Author: Ofer Amitai, Messianic pastor Jerusalem and Director of Israel Prayer Centre

 

Praying for Israel and the world in these unstable times.

 

We were led to pray for the situation in Europe and Israel’s restoration from within the framework of Psalm two.

Here is why?

Analysts say that what Putin wants is a new arrangement in the world. “The Ukraine crisis,” according to the Wall Street Journal, “kicks off a new superpower struggle between the U.S., Russia, and China.“

“Russia’s audacious military assault on Ukraine is the first major clash marking a new order in international politics, with three major powers jostling for position in ways that threaten America’s primacy.

“In deploying a huge force and on Thursday ordering what he called a “special military operation,” Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding that the West rewrite the post-Cold War security arrangements for Europe and demonstrated that Russia has the military capability to impose its will despite Western objections and economic sanctions.” To read the entire article, click here

As tragic as it is to see Russia invade Ukraine, it is even more chilling to think this is only the beginning. As we quoted above, “Russia’s audacious military assault on Ukraine is the first major clash marking a new order in international politics.”

And from another paper:

“And in a chilling aside, hours before guns again rang out over a continent stained with the blood of millions lost in tyrants’ wars, Zelensky noted the lesson that localized battles rarely stay that way in a region cursed by history — a point underscored by the tens of thousands of U.S. graves in Europe from two world wars. “This step can become a beginning of a great war at the European continent,“ he said. Read the article here

But we are not at a loss to understand the more profound struggle. It is between God and man. While the “kings of the earth” have their view of what the world should look like, God has His plans; It’s all decided already!

This view takes us beyond a simple East vs. West conflict and puts things in the proper perspective. Remember, even if you think that the west is more righteous in this conflict, still it is just as corrupt as the rest of the world. And ultimately, the Lord will have to judge the nations as He has promised.

In any case, we are headed, it seems, into more instability and suffering in the world. (So you thought everything would go back to normal after this Covid thing?)

Intercession is so very vital at this time. And to be sure we are on track, we must get our inspiration from the Word rather than react emotionally to what is going on.

Psa. 2:2-12 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:

6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”

7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.'”

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

We prayed along several lines:

• That God will bring His plans and purposes to pass in the world and use any of these circumstances to further his goals.
• That He would limit the enemy from going beyond His purposes.
• That He would indeed rule in Mt. Zion — Israel has rejected her King, Savior, and God, but in His grace, God WILL RULE in the midst of His nations. We prayed for her salvation.
• For the gospel to go forth at this very difficult time, both in Ukraine and Russia. (This was brought up by one of the participants in the prayer meeting who is from Russia.)
• That the Lord will set limits to the enemy and that even this tragic turn of events will serve God in the end.

 

We prayed the first verses of the prayer the Lord taught.

Matt. 6:9 – 10 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

The Body of Messiah in the earth, Israel, and our congregation.

Jer. 22:21 “I spoke to you in your prosperity; (in times of peace, tranquility, security, ease) but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ this has been your practice from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice.

It is no secret that believers can drift from God when things are good.

It is striking, is it not, that Judah did not turn to the Lord while it could. The people had no mind listening to Jeremiah’s ” harangues,” who day and night warned them to turn from their ways before the difficult days would come.

What about us? Have we been heeding God’s call to turn to Him? Have we used the time of the pandemic wisely? Did we change our ways to walk in holiness? Have we used the time to seek the face of the Lord? Have we used the time to get into His Word? Have we used the lockdowns to develop a deeper prayer life? Did we reach out to others who were in need at that time?

Many in the Body were caught up in debates, mask politics, vaccination politics, etc. Sadly too few of God’s people took advantage of the time to reorder their lives.

We do not know what is ahead, but we urge this upon you — seek the Lord while He may be found! Don’t wait, don’t get caught up in stuff, rather walk with God and give your life to love others (1John) while you still have the luxury of relatively peaceful days.

Take time to turn to the Lord and talk to Him about it

Take time to pray for your nation, church, fellowship, house group, especially for those who have been caught in activism to the exclusion of a simple walk with the Lord.

 

We prayed for the Body in the land and the world (including our congregation).

• Lord, we pray you will help us by your Spirit to be AWAKE.
• Let us be as those virgins who were prepared.
• Let us be as that servant who obeyed his master while the master was gone.
• Lord, awaken believers to the importance of your Word in their lives.
• Father, send the fear of God into our hearts.
• Help us to see you not only as a loving father but as a holy God.
• We want to follow you, not our flesh, not our self.
• Lord deliver us from mixture; we don’t want to live in compromise.
• Lord, awaken people to the need for prayer and intercession.
• Help us to love you with all our hearts, our souls.
• Please help us to be ready for you.
• Lord, draw your people to yourself; we want to be close to you.

 

May your eyes behold the King of Glory, may your heart be filled with love for Him, may your mind be seized by the Word of God, may your whole being bow before Him in adoration and praise.

 

Blessings in Yeshua,

Ofer

 

Author: Ofer Amitai, Messianic pastor Jerusalem and Director of Israel Prayer Centre

24th February 2022