Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem OnWatch Prayer Letter July 2013 / Jewish Year 5773 “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer”(1 Peter 4:7, KJV). “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore be earnest, thoughtful men of prayer” (1 Peter 4:7, LB). I cite the above Scripture from two references as the “end of all things” has its root in the Hebrew Scriptures with the concept of “end of days.” As might be assumed, the closing section of history might be seen to be the equivalent of what was later called “the coming eon,” or in other words, the coming time or age. When doing a Biblical exegesis on this subject, we can really only form an opinion that is based on incomplete or inconclusive information. We can only guess at the date or time of His Coming and the end of all things as we now know it. To the early Christians the days of the Messiah appeared more in character with the future world so that no reason existed for not including them and believing that at His Coming again He would complete and perfect the Kingdom of God on earth. The admonition within the Scripture fits any time period and that is of “watchfulness.” This is something the present day Church is greatly lacking. Few are paying the price of watching in prayer and fasting, and being earnest in their prayer lives. Thank God for each of you who read this OnWatch newsletter coming to you from Jerusalem--that you have a call to prayer and a sense of the seriousness of the times in which we live. In the Temple in Jerusalem there was the “Beit Hamoked,” the House of the Hearth. It was the second largest building and was the sleeping quarters for the Priests who performed the Temple services. It served as a dormitory and some sources say the Priests slept on the steps, while others slept in quarters built into a wall, like cubicles. In the middle of the floor was a tile one cubit by one cubit. It could be raised by lifting a hoop set into it. Underneath was a chain, to which were attached the keys to the gates. One of the assigned officials would take the keys after they locked the Temple up at night, put them on a chain and sleep atop the tile. Also in this magnificent Temple was the Gate of Sparks, a small courtyard surrounded by columns, which supported a balcony upon which the Kohen from the priestly guard stayed on watch at night. He never fell asleep. The rays of the sun gave an appearance of flickering sparks, giving the gate its name. The Priestly and Levitical watches were extremely important to the overall protection of the Temple of God on earth at that time. In capturing this beautiful mental image in our minds, let us take to heart the words from 1 Peter to be watchful as the priests during Biblical times. This is our job now. We are the “Watchmen on the Wall” today, as they once were. We must make sure our sleeping quarters are near enough to the chambers of God’s Heart so that we can discern and hear what He is saying to us in prayer at all times. We have the keys to the gates of prayer through the wonderful ability to enter into the Holy of Holies through the shed blood of the Lamb of God, Yeshua. If we allow the sparks of His Love to overflow into love for Israel “for such a time as this,” then the rays of the SON will help us to always be “on watch” for Jerusalem. May the Lord bless you as you take these words and apply them to your work as Watchmen. Let Us Go to the Throne Room in Prayer: Farina Praying.jpgCome with Thanksgiving to the Lord for the new Christian Israeli-Arab Party to be called Bnei Brit Hahadasha in the Knesset. This is a Hebrew term that can be translated as “new allies” and also “children of the New Testament.” The party is sponsored by Christians from northern Israel. · Thank God that Bashara Shlayan, a Christian Arab, is willing to enter a party in the next elections, which can take place any time up to four years from today. This is a victory for the Lord. · Praise the Lord for the courage and faith to stand against many voices opposing him from the Arab world. “Make haste, O God, to deliver me: make haste to help me, O Lord, Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul...” (Psalm 70:1,2). · Thank the Lord for Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Patriarch of the Church in Nazareth Ilit. He has been excommunicated by the Orthodox Church Council after he urged Christian Arab youth to serve in the IDF or in civilian Israeli national service. · Intercede for the protection of the lives of both brave men from the Arab community. “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me...Because for thy sake I have borne reproach...I am become a stranger to my own brethren...deliver me out of the mire...” (Psalm 69: 6-14). Guard the gates for the challenges that Israel faces today. It is the conclusion of those in the know in Israel that the common root problem of the Arab states is that they have failed to develop themselves in modern times. The riots, rebellion and violence surrounding Israel in the Arab nations of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran and Iraq are resulting in endless fighting among themselves. There is poverty, disconnect, war, and discontent surrounding Israel’s borders. · Stay posted to what is happening here. While the enemies of Israel are fighting one another, there is less time to fight against Israel. · Pray for the Shiites and the Sunnis who are bitter enemies. Ask God to reveal Himself to them and that they would come to salvation and redemption through Him. · Beseech the Lord to open up the eyes of both camps as the only thing Sunnis and Shiite’s agree on is Israel. This is a bone in the throat of Islam on Islamic Land. “For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there, and have it in possession” (Psalm 69:35). · Call Upon the Lord for many caught in the deception of Hizbullah and Hamas to be freed from the claws of lies they are entangled in, in their war against Israel. · Cry out to the Lord for the "sunrise" (or rising) power of Iran (as it sees itself) versus the sunset of the declining West. · Beseech the Lord for the battle over minds and hearts of the Middle East region. Israelis have very much neglected this battle, which is a big mistake. “...His eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves" (Psalm 66:8). “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known upon earth...” (Psalm 67:1-2). Hands.jpgMuch prayer is needed for this region of the world, because what happens here will affect the whole world. Nations are making their decision whether to support the Nation of Israel or to compromise their stand with her. God is weighing the nations in the balance. We see the decline of many nations and all are those who have turned against her in some way or another. Let us pray for our nations and our peoples that repentance and a turning back to God be in the first priority order. Likewise, Israel needs to turn herself back to God, as much of the ways of the nations have now also spoiled her. Repentance and prayer are the keys to the gates of finding our way in today’s world. Praying Together for His Glory to Come, Sharon Sanders Co-founder/Director Christian Friends of Israel – Jerusalem cfijerusalem.org
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 22:34:47 +0000
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