Friday, July 16, 2010

Month of Av

This past Monday, July 12th, was the first day of "Av", the fifth month in the Hebrew Biblical calendar. This date is specifically mentioned in Numbers 33:38 as the day on which Aaron, the High Priest died. This is a month which is looked upon with sobriety by many Jewish people—from the first to the ninth, many enter into a form of fasting by abstaining from eating meat.

The three-week period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av (July 20th this year) is when the First Temple was destroyed and has sometimes been referred to as "Bein haMetzarim"—between the straits. Lamentations 1:3 states, "All her persecutors overtake her between the dire straits."

Because of the many calamities that have occurred to the Jewish people throughout history during or surrounding this period of time, several key leaders in the land of Israel and in the global prophetic and prayer movements see this as a critical time for prayers of protection.

A Time of Attacks

The following are among some of the verifiable events that have taken place within the month of Av itself:

586 B.C. & 70 C.E.: Both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed during this month.

1492, 7th of Av: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled all Jews who refused conversion from Spain.

1929, 17th of Av: 67 Jewish adults and children were massacred by Muslim Arabs in Hebron.

1994, 10th of Av: Muslim Arabs bombed the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 86 and wounding more than 300—the deadliest attack in the Diaspora since the Holocaust.

2005, 10th of Av: thousands of Jews began to be forcibly expelled from 25 towns and settlements in the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria, as part of the "Disengagement Plan."

Many "noted seers" have consistently seen this period of time as a season when demonic dark forces have historically sought to take advantage against God's covenant land and people of Israel. This calls for special watchfulness over Israel and Jewish people in the nations, bringing them before the "Father of Lights" according to James 1:17. With this in mind, we are emphasizing special prayer for Israel during the Hebrew month of Av.

Although the name Av is actually a Babylonian name, adopted during Judah's captivity, it happens to bear the same spelling and pronunciation as the Hebrew word for Father. As we pray in our Global Prayer Storm over the land and people at the beginning of this Hebrew month, we can remind God of His word as found in a verse from Jeremiah 3:4: Will you not from this time cry to Me, "My Father, You are the guide of my youth?"

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY:

• That Israel be protected from evil that seeks an occasion to be released against her during these three weeks and throughout this Fifth Month.

• Pray Psalm 118:5: Out of the strait (metzar) I called to Ya (the LORD). Ya answered me in a wide-open place...


*courtesy of James Goll

Thursday, July 1, 2010

July Testimonies

I received the hyssop oil as a gift a few months ago and had only used it once to anoint myself when I was sick. I stored it in my drawer and almost forgot about it. My husband and I opened up our home for prayer last night and the Lord told me to grab it out of my drawer. I opened the bottle in the room where we were meeting to pray and somehow spilled it all over my hands, and a good portion of it spilled on to the floor. As soon as this happened, a tangible prescence of God filled the room and we were all deeply touched by the power and prescence of God! It was truly awesome to have this experience! I will be purchasing more ASAP.
~

The Lord truly blessed us as we were part of an annual Mother*Daughter Gala earlier this year. We had been in prayer about what gift would be perfect for each of the guests who attended. When we received our answer, it was to give anointing oil. So, we got the anointing oil fragrances Henna and Pomegranate. It was so special. One mother who had not used anointing oil in a long time received one of the gifts and was so blessed. She just kept saying how beautiful the fragrance was and how she was going to use it for everything.
~

A young little girl heard how her little brother was not feeling well, so she got one of the oils and put it on his forehead to pray for him. It is so beautiful how the oil was sweet and used for so many different reasons. Thank you Abba for your ministry. It truly touches many. Love you much!!
~