Dear Prayer Partners,

Shalom and greetings from Jerusalem! It is unbelievable that we are already halfway through this year. As we begin the month of June, we also close the school year, which is a busy season for us with our Ner Yah youth group. We will also celebrate the feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) at the beginning of the month, and focus on readying ourselves for the summer vacation ahead!

Politically, Israel is in an interesting “limbo” mode. After the failed talks with the Palestinians, Israel is waiting to see what the fallout will be. Israel recently hosted Pope Francis, who visited both areas of Israel and the Palestinian territories. He was very clear in his push for “peace” between Israel and the Palestinians, and recently invited President Shimon Peres and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican for a prayer ceremony.

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Shavuot: The biblical feast of Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) begins sundown on Tuesday, June 3rd. It is a time when we celebrate God’s giving of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) to the Children of Israel. It is also a time when we believers in Messiah Yeshua celebrate the giving of The Holy Spirit to the disciples in Jerusalem after He ascended to heaven. Modern-day Jewish people also celebrate it as a harvest festival, where we give thanks for the blessings from the previous year – babies that were born, abundant crops, etc. Please pray for a peaceful celebration throughout Israel and for Jewish people around the world. Please also pray that those who do not yet know Messiah will understand He is the fulfillment of the Torah that was given thousands of years ago…

“Peace Talks”: The talks have been over for one month now, and so far, Israel has not suffered any additional violence (aside from the usual terror attempts Israel thwarts on a daily basis…) as a result of their failure to produce any results. The new concerning development, however, is the recent unification of the Fatah-Hamas terrorist organizations in the Palestinian Authority. Until now, these two factions were at odds with each other, effectively dividing the Palestinian people amongst themselves. Now that they are “reconciled” and seeking to form one new government, the future is uncertain for Israel’s interaction with the PA. Israel is also waiting to see if the PA will seek statehood through the UN. Please continue to intercede for Israel. Please also pray that the Palestinian Authority will not seek statehood via the UN, as this will create further problems in Israel. Lastly, please pray for wisdom for Israel’s leaders as they are still under incredible pressure from outside governments to make dangerous concessions for “peace” with a people that are not seeking true peace.

Tension Escalating within Israel: Riots on the Temple Mount continue, growing increasingly violent. The situation between the Jewish and Muslim citizens of Israel is decaying more and more, which is always a major concern for Israel’s security. Please continue to pray for Israel’s protection, and that God will give Israel increased knowledge and wisdom to continue to prevent terror attacks. Please also pray for the Palestinians, that God would reveal His love for them and His plan to draw near through Yeshua.

Iran – France has been very vocal in its criticism of the Iranian republic in recent days for its slow and incomplete cooperation with the atomic weapons watchdog, the IAEA. Not surprisingly, Iran is dragging its feet in holding up its end of certain agreements it made allowing access to its nuclear facilities in exchange for an easing up of strict economic sanctions. Iran made it clear that it will not negotiate its “defense capabilities”, meaning it would not give up its military nuclear ambitions, all the while maintaining that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Please continue to pray for Israel’s protection from Iran in these troubling times. Please pray that the world will clearly see Iran’s military nuclear ambitions and not allow Iran to pull the wool over their eye, so to speak. Lastly, please pray for our brothers and sisters in Iran who suffer greatly at the hands of the oppressive government, many of whom are in great danger for their lives.

Anti-Semitism Rising: The sharp rise of anti-Semitism throughout the world is alarming. Recently, 30 Jews were expelled from a town in Guatemala, because their customs were “foreign” to those of the other non-Jewish citizens of the town. There was also the recent terror attack at the Jewish museum in Brussels, where four people were murdered in cold blood, two of them an Israeli couple from Tel Aviv visiting the museum on vacation. In addition, the concerning strengthening of many various right-wing extremist political parties in Europe (who are vocally anti-Semitic and anti-Israel), is also an indicator of this growing phenomenon. Please pray for the safety and protection of Jews and Israelis wherever they are throughout the world. Please also pray for those who hate the Jewish people, that the Holy Spirit will convict and change their hearts to understand why God has called Israel the “apple of His eye”, and how it pertains to salvation for the entire world through His Son, Yeshua. Lastly, please pray that as we see more and more Jewish people return to Israel, that Israel will welcome them with open arms and support them in their successful acclimation to life here.

Israel’s Water Supply: We ended our rainy season with a disappointing rainfall, but we also hope for more advancement in our desalination techniques, so that we can make use of other sources of water. While our rainy season is officially over, there are always chances for unexpected showers! Please continue to pray for God’s mercy on Israel’s water supply, that He will miraculously replenish our precious water.

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:

Moran – Moran was blessed to travel to Italy for a few days with his wife, Melissa, on a short vacation. It was a wonderful time of rest, reconnecting, and refreshing for them both! He is now welcoming a tour group from the East Coast, who will be traveling Israel for a couple weeks. He will also enjoy some family time during the holiday of Shavuot, as the kids have a few days off from school. Lastly, he will be preparing for his upcoming trip to the States in July. Please pray for health, strength, wisdom, and discernment for Moran, especially during the busy month ahead. Finally, please pray that God would put His hedge of protection around the family and give Moran and Melissa great wisdom as they raise their three young children.

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.

Seeking New Staff – we are still in need of someone to lead our writing and media department. We are interviewing at the moment and are seeking His wisdom in hiring a promising candidate, and that He will work out all the necessary details. Please pray for God’s provision for someone who is willing to serve the LORD through their gift of writing, editing, and use of media. Please pray that God will bring someone who will be a perfect fit not only for the position, but also for the family of Hope for Israel.

Ner Yah Youth Group – The group closes its regular weekly meetings on June 12th. Then there will be a summer break, where many of the youth will attend various camps in the country. Please pray for strength and endurance for the youth in their studies as they wrap up the school year. Please also continue to pray that the youth will be rooted in the Lord through a deep relationship with Yeshua during the summer months. Additionally, continue to pray for David and Sappir, the two main leaders, as they will be joined in marriage in late June! Please pray for Sappir, who will not continue her position with Ner Yah after the wedding, that the LORD will lead her to a new line of work, and for a great blessing in her and David’s marriage. Please pray for the Lord’s provision of a young woman who can replace Sappir and lead the female youth. Lastly, please pray for God to prepare those who will be entering the army and strengthen them for the time ahead.

Ner Yah Leaders – We will be saying goodbye to a few of the current leaders at the end of June. Marguerite, who has been a leader for over 4 years, recently married and will continue serving in other areas of ministry with her husband. Some of the youth leaders are graduating and will enter their compulsory military service. Please pray for the staff and student leadership team as they finish up the current session of Ner Yah, and for those who will be moving on to other things, that the LORD will bless them in their new endeavors. Please also pray that God would give David wisdom as he seeks to do His will with the youth in his planning for next year.

Believing Soldiers’ Outreach – This outreach was established to meet the growing need for support of our young believing soldiers when they come home for the Shabbat. Please pray for Sara who is leading this outreach, that she will walk in God’s anointing and wisdom for this new ministry opportunity. Please also pray that she will have a deep sensitivity to what the soldiers need, and plan the meetings accordingly. Lastly, please pray that this group will be a wonderful blessing to our soldiers to keep strong in their faith, and be fruitful wherever the Lord has put them.

Moms’ Group – the last meeting of the current session before we break for the summer is June 11th adjusting it to meet the more pressing needs of the mothers. Please pray that God will lead Melissa as she continues to lead the group, especially to be sensitive to the changing needs of the moms as they enter different phases with their children. Please continue to pray for the mothers’ personal relationship with the LORD, that they will not neglect their first love in the busyness of every day life. Lastly, please pray that the mothers will be encouraged to take care of themselves – body, mind, & soul – in order to better care for their families.

Tour Department – 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 of His love on these tours, and to be a strong supportive voice for Israel.

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 bless Him… this is the key to unlocking the great spiritual blessing for the entire human race: “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