Pictured: Blast 1, Blast 2, and
finally blast 3 that exploded like a mushroom cloud sending a
shock wave out that flattened the surrounding area and was heard 150 miles away in Cyprus. How to help Lebanese Christians at the end of the Lebanon Tragedy article. God prepared a means five days ago.
shock wave out that flattened the surrounding area and was heard 150 miles away in Cyprus. How to help Lebanese Christians at the end of the Lebanon Tragedy article. God prepared a means five days ago.
Lebanon Tragedy
by Donna Diorio
While preparing the Weekly Summary
earlier this week, I was struck by a particular prayer request from Chuck Cohen
of Intercessors for Israel. He was bringing the troubling developments among
Hezbollah chief Nasrallah who "threatened revenge against Israel over a
Hizbullah officer whom Israel accidently [?] killed in Syria." Cohen wrote
that "Lebanon is under Hizbullah's
mafia-style control and is in deep distress. Recently, many Lebanese have
rightly pointed fingers at Hizbullah as the main reason for their nation's
horrid situation."
Then as Cohen began to get into his prayer points he wrote, "God please help the Lebanese to overthrow their wicked Hizbullah tyrants (Zech. 11:1). Move Lebanon into a position of being able to live in peace with Israel (1 Kin. 5:1-12). Pour out the fear of Israel's God on all Hizbullah's leaders – especially Nasrallah (Isa. 2:19). Save many Hizbullah members but destroy that wicked organization (Matt. 5:44; Isa. 14:30)."
Then came the zinger that struck me at the time so much that I put that prayer point in bold: Let Hizbullah fall into the trap it constantly tries to set for Israel (Psa. 9:5-6, 15, 19-20).
Then as Cohen began to get into his prayer points he wrote, "God please help the Lebanese to overthrow their wicked Hizbullah tyrants (Zech. 11:1). Move Lebanon into a position of being able to live in peace with Israel (1 Kin. 5:1-12). Pour out the fear of Israel's God on all Hizbullah's leaders – especially Nasrallah (Isa. 2:19). Save many Hizbullah members but destroy that wicked organization (Matt. 5:44; Isa. 14:30)."
Then came the zinger that struck me at the time so much that I put that prayer point in bold: Let Hizbullah fall into the trap it constantly tries to set for Israel (Psa. 9:5-6, 15, 19-20).
Hours later my Twitter feed began to be filled with news out of Beirut
and horrifying pictures that I thought must be doctored because in the third
great blast was a clear mushroom cloud with a massive shock wave emanating out
from it over the city. It was very real though and the mushroom cloud came not
from being nuked - which Israel would surely have been blamed for - but it was
from ammonia tanks being stored in a Hezbollah weapons warehouse. This was same
substance that was used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
The blast, which struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. The blast damaged half the city, destroying windows and entire homes, with damage estimated at $3-5 Billion and has left up to 300,000 people temporarily homeless. The death toll from the explosion has risen to at least 100 with at least 4,000 wounded. Many are still missing, including people thrown into the sea by the blast. Families went to the port looking for relatives, and workers are still looking for people under the rubble. The tragedy comes as Lebanon suffers a major economic crisis, with poverty levels nearing 50%.
Many on Twitter pointed out that the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened in the past to destroy Israel by causing a massive explosion in the port of Haifa using ammonia tanks that he said would be like a “nuclear” explosion. Now the disastrous explosion that Nasrallah mean for Israel, has instead befallen Lebanon, and as I also read yesterday from Twitter reports, many Christian families, pastors, charitable workers and other NGO's who lived and worked in the immediate area that was flattened by the blast. This is nothing new for Islamist terrorists organizations to situate weapons caches in heavily civilian populations, knowing that Israel would refrain from bombing anything that would create massive civilian casualties.
The blast, which struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. The blast damaged half the city, destroying windows and entire homes, with damage estimated at $3-5 Billion and has left up to 300,000 people temporarily homeless. The death toll from the explosion has risen to at least 100 with at least 4,000 wounded. Many are still missing, including people thrown into the sea by the blast. Families went to the port looking for relatives, and workers are still looking for people under the rubble. The tragedy comes as Lebanon suffers a major economic crisis, with poverty levels nearing 50%.
Many on Twitter pointed out that the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened in the past to destroy Israel by causing a massive explosion in the port of Haifa using ammonia tanks that he said would be like a “nuclear” explosion. Now the disastrous explosion that Nasrallah mean for Israel, has instead befallen Lebanon, and as I also read yesterday from Twitter reports, many Christian families, pastors, charitable workers and other NGO's who lived and worked in the immediate area that was flattened by the blast. This is nothing new for Islamist terrorists organizations to situate weapons caches in heavily civilian populations, knowing that Israel would refrain from bombing anything that would create massive civilian casualties.
As great as this tragedy, it is also an opportunity for Lebanon to
finally throw off the rule of Hezballah over its country. The Lebanese will
need much prayer and much help from the world community to recover from this
blow. It is an opportunity for people of the faith of the LORD Yeshua to make a
powerful expression of God's love for the Lebanese.
As Chuck Cohen continued in his prayer points, "Give wisdom to the believers in Israel's north and in Lebanon on how to pray (Col. 1:9). Remove all anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist influences from the true Lebanese Church (Num. 24:9b). We bless You for the angelic protection You have placed on all of Israel's borders (Psa. 34:7).
As Chuck Cohen continued in his prayer points, "Give wisdom to the believers in Israel's north and in Lebanon on how to pray (Col. 1:9). Remove all anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist influences from the true Lebanese Church (Num. 24:9b). We bless You for the angelic protection You have placed on all of Israel's borders (Psa. 34:7).
As part of
the Isaiah Highway 19 Global broadcast five days ago, a commitment was made to
raise 1 million dollars to help suffering Arab Christians in the nations surrounding
Israel as a demonstration of the covenant between them and the Israeli
Messianics. Today Asher Intrater has confirmed they will be helping the Christian
Arabs in Lebanon as this tragedy so warrants. To sow into this effort, Watchmen
for the Nations is responsible for collecting
the donations.
Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Chuck Cohen's Friday Prayer Points 31 July 2020
concerning Hezballah in Lebanon were so on point, as you read above. He also
covered many other topics which you can read in full at the link, including the
lack of stability in Israeli society that has erupted in demonstrations and
unrest.
Cohen writes, "While this is acceptable in a democracy, the many demonstrations leading to riots, trying to unseat Netanyahu as Israel's prime minister could be seen as anti-democratic as while a majority of Israelis voted three times recently to have him lead this nation, these demonstrators are trying to use violence, intimidation and other tactics to remove him. Lord, help the government and police force discern between the legitimate demonstrators and those that are wanting to wipe out the decision of the majority of Israel's citizens (Matt. 13:41; 1 Tim. 1:9)..... Lord God, fight against the spirits of lawlessness and anarchy that run in the streets (Psa. 35:1; 68:1). May the authorities pass a law against all demonstrations in residential areas or in front of ministers' homes – as this is just another form of the spirit of Jezebel – that is, intimidation (1 Sam. 15:23). Lord Yeshua, most of these demonstrators are sheep without a true shepherd. Walk in the midst of them and pluck out a harvest for Your holy name's sake (Matt. 9:36; 1 Pet. 2:25)."
Cohen writes, "While this is acceptable in a democracy, the many demonstrations leading to riots, trying to unseat Netanyahu as Israel's prime minister could be seen as anti-democratic as while a majority of Israelis voted three times recently to have him lead this nation, these demonstrators are trying to use violence, intimidation and other tactics to remove him. Lord, help the government and police force discern between the legitimate demonstrators and those that are wanting to wipe out the decision of the majority of Israel's citizens (Matt. 13:41; 1 Tim. 1:9)..... Lord God, fight against the spirits of lawlessness and anarchy that run in the streets (Psa. 35:1; 68:1). May the authorities pass a law against all demonstrations in residential areas or in front of ministers' homes – as this is just another form of the spirit of Jezebel – that is, intimidation (1 Sam. 15:23). Lord Yeshua, most of these demonstrators are sheep without a true shepherd. Walk in the midst of them and pluck out a harvest for Your holy name's sake (Matt. 9:36; 1 Pet. 2:25)."
From Chaim Malespin, the directory of the Aliyah Return Center, a link to
watch the first worship gathering in their Vertical
Galilee House of Prayer. They are opening a special group for those who want to
stay updated on the building progress, special guests, and hear personal
stories of those who were blessed during their time here. "Visit our site and enter your email to
learn more about: The History of Israel | Prophecies in Progress | The Call to
Stand with Israel (and how you can be a part of this!) and receive a FREE Prayer Guide". Plus video of Chaim
& Deanna's Love Story
Israel Pochtar, pastor in Ashdod and head of Voice of Judah ministries
writes a devotional Kingdom of Heaven is for the Poor in Spirit
and also an uplifting video on the same in Lessons from the Galilee. It hit home to
me: "The difference between the
rich and the poor, is that the rich are satisfied, but the poor acknowledge
their dependence on the help of others." In light of that understanding,
Pochtar is engaged in many, many projects to help the needy in his area,
especially the immigrants who come to Israel with almost nothing. Click to read
more about their Cooling Down Summer Project and Back-to-School Project, and also be
prepared for a blessing in this link: Powerful
testimonies of Changed Lives
In
the Maoz Ministries prayer points Shani Ferguson writes about sex change laws
that are being considered in Israel to "criminalize any counsel that
would attempt to ‘convert’ a child back to their original heterosexual
biological gender once they 'decided' they were otherwise" - including
parental counsel. This completely usurps parental authority! (We seem the same
aggressive laws being attempted here in the USA). Shani writes, "It is one
thing for a government to pass laws that permit evil; it is yet another for
them to pass laws to forbid righteousness. So we ask for Your hand to halt the
passing of this law and all laws that would forbid righteous activities."
Amen, amen!
Shani also writes about the downside of having to conduct services via
video streaming and how it is significant numbers of congregants tuning is
dropping. For whatever reasons, "this is a real time of isolation from
spiritual environments in a land where true spiritual fellowship in Yeshua was
already scarce to begin with." Pray for "creative ways for members of
the Body to fellowship with each other during this time. Provide counsel for
those who are having difficulty at home and cannot go seek help like they
usually do. Build new and unexpected friendships among believers who may not
even realize they live near each other."
Writing about the process of the biblical "refining fire" she
asks prayers that "as each of our local circles and national societies are
being challenged and stirred up, let us take this opportunity to ask God to
purge us from cultural norms that are contrary to His ways. Father, we thank
You for providing a way for individuals and whole nations to return to You. As
we have asked for the purge of powerful people who have given in to corruption,
now we ask for corruption to be purged from the lower levels of society. We
know Your eyes run to and fro throughout
the earth, and we ask now that You look down and identify the hearts of
people all over the world who are open to change. We intercede on behalf of those who want
change but don’t yet know which direction to turn—turn them towards You.....As
You start many of Your world events in Israel, we ask that You wash over this
land as You said, “The Lord will wash
away the filth of Zion's people…with a spirit of judgment and a spirit of
burning.” (Isaiah.4:4) And so, wash over the nations as well!"
A new music project from Eli Ben-Moshe (Chopinsky)'s Ashira Project, (Ashira
means I will Sing) featuring a talented Israeli worship leader,
songwriter and musician. Denis has been writing songs for many years but this
is the first time he is being produced. Here is a video sneak peak into the new song. Eli writes, "As you know, all our music
is available for free, but production costs are not free. If you enjoy our
ministry and our music, please consider supporting
this project with a donation that will help cover
mastering, graphics, video and distribution costs."
From Ronit Bender in northern Israel, a few of the Divine appointments
God set up for her to connect with an immigrant who believed in Yeshua but knew
nothing about asking Him to live in her heart. So they were able to pray
together for that. Continuing along her way, Ronit then met a young Catholic
girl who she asked if she had ever asked Yeshua into her heart. Answering
"no" she asked her if she wanted to and the girl answered yes so they
prayed. This is how Israel is being saved - by every means. Ronit shares many
other of her contacts will people, some are long term that live in her neighborhood
and whom she continues to plant seed with. Pray for the fruitful harvest of
those seed. She also wrote, "I heard on a prayer watch recently, that in
the USA there are homes being prepared for Jewish people as they flee their
homes because of Anti-Semitism. There is a huge number of Jewish people who are
willing to leave the comfort of their homes in the West to come and live in
Israel. Pray that we, Messianic
Believers and Christians around the world, will become a place of refuge to the
lost and broken. The answer to it all is Yeshua (Jesus)."
Ronit also wrote extensively about Psalm 68:5 King David describing God as "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation." She writes, "If you are inclined to help the poor in Israel, widows or the fatherless among Israelis, consider writing me, and making a donation. I will pass it on. There are many serious needs even among believers. Many people remain without jobs, some cannot pay their rent, even some have been evicted. You may be the key that keeps a mother and her children or an elderly Israeli in their home another month. If you have been supporting Israeli or charitable organizations that are not Messianic in nature, please prayerfully consider redirecting that donation."
Ronit also wrote extensively about Psalm 68:5 King David describing God as "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation." She writes, "If you are inclined to help the poor in Israel, widows or the fatherless among Israelis, consider writing me, and making a donation. I will pass it on. There are many serious needs even among believers. Many people remain without jobs, some cannot pay their rent, even some have been evicted. You may be the key that keeps a mother and her children or an elderly Israeli in their home another month. If you have been supporting Israeli or charitable organizations that are not Messianic in nature, please prayerfully consider redirecting that donation."
From Kehila News Israel here are
just a few of the worthy articles to read: Amazing Evidence Of Kingdom Of Judah Found In
Jerusalem! | Antichrist in the Church | Messianic materials used in Israeli schools
From
Avi-Asher Hyde's Tree of Life Ministries, a VIDEO 5 Israelis Say "Yes" to Jesus during
Corona Crisis | Please help us spread the message of what God is doing by liking and
sharing this video from our Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and on all social media! The ministry is also beginning a new 3-month internship
program with Michael and Elishua have joined our team. Pray for them as well as
the other team members, and for 13 new believers! They also would like prayer
for more laborers to do followups as more Israelis are watching their
evangelistic videos and coming to faith, and that they may also through their
other outreaches.
Claude and Michelle Ezagouri of the MorningStar Fellowship give praise
that none of the fellowship have been infected by corona virus and pray it will
remain so. Despite the on and off lockdowns, they have two new families
interested in becoming a part of the congregation. Much of their usual ministry
has been disrupted through the virus restrictions so they brainstormed creative
new ways of connecting with each other, including increasing home groups,
keeping in better phone contact, informal kabalat Shabbat meals inviting one of
two families to eat together and share the word over dinner.
Claude writes, "The present conditions have changed quite
significantly and the negative side of this is that we had to reduce the
midweek activities.....cancel youth / children Summer camps, excursions and all
kinds of other meetings. Consequently, we are losing much of the dynamics of
these gatherings. We noticed that the present official restrictions are
affecting first the religious and cultural activities, reducing the
nourishment of the soul for the population to a minimum and we are aware that
this is a global phenomenon. The consequences are already visible and
statistics in Israel show a higher rate of despair and a lower rate of
patriotism. This is why we need to be aware of the enemy's schemes and not
yield to complacency.
From Howard and Randi Bass in Beer Sheva, they are also turning to small group meetings, realizing it as a necessity now, but also likely in the years to come. Another vide event they are adding is walking through the Statement of Faith of our congregation. In the 2nd of three weddings of their children this year, son Evan married Joyanna. (Tamar was married to Ezra in January, and Tal will marry Eden in Sept. Mazal tov to all the Bass family and wishing marital bliss upon all their children. ♥
Some great advise from Howard on how to pray for Israel |"please remember that it is a spiritual battle: Israel is the enemy of the gospel, but beloved for the fathers' sake (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel); do not pray with a guilty conscience, if you know that you are forgiven for any of your sins, or the sins of your people, towards the Jewish people; do not pray pragmatically for Israel just for God to bless you; do not pray because Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East; it may not remain so. Do not pray for Israel because she is a political ally of your country. These are all things that might make it easier for you, but our prayers for Israel must be because it is the will of God, and His name is at stake that He fulfill all of His covenantal promises with His chosen people and land and city of Jerusalem. He is YHVH! And the resurrection of Jesus confirms the promises made to the fathers, since He is the promised righteous Seed.
Also Howard writes, The current protests and demonstrations in the
streets of Israel against the Prime Minister in particular, but also against
the government in general, mimic to a degree what is taking place in the
streets of the U.S. Israel often does
whatever America does. Many of the protesters are young adults who claim to be
neither right or left politically, but simply voices of a generation that has
no hope, and the government is unwilling or incapable to change that. There is
no doubt that anarchists exploit such a hopelessness, but not all of those
disgruntled are against Israel.... The disgruntled during the days of King Saul
went out to David. These were not miscreants, but the system was working
against the good of the people...The God of Israel is still here, working to
save His people." {Some more of
Howard's writing: Daniel 7:1-14 | Daniel 7:15-28 | Replacement Theology In Its Warp and Woof | Anti-Gravity
Ron Cantor of Messiah's Mandate writes that the Sea of Galilee is at a 27-year-high for August! Water has always been a sign of God's blessing as well as a sign of God's Spirit being poured out as well as a sign of God's Spirit being poured out. Also South African chief justice under fire for citing pro-Israel scriptures and New elections again?! Would be the fourth in 18 months
Ron Cantor of Messiah's Mandate writes that the Sea of Galilee is at a 27-year-high for August! Water has always been a sign of God's blessing as well as a sign of God's Spirit being poured out as well as a sign of God's Spirit being poured out. Also South African chief justice under fire for citing pro-Israel scriptures and New elections again?! Would be the fourth in 18 months
Tomorrow, Thursday 8/6 LuAnne Sayag of the Carmel congregation will be holding an online ZOOM Women's Bible Study from Israel on Psalm 37 which begins, "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong." (Not giving the info on how to connect except in my e-mailings). But you can also Pastor Dani and LuAnne for their "Kabbalat Shabbat" Welcoming of the Shabbat, Friday evening via Facebook live, Friday, August 7 We will start at 18:00 (6pm) Israel time. Check out the Kehilat HaCarmel FaceBook page.
Guy Cohen, who pastors the Acco Harvest of Asher congregation writes of a
"Cycle" in history that he sees repeating in our day and the first
being in the Jewish-Roman war, sometimes called the Great Revolt, took place
between 66 – 73 AD. (Read in full on Guy's Facebook page). "What I find
most disturbing is the parallel between the way the nation operated during
events which took place then and are taking place now. They began with a
unified effort against the Romans which resulted in a miraculous victory.
Later, there was division as groups or factions with varying agendas formed.
These groups ranged from those who felt they should surrender; to moderate
Jewish leaders and even zealots who were of an all or nothing mentality. Chaos,
division and civil war in the camp. When I look at Israel today, I see the
same chaos in the camp. Different groups with different agendas; leadership
not acting together or working toward the same goal which should be for the
good of the people, the nation. My experience is that when bad times come, we
Israelis are unified, we come together. The same fight we had then we have
today. Interestingly, before Titus there was discord in the Israeli camp. Only
when they discovered Titus at the gate did they unify. Sadly; COVID19 is at the
gates and we have not yet managed to come together. We must seek God’s
direction in this time of chaos even in how we should pray. May God help us
all."
An Israeli worship leader at Succat Hallel, a songwriter & speaker, Shilo
Ben Hod has a new worship video on
YouTube. He wrote on his Facebook
page how excited he was to announce the new video and invited every one watch
(and please share it). It is sung in Hebrew with subtitles available in 4
languages! I have received many emails
from those in ministry in Israel who know and love Shilo Ben Hod, who is also a
husband and father to a young son. If you read his Facebook page, you will see
many who love this young man who praises the LORD from Jerusalem.
From Tikkun, Ron Cantor writes about his upcoming book, Birth pangs and
the rise of anti-Semitism
in the mainstream.... but it is a harbinger for what will come. The antichrist
will hate Israel and attack Jerusalem. Be on your guard because the enemy will
target believers to turn on Israel. When He returns, He will ask, "How do
you treat My brothers?" (Matt. 25:31-46)
Also articles from Tikkun ministries: Selective
Empathy And Biblical Compassion by Dan Juster
| Why Tribulation?! by Asher Intrater | Let
Endurance have its Perfect Work! by Leon Mazin | How
Can We Help Grow God’s Kingdom? by Tents of Mercy
Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is
in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry leaders
and believers with urgent health needs
A prayer request for Naomi, for a
dear family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who was diagnosed
recently with colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are
confident in God’s unfailing Word and promises." Read in
her own words, as she has been prepared for chemotherapy which will begin next Monday.
| Ronit Bender whose cardiologist told her that
her irregular heartbeat is SEVERE, and is suggesting further tests. Please
intercede for Ronit: No weapon formed against her shall prosper! | Olga Bikas severe back pain has kept her in "quarantine"
for the past 4 years or so! Please pray for God to do a miracle of healing for Olga. | Please pray for Rachel Netanel's brother who is
recovering | Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the LORD's mercies
over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva | Continue please to pray for Ruth Nessim Critical prayer need she is losing sight! Prayers for a
miracle for Ruth.|
Thanks Giving
Thank
you to my subscribers who wonderfully answered my request for donation help
last week. Two scriptures come to mind, "The
LORD is for me among those who help me" Psalms 118:7
NAS. This is certainly true, those who help us in time of need are expressing
that God is FOR us. The second is like the first, Psalm 54:4 KJV: "Behold,
God is mine helper: the LORD is with them that uphold my soul." When any of us
give to those in need, the LORD is with us because we are upholding souls
precious to Him. Let us give and receive with thanksgiving, knowing that God is
speaking His love to us and through us. Thank you again, Donna Diorio
Donna Diorio donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
THANK YOU to those who support this ministry with donations. ♥
Donations appreciated | on PayPal donna@israelprayer.com
Or by postal mail make
donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 | I do not have tax exempt status.
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 | I do not have tax exempt status.
