155 - For Jacob

Letter From the Editor:

We are in the third week of our 21-day Daniel Deployment Fast. As we stand in the gap for our nation and the situation in the Middle East, we find ourselves identifying with the prophet Daniel in his intercession. Today’s Briefing focuses on prayer for President Trump and the prophetic blueprints God has revealed concerning his presidency. If Trump is to be a modern-day Cyrus, then we need modern-day Daniels who will prevail in prayer for breakthrough against powers and principalities in the heavenly realms. Would you join us - not just in this fast, but in ongoing prayer for the fulfillment of these prophetic promises? History belongs to the intercessors. 

– Cheryl Amabile

For Jacob

“For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.” —Isaiah 45:4

In 2015, when few could have imagined Donald Trump becoming president of the United States, Lance Wallnau was among the first prophetic voices to identify him with the biblical Cyrus. When Trump emerged as a candidate for the nation’s 45th presidency, Wallnau was drawn to Isaiah 45 and its remarkable description of a Gentile ruler whom God would raise up and anoint for His purposes.

Cyrus was an unlikely choice. He was not an Israelite, nor did he know the God of Israel. Yet more than a century before his birth, Isaiah called Cyrus by name and declared that God would take him by the right hand, open doors before him, subdue nations, and give him extraordinary geopolitical authority.

But within this remarkable prophecy, God also revealed why He was raising Cyrus up:

“For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.” —Isaiah 45:4

Cyrus was given authority among the nations for the sake of God’s covenant people.

This dimension of Trump’s Cyrus calling is especially significant in the present hour. Decisions concerning Iran, Gaza, Hamas, the Arab nations, and the future security of Israel have placed President Trump at the center of events that could reshape the Middle East for generations. 

As intercessors, it is important for us to be aware of the historical significance of Cyrus and what he accomplished for God’s people. It’s also crucial to recognize that Cyrus did not function in a vacuum. His reign was framed by prophecy (Isaiah 44-45) and fueled by intercession. The same could be said of Trump’s presidency. 

Scripture records that Daniel was praying in response to Jeremiah’s prophetic promise of Israel's restoration (Daniel 9). Daniel knew it was not enough for God’s will to be prophesied; it must also be birthed through intercession. 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 and Ezra 1:1 record that God stirred the spirit of Cyrus to fulfill Jeremiah's prophecy. Although Scripture does not explicitly connect Daniel's prayers to Cyrus' decree, we understand that his intercession, likely joined with the prayers of a faithful remnant, prepared a spiritual bridge to the astounding manifestation of God’s promise. 

Cyrus did far more than simply allow the Jewish exiles to leave Babylon. Cyrus testified that God “commanded” him to rebuild His house. He ordered that the costs of the Temple be paid from the royal treasury (Ezra 6:4) and he instructed the Jews' neighbors to support the returning exiles with “silver and gold, with goods and livestock” (Ezra 1:4, 6). He even returned more than 5,000 gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. 

In addition, Cyrus gave official imperial protection to Israel’s cause, authorizing the restoration of Jewish worship. Later, when opposition arose, Cyrus’s written decree became the legal basis upon which Darius reaffirmed and enforced the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 5:13–17; 6:1–12).

This is not just Cyrus’ legacy - it is also Jeremiah’s and Daniel’s. What will be the legacy of the ekklesia in the days of Donald Trump? 

During President Trump’s first administration, he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the American embassy there. He also recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement, and helped broker the historic Abraham Accords. Prime Minister Netanyahu declared on more than one occasion that Trump was “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” 

Since then, President Trump has demonstrated significant support for Israel. His administration has maintained vital military and diplomatic backing, joined Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, and facilitated the historic Gaza ceasefire that secured the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. These accomplishments have earned him extraordinary gratitude from Israel and its leaders. Yet, troubling developments have emerged alongside these victories. 

Trump's determination to secure a lasting Middle East peace has brought increasing pressure on Israel to accept diplomatic arrangements that could compromise her long-term security. Although his Gaza peace framework brought an initial reprieve, its implementation remains stalled over Hamas's disarmament and other unresolved issues. Meanwhile, his administration has cultivated closer relationships with Qatar and Turkey, despite their longstanding ties to Hamas and, in Turkey's case, increasingly hostile rhetoric toward Israel. Arab and Muslim nations have also coordinated diplomatic pressure for a Gaza settlement and a pathway toward Palestinian statehood.

Let us pray for mercy, divine intervention, and realignment. President Trump must understand the dangers of forging strategic alliances with governments that remain connected with the Muslim Brotherhood. Such alliances not only leave Israel vulnerable to renewed threats, but they open a spiritual gate in our own nation. We need intercessors who will take responsibility in prayer for the president—contending for him to receive divine wisdom, discern the counsel surrounding him, and fulfill his stewardship “for Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect” (Isaiah 45:4).

Perhaps this is where Daniel provides our clearest assignment. Daniel lived through the transition from Babylon to Persia and retained a position of influence during the reign of Cyrus. Daniel 10 specifically places one of his greatest seasons of fasting and spiritual warfare in “the third year of Cyrus king of Persia.” While Cyrus governed an empire, Daniel contended in the unseen realm. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…” —Ephesians 6:12

In 2007, Kim Clement spoke prophetically of Trump becoming a trumpet. He also prophesied of a future president who would enter office not yet a praying man, but whom God would baptize with the Holy Spirit and raise up as a praying president. Recently, Lou Engle received a dream in which President Trump was asking, “What does it mean to be born again?” We are praying for the president to have a profound personal encounter with the Lord that will empower him to walk in the fullness of his divine calling.

In The Briefing 133 - The Promised Revival, we reported on President Trump's family lineage from the Isle of Lewis, where the Spirit of God moved mightily during the Hebrides Revival. Let us join our prayers with those of the two elderly sisters who laid hold of the promise of Isaiah 44:3: "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring."

Charlie Shamp and others have dreamed of a similar move of the Spirit sweeping across America, restoring the awe of God in our nation. The timing of these prophetic dreams suggests a connection with President Trump and his spiritual heritage in the Hebrides. Let us contend in prayer for the fulfillment of this vision, interceding for the president to be delivered from pride and ungodly counsel. From now through the end of his presidency, may we live and breathe intercession for him to be fully awakened to his divine purpose—not simply for America’s sake, but for God’s purposes concerning Israel. 

While Cyrus occupied the throne, Daniel occupied the place of intercession. Perhaps the question before us is not only whether Donald Trump will fulfill his Cyrus assignment, but whether we will fulfill Daniel's.