“Father, we ask that you give to us Your heart for Israel and the Jewish People world wide. Give us the spirit of grace and supplication.

​

1. 1. MY PERSONAL JOURNEY IN PRAYER FOR ISRAEL
      The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much!James 5:16
       

      1. Foundational Scriptures on Israel’s Future
          

         1. Hosea 1:10 - Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and it will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” it will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.”
             

         2. Jer. 31:8-10 - “Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, and I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, on a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My first-born.” Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare in the coastlands afar off, and say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.”
             

         3. My Personal Prayer History for the Return of the Jewish People to their Homeland.
             

            1. Esther Mandate Fast in the 80’s for the “refusniks”

            2. International Festivals of Jewish Worship and Dance in the former Soviet Union with Jonathan Bernis.

            3. [Insert Kevin Noker story and Bob Jones prophetic word]
                

      2. More Scriptures on Aliyah - The Return to the Land
          

         1. Jer. 16:14-15 - “Therefore behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.”
             

         2. Jer. 23:7-8 - “Therefore behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when they will no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ Then they will live on their own soil.”
             

         3. Is. 11:11-12 - Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He will lift up a standard for the nations,1 and will assemble the banished ones of Israel and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
             

         4. Is. 43:5-6 - “Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth.

         5. From 1989-2007, 1,300,000 Jews made Aliyah from the land of the north, (the former Soviet Union region). Russian is now the second leading spoken language in Israel! May more come forth in Jesus’ name!
             

      3. Our Scriptural Response
          

         1. Jer. 30:3 - ‘For, behold, the days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.’ The Lord says, ‘I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall possess it.’
             

         2. Jer. 31:7 - For thus says the Lord, “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chiefs of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save Thy people, the remnant of Israel.’”
            The three keys are to proclaim, to praise and to pray. These are our clear biblical mandates.
             

   2. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN FOR ISRAEL
      There are three things that we must grasp in order to begin our discovery process of God’s desire to awaken love in the hearts of the Jewish people. Paul calls this a mystery (hidden plan).
       

      1. All Israel will be Saved and Brought to Fullness
         When Jesus returns to rule over the earth (Millennial Reign of Christ) He releases a spirit of prayer (supplication) and saving grace that causes the Jewish people (who have survived the Antichrist’s rage) to believe and to be powerfully impacted by a deep spirit of repentance.
         "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zech.12:10-11)
         And so all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:26)
          

         1. Although we are hearing about fresh stirrings of the Holy Spirit among the Jewish people in Israel and elsewhere, we must understand that God has saved the “best wine” (Jn.2:10) for a dynamic outpouring which will occur at the end of the age. Paul describes this as “fullness” and “life from the dead”(Rom.11:12,15).
             

         2. Paul’s primary purpose in writing to a location in Rome comprised of mostly Gentile believers was to make them aware that God’s call, promises and covenants – concerning Israel’s redemptive purposes – are still in effect even if the majority of the Jewish population is totally oblivious to their God ordained destiny.
             

         3. For the last 2,000 years, Gentiles have been God’s “primary” people to establish His kingdom by bringing the gospel to all nations before the Second Coming of Jesus. It’s important to note that Israel’s rejection of Jesus is neither total (Rom.11:1-10) nor is it final (Rom.11:11-32).
             

      2. The Jewish People Have a Spirit of Blindness as it Relates to Seeing their Messiah.
          

         1. To further complicate things, the Church’s ignorance has led many to wrongly conclude that God has rejected Israel and therefore has no future role to play. They believe that Israel has disqualified themselves and that the predominately Gentile church will play the central role in God’s redemptive plans both now and throughout eternity.
             

         2. The current dilemma is that the Jewish people are mostly blind and Gentile believers are mostly ignorant when it comes to revelation about God’s future plans to raise-up and fully restore His original covenant people (Ez.36). God has NOT given up on using Israel as His primary instrument to establish His Kingdom on earth.
             

         3. In order to reverse Israel’s current hostility towards their Messiah and the church, something drastic must take place. Jesus calls this period the worst period the earth will ever experience (Matt.24:21-22). The prophet Jeremiah calls it Jacob’s trouble (Jer.30:7). Daniel describes it as the most difficult time ever (Dan.12:2)!
             

      3. The Fullness of the Gentiles is God’s Primary Strategy to Remove the Blinders!
         The “fullness of the Gentiles” will usher in the “fullness of the Jewish people” (Rom.11:25-26).
          

         1. The phrase the “fullness of the Gentiles” has several dimensions. First it refers to the full number of Gentile converts written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev.7:9;21:27). The term “fullness” also signifies the unprecedented release of the Holy Spirit’s power at the end of the age which will result in a harvest of souls unsurpassed in human history. This historic revival will impact every nation on earth.
             

         2. God plans to use these fiery believers who are walking in holy consecration and who are also carrying an extraordinary burden and zeal for the Jewish people. God will use both their extreme commitment to God and their servant heart towards the Jewish people to win many Jewish people to their Messiah before the Lord returns.
             

         3. Summary: The Fullness of the Gentiles (Great Harvest) will lead to the Fullness of Israel (Salvation of Israel) which will ultimately lead to the Millennial Kingdom when the Gospel of the Kingdom reaches its fullest expression. This in turn will lead to “the whole earth being filled with the knowledge of God” (Hab.2:14).
            Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Rom.11:12)
            For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Rom. 11:25).
             

   3. THE CHURCH’S CALL TO STAND WITH THE JEWISH PEOPLE
       

      1. The Gentile Believers Must Stand with the Jewish People. God’s primary strategy to win the hearts of the Jewish people is through a compassionate and zealous Gentile church. Paul defines this call as “provoking them to jealously” (Rom.11:11). This simply means that when the Gentile church begins walking in authentic, compassionate, spiritual authority, that reality will be extremely inviting and attractive to the Jewish people which in turn will cause them to desire a deeper relationship with God by receiving their Messiah.
          

      2. Paul Warns the Church about the Consequences for being Spiritually Ignorant about God’s Heart for the Jewish People. Paul describes in detail the negative downward spiral that occurs when we take this matter lightly. Ignorance left unattended leads to arrogance which eventually leads to spiritual apostasy. Paul’s heart was burdened as he wrote one of the most troublesome warnings given to the church in the entire New Testament. (Rom.9:1-2)
         Do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. (Rom 11:18-22)
          

      3. Jesus Made an Appeal to Gentile Believers to Not Forsake His Jewish People During their Time of Great Trouble.
         
         Those who choose to disregard the Lord’s appeal and refuse to lend assistance to His people during her darkest hour will do so at their own spiritual peril.
         "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory (in the Millennial Kingdom).
         
         All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My (Jewish) brethren, you did it to Me (Jesus).' "Then He will also say to those on the left hand,' Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matt 25:31-42)
          

   4. PRAYING FOR JERUSALEM IS GOD’S DESIRE FOR ALL BELIEVERS
       

      1. Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem is God’s Call for the Entire Church. I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of (call upon/pray to) the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)
          

         1. God commands his people to “give him no rest” until Jerusalem enters into the fullness of her inheritance. The Peace of Jerusalem is about Israel entering into the fullness of her destiny as spoken by the Old Testament prophets.
             

         2. God is calling the church to give herself in fervent intercession for the salvation of what is possibly the most contentious location on the entire earth. The ultimate goal of our prayers is seeking the transformation of a dusty, Middle Eastern town into a city that shows forth the very glory of God. It will cost us all that we have to stand in the place of prayer for Israel before the Lord returns. But God’s purposes and His people are worth it!
             

      2. Praying for Jerusalem is About Partnership with the Heart of God
          

         1. Praying for the destiny of Jerusalem is about a partnership with the heart of God. When we talk about praying for Jerusalem, we are talking about partnering with a God who is consumed with zeal for this city. In other words, we stand with Israel in the place of prayer, because we love Jesus and want to be where He is.
             

         2. The prophet Zechariah sees a vision which depicts the oppressed and depressed state of Israel in the natural in his day. In response, the Angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) lifts His voice to declare, “How long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem?”
             

         3. An answer comes from the throne that describes the heart and affections of God for this nation that has recently returned from captivity: "Proclaim, saying, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped--but with evil intent." "Therefore thus says the LORD: "I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of Hosts (Zech 1:14-16).
             

         4. God is declaring that the little piece of real estate is not insignificant; rather it is the object of his fiery affection. He is telling them, “I have not forgotten! Everything within me is fixed on this piece of property”. He is zealous for this contested city in the Middle East.
             

         5. Everything that God says and everything He does is for the sake of fulfilling all His promises towards Jerusalem. For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns. (Isaiah 62:1)
             

      3. Praying for Jerusalem is about Contending for Israel’s Salvation
          

         1. The Return of Jesus to Jerusalem is contingent on Israel’s acceptance of their Messiah – Jesus. I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" (Matt.23:39)
             

         2. In the days following Pentecost, the focus of Peter’s sermons (Acts 2:36, 3:12,19) was calling the nation of Israel and the leaders of Jerusalem to repentance and faith in Jesus so that…your sins may be blotted out…that He may send Jesus Christ who was preached to you before (Acts 3:19-21)
             

         3. Israel’s acceptance of Jesus as her Messiah depends on her being provoked to jealousy by a predominantly gentile church (Rom 11:11). God’s strategy is to show mercy to Israel through the Gentile church (Rom 11:30-32). The church becoming a prophetic witness is directly related to her stand for Jerusalem in the place of prayer.
             

      4. Praying for Jerusalem is God’s Strategy to Release Fullness to the Gentiles and Mercy to the Jewish People
          

         1. Because Jesus has committed himself to returning as King of the Jews to rule the earth from Jerusalem (Matt 23:39), Satan has committed himself to destroying the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. If Satan can annihilate the Jews, he can prove God a liar and ensure his own survival.
             

         2. Satan will attempt to rally the nations of the earth to his cause in the release of unprecedented global anti-Semitism. It will ultimately culminate in every nation of the Earth actively seeking the destruction of Jerusalem under the leadership of the anti-Christ. (Psalm 2:1; Psalm 83:5; Joel 3:11; Zech.12:2; 14:2; Zeph.3:8)
             

         3. The Lord has promised to release a prayer movement though at the end of the age to partner with Him by praying for the salvation of Israel and to stand as one with her in the midst of tribulation. God promises He will do two things related to the salvation of Israel in response to the prayers of the saints:
             

            1. He will release His voice in the earth (Spirit of Prophecy)

            2. He will release supernatural activity in the earth(Judgments against His enemies) For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. (Isaiah 62:1-2)

            3. The Spirit of Prophecy is the Testimony of Jesus (Rev.19:10). God promises a release of authentic, Apostolic Christianity in response to the prayers of the saints. God will release revival among the Gentiles in order to provoke Israel to jealousy.

            4. God will raise up messengers who will proclaim with boldness, authority, and clarity the “Gospel of the Kingdom” (Matt.24:14) – Especially to the Jewish people in the midst of tribulation.

            5. Signs and Wonders – God’s End Time Activity I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood, fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord.(Joel 2:30-31)
                

      5. Salvation and Deliverance in Jerusalem

         1. The end result of God’s activity is the deliverance of Jerusalem from her enemies, the salvation of “all Israel” and the establishing of God’s Kingdom on the earth in fullness.
            And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” (Rom. 11:26 – 27)
             

         2. God’s end time activity is released out of His zeal for Jerusalem and because of God’s people lining up with His heart and praying for the salvation of Israel with fasting and solemn assemblies across the earthBlow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar; let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, "Where is their God?"' (Joel 2:15-17)
             

         3. The ultimate task of the “gentile” church is to pray for the salvation of Israel and to provoke the Jews to jealousy (by becoming a powerful prophetic witness), so that they receive the mercy of God.

      6. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls (Joel 2:32)