Shalom %%First Name%%,

As Marianna and I were reading through Psalm 44 today, we began to pray and cry out to the Lord to lead us by His Spirit in how to pray for Israel and the current war. Our hearts were broken for the brave boys (and girls) of the IDF who are forced once again to fight the evil terrorist organization Hamas, however this time with the determination to finally root out this evil for good.

It should be absolutely clear to anyone who loves truth and is filled with the Holy Spirit that Hamas has plagued not only the people of Israel but also the peace loving Palestinians living in oppression and fear in Gaza like cancer. So as we were praying, there arose such a desire for a time of "true intercession," where we would sense that our prayers would be carried by the Holy Spirit into the very throne room of God. I immediately thought about the verse in Revelation that speaks about the prayers of the saints that are mingled with the smoke of the incense upon the golden alter that rises to the very nostrils of the Almighty Himself... Could our prayers actually be breathed in by the Father?

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. (Rev 8:3-4)

I have sinned! Have mercy upon me Oh God... and all Israel

I suppose we have come to the place where we are no longer satisfied, and perhaps the Lord isn't either with the "usual" prayers we offer on Israel's behalf almost robotically. Prayers such as "Lord, save your people," "'Lord, remove the blindness from their eyes," "Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem," etc. Instead, we have found ourselves crying out for OWN sins and complancency, while begging God for His mercy upon us who in reality are disserving of His wrath and punishment. It was during this overwhelming sense of unworthiness that we understood to be the answer of our original earnest prayer, of asking how do we effectively pray for Israel? Thus a door of sincere intercession was opened through brokenness and the approach to His throne was approved for an acceptable prayer for Israel and the Jewish people with tears!

Oh how we desire to experience this kind of prayer daily, not only for the lost but also for His land and people! I know that in my own life, I am being drawn to have much more quality time spent in prayer and intimate fellowship with our Father...

Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (Ps 141:2)

Current Issues of Prayer:

Katyusha Rockets hit northern Israel

For the first time since the Lebanon was in 2006, a Katyusha barrage was fired Thursday at the Nahariya area in the Western Galilee. Police reported that two people were lightly wounded and evacuated to the local hospital. Five other residents were treated for shock.

Below the number of missiles fired in Israel since the start of operation "Cast Lead". It should be noted that the alarm "Color Red" is only sounded when rockets are fired, not mortars. Mortars cannot be identified, therefore, although "primitive" (BBC terminology), the risk to civilians is higher.

"Why do the nations rage…?" Ps 2:1

Widespread global outrage against the Israeli assault on Hamas has sparked protest on every continent. Hundreds of demonstrations have taken place in cities large and small, from Bogota to Manila, Sofia to Ottawa, Dublin to New Delhi, in addition to dozens of cities in the US including in most major European and North American city, protests have continued in all parts of the globe.

According to the Jewish Press, Britain has seen a sharp rise in attacks on Jews since the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Incidents include an arson attempt on a London synagogue, a physical attack on a Jewish man in North London, anti-Semitic graffiti scrawled in Jewish neighborhoods and hate mail sent to synagogues. Is this the beginning of another global title wave of anti-Semitism?

Good bye Europe, Hello Eurabia...

The following is an excerpt from a recent speech by Geert Wilders, chairman Party for Freedom, the Netherlands while visiting in New York.

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Thank you for standing with Israel in our time of need!
Bradley Antolovich,
International director