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July 2011 OnWatch Prayer Letter
“In the Mishnah, we are told how the Captain of the Levitical guard kept his Watchmen awake at their posts by surprising them like a thief in the night. The man in charge of the Temple Mount would go around to every watch post carrying lighted torches before him. When he found a Watchman who was not standing at his post he would say, “Shalom Aleichem (“Peace be with you”). If the man was sleeping, he struck him with his staff, and he had the right to light his garment on fire. The people would say, “What is the noise in the courtyard?” “It is the noise of a Levite being beaten and his clothes being burned because he fell asleep at his post.” Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov said, “One time they found my mother’s brother sleeping and burned his garment” (m.Middot 1:2) (“Guarding the Sanctuary,” First Fruits of Zion Weekly eDrash, June 20, 2011, myffoz.edrash@ffoz.org). Even though the Mishnah deals with prayer, blessings, agricultural laws, tithes, Shabbat, festivals, marriage, the Temple and other dietary laws for the Jewish people, it is not Holy Scripture. But we can learn much from it about Jewish history. The risk of having your clothes lit on fire if you fell asleep would be a pretty good reason to stay wide awake. It is marvelous how Yeshua relates His Jewish training and learning to us in the book of Revelation 16:15. He says, “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.” (Read also Luke 12:37-38). All of us in the Bride of Yeshua—especially the writer of this monthly topical teaching and prayer letter—need to guard the Temple of God’s desires, “always looking for intercessors” to stand in the gap and fight the battle for Israel. We all need to stay focused to stay awake! We need to remain alert so we won’t become spiritually drowsy, and keep our garments so we won’t be embarrassed by falling asleep at our jobs! For those who utilize this OnWatch each month, thank you! Use it wherever you can and send it out as far and wide as possible to everyone you know who prays for Israel. The issues at hand are big issues for a little country to have to bear. The difference in many outcomes for her may be the hours the intercessors sacrificed to stand at their posts, and persevered in the Spirit of Prayer. If ever there were a loving scene of Christians, it would be one of them kneeling and praying for God’s Chosen People, the Jews. Remember, whatever happens to the roots will affect the branches and we will not escape. It is our duty and our calling to be Watchmen from the nations, regularly, and with a sense of duty to call upon the Name of the Lord on behalf of Israel, His Chosen Nation and Jerusalem, the City where He chose to put His Name (1 Kings 11:36). With all of the time we spend watching television, searching on the Internet, riding in our cars, shopping for food and clothing, and trivial things, which “in light of eternity” do not matter at all—can we not watch with the Lord, not only for ourselves but also for His People? I believe there are countless Watchmen all over this planet who sacrificially and who lovingly call out to God for Israel daily—some for hours at a time. Thank you to each person committed enough to “keep their garments”! The summer months have their challenges with threatened flotillas (which thank God have failed so far), fly-ins (which also have been kept under control), border breakers (that cost some intruders their lives) and the struggle for Zion goes on. However, the big test will be this fall in September. Every one of us who love Israel will need to be mighty in prayer. Identifying with Israel is the first point: everything we possess as the Church came from her, we owe her all we have, and if Israel falls so will all of our nations. As Jesus “tasted death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9) we as the followers of Jesus, need to taste Israel’s tears and walk with her through her troubles. Second point: As we identify with Israel, it gives us a “prevailing place with God.” Intercession often moves the Hand and Heart of God and there are instances when God changed His mind, for instance, when Moses intervened for the people. Third point: when you intercede as Watchmen, the Lord clothes you with authority to speak His Word and to call His Word to mind and pray “into” the Word for each situation faced. Knowing your Bible is imperative and calling to mind His Promises and Purposes for this nation, essential. Gaps in the spiritual realm are often left open for the enemy who sneaks around stealing whatever he can from all who believe in the One True God and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus. We must be on guard. Derek Prince wrote a book back in 1973, Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting in which he gave personal and historical examples (many from the US) to show how in crucial times it was fasting, in addition to prayer, that brought about radical changes and caused God’s intervention in the events of history. I suggest you find that book by writing to the Derek Prince Ministries website, www.derekprince.com. Also, Derek has many teachings that are wonderful for study groups on Israel and prayer for Israel. On his website you will find that it says, “We have the truth and it’s up to us to make intercession for the Middle East” (Derek Prince quote from website). The home address is Charlotte, NC, USA and you can inquire by writing to: ContactUs@derekprince.org. Be sure to get the book—I highly recommend it! Now Let’s go to the Throne Room Together: · Give special attention to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount where God has chosen to put His Name. In the latter days this will be the “focal point” of intensified warfare. “Jerusalem is the center of the nations and the middle of the earth geologically and geographically” (Joel Rosenberg). Remember the enemy of God wants the throne that belongs only to the Lord Yeshua! Cover it with your prayers daily (Psalm 68: 15-17). · Intercede for the whole Land of Israel which has been given to Israel by God, not man. The world wants to take it away from her, wipe her off the map, which is essentially also getting rid of the Name of God. “...whose Land has been assigned to Israel by the Lord” (Deuteronomy 2:12, LB). · Pray for the enemies of Israel who are “wild with rage” and plotting her destruction. They will be swept away by God’s wrath like a whirlwind. Pray for many to turn to God and be saved. · Bow low to the Lord asking Him in His wrath to remember mercy, because Lebanon and Syria have reasons of their own to plot a surprise attack from the north. Hizbullah has amassed 50,000 rockets for this purpose over the last years, right on the border. Syria could quickly strike Israel to divert world attention from her own internal problems. At the same time Hizbullah continues to rain down rockets on the Jewish state. Ask God to destroy the SCUD missiles Syria possesses which are armed with VX nerve gas. Pray Israeli soldiers will not be afraid, but be strong “in the Lord.” · Plead with the Lord to show His Power once again on behalf of His People as He defeated the Syrians in the days of the Kings. “For the Lord had made the whole Syrian army hear the clatter of speeding chariots and a loud galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching” (2 Kings 7:6, LB). · Pray for the Church to wake up from its apathy and indifference to the things of God and of the danger Israel faces. “When I return the world will be as indifferent to the things of God as the people were in Noah’s day” (Luke 17:26, LB). · Plead with God to turn His People back to Him and to turn their faces toward Him again as a whole nation. There are many things happening in Israel that should not be taking place, like the rise of drug abuse, alcohol, homosexuality and same-sex marriage—things that are abominations to the God of Israel. These sins, which have been rampant in our nations, have reached the borders of Israel and are spreading too quickly. Pray for mercy and for a turning back and crying out to God! God is the Glory of His People. May His People realize this and repent. May the Church repent; may the nations repent. God is God and there is no other. Pray for worldwide repentance for those whose hearts belong to God and for a great revival to take place. “...for you, the righteous God, look deep within the hearts of men and examine all their motives and their thoughts” (Psalm 7:9, LB). As I close for this month, may the circle be unbroken around the walls of Jerusalem all over the world as we all pray at different hours and times. May every moment of time be covered by those who care enough to sacrifice their lives for intercession and prayer. May each intercessor be blessed beyond their expectations as they go deeper with God and walk in the Spirit. Return us all O God, to being sacrificial people who love you more than ourselves! Until He Comes, Sharon Sanders Co-founder/Director Christian Friends of Israel – Jerusalem Write and drop me a line! I will respond: Sharon@cfijerusalem.org
PLAN NOW TO BE IN ISRAEL FOR THE NEXT CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL CONFERENCE JUNE 4, 5, 6, 7 – 2012 “Multitudes, Multitudes in the Valley of Decision” from the Book of Joel Write to us for more information at: cfi@cfijerusalem.org
Please forward this OnWatch as far and wide as you possibly can to as many as love Israel as you know all over the earth! God will use you to spread His Love and Word for Israel.
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