Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! Spring is well on its way in the Land and we gladly welcome the warmth, which brings with it blooming flowers and a new season. We thank God for the abundance He has poured on this Land and her people. Despite the hardships we can rejoice in the blessings He bestows upon us. As we enter into the Passover holiday (April 3-10), we look to the blessing of the sacrificial Lamb that God has provided us – we can rejoice in this eternal gift. We ask for your prayers during one of the most celebrated holidays in Israel. For Israelis it is a time to be with family and loved ones to remember the faithfulness of God to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. For those families that are struggling to put food on the table, we ask especially for your prayers for their provision as a continual sign of God’s constancy with His people.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Post-Election Coalition Building: The elections that took place in Israel on March 17 resulted in a surprise win for the Likud Party, headed by PM Netanyahu. For months all of the running parties candidates are denouncing their opponents in order to gain the most voted in seats for their party. Yet, once the elections were completed, now the same candidates must flatter Netanyahu into giving them select ministerial positions in the Knesset. At this point, as the parties are set to build a viable and lasting coalition, the power struggle becomes more and more tense. Please pray for the government leaders that are tasked with building the next four years of political authority in Israel. Pray for wisdom and divine inspiration from God that He will build for Himself a God-fearing country submitted to His will.
Anti-Semitism in the Nations: In recent months there has been much news coverage about several instances across the U.S., Europe, South Africa, and Australia of anti-Israel protests or misconduct. Each campaign has a different audience and is carried out in a different way, but the underlying motivator is the same — anti-Semitism. This is not to say that any and all events surrounding Israel and the Palestinians are anti-Semitic, however when these events begin to use rhetoric that denies the recognition of the State of Israel or demonizes the state, at that point a line has been crossed. We ask that you would pray about how to deal with this growing stream of anti-Semitism worldwide. It takes on a number of shapes and forms, but the root remains the same as it has for centuries. As believers please pray for wisdom and protection as to how to recognize and discern how best to pray and deal with this issue. We also ask that you would pray for a covering of protection for Israelis and Jews around the world that are coming under attack.
Internal Security: Despite the fact that the number of terrorist attacks has reduced in recent months, much of this is due to security and police intelligence preventing attacks before they occur, but the problem of terror has not disappeared. Enemies of Israel stand at every border of the country with Hezbollah threatening the northern border, the war in Syria only miles away, and the constant threat of surprise attacks by Hamas from Gaza and the Palestinian territories. Yet, we serve a God who is in control of all circumstances and protects His children. Please pray that we would not live in fear of danger or an enemy that we cannot see. Pray for God’s hand to watch over all those the enemy would seek to harm. Also, that we would learn to love our enemy and pray that he would come into the light of Yeshua.
Iranian Deal: A framework agreement was reached between the U.S. led coalition and Iran, along with Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany at the negotiation table. The deal aims to cut significantly into Iran’s bomb-making technology while giving Tehran relief from international sanctions. The commitments, if implemented, would substantially pare down Iranian nuclear assets for a decade and restrict others for an additional five years. Ever since the agreement was announced, Israeli PM Netanyahu has strongly opposed it and is doing what he can to rally against it, putting pressure on the American government. Please intercede for the future of any final agreement that must be reached by June this year. This could be a historic shift in the Middle East, for good or for bad, depending on the outcome. Israel is one of Iran’s greatest enemies and is in much closer proximity than any other Western nations. We ask that you join us in praying for a divine intervention that will prevent Iran from continuing its nuclear weapons development and that the hand of God will watch over and protect Israel from every attack.
Israeli Economy: For the Israeli public, one of the most important issues surrounding the recent elections is the poor economy. Housing prices, the cost of living and high poverty rates – especially for children – has left Israelis frustrated and hungry for economic change. Families living in poverty oftentimes have to make difficult decisions like whether to buy food for the kids or medication, paying the electric bill or buying books for school. On top of that housing prices have skyrocketed throughout the country in recent years making it almost impossible for families to become homeowners or save for the future. There are many reasons for poverty, but much of it has to do with Israeli government policy: reduction of welfare pensions, a low minimum wage, and tax and labor laws, to name a few. Please keep those who are struggling to provide the basic necessities of food, medicine, and education for their children. Pray for the new government to take notice and make progressive changes that will help lift these families out of poverty. Of course, pray that people would come to see God as their Provider.
Peace Process: During the Israeli election campaign, PM Netanyahu, in his race to get re-elected, made a claim that under his leadership there would not be a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians. This goes against the rhetoric that he had been using for several years in negotiations with the Palestinian Authority and the United States. This statement has since created tense relations between the American administration and undermined any hope held for those seeking a Palestinian state. At this point it is unclear what is the future of the political negotiations will be. However, we continue to stand and pray for a nation aligned with biblical prophecy and according to God’s promises. This is the time and place to press in with prayer for true peace to make its way to the hearts of Israelis and Palestinians. Please pray for wisdom for the leaders from both camps, as well as all of the international body that is involved in the peace process.
April Commemorations: April is full of other meaningful days for the Jewish people. April 16th is Holocaust Memorial Day, April 22nd is Memorial Day, and the 23rd is Israel’s Independence Day. Holocaust Memorial Day mourns the loss of the six million Jews that were killed in the Holocaust and Memorial Day mourns Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. After all of the tears shed for those that were taken from us, Independence Day brings joy and a feeling of hope for the future as Israeli’s celebrate their great nation that has survived so much tragedy. Please keep all of these holidays in your prayers, for the families who mourn their lost loved ones in acts of terrorism or in war. Also, as we celebrate Israel’s national independence, please pray that we will also see a spiritual independence for the people of Israel. Pray for the safety of Israel during these holiday seasons.
Rain: Praise God that Israel has received rain throughout the winter months and now we have entered into the warmth of spring. Israel’s major water sources in the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee received an abundance of rain this year. Please pray for a continued and steady amount of rain to fall on this dry Land. “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” Zechariah 10:1
Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:
Moran – Please be in prayer for wisdom for Moran during these upcoming months. He has many important decisions to make in the midst of a very busy schedule with several tours to host and speaking engagements to travel to, including an event in England in the near future. Please pray that God will sustain him in his emotional, spiritual and physical health during this time. Also, pray for wisdom as he continues to write his blog series.
40% Growth in 2015- We would appreciate it if you would join us in prayer about the growth and future of HFI. We have a goal to grow by 40% in financial giving in order to be able to serve with a greater capacity, as well to grow in partners and the number of tours we host throughout the year. Please pray for guidance and direction from God in every area of the organization – finances, partners, projects and tours.
HFI Board – Please continue to pray for the Board as they always have important decisions for the ministry in front of them. Please ask for provisions and protection from any attacks that the Enemy would try to make on the members of the Board and/or their families.
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 the youth to courageously pursue the dreams that God has put in their hearts and that they will excel in every field they choose and will be integrated into the Israeli unbelieving society in order to be a light and testimony of Yeshua. Please also pray that they will be strengthened in their intimacy with God and their walk of faith, for them to diligently keep reading the Bible and continue to express interest and curiosity in God.
Ner Yah Leaders – Prayer for the leaders of Ner Yah, that they will be blessed with patience in their conduct with the youth. Also for expectations that the leaders carry to see meaningful changes in the youth, that they will trust the Lord and believe that their work is not vain and that they are touching them. They ask for wisdom in dealing with the many questions that the youth bring up in the gatherings.
Believing Soldiers’ Outreach – Please pray for the specific needs of the many believing soldiers trying to keep strong in the faith in light of the many physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come with the army. Many soldiers struggle with loneliness and frustration with their jobs in the army, so we ask that you would help cover them in prayer. Please pray for wisdom, strength and grace for the soldiers throughout all of the transitions that come with army service, for those currently entering and those that are exiting. Pray for them to be a light and true friends to the other soldiers surrounding them and that they will find direction for life in this season. Please pray for David and Sara who are leading this outreach – that they will walk in God’s anointing and wisdom for this new ministry opportunity. Please also pray that they will have a deep sensitivity to what the soldiers need as they continue to develop this department.
Experience Israel Tour – Praise God that the 10th Anniversary Experience Israel Tour 2015 was concluded with the participants being blessed by all they saw, learned, and experienced throughout their two weeks in the Land. We ask that you would pray that all of the seeds that God planted in their hearts He would now water and grow as they settle back into their normal lives. Please begin to pray for next year’s tour (March 5-20, 2016) as we will soon begin to prepare for the next group.
Pastor’s Solidarity Tour – February 1-9, 2016 we will host next year’s Pastor’s Solidarity Tour. Please keep this unique tour in your prayers, as it is specifically for congregational leaders. Pray that God would already begin to stir in the hearts of pastors and leaders to come to Israel so that they will be able to share with their communities about Israel in order to educate others about God’s heart for this Land and His people.
Pesach Project- We have initiated our yearly Passover project to provide food packages to families in need in Israel. Every year we step out in faith and add to the number of people we aim to support – this year we are blessing 1,500 families. We would ask that you pray for financial covering for this project and that God would continue to be our main provision in every project we do. In addition, please pray for this year’s Passover celebrations and that God will bless these families and supply for every one of their needs.
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