ISAIAH 62 PRAYER INITIATIVE
April 2016 Prayer Letter

Dear Prayer Partners,
King David was a man after God’s own heart. His unusually intimate relationship with God was unique among all the Kings of Israel. One of the first things he did as king was to erect a tabernacle on Mt. Zion to contain the arc of the covenant and the incense altar, and nothing else (1 Chr 22).

Continual praise, worship and prayers were lifted up to God in this unique tabernacle; perhaps the incense which was offered there inspired David’s revelation that his own prayers were a sweet smelling aroma to God (Ps 141:2). He understood his prayers and fellowship pleased God; even today God wants to hear your voice and He wants you to spend time with Him. What a privilege this is.
This should not surprise us. Our Heavenly Father made the most remarkable investment in order to redeem us into His own family – His only begotten son (John 3:16). God has paid the maximum price for us and in many ways we are His most treasured possession. Therefore let us approach the Creator of the heavens and earth with great confidence. He is waiting for you!

As God enjoys our prayers like a sweet smelling aroma, He also takes these petitions very seriously. The book of Revelation says that when the great cosmic and redemptive purposes of God were put into action – the opening of the seven seals, or the blowing of the seven trumpets – it was all accompanied by the prayers of the saints on earth (Rev 5:7; 8:1-5).

“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.”
 (Revelation 8:3–4, NKJV)

In other words, not only do our prayers matter to God, but they also impact the entire world. Only eternity will tell us how our world would have looked without the prayers of the saints. As John Scriver (1819-1886) wrote:
“O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
Therefore, let us spend this day of prayer as a time of fellowship with our Creator who is already waiting for you. Expect that your prayers will impact your family, church, Israel and the nations.

Yours in Christ,
Jürgen Bühler
Executive Director, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
 
PRAYER POINTS
For April 2016
The next day of prayer and fasting in our Isaiah 62 Global Prayer Campaign will be on Wednesday, April 6th 2016. Please join us!

Israel:
1.    Pray for the Salvation of Israel and the restoration of Jerusalem. The Lord commands these two prayer requests – for us to pray until they happen.

Pray according to:
Romans 11:26-27; Jeremiah 33:6-9; Acts 3:19-26; Isaiah 62:1-7

2.    Pray for a complete halt to the maniacal knife attacks and shootings against the Jewish people in the Land - that the perpetrators would fall under the conviction of sin.  Pray also for Israeli leaders to have wisdom from God to deal with this.

Pray according to:
John 16:8; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 

3.    Pray for a platform for the Arab Christian voice to come forth loud and clear concerning God’s truth about Israel and the current situation in the Land.

Pray according to:
Proverbs 23:23; Matthew 10:27
The Region:
1.    The relationship between Egypt and Israel has warmed up, so please pray this will continue and challenges will be overcome.

Pray according to:
Proverbs 16:7

2.    Please pray for the safety of the borders with Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.

Pray according to:
Isaiah 54:16-17; Psalm 121
The ICEJ:
1.    Pray for the International Leadership Conference for our National Directors and Representatives all across the world as we come together in South Africa in May. Pray for the Spirit of the Lord to rest upon us all.

Pray according to:
Isaiah 11:2

2.    Pray for the prestigious Herzliya conference taking place in June.  This conference attracts top Israeli government ministers, such as the Prime Minister and the President, and other key leaders.  Pray for us as we have been invited to host a plenary session and discussions at this conference.

Pray according to:
Joshua 1:9

3.    Pray for Dr. Jürgen Bühler’s continued recovery and that he would be able to return to the office soon.

Pray according to:
Philippians 1:19, 25-26