January 20, 2026

Introduction

Yesterday, I shared a post written by Jon Hamill regarding a simple but powerful plan to increase prayer for America. Today’s post is also regarding prayer, but for Israel and the Middle East, and was written by my friend, Tom Schlueter, leader of the Texas Apostolic Prayer Network (TXAPN). TXAPN is, without question, one of the most effective prayer networks in the nation, impacting not only Texas but the entire nation. Tom’s title is:

The Lynchpin

It seems the Lord has a special place in His heart for Jerusalem. 

“I was overjoyed when they said, “Let’s go up to the house of the Lord.” And now at last we stand here, inside the very gates of Jerusalem! O Jerusalem, you were built as a city of praise, where God and man mingle together. This is where all the tribes of Yahweh are required to come and worship him. This is where the thrones of kings have been established to rule in righteousness; even King David ruled from here. Pray and seek for Jerusalem’s peace, for all who love her will prosper! O Jerusalem, may there be peace for those who dwell inside your walls and prosperity in your every palace. I intercede for the sake of my family and friends who dwell there, that they may all live in peace. For the sake of your house, Yahweh our God, I will seek the welfare and prosperity of Jerusalem.” Psalms 122:1-9 TPT

In April 2019, I had my first opportunity to attend the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. It was held in San Antonio, Texas, and was hosted by legislative sponsors Congressman Gohmert, Congressman Babin, and Congressman Wright. The event was a powerful time of prayer and policy, mixed beautifully to bring an awareness of God’s command for us to bless Israel and to pray for Jerusalem.

When we were invited to attend this year’s Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Lord immediately informed me that my wife and I needed to attend, and this was confirmed by the congregation I serve here in Arlington, Texas. Upon arrival, it was made clear that we were not going to simply attend, but that we were there to release a word from the Lord. I will get to that word in a moment.

What is the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast? 

The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast is a prayer movement initiated and chaired by Knesset Member Robert Ilatov and co-chaired by former U.S. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Each year, the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast brings together government leaders and influential Christian leaders from all walks of society for gatherings in cities across the United States, the world, and Jerusalem.

There are few faith-based organizations that engage in both policy and prayer, but one man, Albert Veksler, global director of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, has met the challenge of combining these two powerful elements on a truly international scale. The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast is approaching its 10th anniversary, having held 9 annual breakfasts in Israel and 27 outside the country.

On January 12-13 of 2026, the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast held its event at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Word I was Given

The word God gave me was a single word on the first evening of the gathering. I wrote the following in a text regarding it to personal intercessors:

“We are here at Mar-a-Lago for the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. Last evening, as Michele Bachman was speaking regarding the situation in Iran, the Lord spoke the word lynchpin to me. I knew I needed to share it, and I tried sharing it with Michele that evening, but could not get to her. The Lord kept waking me throughout the night, repeating the word lynchpin and telling me that this Prayer Breakfast gathering is a lynchpin moment regarding Iran. The Lord is pulling the pin. He told me I had to get the word out!” 

I reminded Him that it was 2:00 in the morning, but went ahead and texted what He had shared to three friends at the event! The next morning during breakfast, they confirmed the word, strongly agreeing with it. After we ate, I saw the opportunity to approach Michele Bachmann. I shared the word with her, and she strongly confirmed it. We also agreed that as this pin is pulled, it will unlock and shatter the shackles that are rooted in Iran, and traverse from there to the nations of the earth - especially here in the United States. In agreement, we declared together: “Pull the pin! Free Iran into its destiny!”

A lynchpin is a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft). It can also serve to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit.(1)

Dismantling the Prince of Persia

For millennia, demonic strongholds have held millions spiritually captive in the Middle East region, causing untold violence and death there and throughout the world. One of the principalities leading this was identified by Holy Spirit in Daniel 10:13 as “the prince of Persia.” Persia is today’s Iran.

This is not to disparage the people of Iran, the Persian people. It is identifying the spiritual powers of darkness operating there, just as they attempt to do throughout the world. God loves the people of Iran, while hating the evil controlling and oppressing them. Lately, Holy Spirit has been emphasizing prayer to break the hold of this and other spirits’ control in that region. A great spiritual harvest will be the result.

Now that this pin has been pulled, the demonic structures that are holding together the root systems of tyranny in Iran will be dismantled. Certainly, we must continue to pray and decree that this dismantling and disengaging takes place, not only in Iran, but in all its operations across our nation and the other nations of the earth. But the dismantling has begun!

As a confirming word, during a regional prayer gathering being held at our congregation, KingdomGate, the Thursday before the breakfast, we sang the song Build My Life. The song states that God’s love is an unshakable firm foundation upon which we can build our lives. 

As the song continued, the Lord gave me a word and decree: “And the Lord says you indeed will not be shaken. But I am shaking the earth. Those things that have held it captive, the shackles of chains that have held people and places far from their destiny, I am now shaking those things. Even as I shook loose the shackles of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26), so I will now shake loose the shackles over this nation and the nations of the earth. Know today that I am releasing My power, My ‘earthquake-word,’ over those shackles and they will be shattered.” 

Pray with me:

Father, we come before You as Your sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, and joyfully fulfill Your command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray that the city will prosper. We ask that You pour out Your glory upon them, upon all of Israel, and the entire Middle East. We pray for the Iranian/Persian people to come alive spiritually, and into their God-given destiny. We are decreeing that the lynchpin has been pulled, and the demonic structure of the ancient Prince of Persia is being dismantled and pulled down in the mighty name of Jesus.

And Lord, we continue to lift up America in our prayers, knowing it is perhaps the greatest influencer of worldwide affairs. Please give President Trump and his team great wisdom and insight as they interact with the nations. Cause their decisions to be sound and righteous. And we ask for the same as they work to reform America. Keep them reminded that as they do, they are to do so as representing You.

And we ask that the outpouring of Your Spirit here and around the world would intensify. We believe this is happening, but we will continue to ask daily, as we are instructed in Your Word. Multiply this outpouring, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our decree: 

We declare that the demonic structure over Iran is being demolished and the shackles are being removed.

Today’s post was contributed by Tom Schlueter, director of TXAPN. You can find out more about Tom, including his books, at TomSchlueter.com.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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1. “Lynchpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/lynchpin. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.