December Update and Prayer Points

Festival of Hanukkah

As Christians are celebrating the Advent season, Jews will be celebrating Hanukkah (Beginning at sundown December 14-December 22). The holiday of Hanukkah which means dedication celebrates the Maccabee’s defeat of the Syrian-Greek ruler Antiochus IV and the miracle of the rededication of the temple.

In 167 BC, Antiochus IV desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by setting up a statue of Zeus on the Brazen Altar in the outer court. Zeus was the king of the Greek gods. Antiochus also sacrificed a pig on the sacred altar, an event that sparked the Maccabean revolt that defeated Antiochus and freed Judea from his oppression.

They cleansed the Temple of all pagan influence and then relit the menorah. They could only find enough oil to keep the menorah lit for one day. The MIRACLE of Hanukkah was the menorah stayed lit for eight days. It would take seven days to produce oil for Temple use. However, the oil lasted eight days, the number of the covenant, Genesis 17:9-12. To celebrate this miracle, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days. The menorah was the only light in the Temple. A special nine-branched menorah is used as part of the Hanukkah celebration. The middle candle lights the candles for each night.

Hanukkah celebrates the freedom of the Jews from oppression, and the miracle of the rededication of the Temple to the ONE true God.

We are told in John 10:22-23 that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. “At that time the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) took place in Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area, in the portico of Solomon.”

This year’s celebration of Hanukkah will not only celebrate a miracle of the past but also celebrate God’s faithfulness to bring the *hostages home and Israel’s military victories on the seven fronts they have been fighting for the past two years.

*(As of this writing, Hamas is still holding the body of one Israeli and one Thai national.)

Prayer for this Hanukkah

  1. Give thanks to God for answers to the many prayers of DFZ during these past two exceedingly difficult years. Psalm 118:21
  2. Pray for JOY and PEACE to return to the hearts of Israelis. Psalm 16:11, Psalm 29:11
  3. Pray for renewed spiritual awakening during this Hanukkah season. Jeremiah 24:7, Lamentations 5:21

Israel Update

The first phase of the end of the war with Hamas was to include two main points:

  1. The return of all the hostages. This includes those who were killed by Hamas. All living hostages have been returned, however, two bodies have yet to be returned.
    1. Pray the last TWO hostage bodies will be returned to their loved ones.
    1. Pray President Trump keeps pressure on Hamas to comply.
  2. Hamas must totally disarm. This has not happened at all! They are still killing Gazans who resist them and are exerting force and intimidation to maintain power.
    1. Pray for the total annihilation of Hamas. Psalm 9:6, Isaiah 41:11
    1. Pray President Trump and the coalition of nations will demand an end to Hamas rule with NO concessions to Hamas’ continued demands.

The Israel Defense Forces have valiantly defended the land of Israel these past MOST difficult years. Thousands of reserve soldiers have served for extended periods of time. This puts intense pressure and stress on their families and finances. In addition to the emotional and mental stress.

  1. Pray for renewed strength and commitment for the soldiers of the IDF. Isaiah 40:31
  2. Pray for a supernatural anointing on Israel’s intelligence agencies to reveal plots and plans against the state of Israel. Jeremiah 11:18 NLT

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been like a LION in strength and determination. He is the leader of a nation that has been at war for two years and still must remain vigilant on all borders.

Prayer for the Prime Minister – Isaiah 11:2

  1.  THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD – the divine presence and authority of God 
  2. THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM – divine insight and the ability to use knowledge in a right way. 
  3. THE SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING – the ability to discern and comprehend spiritual truths. 
  4. THE SPIRIT OF COUNCIL – the ability to give wise and godly advice. 
  5. THE SPIRIT OF MIGHT – supernatural power and strength to accomplish God’s will.
  6. THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE – divine awareness and revelation of God‘s will and purpose. 
  7. THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD – a deep reverence and submission to God. 

I wish you and those you love a very Merry Christmas and extraordinary joy, health, peace, and prosperity in the New Year.

Please join Daughters For Zion First Thursday Fast for the IDF this Thursday, December 4.

AS YOU PREPARE FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL SEASON, INCLUDE ISRAEL IN YOUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS.