Watchman’s Prayer Letter

A Guide to Intercessory Prayer for the month of January 2020 ~ Jewish Year 5779

Click here for PDF copy

`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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Continuing on in the Spirit of Life

“The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)

Reports in Israel have been describing a scenario of how a coming war with Iran will happen.  It is amazing to me, after 34 years of living in the land, that even though Israel has prepared well for a serious attack, they still continue to carry on in the spirit of Zionism as they always did.  It stands for the re-establishment of, and support for, a Jewish state as prophesied in the Holy Bible.  Sometimes new immigrants have come to us for help not even knowing why they came.  All they can do is point upwards to Heaven.  We can read negative accounts about how the “spirit of Zionism” is dead in the hearts of the people here.  But don’t believe it.  Israel continues to build and to farm the beautiful fields of grain even on days when rockets are flying above the farmers.

I believe Israeli farmers and agricultural pioneers are working just as hard as they ever did, but the media wants everyone to think the spiritual condition of the Jewish people is dead.  It is not so.  Israel is far from dead spiritually and the spirit of biblical Zionism is not finished.  Israel is alive and well because of God.  Her fullness has not yet been reached in the Spirit of Torah, and its fulfilment in Messiah; however, days of redemption are coming.

Israel is trusting in the one true God, who still remains our anchor in these hard times.  Do not slacken off in praying for Israel, whether you are one, or two, or ten, or a thousand, “pray for Israel” and rejoice with her that Bible passages concerning her return, rise and redemption are still coming to pass.  If someone here had not planted all the trees, there would be nowhere to sit under the oaks.  If the spirit inside had not helped Israel to plant the vineyards across the land, there would be no wineries, and if God’s Spirit had not given the strength to develop an entire, once-desolate country into one of the most beautiful countries on earth, there just would not be an Israel.  But the perseverance, the stamina and the strength to see this miracle is continuing on in the spirit of life, which God has given.

The scenario portrayed to us is that enemy aircraft will fly at low altitudes across Syria and then across the border into Israel.  A ‘swarm’ of drones and cruise missiles could come quickly and take the country by surprise.  Oil refineries, apartment buildings, business centres, schools and homes could be targeted directly.

It is not a secret that Iran would like to attack Israel.  What happens if a missile hits a strategic installation and causes extensive damage or worse – loss of life?  What will Israel do?  There will, no doubt, be a personal price for any country that attacks God’s chosen people, but Israel must rely first on God, then its air force (the backbone of the Israel Defence Forces).  War clouds are gathering all around the tiny nation which God has raised up, brought home to stay and soon receive (we pray) the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for revelation, fullness and truth, to be able to be a “light unto the nations” (Isaiah 49:6).  As they cannot stop farming and building, we cannot cease praying!  Survival is a way of life in Israel.  Let’s ‘keep moving’ in the spirit of prayer!

Let’s approach the throne of grace

• Pray for a wall of fire around the Holy City of Jerusalem, and all of Israel’s major communities.  God is the only one who can defend and protect his people.  “‘And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,` declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within’” (Zechariah 2:5).

• Intercede fervently for the people of Iran, many of whom want a new leader.  Among them are many new believers as a result of the Holy Spirit moving mightily inside this dangerous enemy regime.  Iran hates both Israel and the United States.  They are targeting 21 American military bases with missiles for what they call the ‘Greatest War’. “Those from Persia, Lydia, and Libya, were in your army as men of war...” (Ezekiel 27:10).  May the Lord of Hosts be with Israel’s army as a man of war.  “The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies” (Isaiah 42:13).

• Proclaim God’s eternal words: “I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.” (Micah 4:7).

• Beseech God for the right person to lead the nation of Israel.  May there be prayer in the Knesset before the vote and to remember it is not by cunning political schemes men are chosen. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,` says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).

• Thank the Lord that another city in Israel is increasing in significance.  Hebron is called the “Root of the Nation”, it is the burial place of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish people (including Ruth the Moabitess).  Hebron’s roots are in the Bible and the strength of Israel is in her roots.  “When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3).

• Pray Promises that God’s power will be seen in Israel through miracles over which everyone can give glory to God.  “One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised.” (Joshua 23:10).  “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stout-hearted.” (Psalm 138:3).

Thank you once again, to all of the loyal supporters, friends and prayer partners who receive these important electronic online prayer letters each month.  It is reported that a number of countries “wait” for the next one to come ... and so thank you to all who utilise them for prayer and forward them on.

Much love from Jerusalem,

Sharon Sanders

Christian Friends of Israel – Jerusalem (UK edited version)

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CFI UK News and Prayer items

We look forward with anticipation as we come into the New Year.  Let us pray that it is a Year of the Lord’s favour.  We are ever mindful that without his help and guidance we can do nothing worthwhile, but with him we can do much good.

We thank the Lord for the opportunities we have this month to show Christian friendship of the Jewish people and to Israel as many are involved in Holocaust Remembrance.  What a blight on the world and the Church that few challenged those involved and that any were involved at all in the systematic slaughter of Jews.

We are also conscious of the rise in anti-Semitism.  Pray that we as Christians today speak out against this and work in positive cooperation with the Jewish communities wherever we can.  This month we record the programme promoting the upcoming Lobby Day in Parliament, Wednesday 4^th March, alongside the ZF on Revelation TV’s Middle East Report.  Pray we get an excellent response as we seek to challenge hate education in the curriculum of the Palestinian Authority.

We have a number of opportunities to speak to university students.  Pray especially for an upcoming debate at Exeter University where CFI UK are on the Panel for the debating society meeting later this month.  Pray that the preparation goes well, and that the five-minute introduction, then the answering and asking of questions, will express Christian friendship of Israel in an informed and humble manner.

Pray for preparation of the Let’s Celebrate Israel event to be held in Brighton on the evening of 22nd February.  This is a new venture for CFI, so pray that there will be a good uptake by both Christians, the local Jewish community and Israelis.

Please pray for a new general Administrative Staff Member to join us at the CFI Eastbourne office.  Pray that the job description matches well our requirements and also interests good candidates for the role.  Pray too that the Lord will make clear his way both for us and the one he wants to join the staff team.

Finally, pray for a good number of bookings for our CFI UK Israel Tour combining with the CFI Jerusalem conference 21^st – 28^th May and extension to 1^st June.

Ever grateful for your support in prayer,

The CFI UK Team