Sukkot — Feast of Tabernacles

Prayer Focusweek 17 (Sunday-Shabbat)FOCUS: Feast of Tabernacles (the 7th of G-d’s Festivals)We continue to celebrate the holidays that G-d Himself instituted. The Festival of Sukkot begins Wednesday evening, Tishri 15, five days after Yom Kippur. It is quite a drastic transition, from one of the most solemn holidays (the Days of Awe and Yom Kippur) to one of the most joyous. Sukkot is the last of the Shalosh R’galim (three pilgrimage festivals, meaning Passover, Shavu’ot, and Sukkot are to be celebrated in Jerusalem). 

·         “These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are My appointed feasts’” Lev. 23:2, NIV. “These are the LORD‘s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies [often translated holy convocations] you are to proclaim at their appointed times,” Lev. 23:4, NIV. (Note: twice in three verses G-d calls us to His appointed feasts! Refer to Lev. 23:2-4.)
o   Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles): Sukkot is a feast we are to celebrate Forever!
o    “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month [Wednesday, Oct 12] the LORD’s Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days,” Lev. 23: 34.
o   Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come … Live in booths for seven days,” Lev. 23:41-42, NIV.
o   Then on the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days,” Num. 29:12, NASB.
Verses upon which to meditate:  Sukkot is not just for “Jews” …..
·         “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles,” Zech 14:16-19, NIV.
Prayer:
o   “The Holy One of Israel! You have shared Your holy days with us! What an honor. What a blessing it is to partake in Your mo’adim (appointed times). Thank You! We look forward to this time of joy. We rejoice in all You have done in our lives in the last year! We intercede for those who are recovering from surgery, We pray for those family members who are struggling with various issues. Bring each of us to a point of understanding our total dependence upon You. Help us to understand Your Holy Days and to revere them, even as You do. In Your most holy Name, we pray!”
Hallelujah!
o   Rhonda’s foot surgery was successful – she was able to come to erev Yom Kippur
o   Everyday Phyllis is doing better after her knee replacement – and continues to have an amazing attitude! She was able to attend erev Yom Kippur service.
o   Maxine and Joe had a wonderful visit with her daughter and son-in-law, Matt!!!!
o   Bev and Ruben attended her 50th class reunion – and was with her brothers!
o   God has changed Natan’s deployment date from Oct 1 to Oct 18! (Natan and family are together in El Paso! We continue to pray for God’s perfect day for Natan’s deployment!)
o   Les’a continues to marvel at how God postponed her foot surgery! Daily, she realizes how MUCH she has needed two feet now, during Natan’s days prior to deployment.
o   Dawn’s therapists were amazed at how quickly she is healing and at the mobility she has. She said: “I believe it is because of our Lord and all the prayers – thank you!”
o   PJ’s back situation: can be improved with pool exercise – doesn’t look like he will need surgery! – now, we can pray for a pool!
o   Fred (Bonnie’s brother): was able to leave hospital again and return home.
o   Deb’s requirements have been fulfilled!
Requests: (please email updates on these situations)
o   Rhonda: is able to stay ahead of the pain – and that these 6 weeks of healing will pass quickly!
o   PJ: back will to return to normal without surgery. Paperwork issues will be resolved ++ JOB!
o   Favor & wisdom in the work force: We would be excellent in the work place – even as Joseph, Daniel, etc. were – blessings to the companies because we are there!
o   Deb and others who need jobs will get jobs — God-chosen jobs.
o   Phyllis: knee replacement: pain and flexibility
o   Dawn: continued prayer for total healing of her knee.
o   Matt (Maxine & Joe): prayer for Matt: much pain and in hospice. Pray for Debbie and their children.
o   Debbie Martinez (Bev and Ruben’s daughter-in-law’s mother): open heart surgery Thursday. Also, Christine (Debbie’s daughter), exhausted and has fibromyalgia.  
o   Food bank (Cynthia’s parents’ ministry). Two of those injured by the accident at the food bank at her parents’ church are trying to sue the church and Cynthia’s parents to recover their medical costs. We are believing God to see this activity stopped and against fear. We know no weapon formed against them will prosper.
(Insurance has made a payment, but lawyers aren’t satisfied.)
o   Natan and family (Les’a and Don’s son and his family): the date of his deployment would be God’s date!
o   Jon (Phyllis’ son): That God intervenes and places him where he will be encouraged to make good decisions which will impact his family for good, for Your good.
o   Yvonne’s grandson: pray that his mom and her boyfriend treat Ryan with love.
o   A’s relationship with his daughter: healing and mending of hearts.   
o   Bob (Maxine and Joe’s friend): special prayer for physical healing.
o   Judy (Art’s, Norman’s, and Pamela’s friend): God will intervene in health issues and strengthen Frank.
o   Deb: migraines and onslaught of the enemy.
o   Sherri (Dawn’s daughter): migraines would permanently leave.
o   6-yr old Elijah (Beverly’s friend): severe shaking in one arm. He wants the shaking to stop and the scary people who he sees at night to go away.
o   Anna and IDF (Israeli Defense Force, Israel’s army): safety, protection, and wisdom. Many of the residents of the border areas and soldiers experience 100 enemy assaults/attacks in just ONE week!
o   Marita: date she is to return to Israel – where she is to live in the meantime.
o   Children will stop running and will turn to God.
o   Marriages to be healed.
o   Corbin (Jim’s acquaintance): God will open his eyes to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior and that he will accept the word of God.
o   Three sisters to meet godly men.
o   Jon (Phyllis’ son) and David (Bev & Ruben’s son): they return to the God of their parents/ of their youth; that their families be healed.
o   A’s daughter in law: her heart would be drawn to her husband; that the Lord would place believers in her path.
o   A’s Medicare situation to be straightened out – to his financial benefit. And for doctors to find the right solution to his health issues.
o   Ruthie (Bev’s friend): heavy spiritual attack; that she is encouraged and resists.
o   T (Les’a & Don’s friend & a man of God): that the Lord would bring him the perfect helpmate – to share his life and to be a partner in ministry.
o   Families (all of our families): to be whole and walk in the ways of the Lord!
o   CFS (we!): will have wisdom and tenacity to continue on to see victory!
Assignments:
o   Fast: Wed-Thurs (you choose whether liquid/water/juice fast or no pleasant bread fast (giving up a food or drink that you love) for these two days. Several are fasting longer to break the chains that are ensnaring.
1.   Prayer earnestly for the rest of our Watchmen. We lift up each other’s arms as Moses were lifted by Aaron and Hur.
o   Email me: results & challenges, we want to hear – we love you and are here for YOU!
o   Speak the Word to these situations.
o   Visit: www.ifmypeople.info! (Thank you for your prayers: the website is finishing, NOT finished, but finishing.) Please email me any questions or things that seem to be awry. (The Call To Prayer has 3 pages with nothing on them at this point – my next project!)