Shalom,
I was asked to share my thoughts and heart about praying for Israel. Here is my contribution to the Saltshakers website for November 2006. I hope it will bless you and guide you. I welcome any questions and suggestions for topics.

In Yeshua's love, Siv Idestrom

Prayer for Israel
Cheshvan/Kislev 5767 / November 2006

Chosen

Shalom friends,

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be blessed by those chosen to follow Him in interceding for Israel, His Chosen People. Amen and amen. I thank God for each one of you.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-10)

You get the Call, through the Scriptures, through revelation, through conviction. You are chosen. You respond by the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Yeshua also had a choice as He prayed to His Father in the Mount of Olives.

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)

To be chosen is to pick up the Cross and walk with Messiah Yeshua. It means thorns and persecution. The lives of many exemplify this. Corrie ten Boom and her family, Moses, Abraham, et alia.

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. (Genesis 12:1)

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob does not choose perfect persons. Rather, He perfects us on our destiny’s journey.

Israel is God’s chosen people, since the call of Abraham.
Today, the people of Israel has to make their choice to walk with Him.
The nation of Israel is at a spiritual crossroad. It is the hour of decision for them. Which way to go, peace process or God’s peace? Which god to choose, The God of Torah, new age gods or secularism? The truth is there is only one narrow path to take. His name is Yeshua.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
(John 14:6)

We know there are divine appointed times for the Call. We must make a personal choice, a covenant commitment to Him. I believe that the Messianic Jews (Jews who have accepted Yeshua as their Messiah) around the world are “the first fruits of the whole batch” of all Israel. God is faithful to bring salvation to this world in need.

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:13-16)

May Israel’s salvation shine brightly in a darkening world.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. (Isaiah 62:1-2)

The LORD’s covenant promises are true, tested and perfect.
Israel, His Chosen People has a divine destiny with a divine destination.
Let us stand, believing in the power of prayer through the Holy Spirit, that God’s Word will be fulfilled for our precious brothers and sisters, the Jewish people.

News from the heart

I find that the best news updates on Israel come from the heart of Israel. The following organizations provide excellent online news updates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the peace process and other current events in Israel. Here are a few highly recommended websites. These ministries and organizations also provide books and publications to help us keep up with news on Israel and the world wide Jewish community.

Saltshakers Messianic Community (www.saltshakers.com)
Jerusalem Post (www.JPost.com)
Bridges for Peace (www.bridgesforpeace.com)
International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem (www.icej.org)
Christian Friends of Israel (www.cfijerusalem.org)
David Dolan (www.ddolan.com)
Vision for Israel (www.jnnnews.com)
Independent Media Review Analysis (www.imra.org.il)
Honest Reporting (www.honestreporting.com)
Israel Today magazine (quarterly)
Messianic Times newspaper (quarterly)

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; “May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”

In Yeshua’s love,

Siv Idestrom