A Guide to Intercessory Prayer for the month of May 2021 ~ Jewish Year 5781
`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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The current violence in and around Israel has broken out since the original prayer letter was written.
Please pray for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit to quieten the men and women of violence, allowing peace to be restored in Jerusalem and the whole of Israel.
Pray too for God`s protection of everyone working for CFI Jerusalem - especially those who would normally be out among the community visiting people.
Ask our Father in Heaven to comfort all the injured and those who have lost loved ones.
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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36).
It was in the news. Israel held its national elections on 23rd March 2021 to select the 120 members of the 24th Knesset, the legislative branch of the government. After its fourth election in two years, Israel is once again attempting to form a government. In the previous three attempts, Knesset members have repeatedly come to an impasse and had to start the election process again. In this last election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party won 30 seats, by far the most, but not nearly enough to reach the 61 seats needed for a majority. President Rivlin again asked him to take on the challenge of establishing the next government. In order to form a governing coalition within the 6-week limit, Knesset members need to negotiate, make concessions and unify. Meanwhile Prime Minister Netanyahu is on trial for corruption charges. Israel’s government officials are in desperate need of our prayers. We need God’s intervention!
Some people have become discouraged during this process. When they prayed according to God’s will and their prayers were not speedily answered, they lost heart. Some have let go of their courage and their confidence in God. Paul reminds us, “A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:7-9). Let us continue praying that government leaders will cooperate with one another, unifying around the principles of God’s word, thereby blessing the nation. As watchmen, we must not give up! “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7).
We must persist in asking the Lord to direct the negotiations so that his government for Israel at this time in history will be set up. There are many examples in Scripture of God intervening in leaders’ private sessions behind closed doors; we will petition him to influence the decision makers again. “The king`s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). Our Almighty God can move leaders according to his plans. “... Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:20-21).
As watchmen, we will remain on the wall, calling on the Lord on behalf of governments. When Messiah Yeshua reigns in Jerusalem, Israel’s government will ultimately rest on his shoulders – under his righteous dominion and authority. Until that time, watchmen must not be silent! “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David`s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah. 9:6-7).
Proclaim God’s promises over Israel! “I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:24-28).
In God’s service,
Wall of Prayer Supervisor
Christian Friends of Israel – Jerusalem (UK edited version)
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We are thankful that God has continued to sustain us during the last month, and we have received a good response to two online videos based around the Passover festival and presented on our YouTube channel. Several new booklets in CFI UK’s Context series have been typeset and printed along with additional new and relaunched resource material of books and DVDs. Do pray that these will be widely distributed and reach those yet to consider the subject of Israel in God’s ongoing purposes and so develop their understanding.
The letter writing to MPs on the subject of our lobby day continues, with some supporters writing follow-up letters to the replies they received. Pray these letters find the cracks in the flawed rationale applied to supporting the UK’s poor voting record at the UN concerning Israel. Thank the Lord for the MPs and Peers who speak up for Israel and pray their endeavours in this regard will be rewarded.
Thank the Lord for helping with the production of the latest In Touch magazine, completed largely through remote working with our graphic designer. Thank the Lord for the technology which enables this. Continue to pray for the building and security work planned to take place at the Eastbourne office over the coming months.
An increasing number have signed up for the upcoming CFI UK National Prayer Conference online, both Saturday 12th and Tuesday 15th June 2021. Pray more will get around to registering early to help with administration and for those preparing for the various sessions.
Continue to pray on the best arrangements for the CFI UK Annual Conference Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th September 2021 and our preferred option of a venue-based event with live stream. And do save the date!