ISAIAH 62 Prayer Letter – December 2016

Dear prayer partners,

As we enter the Christmas season, our focus returns once again to the biblical passages on the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. In the Nativity story found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, one aspect which really stands out is how clear and direct God speaks to those involved. While in the past He may have spoken through the prophets and patriarchs in veiled messages and shadowy images with hidden meanings, here the Lord is very straightforward. A special child has been born, the very Son of God, and the Father is extremely proud!

We see, for instance, an angel telling the lowly shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11)

Now throughout his life and ministry, Jesus remained humble in the way he spoke of his own Son-ship and identity as the promised Messiah. But his first coming was largely a time when the hidden was revealed and that which had been veiled was boldly declared. Those earliest followers of Jesus fearlessly proclaimed who he was and his right and title as the long-awaited son of David.

The writer of Hebrews says it thusly: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” (Hebrews 1:1-2) The apostle Paul adds that Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God… by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:4)

We who now eagerly await the second coming of Jesus live in a time when God is once again unveiling prophetic truths and openly declaring that which was once cloaked in allusions and imagery. God is not hiding His plans and purposes any longer, and nowhere is this clearer than in the modern-day restoration of Israel. God spoke through the Hebrew prophets that the last days would be marked by the rebirth of this nation “in a day” (Isaiah 66:8). Likewise, God has declared the people of Israel as still elect of Him by raising them from the “grave” of dispersion and exile (Ezekiel 37:11-14).

So that which was hidden in ages past, we can now proclaim with full assurance – both in our preaching and in our prayers. Israel is alive as a nation once again, and it heralds the soon return of the Messiah. Now there are still many things yet to come, which still must be taken by faith. But too much has happened already to ever doubt that Israel’s rebirth is the handiwork of the Lord.

This means we can be bold in our prayers concerning the nation of Israel, as well as the nations which surround her, and our own ministry and calling to comfort Israel. Let us declare those things which have not yet come to pass as though they already were! (Romans 4:17)

May the Holy Spirit empower your prayers!

David Parsons
ICEJ Senior Spokesman

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The next day of prayer and fasting in our Isaiah 62 Global Prayer Campaign will be on Wednesday, December 7th, 2016. Please join us!

Pray with us according to the following guidelines:

1. Prayer for Israel
- Praise the Lord for all He has done to rebirth and guard the nation of Israel in our day. Declare that the physical restoration of Israel will become a spiritual restoration as well, just as God has promised. Pray according to Ezekiel 36:24-36 and 37:21-28, as well as Jeremiah 31:27-34.

- Pray for Israel’s relations with the new Administration in the United States, that the bonds of friendship would be stronger than ever and that Israel would have more allies in the international arena. Pray according to Psalm 22:28 and 102:13-22.

- Pray that God will expose and judge all the hatred, evil and corruption driving those who seek to slander, delegitimize and destroy the Jewish nation and people. Pray in line with Joel 3:1-8 and Luke 1:67-75.

2. Middle East
- Proclaim that God is sovereign over all nations and rulers in the Middle East and the entire world, and that nothing can happen outside of His will and purposes. Pray based on Isaiah 40:15-17 and Daniel 2:20-22.

- Pray that the fighting and violence in Syria and Iraq will soon end with the oppressive Assad regime out of power and with ISIS and other radical Islamic militias likewise vanquished. Pray using Psalm 92:5-9 and Isaiah 60:12.

- Pray for protection and revival among our Christian brothers and sisters living throughout the region, that their bold witness would bring many into the Kingdom of God. Pray with Romans 8:35-39 and 2 Thessalonians 1:4-9 in mind.

3. ICEJ ministry
- Praise the Lord for His great faithfulness and provision over the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem this past year. Pray that God will continue to supply all our needs, according to His riches in glory. Pray with reference to Exodus 36:7 and Philippians 4:19.

- Pray for our upcoming Envision pastors’ conference in Jerusalem, that the Lord would speak sovereignly into the lives of these shepherds, equipping them to feed His flock in the years to come. Pray according to Micah 7:14 and Acts 20:28.

- Pray for our efforts to assist with the return of the last remnant of the Ethiopian Jewish community to Israel. Pray for the resources needed to bring them home safely and to help them adjust to their new lives in Israel. Pray with Isaiah 43:6 and Zephaniah 3:10.