A Guide to Intercessory Prayer for the month of August 2020 ~ Jewish Year 5780
`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.` (Habakkuk 2:1)
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“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants,
both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-29)
Are you tired of coronavirus reports and political rhetoric? Are you weary of demonstrations, conflict and tragedies? Now is not the time to give in to fatigue and discouragement. We must return to our prayer closets and regroup for this next wave of challenges. Now is the time to push into the purposes of God for this hour. Let us press forward in prayer!
The principles of Scripture have not changed. When the people of God humble themselves, pray, turn and seek God, he will hear, forgive and heal the land. Now is the time to pray for the promised revival and restoration, but it begins with our personal revival. Yes, we may have gone through a period of humbling ourselves and seeking God a few months ago, but I feel another nudge from the Holy Spirit to spend more intentional time in prayer, meditation on God’s word, fasting and worship. It is time to draw closer to God and move forward together in unified prayer. Derek Prince’s words are echoing in my mind, “The reward of bringing forth fruit is purging (or pruning).” As we bring forward the fruit of the Spirit, the Lord begins to show us other areas of our lives that need to be pruned so that we can be even more productive and useful in his kingdom. Jesus (Yeshua) said, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:2). As we submit to the Lord’s cutting away of the unwanted things in our hearts, we can be spiritually fit and stronger for more battling in prayer.
The acronym PUSH stands for Pray Until Something Happens; that means, don’t stop praying! Our Master encouraged the disciples to always pray and not be discouraged (Luke 18:1-6). It is time for the worshippers to step forward to the front line. Let us worship the Lord aloud, rehearsing his greatness and the infallible promises he made to those who fear him! Let us prepare the way for the great revival and restoration that is promised. Joel prophesied that the Lord would pour out his Spirit on people from various parts of the world. Restoration refers to a time of turning back to God, a time of learning and following his principles wholeheartedly. When a society turns to the Lord, everything is affected. God’s word gives principles on how to handle every aspect of life: from personal ethics, family relationships, business dealings, interactions with our fellows, health and governmental principles to international concerns. Spiritual revival of a group of people can affect even their physical health and their environment because obeying the word of God brings true life and shalom with him. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).
As we persevere in prayer, focusing on Israel first, we imitate God’s pattern. He started with the Jews first and then moved to the rest of the world with his covenants and message of deliverance for mankind. The Lord’s heart is toward Jerusalem; if we want to love what he loves then we will also love Israel. “Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion’” (Zechariah 1:14). As we pray for a spiritual awakening in Israel, those waves of revival that hit Israel will crest, splash and flow back to the nations. It is God’s intention that Israel bless the rest of the world.
We bless the Lord because he has allowed us to participate in the coming of his kingdom through prayer. “Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” (Matthew 6:10). What an honour! As you lift Israel up to the Lord, we are also lifting you up in prayer. May God’s grace rest upon you.
Coordinator, International Prayer Department,
Christian Friends of Israel – Jerusalem (UK edited version)
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Thank the Lord for his continued sustaining over this extended period of restrictions. Mindful that this is not an easy time for many, we are thankful that, as the hymn sets out so well, ‘God is working his purposes out as year succeeds to year’ and none can thwart. Thank you for your prayerful encouragement and those who contribute financially to our ongoing work.
Without the opportunity to attend venue-based events, we have worked hard to improve our online material and free literature, following our ‘Promises Promises’ pamphlet with our ‘Encouraging Scriptures’ pamphlet, and another enclosed – the revised ‘Israel Who Cares?’ now retitled ‘Questions Questions’. We have sent these to all supporters, with many using them to reach others in their circle who are open to enquire.
We have completed a fourth part to our ‘Annexation or Restoration’ online presentation series. We are also completing a new Context series booklet called ‘Covenant Steps – God’s bigger picture’ based on four talks given at Glyndley Manor. This looks at the Bible as whole, then considers the Hebrew Bible order as the one Jesus used. It also examines the eyewitness testimony of the apostles, before summarising the covenants God makes and keeps, as steps resting on those previously laid, not replacing them.
A seminar presentation is being prepared for Christian Resources Exhibition at Home, with the objective of providing a better-balanced understanding of Israel, biblically and today. Pray as we engage through this new media that we communicate the relevant issues well to redress the balance of understanding in the church and the world at large.
Please join us online for the CFI UK annual conference on Friday evening 4th and Saturday morning 5th September – the enclosed flyer has details. You can watch the preview on the CFI YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/CFIUK. Pray that this alternative method of running our conference will be successful and that many will be helped to see more clearly God’s unfolding plan for Israel, the church and the world.