WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS

 I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;

    they will never be silent day or night.

You who call on the Lord,

    give yourselves no rest,

 

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem

    and makes her the praise of the earth.

Isaiah 62:6-7

 

This morning, Sunday 22 February 2026, the world is teetering on the edge of a crucial moment of decision. The negotiations with Iran have clearly failed, and US President Donald Trump is poised to give the order to attack Iran.  A military intervention now seems inevitable, and the question remaining is "When?". The words 'imminent' and 'within days' are prominent in the media. 

 

The Iranian regime has again and again threatened to attack Israel with massive missile barrages should the U.S. or Israel strike. We know the regime will try, and they may even risk a pre-emptive strike. They are also likely to attack US bases and interests (oil) across the Middle East, threatening also to attack any country that will help the US-Israel attack by providing bases or air corridors for the passage of aircraft, for example.

 

We are used to hearing such bombastic rhetoric from Iran, but it remains to be seen whether it has sufficiently rebuilt its defensive and offensive military arsenal since the 12-Day War of June 2025 and has sufficient firepower to make good on its threats. Estimates are that Iran still possesses around 1500 long-range missiles and 200 launchers. They may also resort to using non-conventional weapons.

 

This is not only a pivotal moment for Israel and the Middle East, but potentially for the whole world. No one knows how an attack on Iran will play out. Will Iran succeed in a massive attack on Israel? Will Iran's remaining proxies, Hezbollah and the Houthis, join in the fray? Will Iran attack Europe and the US? Will Pakistan, Russia or China get involved supporting Iran? Is this the beginning of World War III? Or can the hostilities be contained in Iran only? Can the Ayatollah regime in Iran be toppled, and a workable alternative be established? That is the hope, but no one knows what the outcome will be. 

 

Here in Israel, we are collectively holding our breath for the moment the red alerts sound. There is no panic, no hysteria but there is concern. On the surface there is calm and people are just getting on with their lives, but there is some tension and trepidation. To some extent we are all suffering from the 'boy who cried wolf' syndrome. There have been so many warnings of imminent attack, and nothing has happened, that now many are failing to take such warnings seriously. However, in the fairy tale, the wolf does eventually arrive. I hope we will not be caught out. 

 

That said, we have been quietly preparing. The IDF is operating on the highest level of readiness both offensively and defensively. Our defensive array has been strengthened, updated and prepared. It has also been and augmented by the American military with the positioning of three naval aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East. Many U.S. fighter planes are also now sitting at the ready across Europe and in some Middle Eastern countries.

 

The Home Front in Israel has been running drills and hospitals are on 'war readiness', but the instruction to civilians so far is 'business as usual'.  Individuals are checking their food, water and medical supplies, and rechecking their 'grab bags' for use in case of evacuation. We know the drill. But that may be our weak point. It is easy to be a bit nonchalant. We have survived 2 years and 4 months of war so far, including the 12-Day War with Iran, Operation Rising Lion, as it was called here. I hope we are not being overconfident. 

 

I confess I have grown weary of the war, now into its 871st day, and guilty of ‘falling asleep’ from time to time.  Perhaps you feel the same? This morning however the LORD has prompted me to write this and is also challenging me to wake up and take prayer more seriously, even though there are many other things in my life clamouring for attention. 

 

If you are called to be an intercessor for Israel, and that includes “all who call upon the Lord” (see v. 6 above), NOW is our time to pray fervently, to stand on the walls of Jerusalem as watchmen.

 

In a week's time we will be celebrating Purim, the Feast of Esther. At the time of Esther, the Jews, the captives from the Kingdom of Judah, were in Persia and an edict went out for their total annihilation. They were saved because Esther, a Jewish member of the harem of King Xerxes, at the risk of her own life, dared to intercede on their behalf. Ester's uncle encouraged her to do so, saying, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,... And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Ester 4: 14). 

 

Are you here in this world, at this time, as part of the royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9), ‘for such a time as this’? If so, do not be silent.

 

King Xerxes reigned over the Medo-Persian Empire from the capital city, Susa.  Susa lies in the western region of modern-day Iran. In ancient times Susa was the capital of the empire of Elam. The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed this against Elam.

 

 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah:

 This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“See, I will break the bow of Elam,

    the mainstay of their might.

I will bring against Elam the four winds

    from the four quarters of heaven;

I will scatter them to the four winds,

    and there will not be a nation

    where Elam’s exiles do not go.

I will shatter Elam before their foes,

    before those who want to kill them;

 

I will bring disaster on them,

    even my fierce anger,”

declares the Lord.

“I will pursue them with the sword

    until I have made an end of them.

 

I will set my throne in Elam

    and destroy her king and officials,”

declares the Lord.

 

“Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam

    in days to come,”

declares the Lord.

 

Jeremiah 49: 36-39

 

This prophecy has never been fulfilled historically. Is it now about to be fulfilled? In ancient times, the Persians were known for their skill with the bow and arrow (see v. 35), but what is the modern equivalent of an arrow, if not a missile?  Will nations from the 4 corners of the earth join in this attack? That remains to be seen, but already several nations are helping the US and Israel in this venture. Will the people of Elam be scattered to the 4 winds? Already around 3 million Iranians have fled and are scattered amongst almost all the nations of the world (v. 36). Will God shatter Elam and make an end of the leadership (v. 37)? Watch this space!  

 

Will God set up his throne in Elam? We know that when Messiah returns he will set up his throne in Jerusalem, not Susa or Teheran, so what can this mean? Simply that God will rule over Iran. Already we know there are at least 1 million Iranians who know Jesus and worship the God of Israel. This is perhaps the fastest growing 'church' in the world, and these new believers are strong and fearless in spite of much persecution.  Many Iranians are growing disillusioned with Islam. If a coalition of Christian and Jewish nations defeat Iran, the current 'god of Iran', Allah, will be shown to be weak. This may cause even more to turn away from Islam, and YHWH, the God of Israel will be enthroned on the hearts of many in Iran. 

 

Will the leadership of Iran be overthrown (v. 38)? This is one of the goals of this coming war. The people of Iran are already rebelling against the current ayatollah regime and demanding a new leadership. The economic and ecological situation in the country will inevitably destroy the regime, even if the military intervention does not. 

 

The ultimate hope for Iran is promised in v. 39, 

“’Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come’ declares the Lord.”

 

Many of the protestors in Iran are waving the pre-revolution Iranian flags together with the Israeli flag. Many, if not most, Iranian people are looking to Israel for rescue. Israel has no issue with the people of Iran, and historically we were friends. This can happen again. Genesis 12:3 states, “ I will bless those who bless you...”. Iran will yet come into a time of great blessing according to this prophecy.

 

In the meantime, are you willing to take up position on the walls of Jerusalem as a watchman?  Prior to the Babylonian conquest of Judah, Isaiah said this,

 

Israel’s watchmen are blind,
    they all lack knowledge;
they are all mute dogs,
    they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
    they love to sleep.
 They are dogs with mighty appetites;
    they never have enough.

 

Isaiah 56: 10-11

 

I feel convicted by these verses. Judah’s watchmen failed and Judah was overcome and taken into exile at that time. Will we fail again?

 

May we not be blind, lacking knowledge, mute, asleep and consumed with hedonistic appetites. Instead, may all of us who call upon the LORD, the God of Israel, be fervent in prayer and intercession, as never before. 

 

DANIEL'S PRAYER AND THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Today a solemn hush descended on the whole land. It was the Day of Atonement, the most dreadful and awesome day of the Jewish calendar. God commanded us to observe this day as it is written in Leviticus 16;

This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you—  because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.  It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.  The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments  and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.

 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites".

Leviticus 16: 29-34 

It was on this day, and only on this day,  that the High Priest was to go into the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the sins of the people of Israel.  We are told (in verse 29) to afflict or deny ourselves on this day. Most interpret this as a command to fast and most Jews refrain from food or water, from wearing leather shoes, using lotions or creams, washing or bathing, or engaging in conjugal relations.  They also gather in synagogues for the five services that take place during the day.  On this day too a strange hush falls over the land as it is forbidden to drive a car. The roads are empty except, in recent years, for the many children who take advantage of the empty roads to ride their bicycles, skateboards, scooters etc.  Others enjoy a leisurely walk down the roads without the need to avoid cars. 

This morning I took a long walk around my neighborhood, praying for the city and for Israel as I went. The silence was most eerie but beautiful too. I sat on a bench overlooking Ein Kerem (the birthplace of John the Baptist) and the outskirts of Jerusalem. The only sound was the gentle sussuration of the breeze in the pines overhead and the occasional bark of a dog or cry of a baby. I felt close to Yeshua as I walked. In his days there were no cars and so the countryside must also have been just as silent as he walked the length and breadth of the Land. I laughed too at my filthy feet and understood why Yeshua had to wash his disciples' feet (apart from the fact he did it to teach them the meaning of service)(John 13:2-17). Roads were not paved in Jesus' day and the loess dust, finer than flour, which is blown in from the Sahara Desert, must have made their feet filthy too. 

Looking towards Jerusalem on Yom Kippur - notice the lack of cars on the highway!- it is usually nose-to-tail traffic

Our empty streets - downtown Mevasseret  on Yom Kippur

My feet!

This year I have been studying the Book of Daniel and I feel it is most timely, particularly Daniel 9.  In the first year of King Darius the Mede, the 67th of the Israelite's Babylonian Exile, Daniel after studying the prophecies of Jeremiah realized that the time of the restoration of Jerusalem was drawing near. Today many are sensing the imminence of the return of Yeshua and the final restoration of the world. We would do well to emulate Daniel. He did not shout for joy and race out onto the streets yelling 'the end is near'. Instead, he studied the word of God diligently and turned to God in prayer and fasting, with mourning:

So I set my face to my Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and supplication, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

                                         Daniel 9:3 (my translation) 

This phrase ' so I set my face to my Lord God...' is in Hebrew  וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה אֶת־פָּנַ֗י אֶל־אֲדֹנָי֙ הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים ('v'etnah panei el Adonai haElohim). It was an interesting confirmation to me when I attended a national gathering of local believers and found it was entitled ' פָּנַ֗י אֶל־אֲדֹנָי֙' (my face to my Lord) taken from this very verse. Many of the newly written songs that were sung at this gathering were also taken from Daniel 9. It would appear that I am not the only one with the sense that God is calling us, as believers, at this time to take on this attitude of prayer, supplication, fasting and mourning, not just for ourselves, or the people of Israel, but for the people of all the world. The end times are a time of joy and anticipation for those of us who believe, but they will also be terrible times of much suffering and loss, a time of many wars, earthquakes, floods, and diseases, even as we are beginning to see today. The prophet Amos said this:

Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!

For what good is the day of the Lord to you?

It will be darkness, and not light.

Amos 5: 18 

We are being called to intercede for the lost, to fulfill our God-given role as priests. The job of a priest is to stand before God and intercede for the people. We who are in Yeshua have constant access to the Holy of Holies, not just on this one day of the year, but every moment of every day, and we can plead for the forgiveness of our people.  Daniel prayed for his people using these words:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

7 “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;10 we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

15 “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.  Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.  Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Daniel 9: 4-19 

We can echo Daniel's prayer for the forgiveness of our sins, the sins of the people of Israel and for the sins of the people of all the world. We have all sinned, rebelled against God's ways, failed to heed the words of the prophets, and we all need atonement.  Atonement has already been granted in Yeshua through his shed blood on the cross, but many have not yet entered into that free gift. We need to pray for all those who have not yet known Yeshua and received him as Savior and Lord. Time is running out. The end days are drawing near. We need to call on the mercy of our Lord God, for His name's sake. 

Life is uncertain. We never know when our days will be numbered. On Sunday this week three young, strong men of Israel, got up and went off to work as usual, never dreaming it would be their last day on this earth. At around 7AM one of the Arab workers arriving from a nearby village opened fire on the security guards at the gates of the settlement of Har Adar, some 3 km from my home.  The three guards were killed and a fourth seriously injured before other security personnel killed the terrorist.

The three Israeli security personnel killed in the terror attack.
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5021658,00.html

Terror is no respecter of persons. One of those killed was an Arab from the village of Abu Ghosh, a village known for its peaceful coexistence with Jews in the area. This act of terror has upset the trust between Jew and Arab in this area, which has seen few terror attacks even during the worst of the Intifada. Many Arabs from the neighboring villages come every day to work in the Jewish towns and settlements. Friendships arise and there is a high degree of respect between the peoples.  The man who carried out this attack was 47 years old, had a wife and 4 children and had worked in Har Adar for many years. He was liked, trusted and respected by his employers. What causes a man like that to  pull out a gun and open fire? It wasn't a sudden impulse. He left a letter to his wife clearly stating his intentions to carry out the attack.  He had some personal issues. He had been so violent to his wife that she had left him and gone to Jordan, leaving him to care for his 4 children. This may have precipitated his actions, but why express his despair and rage in such an act of violence directed against Jews. I believe it is a result of the deep indoctrination of prejudice, hatred and lies which is characteristic of the education system, and in the preaching in the mosques and religious madrasas in the Palestinian areas. Children grow up hating Jews, having been feed lies and libels about them, and with the belief that the greatest thing they can do is to kill Jews and thus gain entry to Paradise.  The only solution is Yeshua. Only in Him can these lies be exposed and defeated, and only in Him can the centuries, even millennia, of hatred be forgiven and only in HIm can true reconciliation and peace occur. If we wish to pray for the peace of Jerusalem we need to pray for the Muslim peoples and the Jewish people alike that they may find the true Messiah, Yeshua, the Saviour of the world.  

TERROR AT THE LION'S GATE

On Friday morning I switched on the news and learned that two policemen had been killed and another injured by three gunmen at the Lion's Gate in the Old City, near the entrance to the Temple Mount. In addition, a paramedic attending the scene was lightly injured by shrapnel. The three terrorists opened fire on the police guarding the area using rifles and a handgun and then fled towards the mosques on the Temple Mount, but were shot and killed by other police in the area. The gunmen were from the Israeli Arab village of Umm-el-Fahm. The two murdered policemen were Staff Sergeant Major Ha'il Satawi (30) and Staff Sergeant Major Kamil Shnaan (22) from the Druze villages of Maghar and Hurfeish respectively.  

 Shnaan (L) and Satawi (R) - murdered policemen
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4989360,00.html


Satawi's wife gave birth to their first son just two weeks ago. Here is a photo of Satawi with his little son.  What a beautiful but terribly sad photo. This little boy will never know his father. 

Shatawi and his little son.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4989360,00.html

The other murdered officer, Shnaan, was to have become engaged in September. I include these photos to remind us all of the human tragedy of these attacks. We have so many terror victims it is easy to grow seemingly indifferent, but every such loss is like a ripple in a pond that spreads and affects so many others. Deep down we are all in continual mourning for our lost ones. Whether we knew them personally or not we share the loss.   

The Druze community has suffered more than its fair share of such losses. I should explain that the approx.137, 000 member Druze community in Israel swear allegiance to the State of Israel and many of them serve as soldiers in the IDF or as policemen.  They are exemplary soldiers who often serve in the most dangerous situations and often consequently pay a very high price. Nevertheless, their loyalty to Israel never wavers, and they are an example of what could be if we all could chose to live together in peace as they have done. Although Druze speak Arabic and most consider themselves ethnically Arab, they are not Muslim and have their own religion. The Druze religion branched off from Islam in the 10th and 11th Century and incorporated elements from many other religions and philosophies. The religion is monotheistic and they recognize many prophets including Mohammed, Jesus and John the Baptist, but their most revered prophet is Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, the Priest of Midian. Prior to the establishment of the State of Israel the Druze faced discrimination from the Muslim powers, but now they have full recognition and citizenship in Israel, and are the only non-Jewish group who are conscripted into the army, this at their own request. They are respected by Israelis as loyal citizens, many of whom have risen to high positions in both civilian and military life. 

This is just the last of a whole litany of terror attacks in Jerusalem this year, mostly in and around the Old City. Ynetnews published a summary of these attacks, and I quote:

This attack was preceded by several stabbings and shootings in the capital, as Jerusalem's Old City and its surroundings have become a focal point for terrorist activities since the beginning of the year.

In June, three terrorists armed with semi-automatic weapons and knives struck in two different parts of Old City near the Damascus Gate, fatally wounding 23-year-old border policewoman Hadas Malka, who later succumbed to her wounds. Five others were wounded in the attack.

  

In May, a 37-year-old police officer was moderately wounded in a stabbing attack near the Lions' Gate. The terrorist, Mohammad Abdullah Salim al-Kasji, a 57-year-old Jordanian citizen, arrived in Israel a week prior via the Jordan River crossing in Beit Shean. He was critically wounded in the attack.

In April, a British student named Hannah Bladon was killed after being stabbed multiple times in the chest in a terror attack at IDF Square on Jerusalem’s light rail route. Bladon studied at the Hebrew University as part of a student exchange program, for only one semester.

  

Just two weeks before that, two civilians and one police officer were moderately wounded during a stabbing attack on Hagai Street in Jerusalem's Old City. The terrorist was shot dead by security forces after being chased by the police and Border Police.

In March, two 20-year-old border policemen were moderately wounded after being stabbed by a Palestinian terrorist in another attack that took place near the Lions' Gate. The attacker was shot dead by one of the injured officers.

  

In January, four IDF soldiers—three women and a man in their 20s—were murdered and 17 wounded when a Palestinian truck driver deliberately rammed into pedestrians on a popular promenade overlooking the Old City.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4989180,00.html

These attacks are just the latest in the so-called terror wave which began in September 2015. Last month the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published these statistics for this period:

Twenty months of terror – 13 September 2015 to the present

• In 2016, 12 vehicular ramming attacks and 100 stabbing attacks were thwarted by security forces.
• Since 13 September 2015, 50 people have been killed in terrorist attacks and 759 people (including 4 Palestinians) injured.
• There have been 180 stabbing attacks and 124 attempted stabbings; 150 shootings; 58 vehicular (ramming) attacks; and one vehicular (bus) bombing.
• http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Palestinian/Pages/Wave-of-terror-October-2015.aspx
• You can see a complete list of attacks on this website. 

Most of these attacks occurred in or around Jerusalem, and are motivated by the lie that the Mosque of Omar on the Temple Mount is in danger. After Friday's attack the Temple Mount was closed to all worshippers as the police combed the area for weapons and/or other terrorists. This of course has caused an outcry from the Muslims accusing Israel of changing the 'status quo'.  The reality, however, is that it is the terrorists who have caused any so-called change to the 'status quo'. It is they who have defiled the sanctity of the site, not Israel.  In fact, there is no change to the status quo as the Mosque will be reopened for prayers on Sunday, and this is by no means the first time the site has been closed because of the security situation.   

It seems to me however that there is a general increase in general tension in the Muslim sector in recent days. Over the past few days there has been a drastic increase in the sound of gunfire coming from the nearby Arab villages of Jebel Mukaber and Tsur Baher. On Thursday it continued most of the day and well into the night. This has not happened since the police cracked down on it and similar activities several months ago. It seems as the summer heat reaches its peak so do tensions. 

Life in Jerusalem continues unabated and summer is the time for many festivities, shows and events which attract thousands of locals and visitors.  Please pray for safety for these events. I thank God that the tourists, mostly Evangelical Christians, are still coming in large numbers. The economy of our city depends largely on this and we also appreciate the support and prayers of these welcome visitors.  I was most encouraged and amused the other day when I went into the city and discovered a group of Korean Christians worshipping God in song right there in the middle of Ben Yehuda St, one of the main streets of Jerusalem. They were attracting a very appreciative crowd, religious and secular alike,  who were all taking photos, sending videos and clapping along in time with them. I was laughing to myself because these people had no idea what these Koreans were singing about - Yeshua (Jesus).  If they had known they would not have been so appreciative!  I thank this group and others like them who with great boldness and love proclaim Yeshua in the streets of our city. 

                                          Korean Christians singing in Ben Yehuda Mall

We are experiencing the hottest July I can remember and temperatures are reaching the mid-thirties Celsius every day over the whole country, and there is little relief even at night. Many of us are struggling with the heat which is tiring and makes every little task seem worse than normal. I am in the throes of packing to move house and it is hard going. I seem to get so little done each day and time is running out on me. However, at least I am indoors. Spare a thought, and a prayer, for those who are working outdoors often doing very hard physical labor in this heat.  Last week I helped a friend move and I felt so bad for the men who were having to tote her furniture and boxes down the equivalent of about 4-5 flights of stairs to the truck and then up two flights into her new home all in the heat of the day which reached 37 degrees. I am praying the day I move will not be so hot.  It is the custom here that leases run from summer to summer which means people are always moving in the worst of the heat, something I have never understood.  I suppose it is a habit that was imported from Europe where it would make some sense, but its one custom I would sure like to change.  

Please also continue to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and especially for the courageous police and soldiers who guard our city. They are often the targets for the terrorists and are putting their lives at risk so the rest of us can go about our daily lives.  Apart from the dangers they must stand about on corners, in full battle gear, in the stifling heat fighting dehydration, heat stress and boredom.  Here is a photo of some of our animal friends who also help protect us - many of the streets and alleyways of Jerusalem are too narrow for cars and horses are used instead. I love these police horses who are so beautifully kept and groomed. Pray also for their safety and also that of the police dogs who also play an important role, without even understanding why, but just out of love and loyalty for their human friends. 

                               A passerby feeding a police horse an apple under the watchful eye of his master (not a practice that is encouraged but she did ask permission). 

  

Israel is a sinful nation and we fall far short of God's standards. We have strayed into man-made religious systems of belief and practice, or at the other extreme, hedonistic materialism. Our rabbis are blind guides, spreading error and lies.  We as a nation are full of dishonest practices and corruption. The poor are oppressed.  As a result there are many gaps in our spiritual wall of protection. We who worship the Lord are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the salvation of Israel. God is looking for people who will stand in the gaps, and stay his judgment. Please stand with us in prayer for God's protection and mercy.

Long ago, when Israel was full of sin God said, 

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
Ezekiel 22: 30

On that occasion, he found no one, but I pray that in our day there will be found 'gap-fillers'.    When God purposed to destroy Sodom Abraham plead with God to spare the city and God said if only ten righteous men were to be found in it, He would spare the city. Sadly ten righteous could not be found, and so only Lot and his family were saved out of the destruction.  I am pleased to say that there are way more than ten counted righteous by the right of the blood of Jesus in this city today, but it is my prayer that we all may be found standing in the gaps.  This is no easy task for the spiritual warfare here is intense, and therefore we need your support and prayers.

PRAYER FERVENTLY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM AND THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL IN THE MESSIAH. 


PS. Please excuse all the formatting weirdness.  It is Google Blogs that is not working properly.