TENDER AS A MOTHER TOWARD HER BABY

“But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.’ ‘Can
a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on
the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold,
I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually
before me.’” Isaiah 49:14–16 RSV

God expresses His never-changing love toward Jerusalem with
some of the most powerful feelings of the human heart. A mother
cannot forget her sucking baby. She cannot be indifferent to her
hungry, weeping child. Even if a woman doesn’t care for the son of her
womb, God will never forget nor forsake Zion. He loves her with the
tenderness and attention of a loving mother.

God has graven Jerusalem on His palms. Zion, and by extension,
Israel, is inscribed on God’s hands. This declaration takes its full
meaning in the light of the pierced hands of the Messiah at Golgotha.

Jesus died first (but not only) for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Jerusalem’s walls are continually before Him. Israel is at the center of
His attention and care.

Fingerprints and palm lines are unique to each person. They can be
used to identify someone with accuracy. Zion is in God’s heart. He has
linked Himself to her. His love for Jerusalem describes who He is and
reveals His identity. God engraved Israel on His palms. God and Israel
are indissociable.

You can watch the prayer room at IHOP: https://www.ihopkc.org/prayerroom/


PRAYER I

Our Father,

We bless Your holy name. We praise You for Your unceasing
tenderness and care for Zion. You have bound Yourself to Israel.
Jerusalem has all Your attention. Her walls are continually before You.
You will never forget her. You have bound Yourself to her forever.

Give us a revelation of the place of Israel within Your heart. Show
the Body of Christ how important Zion is in Your eyes. Lead us into
mature love; we want to love You and love the sons of Israel that You
love tenderly. We want to know You as the God who loves Jerusalem
tenderly. Your love for her reveals Your character. Help us know Your
heart better.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.



PRAYER II

Day 3 (Day 33 of the Omer, 9 May 2023) Verse 2(b) “You shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will name.”

Thank You, Yeshua, for the new name You will graciously give Zion, reflecting our identity as a mercifully and fully redeemed and restored people, serving You in love. Allow me to discern and call forth our new and true identity in prayer, in personal relationships and in tangible deeds. I pray the same for multitudes of Christians around the world. By Your mercies, please break the power of derogatory names for Israel and the Jews which some Gentiles have used through the millennia. Forgive those who have called Your people by such names and heal each of Your people harmed by those names. In the all-powerful Name of Yeshua, I bless and declare Israel to be, as Your Word decrees: “a great nation;” “a people holy to the Lord … His people, His treasured possession;” “a nation apart and … not like other nations;” “the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord and sought out,” “Hephzibah and Beulah” (Genesis 12:3; Deuteronomy 7:6; Numbers 23:9 [TLV}; Isaiah 62:4,12). Yeshua, You said that amid birth pains preceding Your return, those who follow You are to look up, for our redemption draws near. So in the shakings of this transitional era, I look up at Your radiant face. I lock my eyes with Yours, which blaze with love for Zion. On my knees, I purpose to be intentional about seeing shakings and birth pains around me through Your eyes. Help me focus on You and what You are doing with Israel, rather than on what Satan is doing or trying to do with Israel.

Help me to prayerfully call forth what You are doing. I ask You to raise up and equip millions of intercessors in the nations to do the same. Today, as Israel observes the traditional holiday of Lag b’Omer, a day involving the worship of dead rabbis, mercifully turn her to worship the Resurrected Rabbi of eternal life. Please reveal to her that Yeshua is the only Name given to us by which we must be saved. Thank You for accepting the pleas of my heart and for responding in loving kindess to each of them.

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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon