ISAIAH 62 Prayer Letter
January 13, 2016

Dear friends,

Last week, while studying chapter 18 from the Book of Jeremiah, we discussed the meaning of events in the Potter’s house. God reminded Jeremiah of His sovereignty: As Creator, He alone has absolute power over human beings who are His creation.

At that time, the message of the Potter’s house was the Lord was fashioning a disaster against Judah and Jerusalem (Jer. 18:11). The God of Israel was saddened how His people had forgotten Him, fallen into idol worship, stumbled and shown their back and not their faces to Him as their God and King (Jer. 18:12-15, 2:27).

Through the prophet’s word, God was warning the people that without repentance and turning from their evil ways as a nation, judgment would soon befall them. He also said, however, that with one turn of the hand, one turn of the wheel, He could and would alter the shape of the clay, unmake it and make it anew to completely transform their impending judgment into a wonderful blessing (Jer. 18:7-8).

Unfortunately, the people did not repent and disaster came in 586 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed the Jerusalem Temple and took the people to exile, where they spent the next 70 years in captivity. This is should remind us when we see any nation with an unrepentant heart and rampant evil, to warn it, to offer the message of repentance and to point to hope. Thanks to Prophet Jeremiah we know how to pray for a nation in danger of impending judgment.

We are now in the year 2016 and this month, in the light of God’s Word, we want to evaluate, discuss and see what lies ahead for us as nations. This will equip us to pray according to the will of God and He will hear us (1 John 5:14-15).

Israel, God’s people

Because of His loyal covenantal love, the God of Israel has promised a glorious salvation for His chosen Jewish people. After regathering them home from four corners of the earth, He has promised to sprinkle clean water on them and cleanse them from all filthiness. He will give them a new heart, save them, give them the Holy Spirit and cause them to walk in obedience towards Him! (Ezekiel 36:24- 28) Israel as a nation shall be restored spiritually and will be saved within their ancient homeland! (Rom. 11:26-27)

But for this to actually happen, the modern day Israeli people need to repent from their unbelief and sinful lifestyles. This is inevitable, since God Himself has already promised to pour out His Spirit to move them and to give them the gift of repentance (Zech. 12:10, Acts 5:31). So we know what to pray on behalf of Israel.

Middle East: Syria and Iran

We also want to pray for other nations in the Middle East, since they are foretold a terrible judgment and even more tragic disasters unless they repent. Syria is among those nations.

The catastrophe in Syria has caused extreme and indescribable suffering for its people and it is still continuing. With the USA, Russia and Iran’s involvement, the death toll in the area shows no decline. Only a change of heart and mind, repentance and returning back to the ways of the Creator will stop the current insanity and shame of human behavior in its sinful and unrepentant state in Syria. Let’s pray fervently on behalf of the suffering Syrian people, their leadership, the rebel groups and the world leaders involved.

Iran is emerging from isolation after signing a nuclear agreement with the West. Now attention is focused on business relations, especially in the oil and airline industries, but world leaders are not publicly addressing the need for the Iranian leadership to cease threats to Israel. Instead, Iran is free to infiltrate many nations of the world with its evil intentions and continue building their nuclear weaponry. According to the New York Times (from Dec 19, 2015), Iran is also in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and many experts believe this may be the new normal. Even return of past rainfall levels might not be enough to avert the water crisis. Without repentance, a very difficult and sad route is ahead for Iran.

But there is a God in Heaven who has all power on Earth. In the midst of all this chaos, grassroots revival among the Iranians is strong! Millions have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and are also blessing Israel as a result. Intercede with us for Iran, as the revival continues and spreads to other nations in the Middle East!

As prayer warriors, we do have a say in the future fate of our nations. The response from the heart of the people to their God determines their path. Let’s pray together for Israel and her neighbors!

With every blessing from Jerusalem,

Rev. Juha Ketola
International Director
 
Pray with us according to the following guidelines:

1. Israel

Please pray for Israel’s salvation as promised in the Scriptures and for the modern day Israeli people to repent from their unbelief and their sins. God Himself already promised to pour out His Spirit on them!
Use Zech. 12:10 and Acts 5:31 in your prayers.

Please pray for the Messianic Body in Israel to grow and to be built up in Jesus.
Use Eph. 4:11-16 and Col.1:9-12 in your prayers.

Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Use Ps. 122:6-9 in your prayers.

2. Syria

Please pray for President Assad of Syria and his leadership, the leadership of the rebels, and the leadership of Russia, Iran and USA to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in establishing righteousness and peace among the ordinary people and for the good of all.
Use Prov. 21:1 in your prayers.

Please pray for a complete end to the fighting.
Use Jer. 18:7-8, 2 Chron. 7:14 in your prayers.

Please pray for the violence to not spill over the borders into Israel.
Use Ps. 121:3-5 in your prayers.

3. Iran

Please pray for the nuclear program in Iran to cease, and for the Lord to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weaponry. Pray for the eyes of the leadership to suddenly and miraculously open concerning their violence and hatred towards Israel and the West.
Use Num. 22:31-34 in your prayers.

Please pray for the revival to continue and to get stronger in Iran!
Use Acts 4:23-31 in your prayers.