These last few months have been more difficult than most people can remember. The radical right wing religious government led by PM Netanyahu proposed legislation that would change the judicial system, especially affecting Supreme Court decisions and the appointment of judges. Almost immediately, the opposition to this legislation exploded on the streets. People began to say that if these changes passed, it would be the end of democracy. There were huge demonstrations that grew in number each week. Tensions increased as the division in the nation widened. The threat of “dictatorship” filled people.s hearts.

In the past, we have fought wars, endured missile attacks, buried innocent terror victims and we would grieve as a nation but there was always a sense of unity, of family and walking together through hard times and getting to the other side. There has always been political disagreement, politicians arguing with one another, with coalitions being formed and dissolved all too quickly, but we always felt that deep down, we were one.

Something different happened this time, with this conflict. It felt like the heart of the nation had been stabbed. The experts warned that the wound was very deep, that it could lead to incredibly serious complications. Reservists in the army refused to show up for their service and there were nation-wide strikes. Hi Tech companies were leaving Israel with their money and investors were pulling back. The international reaction was strong and heated against the reform bill.

Then one night, Defense Minister Gallant spoke on national news imploring the Government to halt the bill because the security of our nation was being compromised. Because of the internal dissension, our enemies were seeing us as weakened, vulnerable, without strong leadership and we were open for attacks. For whatever reason politically, Netanyahu’s response was to fire Gallant and at that moment, the nation split in two. A huge and highly volatile spontaneous demonstration broke out that night that was very painful to watch. We were bleeding profusely as a nation and the situation was very explosive. Firing the Minister of Defense was the last straw. The people were distressed and scared. No one knew where all this would lead. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Thankfully, in the mercy of God, there was no violence that erupted between the police and demonstrators that night.

It felt as if we were in the midst of a war- but the enemy was within, not without. When I asked people what they thought about what was happening, everyone said the same: It hurts. People were grieving over the state of affairs. It wasn’t the country they knew.

The intensity of seeing the nation being torn apart on that night one week before the beginning of the Spring Feasts did finally cause the government to shelve the legislation for a later time, but the damage was done. The Passover holiday came but we couldn’t fully rejoice as we endured one terrorist attack after another, with over 30 missiles coming from Lebanon and Syria and precious innocent lives being killed once again in terror attacks.

Putting politics aside for the holidays, the nation came together following Passover for “Holocaust Remembrance Day” and the solemn commemoration passed in reverent quiet. Both political sides are continuing the “cease-fire” as the nation mourns the soldiers who have died in defense of this country as well as victims of terror attacks on Memorial Day on Tuesday and then rejoices on Wednesday as Israel celebrates its 75th “Independence Day”.

Please pray for the victory of the Lord in all this; for His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Pray for PM Netanyahu to hear the counsel of heaven. He appears to be profoundly tired and under unbelievable stress. He is desperately fighting to maintain his government which means he has to either submit or “out maneuver” the extreme positions of his coalition partners with whom he may not agree. Pray for the success of the special meetings which have been convened with both opposition and the coalition during this time, in order to arrive at a compromise so that the reform legislation would then have broad support.

When I watched the footage of the spontaneous demonstration that broke out, I felt strongly the intense spiritual battle that has this nation in turmoil. In response, as the army of God, let us rise up in the power and authority of Yeshua in intercession and help turn this conflict into a victory: may the nation come through stronger and more united than ever. And may we see many turn to the God of Israel and his Messiah as a result of all this chaos.

When I watched the footage of the spontaneous demonstration that broke out, I felt strongly the intense spiritual battle that has this nation in turmoil. In response, as the army of God, let us rise up in the power and authority of Yeshua in intercession and help turn this conflict into a victory: may the nation come through stronger and more united than ever. And may we see many turn to the God of Israel and his Messiah as a result of all this chaos.

I hosted another blessed “Widows” meeting this week and will have a “Third Season” group in two weeks.

Spring is in full bloom here and it holds promise of greater fruitfulness and growth in every area. Chaos may be reigning out in the world around us, but in Him is joy and blessing and stability. How good is our God!

Thank you for your prayers and intercessions for all that we do. May the name of Yeshua be lifted up and praised and may we live to see “all Israel saved.“

With love from Zion,