Dear friends and readers,
Peace and grace to each of you in Jesus name!
By this time it should be no surprise to you that a shooting war is breaking out between Israel and the terrorist organization HAMAS who is ruling the Gaza strip. I specifically said a "shooting war" because now BOTH sides are doing so. In reality Israel has been shot at from the Gaza terrorists for months on end and has used tremendous restraint until this past week.
This situation is potentially far worse than many people expect. The entire region has erupted over the past few months in continual civil insurrection and regime change. Now the king of Jordan is threatened from within his own country. Egypt's new leadership is violating it's long standing peace accords with Israel and siding with Hamas. Lebanon is armed to the teeth (through Hezbollah) with rockets capable of striking major Israeli cities. Iran is orchestrating Israel's demise while seeking nuclear capability. And I could on on and on!
This break out of hostilities is a growing---minute by minute---threat that could easily spill over into ALL surrounding Middle East nations and engulf the entire region in a massive war unparalleled in recent history.
As I was pondering how this article would proceed, I received a news letter from another ministry THE JERUSALEM CONNECTION. They had in turn printed a report from a writer currently in Israel who's ministry is THE CLEFT IN THE ROCK MINISTRIES.
Frankly I could not have done a better job, both in relating the issues and listing needed prayer requests involving Israel. Please join me in reading this excellent report by KATHLEEN D. MITCHELL.
Shalom and please pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6),
Pastor Rance
Peace and grace to each of you in Jesus name!
By this time it should be no surprise to you that a shooting war is breaking out between Israel and the terrorist organization HAMAS who is ruling the Gaza strip. I specifically said a "shooting war" because now BOTH sides are doing so. In reality Israel has been shot at from the Gaza terrorists for months on end and has used tremendous restraint until this past week.
This situation is potentially far worse than many people expect. The entire region has erupted over the past few months in continual civil insurrection and regime change. Now the king of Jordan is threatened from within his own country. Egypt's new leadership is violating it's long standing peace accords with Israel and siding with Hamas. Lebanon is armed to the teeth (through Hezbollah) with rockets capable of striking major Israeli cities. Iran is orchestrating Israel's demise while seeking nuclear capability. And I could on on and on!
This break out of hostilities is a growing---minute by minute---threat that could easily spill over into ALL surrounding Middle East nations and engulf the entire region in a massive war unparalleled in recent history.
As I was pondering how this article would proceed, I received a news letter from another ministry THE JERUSALEM CONNECTION. They had in turn printed a report from a writer currently in Israel who's ministry is THE CLEFT IN THE ROCK MINISTRIES.
Frankly I could not have done a better job, both in relating the issues and listing needed prayer requests involving Israel. Please join me in reading this excellent report by KATHLEEN D. MITCHELL.
Shalom and please pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6),
Pastor Rance
By KATHLEEN D. MITCHELL, IN THE CLEFT OF THE ROCK MINISTRIES–
It appears that the first steps toward a “full-on” war have now been taken here in Israel. Will the military operations be confined to the conflict with Gaza and the Palestinians, or will it expand to include Egypt, Hizbullah in Lebanon, and even Syria? In the next hours and days, we may have the answer to that question. But before I give you the details of these serious developments, let me tell you something, from the past three days that will amaze you.
On Monday, I took a trip with friends to the Galilee and the Golan Heights to check out the borders of Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Standing nearly alone on the top of Mt. Bental, overlooking the Syrian border, which stretched out in front of me, (with Jordan to my right and Lebanon to the left), I heard the sound of a loud boom break the silence. Almost immediately after this blast, a second, but louder explosion was heard. Soon we were informed that Syrian forces had sent a rocket flying over the Israeli border (the 6th such “accident”). The strike was reported to be an error in the attempt of Assad’s forces to make a hit on the opposition forces in Syria. How stupid do they think we are? Someone is trying to bait us into a war. Israel sent over a warning shot after ignoring the first few “accidents”. Finally Israel hit back with the intention of making contact with the individuals, who sent the rocket. The UN was notified by Israel of the Syrian violation of Israeli sovereignty. What are the odds that I just happened to be on that mountain (which was momentarily devoid of its usual masses of visitors) at that moment, singing praises to YHWH, and releasing the Shema Israel over the Land?
Then again, yesterday, on a trip in the South, I had a very supernatural experience. With three other people in the car, I saw a pillar of white cloud that arose over Ein Bokek (a community situated near the southern end of the Dead Sea). I first saw this odd column of white as we approached Masada from the north. My comments, regarding what I was seeing, caused the attention of my friends to be directed toward this strange column of cloud. They all saw it too. It truly was a huge, white, straight, column of cloud that arose from the ground and arose straight up, high into the sky. My discernment was that this was something VERY significant. Actually, it was hard for me to take my eyes off of this phenomenon. Finally, today in the early evening, I received a phone call from a friend on the southern, Mediterranean coast of Israel. She reported that Israel had just announced a military engagement with Gaza that was being called: Operation AMUD ANAN defense (PILLAR OF CLOUD defense). I nearly jumped out of my skin. That is not a coincidence! It is a message from YHVH … but it was not the only one given today. The employer of my friend, her son, and many others all saw three, white, number 8’s standing together in the coastal sky today, as if these three numbers were created to give a message. Those three number 8’s hovering in the sky were not manmade and yet, they were a confirmed, visual reality to the natural eye. Number 8 in Hebrew speaks of “NEW BEGINNINGS”. Number 3 or three of anything speaks of completion. Put three number 8”s in the sky at the same time, and you get a message that declares the time of a complete new beginning. What is God saying in this as it relates today? I suspect it is bigger than any of us can imagine. Blessedly, YHVH is in the center of all that is coming down in Israel today.
Details of the crisis:
**Today at about 4 PM, the IAF made a brilliant, pinpoint, accurate, hit on the number one, most wanted terrorist in Israel: Hamas commander, Ahmed Jabari.There was no civilian collateral damage, due to the amazing skill of the Israelis. Not only was this wicked terrorist killed today, but so also were his deputy and his son. Much Jewish blood was on the hands of this terror leader. He was the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit and behind the prisoner release that freed him. As soon as Jabari’s death was announced, the Palestinians went crazy; declaring actions, intentions, and threats of revenge.
**Rockets began flying out of Gaza immediately. Ten rockets in twenty minutes landed in the Eshkol region. No one was killed, but when one of the rockets hit a power pole, the residents in the area lost power. In total, 55 rockets have been fired into Israel between sundown and midnight.
**Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gan Yavne, and Beersheva have all been on the receiving end of these attacks. Blessedly, the Iron Dome defense system took down 17 of these rockets. There have been no deaths or serious injuries from these attacks; although many citizens have been treated for anxiety and shock.
**School has been cancelled tomorrow for all communities in the south.
**Residents are told to stay in their sealed rooms or bomb shelters in some areas, while most are being told to be within a 15 second sprint to their secure shelter.
**A rocket was fired toward Dimona, the site of Israel’s nuclear power plant.
**Hamas leaders have vowed that this targeted killing of their leader will bring HELL into Israeli cities. Suicide bombers have been called into action; requiring Israeli communities to be on high alert in all public areas, buses, trains, malls, bus central stations, etc. This alert will be in effect for many days to come.
**Israel is currently moving divisions of soldiers into the Gaza area– preparing them to move into Gaza after the IAF makes a safe path for them by eliminating many booby traps, ammunition supplies, military leaders, and tunnels. Reserve troops have begun to be called up, as approved this evening by the cabinet.
**As a result of this increasing aggression, Egypt has recalled its ambassador from Israel, and has increased the presence of its armored vehicles along its border with Israel and Gaza. Egyptian President Morsi demanded that the ambassador to Egypt from Israel appear before him earlier this evening, and now that diplomat and his staff have left the country.
**The Israeli Air Force has made at least 20 successful attacks against weapons storehouses and long-range missile depots in Gaza. Tunnels and terror personnel are being hit as well. Not surprisingly, the long range missiles that have the capability of reaching Tel Aviv, were “launch ready”, and situated in civilian residential areas. Israel carefully documented and video recorded the evidence of their locations, and the resulting destruction from the IAF hits that took out these threats.
**Even the Israeli navy is making some strikes from the sea.
**After Israel has endured thousands of rockets out of Gaza over many years, the increase in attacks over the past couple of weeks has brought this situation to a boiling point. Prior to the attack response, Bibi Netanyahu called all the international ambassadors to Ashkelon on Monday, and showed them the evidence, announcing to them that this aggression by the Palestinians had gone too far. Israel has the right to protect her own at the time of her choosing.
**PM Netanyahu addressed the nation tonight saying: “Hamas and the other terror organizations chose to escalate its attacks in recent days. Israel has sent Hamas a clear message that it is prepared to defend its citizens. Hamas is purposely shooting at civilians, and hides behind its own civilians. We avoid striking civilians. Israel is sending an unequivocal message that Israeli citizens will not be hostage to terrorist missile fire and cross-border attacks. Our enemies seek to wipe us off the face of the earth.” This is not a peace partner. Blessedly, this man of God, who is leading the nation, is saying that we refuse to go the way of perpetual restraint and victimhood that the nations have required of us. We will not go where our enemies are demanding that we go, which is to death and destruction. We will take hold of our destiny and fight to retain it with the help of God.
** The chief negotiator of the PLO, Saeb Erekat, has shouted to the world that the PA holds Israel completely responsible for the “brutal aggression” the Jews have made against the Gaza Strip. “The occupation has committed a grave crime and crossed all red lines!”
**Another voice of revenge, Hamas spokesman Barhoum, declared: “This is a real declaration of war. The enemy will pay a heavy price for its crime and will regret the moment it thought of perpetrating it.”
So here we sit tonight. War is breaking out, even as YHVH is speaking to His people in supernatural ways; suggesting that He is with us.
Please act as a Watchman on the wall, intercede and PRAY:
–Break the power of Barhoum’s words! Israel is not committing a crime, nor will Israel pay a high price for defending her people and her inheritance from YHVH. Pray that YHVH would make our enemies pay His price for their bitter hatred, murder, lies, violence, and theft.
–Pray against all kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and citizens.
–Pray that Hizbullah in the north (Lebanon) will not enter into this fight (unless it is YHVH, who brings that nation in). For the past 30 days, chemical weapons that have been stored in Syria (from Saddam Hussein’s stockpiles) have been moving west into the hands of Hizbullah. PRAY THAT NONE OF THESE CHEMICAL OR BIO WEAPONS IS USED AGAINST ISRAEL. DESTROY THEM, LORD! Cause them to backfire upon those preparing them for use against Israel.
–Pray that Assad in Syria doesn’t turn his weapons against Israel in an effort to save his own neck, or to acquire the Golan Heights as his prize. Pray for our northern borders to be protected by YHVH.
–Pray that Egypt doesn’t get into this war (unless it is YHVH, who is drawing Egypt in to fulfill Isaiah 19). Pray for YHVH’s protection to be upon our southern border.
–Pray that Iran or Jordan will not get into this war (unless it is YHVH, who would draw them into a war to meet with Him).
–Pray for revelation and revival in every nation of our enemies, before the hand of YHVH strikes them with His anger and judgment. Mercy, Lord! Preserve the innocent and answer the cries of the seekers of truth.
–Pray that YHVH would prepare our warriors tonight—body, soul, and spirit. Reveal Yourself, Lord! Give skill. Give peace! Give revelation of divine destiny! Give courage! Give divine protection! Give faith! Give vision! Give accuracy in intelligence! Give every provision necessary!
–Pray for perfect communication, trust and cooperation between all branches of the Israeli military, navy, Air Force. Etc.
–Pray for Bibi to be surrounded with spiritually in-tuned men and women, to support and to encourage him. Pray for him to be re-elected in January, as the result of the success YHVH gives to him in this campaign. Praise the Lord that Bibi is not motivated by campaign gains, by manipulation, and by any political benefit, as he engages righteously and obediently with our enemies.
–Cause the citizens of this nation to come together in unity to battle for life and truth. Cause the foreigners, who have their own interests at heart to be removed from the Land at this time or make them silenced in their ability to influence any outcomes.
–Pray for Bibi to hear YHVH’s voice and to follow it explicitly. Be filled with the Holy Spirit afresh, Bibi! Be deaf to the voice of the nations, and our enemies, but be clear and obedient to the voice of YHVH.
–Cover Bibi’s vulnerabilities, his wife and two sons, his daughter and grandchildren. Keep them all safe and healthy, even as YHVH secures and sustains Bibi. Bring wisdom to Bibi and understanding to his family members.
–Pray for all those, who have been under rocket fire all evening and into the night. Pray for Sderot, Ashkelon, Nahal Oz, Ashdod, all of the Eshkol region, Beersheva, and all the villages, kibbutzim, moshavim, etc. Protect and strengthen them!!!
–Decree, declare, and forbid ANY suicide bombers from having ANY SUCCESS and from penetrating any of Israel’s cities, airport, and military outposts. Etc. Decree that there will be NO GLORY GIVEN TO ALLAH BY THE SHEDDING OF JEWISH BLOOD! HUMILIATE ISLAM TOTALLY, LORD! SHOW YOURSELF TO BE SOVEREIGN AND LORD!
–Pray for the families of the soldiers serving and of those being called up from the reserves. Pray for wives, children, parents, siblings, fiancĂ©es and significant others. Pray for them to be comforted and courageous. May the peace of the Lord fill their hearts with peace, faith and courage.
–Ordain victories for Jacob, Lord! Glean glory for Yourself, Lord! Pray for YHVH to pour down living water upon all unholy fires so that they do not spread. Shut down or change the left wing media, which perpetually serves up the pig slop of Humanism, weakness, doubt, and division to feed the hearts and minds of the nation. Feed the people Yourself, Lord!
–Pray that the nations will either support Israel in this battle or that they will stand back and be silent, so that she can fight as the Lord dictates.
–Pray that Israel will know when to go into Gaza and then not leave until this mess with Hamas is finished.
–Pray for every hidden/stored missile, rocket, launcher, and armament in Gaza (or in any other Arab/Islamic location) to be discovered and destroyed by Israel or crushed by YHVH personally. Every tunnel be exploded. Every civilian site or mosque used for launching rockets, for weapon construction, or for sanctuary for wanted terrorists be exposed and destroyed. Spare the innocent, Lord–those who might be used as human shields–but expose the betrayers, the chameleons, and the liars.
–Pray that at the end of the day, the illusion and lies of a viable, legal, Palestinian state will be finished and gone.
–Have Your way, Lord! Sanctify Your holy name in the resolution of this conflict, Lord! Glorify yourself through the conduct of Your people.
