY IN SDEROT

"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." (Isaiah 32:18)

Pray that the above Scripture will become a permanent reality in Sderot and other places where rocket bombardment has continued for months or years.

As this prayer letter is being written, it is the fourth day of the truce with Hamas. So far the truce has held, and in Sderot, according to reports, "life is edging toward normal." The city centre has been swarming with people, including Israeli visitors and foreign press. Everyone wants to know what the locals think about the "peace that has arrived." Children walk around town without parental chaperons, and police are pulling over drivers for not wearing seat belts (a sure sign of normalcy, inasmuch as in the "time of Kassams," seat belts were not enforced, so drivers would be free to dive for shelter when necessary).

One Sderot resident said, "This is a day of happiness and independence for Sderot. We should declare a work holiday and have a big party throughout the city. The city has been reborn. Joy strengthens the agreement-joy brings more joy" (Haaretz: 21 June).

Many remain pessimistic, though, and they say in effect, "This is nice, but we are tense and poised for the next 'red alert.'" One man, taking a morning walk, said, "This morning it's quiet, and let's hope it continues. But two weeks have to pass before we know if the tahadiyeh [truce] is serious" (Haaretz).

Finally, pray for the fulfilment of this prophecy: "…let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me. In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit." (Isaiah 27:5-6)

In one sense, part of this prophecy has been fulfilled literally, as Israel has "taken root" and has been exporting fruit all over the world. But the other part-true peace-as we know all too well, has yet to be realised. May the Lord hasten the day when the Prince of Peace will return to rule and reign from Jerusalem!

In Messiah, Lonnie C. Mings, CFI Jerusalem (Guest writer for Carolyn Jacobson)

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CFI-UK

IMPORTANT DATES NEEDING PRAYER COVERING:

June 29th: The Salute to Israel Parade in London from 12 noon to 2.00pm will process along Piccadilly and down Haymarket to Trafalgar Square. There will be a festive party in the Square from 2.00pm to 4.30pm. In Manchester there will be a party in Heaton Park from 2.00pm.
Please pray for CFI-UK representatives at the following events in July:

July 15th-17th: Christians In The Performing Arts Festival, Hebron Hall, Dinas Powys, Cardiff ~ see www.churchsupplies exhibition.co.uk for further details.
July 19th-20th: River of Life Fellowship, Corbin Avenue, Ferndown, Dorset
Guest Speaker: Geoffrey Smith ~ for details, contact John Cowell ~ Tel: 01202 823992
July 19th-25th: The CLAN Gathering, St. Andrews ~ Contact: Elspeth Masson ~ Tel: 01463 792589
July 26th-August 9th: New Wine ~ Weeks 2 & 3, Shepton Mallet, Somerset (CFI Staff Teams)

Remember the Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13) and pray that the seed sown in each of these places will be watered and nourished bringing forth a good harvest.

Geoffrey Smith, CFI UK

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