June 2016 Wednesday 1 June
Pray that the 2016 exhibition “The Great Return”, which opens today in Nijkerk, Netherlands, will attract many visitors, and that this theme of Aliyah will draw the visitors to God’s Word.
Thursday 2 June
In the Jewish liturgy Psalm 67 is read every day between Pesach and Shavu’ot. In Hebrew this Psalm has exactly 49 words and consists of seven verses. The Psalm symbolizes the Menorah. By reading it, one ignites the light, so to speak. If you start reading these Psalms from today onwards as well, you can spread light in the coming days until Shavu’ot!
Friday 3 June
The sun sets and the stars appear, the beginning of the Sabbath or erev shabat - Sabbath eve. Pray that the Lord will show mercy over His people. Pray that His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will be met with open hearts.
Saturday 4 June Sabbath
On this day we may give special thanks for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies, which become manifest in Israel. “Blessed are you, o Israel. Who is like you…?” (Deuteronomy 33:29) Today is ‘Jerusalem Day’ – 49 years ago the city once again became the indivisible capital of Israel. (Psalm 132:13-16). Thank God for this remarkable development.
Sunday 5 June Monday 6 June
The situation on the Golan heights at the border with Syria remains strained and dangerous. Whether the American or UNO troops will be able to change this in any way, remains unsure. Pray for protection for the north of Israel.
Tuesday 7 June
Pray for the Jewish population living in the north near the border with Lebanon and Syria. Also pray for the Druze, many of whom serve in the Israeli army.
Wednesday 8 June
Today it is 20 years ago that ‘Christians for Israel’ started the project ‘Bring the Jews Home’. Since then we assisted more than 150,000 Jewish people in their return to Israel. Pray for these new immigrants, that they will be aware they are part of the fulfillment of prophecy.
Thursday 9 June
Both in Ukraine (by distributing food parcels) and in Israel (through soup kitchens) we tend to the elderly and poor, who can use a little extra help (Proverbs 22:9). It is good to help in such a practical way. Pray for this important work.
Friday 10 June
‘Christians for Israel’ is criticized quite often, for instance about our way of reading the Bible. People then say that the New Testament is more important than the Old Testament. Which is strange, as it is so clear that the Bible is one Book with eternal promises and references in both directions. Pray that the relation between present times and the Scriptures will become clear to anyone who really reads what it says and explores it.
Saturday 11 June Sabbath
This night before Shavu’ot (Pentecost) is a night of reading and learning in remembrance of receiving Torah. Tens of thousands gather at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Pray that God’s Spirit will speak clearly and give new life.
Sunday 12 June
Because of the longing for Zion and Aliyah, Jews from all countries will be in Jerusalem during Shavu’ot, just like in Jesus’ time. (Acts 2:5). Please speak your prayer of thanksgiving for this feast.
Monday 13 June
Pray for safety for the Jewish communities all over the world. Whether it is in the USA, in Europe or in the Middle-East, anti-Jewish lies spread like wildfire through the Internet, stigmatizing the Jewish people and Israel.
Tuesday 14 June
The terror attacks in Paris and Brussels caused a big shock to the people in Europe. Many Jews wonder whether they want to continue living in Europe. Pray for safety for them, but also for a longing for Zion – not out of fear, but on the basis of Torah.
Wednesday 15 June
During the second Intifada an Israeli told a European, while speaking about Islamic terror: “Better watch out. We are the appetizer, but you are the main course!” In recent years we have come to understand more and more how true this observation is. Be watchful and pray! (2 Thessalonians 5:16-21)
Thursday 16 June
IS (Islamic State) has said, that Allah is gathering all Jews to Palestine, so that they can destroy them all. In our intercession we may counter this lie with Truth. In this time God is bringing His people back to His land and to Himself. (Jeremiah 31:10)
Friday 17 June
Let’s continue to be vigilant and try to understand the times we are living in, by setting priorities: following the Lord Jesus and expecting His return. (Matthew 24:32-44)
Saturday 18 June Sabbath
Pray for protection for the Jewish inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. Thank God that through CFOIC (Christian Friends of Israeli Communities) we can provide help for them and encourage them.
Sunday 19 June
Psalm 114 is a short Psalm, speaking of God’s majesty and His interference in the history of His people. Thank God for His sovereign power, which was visible then and is visible now.
Monday 20 June
In more and more European countries objections are raised against the cunning behavior of the anti-Israel BDS-movement. Pray that this trend will continue and the real intentions of the BDS-movement will be brought to light.
Tuesday 21 June
A few months ago Israeli prime-minister Netanyahu said to a group of prominent Indonesian journalists visiting Jerusalem that it is high time their country establishes diplomatic ties with Israel. Just like China, Japan, India and Vietnam. Please pray for this turn towards the Far East.
Wednesday 22 June
In our time the battle between light and darkness becomes ever more visible. As it is already described in Daniel, and in the Revelation of John. Pray for the Jewish people and for ourselves as Christian community, that we will understand these times.
Thursday 23 June
From 1950 to 1973 many African countries had excellent relations with Israel; but ties were broken after the Yom Kippur War of 1973 under pressure of Arab countries (which, by the way, never fulfilled their many promises). Since the 1990s diplomatic contacts have been restored. Pray that their voting policy in the United Nations will also become honest instead of one-sided, and the pressure from Arab countries will disappear there as well.
Friday 24 June
Continue to pray for the Christians and other minorities in the Middle-East. They are threatened with annihilation – which is pure genocide.
Saturday 25 June Sabbath
Pray that through the Bible we may receive a deeper understanding about God’s ways with Israel and the nations.
Sunday 26 June
The Aliyah-organization Ebenezer started in 1991 and celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. ‘Christians for Israel’ closely cooperates with Ebenezer Emergency Fund for the sake of Aliyah. Furthermore, Rev William Glashouwer has speaking engagements all over the world through the network of Ebenezer. Thank God for this extraordinary organization and for the wonderful cooperation.
Monday 27 June
Joan Thomas of the Ebenezer Prayer team says: We are often led to ask our Heavenly Father to release His angels for engaging in spiritual battle according to His Word.” (Psalm 103:20-21). It is wonderful that they convert this leading into intercession! You and I can join in this: supporting Aliyah and standing in the gap for Israel together.
Tuesday 28 June
The Biblical mandate of Ebenezer is found in Isaiah 62:10: “Pass through, pass through the gate! Prepare the way for the people. Build up the highway… remove the stones!.” This means spiritual battle, involvement in intercession, prayer for special regions and nations. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) Pray and give thanks that together with Ebenezer and other organizations we can ‘remove the stones’, so God will reach His goal with His people.
Wednesday 29 June
Recently Iran fired two long distance rockets carrying the text: “Israel must be wiped out”. This is no unclear expression, and we can react to it with clear intercession: “Spare, o Lord, Your people!”.
Thursday 30 June
Pray that the many trips Rev William Glashouwer and Andrew Tucker make on behalf of ‘Christians for Israel’ in Africa, Asia, Oceania and South-America will be successful. That tens of thousands of Christians in their audiences will take the whole Bible to heart and also explore it for themselves.
July 2016 Friday 1 July
Saturday 2 July Sabbath
Sunday 3 July
A verse from the Psalms, as you pray for Israel today: “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!” (Psalm 14:7). Isreality is the young adults movement of Christians for Israel. Today a group of young adults from around the world are leaving for Israel to explore the land, study the Bible and do volunteer work. Pray that they will be a blessing there, and also be blessed themselves during this trip. Pray for Christians in the southern part of Israel. Their life is far from easy, in Bethlehem under the reign of the Palestinian Authority, in Gaza under pressure from Hamas.
Monday 4 July
The terrorist organization Hamas has hundreds of men, who are working all the time digging tunnels to enter Israel during a future war. Pray that this will stop, and Israel will dwell in safety.
Tuesday 5 July
Pray for the Jewish population in Belgium. In Antwerp many of them are orthodox, and so readily recognized as Jews. Pray for their safety. Intercede about the situation in and around Gaza. This whole area is clearly mentioned in the Bible already. (Joshua 15:46-47). Pray that there will be talks and peace with the Palestinians, even though this seems almost impossible.
Wednesday 6 July
Thursday 7 July
Pray for the Jewish population living in the south near the Gaza Strip. In Ashdod, in Ashkelon and in the many other towns and kibbutzim. People continually live under the pressure of terror and violence from Gaza.
Friday 8 July
Sabbath is always a moment of rest after a busy working week. Tonight many Israelis will turn their attention to the Lord God. Pray for His presence, for his Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
Saturday 9 July Sabbath
In Ezekiel 37, the chapter about the valley of the dry bones and the resurrection of Israel, verse 25, speaks of the promise of the land, until eternity. Thank God for this wonderful fact which shows the faithfulness of the God of Israel! Your prayer of thanks for the PKN (the united reformed churches in the Netherlands), who have dissociated themselves from the anti-Semitic utterances of Martin Luther. Pray that other denominations will whole-heartedly follow this example.
Sunday 10 July
Monday 11 July
In Germany the Synod of the EDK (the unifying organ of Lutheran, Reformed and Unified churches) has dissociated itself from Luther’s anti-Semitic utterances, including a pamphlet of 1543 “About the Jews and their Lies”. Pray especially that the many Lutheran Churches in the Scandinavian countries will make a similar decision.
Tuesday 12 July
The number of Jews living in Germany is growing all the time, as many Russian Jews have received a residence permit in recent decennia. Yet many are wondering if they are really living in the right country. Pray for them, but also that they will decide to make Aliyah.
Wednesday 13 July
Pray for the Jewish population in your country, for safety of the Israeli Embassy and for Jewish schools and institutions. Thank God for the help that Christians for Israel can give to those making Aliyah.
Thursday 14 July
The highest Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared, that the relation of Iran with the rest of the world is not about negotiations, but about long distance missiles. Pray that politicians in the world will realize how troublesome this is to Israel, because Iran continually threatens them with destruction.
Friday 15 July
Today the group of ‘Isreality International’-youth return home. Pray that they will be ambassadors for Israel in their own country.
Saturday 16 July Sabbath
Thank and pray: “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)
Sunday 17 July
In the whole world Israel has 105 diplomatic posts: 78 embassies, 21 consulates and 5 permanent missions. Pray that Israel will be able to explain their intentions well in all those countries. PR has never been Israel’s strongest side.
Monday 18 July
Pray that pro-Israel organizations that have activities in holiday resorts this summer, will be successful with this and will be able to point visitors to the Bible.
Tuesday 19 July
In England Islam is strongly present in society. Anti-Semitism is deeply rooted in the scientific and medical world and in the news media. Pray for the Jewish population. All kinds of lies are published about them and there are protests against them.
Wednesday 20 July
It is surprising that Israel has good contacts with the government in many countries, while some political parties and social movements are hostile towards them; in other countries it is just the other way around. Enmity is perpetually creeping into relations with Israel. The spiritual battle is clearly visible here. Let us pray that light will overcome darkness.
Thursday 21 July
Pray for tourists travelling in Israel, that they will show love and encouragement to the population. Pray also for foreign volunteers working in all kinds of institutions and hospitals. This friendship never fails to touch Israel.
Friday 22 July
Bahrein’s foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed AlKhalifa recently said, that Iran is a greater threat than Israel. Pray that he will also take the next step and enter into talks with prime minster Netanyahu of Israel.
Saturday 23 July Sabbath
The scriptures in Psalm 149:5-9 and Ephesians 6:10-18 form a strong combination for use in your intercession: ”A double-edged sword is in their hands… the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…”
Sunday 24 July
Unfaithfulness to the Word of God causes us to lose our love for the Word. Therefore read your Bible regularly! (John 15:9-10)
Monday 25 July
Prime minister Netanyahu said that the similarity between terror in Israel and other countries, is that IS aspires to establish a caliphate in Europe, while Palestinian terrorists aspire to establish a Palestinian state on all of Israel’s territory. Pray that the eyes of world leaders will be opened.
Tuesday 26 July
The radicalization of Muslim youth in France is a real scare to Jews in France. Pray for safety of the Jewish community, and for prosperity for those who make Aliyah.
Wednesday 27 July
More than 400,000 Jews live in Judea and Samaria. The population growth as compared to last year is 4.6%; in Israel as a whole it is 1.9%. Thank God for this development, Jews are once again living in Biblical territory!
Thursday 28 July
Please pray for those who lost relatives and for the survivors of the recent wave of terrorism. Many Israelis relive what happened to them because of terror. Pray for comfort and for healing.
Friday 29 July
Extreme right-wing political parties are springing up not only in France and Belgium, but also in Austria. With all sort of consequences for the Jewish community. Pray for them, and pray that the government will strongly oppose this development.
Saturday 30 July Sabbath
It is surprising, that while the Bible speaks about a nation dwelling alone (Numbers 23:9), Israel has more contact with other nations than ever before. What is this leading to? Let us pray for understanding as to how we should pray, and what God’s will is in this matter.
Sunday 31 July
On the basis of Psalm 51 pray for a ‘clean heart’. Only then we will be able to assist in building the walls of Jerusalem. You ask (see verses 12-14), and are allowed to build with them (verse 20). From a clean heart we will be able to see Him. (Matthew 5:8)