Update: 13/08/2024

“Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:39)

Dear friends and prayer partners

We so appreciate everyone who responded to our urgent Call to Prayer one week ago concerning the threats by Iran and Hizbullah to launch a major attack against Israel in retaliation for the deaths of two senior terror militia leaders.

I am grateful to report that our prayers are working, as so far these threats have not materialised and the Israeli public, while on heightened alert, has never panicked.

For various reasons, Iran and Hizbullah have delayed their planned retaliation. First, it seems the successful targeting of these top leaders in Iran’s vast terror network signals they have been infiltrated, and they are now spooked that their plans for military action could get leaked.

Iran also has engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity to convince other countries that their revenge attacks would be justified, even against civilian targets. Those efforts culminated in yesterday’s emergency meeting of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation, and no doubt some Arab/Muslim countries pushed back regarding Iran’s willingness to put Lebanon at such great risk.

Further, by delaying their response for at least one week, the Iranian axis has allowed Israel to better prepare for all scenarios. It also has given the United States time to move more military assets into the region to bolster the common air defense system set up to repel any direct Iranian attacks – as was successfully done in April.

This delay has thus cost Iran and it may even further postpone their plans.

So, we thank God for answering our prayers, even while we urge everyone to continue interceding for Israel as well as for Israeli interests and Jewish communities around the globe.

For ten months now, we have sensed the restraining hand of God holding the enemy at bay along the northern border, and that has held up over the past week. Meanwhile, the nation of Israel has begun to regain its confidence vis-à-vis the Iranian axis and to set the pace and direction of battle.

Please continue to be vigilant in your prayers over the coming days. This stand-off is not over, and Hizbullah remains a dangerous foe on its own and could escalate matters at any minute. But be assured that things are trending Israel’s way, and we must keep praying so it stays that way.

• Pray that Israel will be able to counter and foil every move by Iran and its proxies to try to harm the Jewish state and people.
• Pray for the protection of all Israeli soldiers as they defend their nation, that the Lord will be a shield about Israel at all times! (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 3:3)
• Pray that Israeli forces will be able to finish off Hamas as a fighting force in Gaza.
• Pray for Hizbullah to be disarmed and to lose its grip on power in Lebanon; and
• Pray that Iran’s radical clerical regime will fail in its quest for nuclear weapons and soon be replaced by a more peaceful government.

Thank you again for your earnest, effective prayers for the nation and people of Israel. Please join us in our daily Global Payer Gathering at 4PM (Israel time) at: on.icej.org/ICEJGlobalPrayer

01/08/2024

Dear friends and prayer partners

I am sure most of you have been closely following recent developments in the Middle East. This week, Israel successfully targeted two high-profile leaders of radical Islamist militias linked to Iran – Hizbullah senior military commander Fuad Shukur in Beirut and Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh during an official visit to Tehran. Due to these events, we are calling on our global following to be more alert to the news and more urgent in your prayer efforts over the coming weekend.

Over the next 48-72 hours, Israel is expecting to face retaliatory attacks by Iran and its proxy militias. Iran is threatening direct attacks on Israel as well as through its aligned terror militias in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the Palestinian areas. They first seem to be observing a traditional three-day mourning period, which will wind up after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is buried in Qatar on Friday. Thus, it could be a very tense and challenging weekend for the nation of Israel.

Israel was very precise in its targeting of senior leaders of radical terror networks who have much innocent blood on their hands and thus should enjoy no immunity. Israeli leaders have warned Iran and its “axis of resistance” that any deliberate targeting of civilian population centers in Israel in response will result in all-out war.

So, we urge you to join us in vigilant prayer over the next few days, which will likely be a decisive turning point in this ten-month old war. We must put our trust in God to deliver Israel from the great harm intended by her ruthless enemies.

• Pray that Israel will be able to counter and foil every move by Iran and its proxies to try to harm and destroy the Jewish state.
• Pray for the protection of all Israeli soldiers as they defend their nation, that the Lord will be a shield about Israel at all times! (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 3:3)
• Pray that Israeli forces will be able to finish off Hamas as a fighting force in Gaza.
• Pray that the Iranian-backed terror militia Hizbullah in Lebanon will be forced to withdraw from the border with Israel.
• Pray that Hizbullah will never be able to use its full arsenal of over 150,000 missiles and rockets against Israel.
• And pray that Hizbullah will ultimately be disarmed and lose its grip on power in Lebanon.

Thank you so much for investing your time and hearts in earnestly praying for the nation and people of Israel. 

Blessings from Jerusalem,

David Parsons, ICEJ Senior Vice President & Spokesman