THE GLORY OF THE LORD WILL RISE UPON JERUSALEM

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon
you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And
nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift
up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because
the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall
come to you.” Isaiah 60:1–5 RSV

God will make His glory rise upon Jerusalem. He will be her light and
make her shine over the nations. The Lord will arise upon Jerusalem,
and His glory will be visible upon her. There will be a sharp contrast
between Jerusalem and the peoples of the earth because, at that time,
they will live in darkness. The nations will witness Jerusalem reflecting the
brightness of God. They will not see the glory of the Lord directly; they will see it indirectly, like the light of the sun reflected on the moon at night. As
for Jerusalem, she will see God and His glory.

On the earth, Jerusalem will rise as a light, and kings will be drawn to
her brightness. The sons and daughters of Israel will gather in Jerusalem.
Those living afar will come back home. God will orchestrate a joyful reunion.
Jerusalem will rejoice like a mother who gathers her children after
a long absence. Her heart will swell and burst with joy. God will channel
the wealth of the nations to Jerusalem—gold, incense, camels, sheep,
and free labor—because the peoples will come and serve her.


PRAYER I

Our Father,

We bless Your holy name. We praise You because You will make Your
glory rise upon Jerusalem. You will cause her to be a light to the nations,
and she will shine for all to see. We worship You because You have
prepared a marvelous restoration for Jerusalem.

We pray that You open the understanding of the Church worldwide to
Your plans for Jerusalem. Let Your purposes for her become significant
and relevant to Your children.

We pray that what is essential to You becomes more and more important
for the Body of Christ.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.




PRAYER II

Day 20 (Shavot/Feast of Weeks, 26 May 2023)

“Count off seven weeks…then celebrate the Feast of Weeks… at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name.”

(Deuteronomy 16:9-11) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven … and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:1-3) Giver of Good Gifts, today on Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), I beseech You to encounter Your people gathered in Jerusalem to observe the appointed feast. See how many among them search and yearn for You. Remember Your Word, O God, that declares when any of us turn to You, a veil over our hearts is removed. Is it not time to remove the veil causing partial blindness over so many of Your people? Is it not time to show Jerusalem Your radiant face once again? Has not the time to favor her come? See, my God, how in Jerusalem this day Your people celebrate the gift of Your Word: Your statutes, ordinances and commands. See how they love Your Torah. Let heaven take note that this day, Jerusalem remembers the marriage-like relationship You sealed with her.

Hear our lovesick sigh for You, O God. You who have been a Husband to us, favor us once more, I pray. Thank You that in Jerusalem on this day long ago, You gave the incomparable gift of Your indwelling Holy Spirit. Please oh please, pour out Your Spirit again in Your city! Revive us again! This Shavuot, reveal Messiah to many in Jerusalem. Restore to us signs and wonders that testify of Yeshua, for Jerusalem’s sake, for Your sake.

Thank You that in pouring out Your Spirit on Shavuot (Pentecost), You birthed Your ekklesia, making Gentiles and Jews into one new humanity. With deep-down gratitude, I pray in agreement with the prayer of Yeshua that we may be one, just as You are One.

I pray we may be made perfect in unity. As Your Church soon celebrates Pentecost Sunday, revive her in the fullness of Your Spirit. Empower her to make disciples of all nations, to the praise of Your glorious grace. Anoint her to do a new thing -- to fast and pray for Israel as never before.

Thank You, my Lord, for accepting my supplications in the courts of heaven on this, Your appointed and special day.

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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon