This weekend the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, an event that changed the course of world history. Fifty-six courageous patriots signed the document on July 4, 1776, pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of freedom. The oldest who signed was seventy-year-old Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and the youngest was twenty-six-year-old Edward Rutledge of South Carolina. With gratitude and humble hearts, we thank God for this great country and ask Him to continue to shed His grace on it.
This weekend is also the Christians United for Israel National Summit. We will celebrate 250 years of the United States standing with Israel and the Jewish people, and we will remind our lawmakers that God has blessed the United States greatly because of our commitment to stand with Israel and fight antisemitism in our nation.
“We must remember that by 1776, roughly two thousand Jewish residents had joined the Patriot cause through military service and financial support. Haym Solomon helped finance the Revolution when the cause of liberty hung in the balance. Remember that the Jewish people’s sacrifice helped secure America’s liberty.” (Quote from Pastor John Hagee)
The United States and Israel share common values that are biblically based. Both countries stand as beacons of light for democracy and freedom. We must stand together against the evil of radical Islam.
Pray for the U.S.-Israel Relationship – Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 60:12
- Pray for the relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu to be resolute and productive in the war against radical Islam. Genesis 12:3
- Pray for the Congress of the United States to cooperate with God’s will for Israel and the United States. Isaiah 60:12
- Pray against antisemitism in academia. Zechariah 8:16
- Pray for truth in the media concerning Israel. (Includes podcasters) Proverbs 12:22
- Pray for pastors and Bible teachers to understand and teach the biblical mandate to stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Pray for your church and your pastor! II Timothy 2:15
Raid on Entebbe
Sunday morning, June 27, 1976, an Air France plane took off from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv headed to Paris with a stop in Athens. The plane was carrying two hundred and forty passengers, and among them were one hundred and four Israelis. In Athens, forty-one passengers got off the plane, and fifty-five new passengers boarded the plane including four hijackers who were members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Eight minutes into the flight the hijackers took over the plane beginning a nightmare for the passengers. The plane ultimately landed in Entebbe, Uganda.
As soon as Israel learned of the hijacking, Israeli intelligence and the IDF began to devise a daring rescue that took place on July 4, 1976. To learn more about this amazing operation, watch this micro history on the Raid on Entebbe.
Prayer Points on Israel’s Security
- Pray for Israel’s intelligence agencies to have eyes and ears on what their enemies are plotting against them. Jeremiah 11:18 NLT
- Pray for Israel to have secure borders. Psalm 121:4
- Pray for the safety of Israelis as they travel outside of Israel. Psalm 12:7-8
Tisha B’Av – Saddest Day on the Hebrew Calendar
Tisha B’Av means the ninth of the Hebrew month Av. This Tisha B’Av begins at sunset July 22 and ends at sunset July 23. This day remembers several disasters that befell the Jewish people. It is commemorated as a day of fasting and mourning. This observance is a clear reminder that for centuries Jews have longed to return to the Promised Land. Here are the reasons this day is called the saddest day on the Hebrew calendar.
- 1313 BCE – The spies returned from the promised land with frightening reports that caused the Israelites to be afraid to enter the land. The result was another forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Numbers 13-14
- Both the first and second Temples were destroyed on this date. The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 423 BCE, and the Second Temple fell to the Romans in 70 AD. Not only were the Temples destroyed, but tragically Jews were driven from the land. II Kings 25, Jeremiah 52, Luke 21:5-6
- In 1290, the Jews were expelled from England.
- The Spanish Inquisition began on Tisha B’Av. Jews were forced to either convert to Catholicism, or they were forced to leave Spain. The vast majority chose to leave. Wealthy Jews paid for the transport out of the country for poorer Jews.
Prayer Points
- Pray God’s blessing on the land of Israel. Although the Jews were driven from the land, God was faithful to His promise and brought them home. Deuteronomy 26:15, Ezekiel 36:8-12, Amos 9:14-15
- Pray for Jews who want to make Aliyah (live in Israel) that God will provide all they need to be successful in their ancient homeland. During the Spanish Inquisition and the Holocaust, Jews had nowhere to go when they were in danger, but today there is the State of Israel! Ezekiel 11:17, Isaiah 11:12 NLT
- Pray against the lie that calls Zionism evil. Amos 9:14-15, Ezekiel 28:26
Negotiations with Iran
As of this writing, the United States is in negotiations with the Iranian regime to end the war and demand that Iran never possess a nuclear bomb. It is important that we pray as these talks continue! The Iranians’ tactic is to delay and deceive.
Prayer for US Negotiations – James 1:6
- Pray the United States NOT be deceived.
- Pray there are NO agreements that harm either the United States or Israel.
- Pray that President Trump is not deceived into a bad agreement!
- Pray no agreement will be made that brings division between the United States and Israel!
Prayer for the CUFI Washington Summit
- Pray for safe travel for those attending. Psalm 91:11-12
- Pray for a safe and anointed Summit. Psalm 41:10
- Pray for favor in the CUFI meetings with members of the House of Representatives and Senate. Proverbs 3:4
- Bind all plots and plans of the enemy that are against the success of the Summit. Matthew 18:18
- Pray for strength for the CUFI staff as they prepare and serve at the Summit. Philippians 4:13
Please join us on Thursday, July 2, as we fast to bind all deception concerning the negotiations with Iran and for a REMARKABLY successful CUFI Summit, and join our DFZ prayer teleconference on
Friday, July 3, 5:45-6:15 a.m.
Dial 267-807-9611; conference code 280921#.
I am so very grateful for your constant prayers for CUFI, the State of Israel, and her people. Together we make a difference for the Kingdom of God. I bless you with the words of Psalm 20:1-5.
