July 2026 Tammuz 16 – Av 17, 5786
US / Israel War with Iran: A tentative cease fire between the United States and Iran continues. Tensions remain very high as the two sides continually see differences in what is agreed upon and are quick to blame the other for why skirmishes have continued. President Trump wants to make a deal with Iran but only under certain conditions. One motivation is the cost of gas and concern it may sky-rocket. Prices have stabilized but are still 30% higher than a year ago. Pray President Trump seeks the Lord and good counsel as he oversees these complex negotiations. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have been the main negotiators for President Trump and the United States.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has voiced his concern that Israel can no longer fully rely on the United States and has put together his own MOU(Memorandum of Understanding) between Israel and Lebanon. The Prime Minister reiterated that Israel is not bound by the MOU agreed upon by Iran and the United States as they were not involved in the negotiations. One sticking point is Iran’s demand that Israel leave Lebanon while Hezbollah remains. This cannot happen as Hezbollah continues to send rockets and drones into Northern Israel. The MOU with Lebanon is important as the Prime Minister wants to see Lebanon kick Hezbollah out. Pray for the IDF who may need to to go further into Lebanon to uproot Hezbollah. Pray also the United States will be ready to help Israel in case they are needed.
Continue to pray for the underground church in Iran that continues to grow despite persecution. The darker the night, the brighter the light. Pray the Lord helps this come to pass and for Iran to stop funding groups like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Pray also that adequate bibles are sent into Iran so it’s people can grow in the Word of God.
In the midst of the war with Iran many innocent lives in Gaza continue to be forgotten. One positive is the World Central Kitchen, run by Jose Andres, who continues to do amazing work helping those in need. Comment from their site: Thousands of families receive clean drinking water each day at WCK’s Deir al-Balah water facility. With resources in Gaza critically limited, our team is working nonstop to ensure people have access to both nourishing meals and safe water. https://wck.org/relief/chefs-for-gaza/
Pray for the men and women of the IDF fighting to keep Israel safe. As the war has dragged on, many soldiers have been injured and / or have not seen their families in months. Hospitals are short of space and resources to treat many of the injured. This problem will worsen as fighting drags on. Pray hospitals can expand and receive the resources they need to help the injured receive the care and treatment they need. Pray also for the families being affected.
July Holidays: July 22 at sundown until July 23 sundown Tisha B’ Av or the 9th of Av – A day of remembrance of the days when both the 1st and 2nd Temples were destroyed. It is a time of fasting and mourning
New moon – Erev Rosh Chodesh July 14th and Rosh Chodesh July 15th
July’s word Scattered פָּזוּר pazur
Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered(pazur) Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
Pray that all Israel come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior! Baruch Haba B’shem Adonai! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!