Dear Prayer Partners,

Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! We want to say thank you to our friends and partners who have  prayed and supported us over the past month and a half since the attacks from Gaza began. The fifty days of Operation Protective Edge were difficult and has left many families battered and broken. Please continue to pray for the rebuilding of lives and the restoration of physical, emotional and spiritual health. We ask for prayer as we move forward into and Provider in all things.

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Operation Protective Edge: On July 8, in response to weeks of rocket fire from Gaza, the IDF initiated Operation Protective Edge to restore quiet to the south of Israel. On July 17, after consistent airstrikes on terror targets, ground forces were sent into Gaza to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure there, including the vast underground network of tunnels built to infiltrate and attack Israel. Attacks subsided for several days while leaders tried to reach a final ceasefire agreement. However, when terms were not reached that both parties could agree on, Hamas broke the ceasefire and began firing hundreds of rockets daily into civilian populations. On Tuesday August 26th, the supposed final ceasefire went into action with Gazans shouting “victory” and residents of southern Israel still doubting whether the ceasefire will hold. We don’t know what will come of any political solution to this conflict in the coming future, but we ask for your prayers that the peace of God will be on this Land. Pray for God’s hand to be on the leaders making important decisions for the people in Gaza and Israel. Pray that the Enemy’s plans will be thwarted and that all who are living in darkness with come to the Light.

Israeli’s who Suffered Losses: Since the beginning of the operation on July 8th, 4,564 rockets and mortarswere fired at Israel from Gaza Strip. Most proved to be harmless when of the 3,641 which exploded in Israeliterritory only 224 hit residential areas, and the remaining fell in open areas; Iron Dome intercepted over 735.Israel’s death toll stood at 66 soldiers and six civilians. There were 3,000 claims for damage, $20 million fordirect damages and another $21 million for indirect damages and missed workdays for residents that live nearGaza. These numbers are people who lost loved ones and children, lost their homes, work places damagedor destroyed, and farmers unable to work for over 50 days. Please pray for the physical, emotional and spiritual health of all the individuals and families that were negatively affected by the recent attacks. Pray that God will comfort them in their mourning and recovery. May the Peace of God rest upon them and that He will use this as an opportunity to bring people closer to Him.

Pray for the Soldiers: Many soldiers served several weeks in active duty during Operation Protective Edge.Those who fought in Gaza have faced injuries, death of fellow soldiers, and intense combat. Please be praying that God will strengthen their bodies, minds and spirits and bring them back to full recovery and health. For those who continue to serve in active duty, may their hearts trust in the Sovereign God of Israel to carefully watch over them.

Palestinians in Gaza: The damage, death, and destruction in Gaza was also severe. Hamas risked the lives of thousands of their civilian population by placing rocket launchers in schools, mosques, and homes in order to attack Israel. We ask that you pray for all of the innocent civilians who are suffering under the control of Hamas and wish to reject their war against Israel. For those who also lost their homes and loved ones,that your Son, Yeshua, will reveal Himself as Savior and Comforter. Pray against the Enemies plans to plant hatred in their hearts against Israel and the Jewish people. Pray Scripture with us, “That they[enemies seeking to destroy the people of Israel] may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD,are the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83.

BDS- Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions: The BDS movement is a global initiative aimed at using economic leverage to place political pressure on Israel as a way of supporting the Palestinian cause. Governments,companies, and organizations are boycotting the buying and selling of goods, products and services from Israel. This campaign also encourages individual consumers to boycott buying any Israeli goods. Lately, we’ve seen protests aimed at preventing commercial boats carrying goods from Israel from docking in the U.S. ports.Please be praying against this movement that places a burden on Israel’s economy and businesses.Pray for the governments and individuals making these decisions to boycott Israel, that they would not see Israel nor the God of Israel as their enemy.

ISIS: Within a very short amount of time, this new militant terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) has swept through large territories in Syria and now northern Iraq. They have reached headlines worldwide for their brutal force and killings of different minority groups in Syria and Iraq. It is their aim to establish an Islamic state in the Levant region under strict Islamic law. War is raging all around Israel and Islamic nations are growing in power. Please stand with us and on God’s word which says, “You shall not be terrified of them, for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among You.” Deuteronomy7:21

High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (September 24-26), Yom Kippur (October 3-4), and Sukkot (October 8-15). Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year according to the Jewish/lunar calendar. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, but for believers we celebrate the atonement of sins that we receive through Yeshua. Sukkot is referred to as the Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering. Israeli families build a sukkah outside their homes to remember the days when the Jewish people lived in the dessert. Also it is a time for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem from all over the world. High holidays are quickly approaching and we ask for your prayers that it will be a time of joy and celebration in Israel. Pray that God will provide for all those who do not have enough food and supplies in their homes. Pray for protection against any attacks by the Enemy and that it will be a season that we see a great harvest, not only of fruits from the ground, but also of new believers who have come to faith in Yeshua the Messiah.

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel: Staff prayers

Moran – Please pray for wisdom for Moran as he leads the Hope for Israel ministry and strength to accomplish all of the tasks ahead of him. Moran is also leading a tour group in September so we ask for your prayers for guidance and strength in preparation and during the tour.

HFI Board – Please continue to pray for the Board as they always have important decisions for the ministry in front of them. Please keep their families in your prayers as well, that the arrows of the enemy will not penetrate, but that the LORD will shield them.

HFI Staff – Please continue to intercede for our staff members, board members, and ministry partners &their loved ones; please pray that we will walk in the victory that Yeshua has given us over illness and disease. Please continue to pray for His protection over our children’s hearts & minds as well. Please also pray for the entire staff in our work, that the LORD would inspire and work through us to bring Himself glory in Israel.

Ner Yah Youth Group – Please pray for new vision and love for the youth in the leaders’ hearts and that the youth’s hearts will be open towards the Lord. Pray for clarity concerning this years topics and bible study sections. Lastly, pray for our messianic soldiers who served or still remain serving in the army during this difficult time.

Ner Yah Leaders – Please continue to pray for the staff and student leadership team as they lead the group. Please pray that God would give them wisdom as they seek to do His will with the youth. Please join us in asking the Lord to bring a new girl to work in the place of Sapir as a youth leader along side David.

Rosh Hashanah Project – Every year we raise money to send food packages to families of in need throughout Israel. Especially after these recent hard times, there are many people who are severely struggling to make ends meet. Please be in prayer about how you can support this project and help us serve those in need during this important time of year. Please pray for operations to run smoothly and for families to be blessed.

Experience Israel Tour – Please pray for the 10th Anniversary Experience Israel tour February 27th-March 14th. Pray that the Lord will bring the right people to join this tour and that all of the preparations and operations will be blessed.

Tour Department – One of the ways that Hope for Israel is able to supplement the ministry’s income is by organizing and leading tours to Israel. The tours also carry a strong ministry component, as tour participants often have opportunities to bless Israel via tangible acts of service. As the situation in Israel continues to heat up, it is more important than ever for followers of Messiah to show their support by physically coming to Israel. Please continue to pray that the LORD will bless this aspect of the ministry and that He would bring more and more people to witness His love on these tours.

Lastly, please continue to pray for the salvation of Israel & the Jewish people throughout the world;we long for the day when all Israel will recognize her Messiah and receive Him… “For if their rejection[of Yeshua] is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”Romans 11:15

In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team