REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF THE NATION: ETHNIC TENSION (GANG ACTIVITY)
Over the past few weeks, we have carefully examined the history of some of the injustices done to three major minority groups in our nation: African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. Today we want to see “where we are now,” and examine one more area for repentance regarding minority groups: the tensions and conflicts that exist among these people.
The most extreme example of these tensions is seen in the gang activity, now rampant in both our urban and suburban areas. Hispanic gangs, for example, not only fight among themselves; they also turn their pent-up rage against African American gangs. And any of these groups may also fight against Asian gangs on the streets of our cities.
Could it be that the root of all of this rage and anger lies in the historic issues we have examined?
If we cry out to God, can He not lay axe to the root of these tensions and hatreds, bringing healing, deliverance, new freedom in Christ, and peace to our cities?
“Father God, we come before you now, and we ask, Holy One, for your help in this prayer, because the issue of gang activity in America is a huge issue with roots that run very, very deep among all those who are entangled in these dangerous tentacles of hate. But Holy God, we know that YOU are much bigger than the needs we see in our news; for You are high and lifted up and Your train fills the temple.”
Father God, we cry out to you for HEALING to come to these precious youth who feel so helpless, lost, hopeless, and afraid. We ask You, dear God, to lay axe to the root of this anger in each youth in our nation, as we repent for the deeds we have committed against their ancestors—deeds which have given ground to generational curses to thrive. We thank You, dear God, that it is written that You became a curse for us when you hung on the tree of Calvary.
We bring our collective guilt before You, and we repent that we have not, as a nation, cared for the oppressed, or ministered to their needs in a just and equitable manner—in the love of Christ. We confess, too, that the Church has failed to be the moral voice in America. We ask You to forgive US, for we have not known what we have done.
In repentance, we proclaim justice for all peoples in our country now; and we covenant that the church will arise and serve You as agents of transformed lives: mind, body, soul and spirit.
Father God, please bring hope where there has been despair; confidence where there has been failure; justice where there has been injustice; and love where there has been a void.
We ask all of this in Jesus’ Mighty Name, amen.
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” (Eph. 2:14-17)
THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: THE BATTLE IN LEBANON
A time of coming before the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Prayer for the soldiers of Israel:
Prayer for the believing soldiers serving today: "May they really know You, Lord, and know Your Voice. When you speak to them, may they recognize it is You and obey. Be their protection in body, mind, soul, and spirit. May You be with them and extend Your protection to the men in the units in which they are serving. If they have to shoot, may their shooting be fast, accurate, and effective." Special prayer for protection from "friendly fire". Lord be as the cloud to cover the armies of Israel. Special protection against the mines Hezbollah has laid in Lebanon.
Reveal the plans of the enemy. Good Intelligence.
As we have moved to the Pavilion Prayer Tower we have panoramic views of much of Jerusalem. When we began to pray for the government we went to the windows that over look the Prime Minister's office, the Knesset and the other government ministries. May the Government of Israel be like the sons of Issachar. 1 Chronicles 12:32 who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command.
In this war situation we need a national unity government enlisting all those qualified to help Israel at this time. Special prayer for Netanyahu to be appointed Foreign Minister or at least official spokesman. For Moshe Yaalon the former Chief of Staff to be called home to an appropriate position of responsibility and authority. For the Government to resist the pressure of the nations to stop our attack.
Before moving back inside we prayed over Jerusalem and for all the people of Israel to be united at this time. In preparation for our prayer for the General Staff of the IDF, we pointed out an IDF base in the middle of Jerusalem. It is Camp Schneller a former (early 20th century) Lutheran orphanage. On the tower of the main building is a relief of a Lamb marching forward with a cross.
We prayed from Joshua 5:12-15 that the Captain of the Hosts of the Lord would lead the General Staff and the IDF with His plans, tactics and strategy at this difficult time.
Hezbollah must be completely destroyed with their 12,000 rockets pointed at Israel. Joel 2:20 "But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea and his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things."
Lord take away the cunning of the enemy. May we complete the job the IDF is called to do.
Have you put a hook in the enemy's nose to draw him into battle and destruction? Thinking of Syria and Iran who are the patrons and bosses of Hezbollah. May the fear of the God of Israel and of the armies of Israel strike the Arab world.
Concerning the Nations:
Lord restrain the unrighteous pressure of the nations against Israel. (France which a few weeks ago threatened to use nuclear weapons against terrorists and Russia which voted to send special forces anywhere in the world where Russians are threatened have [with many other nations] have accused Israel of using disproportionate force. What hypocrisy.)
May the lies of the Arab P.R. machine fall flat on its face. Shut the mouth of the roaring lion and give Israel a mouth. Is. 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn, this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, Says the Lord.
We prayed for the release of our 3 kidnapped soldiers.
Salvation of Israel.
At this difficult time may many turn to the Lord.
There will be special prayers offered this Shabbat concerning the war and especially for the IDF. May those who are truly seeking the face of the God of Israel have the veil removed that they may see Yeshua their Messiah.
Pray from the Jewish prayer book for the IDF:
He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God, from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea. May the Almighty cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighters from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor. May He lead our enemies under our soldiers' sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is the Lord your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you. Now let us respond: Amen.
Shabbat Shalom
The IFI Leadership
(Source: Intercessors for Israel)