The Jerusalem Prayer List – 06 September, 2024
by Joseph Shulam - From Jerusalem Israel // Mevaseret Zion
Deuteronomy is a unique book in the Torah and, in fact, in all the Bible. The book of Deuteronomy is the speech Moses gave on the shores of the Jordan River before the children of Israel crossed to the land of Canaan, which God promised as Israel's everlasting inheritance. Moses would then stay behind on the east side of the Jordan River and watch the children of Israel cross the Jordan. Alone, Moses would climb one of the highest mountains east of the Jordan and die there. According to Tradition, God would bury Moses, and no one knows where his grave is.
This Shabbat, the Torah portion is called Shoftim = Judges. Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9.
The reading from the Prophets is from Isaiah 51:12-52:12.
From the New Testament, John 14:9-20.
The custom of reading the Torah and the Prophets is ancient, dating back to Ezra and Nehemiah when the children of Israel returned from Babylonian exile. Before that time, only the priests in the temple had access to the Torah scriptures. The New Testament mentions synagogues 41 times. Jesus went to the synagogue to read from Isaiah 61. The Apostle Paul went to the synagogue every Shabbat, even in all his travels in Greece, Asia Minor, and Jerusalem.
In the New Testament, in Acts 15, the apostles, together with Paul, Silas, and others, met to discuss the obligation of the Gentiles saved by Yeshua's sacrifice.
"Therefore, I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath." Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren." (Acts 15:19-22 NKJV)
The Gentiles need to go to a synagogue to hear the Torah read. Why did the Apostles issue this command or recommendation for the non-Jews in the Body of Christ? The answer is simple – people didn't have Bibles in their possession. The community synagogue was the only place to hear God's word. "Synagogue" derives from two Greek words: "Syn" – together – community – "Gogue," a place of gathering a building. Like all the other commands that the Apostles of Yeshua commanded in the early church, this command is ignored and neglected on purpose or out of ignorance.
The reading from the Prophets (The Haftarah) is from Isaiah 51:1-23.
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. "Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm, they wait. Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
"Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations." Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
"I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking. I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name. And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, setting up the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, 'You are my people.'"
“Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering."
The reading from the Prophets – the Haftarah- is prophetic and like an arrow into the heart of the Jewish Nation worldwide. The words of Isaiah 51 are an arrow into my heart. I am sure that millions of Jews around the whole world who go to synagogue on this next Shabbat and hear these words of Isaiah read – will either cry or shake and cry at such clear words from God that describe the state of affairs of Israel, the land and the people. These words of Isaiah apply today to the land of Israel and the nation of Israel.
Biblically speaking, the wars of Israel, the perennial hate and hostility of our neighbors surrounding the land of Israel from three sides have always been there. This land has never had peace for a long time. The history of the Jewish nation in this land at times made me think. God loves this nation that He created from the seed of Abraham, so why did he send Abraham south to this narrow strip of land between the vast Arabian Desert on the East and the Mediterranean Sea on the West, and both north and south two empires one in Africa in the south, Egypt. The other empires in the north were Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and now Iran. Why, God, why didn't you send us west to Switzerland? Even Spain and Portugal would have been just fine. The struggles of the fathers of this nation, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, already began in their own days. Is there one of the fathers of this nation that didn't have problems and struggles with the pagan neighbors?
Who am I, Joseph Shulam, to doubt God's wisdom and treatment of His prized possession, The Seed of Abraham, the nation of Israel, the people of the book! Why is God allowing these infidel, horrible desert dwellers to persecute and terrorize Israel? If they didn't have Israel, they would do the same to their brothers. Before God opened the doors of the Land of Israel after World War I for Jewish people to return home to the land given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as an inheritance, did the Arabs live in peace with each other? When Abraham landed in this land under the authority of the Creator God Himself, seven pagan nations gathered here from Europe, Asia, and Africa, and they all fought and had wars with each other.
The answer that I have for myself is that God sent Abraham here and gave this land to Abraham's seed as an everlasting possession, in my opinion. It is like the famous singer Johnny Cash's song "A Boy Named Sue!" Here are the words that I emphasize in this song. I usually don't do this, but to demonstrate why Israel's history is so complex and harsh and challenging and to explain why God chose Israel to be a holy priesthood and serve the rest of the world to bring them close to God, our Father and Creator, I feel that Johnny Cash's song "A Boy Named Sue!" is a good illustration. So, here are the lyrics in this unusual Jerusalem Prayer List.
From Johnny Cash via Shel Silverstein!!!
"Well, my daddy left home when I was three
— Didn't leave very much to my mom and me —
Except this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze —
Now I don't blame him 'cause he run and hid —
But the meanest thing that my daddy ever did —
Was before he left, he went and named me Sue.
Well, he must've thought that it was quite a joke—
And I got a lot of laughs from a lot of folks —
Seems I had to fight my whole life through —
Some gal would giggle, and I'd turn red —
And some guy'd laugh, and I'd bust his head —
I tell you, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.
But I grew up quick and I grew up mean —
My fist got hard and my wits got keener —
Roam from town to town to hide my shame —
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars —
I'd search the honky tonks and bars —
And kill that man that gave me that awful name.
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July —
And I just hit town and my throat was dry —
Thought I'd stop and have myself a brew —
At an old saloon on a street of mud —
There at a table, dealing stud.
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue.
Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad —
From a worn-out picture that my mother had.
Knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye —
He was big and bent and gray and old —
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold —
And I said, "My name is Sue, how do you do? —
Now you gonna die", that's what I told him.
Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes —
And he went down, but to my surprise —
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear —
Then I busted a chair right across his teeth —
And we crashed through the walls and into the street —
Kicking and a-gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.
Well, I tell you, I've fought tougher men —
But I really can't remember when —
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile
Well, I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss —
And he reached for his gun but I pulled mine first —
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.
And he said, "Son, this world is rough —
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough —
I knew I wouldn't be there to help you along —
So I give you that name, and I said goodbye —
And I knew you'd have to get tough or die —
It's that name that helped to make you strong".
He said, "Now you just fought one heck of a fight —
And I know you hate me, and you got the right to kill me now —
And I wouldn't blame you if you do —
But you ought to thank me, before I die.
For the gravel in ya gut and the spit in ya eye — '
Cause I'm the son of a b*tch that named you Sue".
What could I do?
Well, I got all choked up and I threw down my gun —
I called him my pa, and he called me his son —
Come away with a different point of view —
And I think about him, now and —then —
Every time I try and every time I win,
and if I ever have a —
Well, if I ever have a boy, I'll name him —
Frank or George or Bill or Tom, anything but Sue —
I don't want him go around, man call him Sue all his life —
That's a horrible thing to do to a boy trying to get a hold in the world.
Named a boy a Sue".
A Boy Named Sue
By Shel Silverstein
Copyright Evil Eye Music Inc.
First, I want to apologize, but not sincerely, for Johnny Cash's language. But the song is important to me, and it helps me understand my father but, above all, God as our father. God engineered the world's salvation before He created this world, which we know from several texts in the Bible. He knew the end before the beginning was made. God knew what kind of character humans would have. This is clear from the 10th Generation after creation, the Generation of Noah, and the flood. So, immediately upon seeing that the flood didn't change humanity that much, He, God, produced an insurance policy for the success and salvation of His prized possession, The Blue Ball floating in space in our solar system, the blue ball called Earth. The insurance policy was Abraham and his seed, Israel.
Those who don't know God hate those of us who know God. The Creator Himself binds together Jews and Christians to ensure that at the judgment day of all flesh, there will be people of all races, colors, and hairstyles who will know God and His Grace and Love for His creation and the top of His creation is a mammal called Adam, man! Humanity has the divine DNA of intelligence, creativity, and love. Humanity can also imagine and create, just like the creative impulse of our Heavenly Father, inventing things and establishing a FATHER and Child relationship.
Yes, Israel, Abraham's seed, the mammals created by God who walk on two legs, have a head full of gray matter, can think, can love, can hate, can be born again and holy like our Heavenly Father who named us "Israel" (Sue!)
I pray for our world. I pray for Jews and Christians in the world to unite and invite all of humanity to recognize the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit as our family and work for the salvation of the rest of humanity to bring those of us who have chosen to walk that narrow path that is difficult now! But, most wonderful and joyful for eternity!
I am not angry at God or upset that I was born to my parents a Jew, short, big-nosed, opinionated, and stubborn! I am glad to be who God made me because I picked up the gauntlet at the age of 16 and knew what my mission and purpose for living was from an early age.
I met John Cash, his wife, and his camera team in Jericho 1977. Ernest Stewart, Mary Francis, his wife, and I were eating at Green Valley in Jericho. I recognized Johnny Cash. The restaurant's owner was a friend, but he didn't know who was eating lunch in his restaurant. So, I shouted to the owner, -Mahmud, do you have cash for Johnny?" A few minutes passed, and suddenly, powerful hands clutched both of my shoulders. I felt a hefty weight on my shoulders and a strong grip. I looked up, and Johnny Cash was there pushing me down. He smiled and said: "Son, there are better ways to get my attention!" He opened up a conversation between all at our table and all at Johnny's table. The conversation led to a discussion of our faith and Johnny's faith. We discovered that day that we are genuine brothers by virtue of our common faith! There was no offense or a problem between us because of our faith and new birth in Christ. Mahmud, the restaurant owner, came to ask if all is well with us! We assured him that there is peace in the Green Valley in Jericho!
The parable within "A Boy Named Sue." illustrates why God has chosen Israel and why He sent Abraham and gave him the land of Canaan, the worst neighborhood in the history of humankind, but the only land bridge to three significant continents of this world.
Yeshua, the King of the Jews – is still a Jew and an Israelite, and He is returning to Jerusalem, Israel, and why you, dear brothers and sisters, must identify with Israel and with the Jews in the world. Our Savior and the Savior of the Arabs, Iranians, Russians, and Ukrainians is still a Jew, and he would be offended if you persecute and harm his fellow Jewish brothers, who are the only people in the world that have the following promise by God the father and by the Son and the Spirit:
"For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." (Romans 11:25-27 NKJV)
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Your prayers for brothers and sisters you don't know personally are pure love and building of the Body of the Messiah. It is Agape Love since you are doing this without any selfish interests and casting a vote in Heaven for someone who is your brother. Still, you don't know them, and God looks at these prayers that are unselfish and genuine expressions of love and care for another link in the long chain of love and faith that binds us together even though we might not know each other in this world.
When we all get to Heaven, it will be a joy to meet people we prayed for and sometimes even cried for. Brothers and sisters who are physically strangers but spiritually a part of the same body of Christ, I believe that one day we will have the privilege to sit together and share: "I remember praying for you to be healed!" "I remember praying for you to be safe when you were fighting in Gaza to free the hostages from the cruel hands of the terrorists of the Hamas in Gaza."
Pray for the following brothers and sisters who need divine grace and the gentle touch of the hand of God for healing and strength.
In Jerusalem:
new Yehuda is going back into military service next week. Pray for his safe return home.
new Reuven is also returning into military service next week. Pray for his safe return home.
Yehuda Levi is in the hospital with stage 4 lymphoma for the fourth week. We ask for prayers for his family. Especially the difficult time that Elisheva is experiencing. A reminder - in past JPL (in 2010) Yehuda is the father of Major Emmanuel Levi , who died in a tragic training exercise.
Joseph & Marcia Shulam
Consultation on biopsy resulted in a schedule for another test and biopsy of the stomach area.. Marcia's health needs are the same and ask for prayers to strengthen her health and memory.
Ilana Ahijervie is a dear sister who is 98 years old and suffering from memory problems.
Please pray for our dear sister, Lea Kurkey.
Pray for Adam's father and mother, Barry and Dalia. They have some health problems and challenges.
Pray for Hannah suffering from Migraine Headaches. Miriam is a dear sister old age dementia.
Pray for Daniel S. and his children.
Pray for Gary, our dear leader in the Ro'eh Israel congregation, and his health, as well as for his wife Melanie and their family.
Pray for Um Mahmud Abu-Eid, Jimmy Abu-Eid, and all of the family. This is a dear family of old friends that needs healing and wisdom for the children and for their work.
Please pray for the Romero family, who live deep in the Negev desert. It is hot there, and they are far from our congregation, and we miss them.
In the U.K.:
Pray for Deborah Isaiah. I pray for the Lord to find Deborah Isaiah and lead her to a blessed life, family, and a solution to her problems.
In Finland:
Mauno Lemponen has been diagnosed with cancer in advanced stages. We are asking for God's Will to be done, giving him healthy days with family—prayers for Hilka, Miika, and Ester, who support each other.
Pray for Keijo and Salme, our dear partners and fellow workers in God's flock. Both Keijo and Salme have some challenging heart issues.
Pray for Satu-Maria, Sinni Tuuli, Anne Mirjami, our dear sisters
Pray for Eva H., Patty, Andrea, Julia, Victor, Aaron Tani, and Hillel.
In Brazil:
Max Rodrigues. his mothers health issues. she has stomach problems that have yet to be diagnosed. The hospital is taking a long time to complete tests. Pray for her salvation. Pray for Max as he navigates a challenging period in his life. He has confidence Gods victory in his life.
Pray for the Congregations related to Netivyah in Brazil to have the strength and stamina to face the challenges ahead of them with courage and strength of faithfulness to the Lord and to the vision of the restoration of the church and Israel.
Pray for the millions of victims of the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition who have been forced to convert to the Catholic church and now want to return home to the land of Israel and the faith of our fathers.
Pray for a dear young man, Paulo, from Curitiba, Brazil, who seriously needs our prayers for sanity and mental health.
Pray for a dear sister named Claudia Rita Souze Arau. She has cancer and needs God's healing hands to touch her with healing.
Pray for Fatima Maria Docarmo Guimararaes - pray for her health and her granddaughters' twin babies.
Guilherme Antonio Nothen Becker is suffering from back problems.
Aratuza de Oliveira and his wife. Pray for their 3-year-old child, Caique de Oliveira Becker, who has severe problems with his eyes, and ask the Lord to give healing to his eyes.
In Asia:
Pray for Pastor TJ in Taiwan.
Pray for Deborah Ruth, a dear sister from China.
Pray for Sister Yoko Nagumo in Japan.
Tony Tam, his wife Luisa, and his son Marco need special prayers for their situation.
We continue to pray for Zhou Wenrian, the Abe family, Toru San, Yumi Ohara, and her family: Deborah Ruth, Ayla, Daniel, and their daughter.
Pray for Dr. Song and his wife, Sister Harriet Kim and the KIBI Ministry.
in Denmark
Gurli has reached out and asked for prayers to deal with persecution they are facing. However the request for family members to know Yeshua is a heavy concern for a mother and father. When our influence is struggling the prayers of the body strength us.
In the United States of America:
new Pat R is having surgery for a Mastectomy today. A dear Widowed sister in faith a kind soul to all.
Sarah Sacks has received the news that she has aggressive carcinoma. I am asking that you raise your prayers for Jonathan & Sarah as they begin the road of diagnosis and treatment for Cancer. However we believe in the power of healing that only God can provide.
Elisheva is studying for passing Financial certifications in September. Please pray for calmness in her studies and confidence in passing her exams next month. also for health and her household.
Jerry Rogers - a long time prayer warier and supporter in Dallas has been diagnosed with cancer. he is starting treatments and we lift up his doctors and medical team & family in prayer.
Larry is asking for prayers for his grandchildren. I would say most of us that have grandchildren are concerned about the states of the world. The state of intolerance. The temptations out there. Please pray for the holy sprit to guide them in making good choices.
Bill C. is doing well. I received wonderful news that his cancer markers continue to trend to the normal states. A true answer to prayers. Please pray a thanks to God and continue to ask for success of the treatments..
Please continue to pray for the daughter of Bill Culwell, who is sick with cancer and is receiving a new third round of treatment. Please pray for success and healing.
Brother Philip Slate and his wife. She is suffering from several physical and mental health challenges.
Barbra and Angie in Alaska. Barbra has some pains and discomfort related to old age. Please lift them in prayer for strength and reduction in pain.
Jonathan Bernis is continuing recovery from a liver transplant. Please pray for Elisangela and the girls and the doctors and nurses attending our dear brother Jonathan Bernis.
Please pray for Danah, my daughter's health issues. I pray for the Lord to give Danah wisdom, peace, and calm in life and her work.
Aaron Hook, Nancy Hook's oldest son, needs our prayers for wisdom and healing from past life issues.
Lift for blessing and healing Jonathan B., his wife Aviva, their new baby, his mother, and his brother Daniel.
Pray for these important men of God: Rabbi Salt, his family, and Rabbi Hasselblad. They are both older and need protection and blessings.
Also, pray for Ilana Avramov, who is married to my cousin Nissim and lives in New York City. Ilana has fallen and is now in rehab, learning how to walk again. We pray for her full recovery. She and Nissim both need our prayers.
Pray for Steve Mock - His cognitive condition has declined, and we ask for the grace of God and His Healing and strength. Steve and Josie's son Joseph has received a wonderful and glorious report. After the last bone marrow transplant, the report is that the doctors didn't find any leukemia in his body! Praise the Lord!
I am asking for a special prayer for a dear brother and friend who is now doing very important work in a very dangerous and precarious part of the world. Just mention DadyLion in your prayers and ask for divine protection and angelic accompaniment for this man of God.
For updates or requests please email us at:Prayer@netivyahinternational.org
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