Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom! As the Jewish holiday of Purim approaches, celebrating the bravery of a young, Jewish woman in a time of great danger to the Jewish people, Israel is once again facing many threats. Israel continues to watch Syria as there is an increasing chance that Hezbollah will receive both conventional and unconventional weapons from Syria, which would likely be used against Israel. In addition to Syria, Egypt has been experiencing riots and increasing instability as citizens protest against the newly elected government, increasing the potential for Islamic groups to grow unchecked in places like the Sinai. This is all occurring while Israel is working to form a new government after elections were held on January 22nd-a government that will face unprecedented challenges.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Israeli Elections: Israeli elections were held on January 22nd, resulting in Netanyahu being reelected Prime Minister but also resulting in a fairly split parliament between left and right. Netanyahu has until March to form his new government from both his own party and others that were successful. For more information on understanding the election results, see Detangling the Israeli Election Results. Please pray for great wisdom to be given to those who are choosing the new government in this pivotal time. Please also pray that we will turn back to our Heavenly Father, our sovereign King, and look to Him alone for guidance. Lastly, please pray for the leaders that are chosen to turn to God for guidance and humble themselves before Him rather than seek their own personal advancement.
Israel’s Hostile Neighbors: As Syria and Egypt have increasing internal instability, the potential for confrontations with Islamic groups that are taking advantage of the situation to increase their weapons supplies grows. Israel is keeping their eye on Hezbollah, who may receive weapons from the Syrian government to prevent these falling to the Syrian opposition. These weapons would likely be used against Israel if Hezbollah receives them. Israel has said that they will strike Syria’s weapons stocks if they see any sign of movement of weapons to Hezbollah. Additionally, Egypt is experiencing massive riots against the newly elected Islamic government, raising the potential for another collapse of authority. This could lead to Islamic groups acting with impunity in the Sinai and committing terror acts against Israel. Please continue to intercede for Israel, for her protection, and most importantly, for her salvation! Please pray for great wisdom for Israel’s government and military leaders, and for God’s continued blessing on those countries who support Israel in the meantime. Please also pray that those in Syria and Egypt will come to know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and for His protection over those who do know Him.
Israel’s Water Situation: God has been so merciful the last couple of months! The Sea of Galilee (Israel’s main fresh-water source) saw its largest December increase in 20 years, and the increase has continued! We are not out of the woods, however. Please continue to pray for an abundant rainy season and for advancement in desalinization techniques that Israel may begin to use water from the Mediterranean in addition to rainfall.
Experience Israel Tour: We are hosting a life-changing tour to Israel in March 2013; this is our flagship tour, where we not only bring people to interact with Israelis “on the ground”, but also have people actively bless Israelis in need, and really experience Israel of today. All of this blends with discovering ancient Israel, with a focus on the Israel in the time of Yeshua. Please continue to pray for the tour to fill to capacity, as this is such an important time to come show support for Israel amidst so much criticism from the world at large. Please also pray for safety and quiet during the tour, especially with Syria & Lebanon, and that it would be a great blessing to everyone who participates.
Jack Teitel Sentencing: After a five year legal battle, Jack Teitel was finally found guilty on all 10 counts against him, including the attempted murder of a Messianic teenager, Ami Ortiz. Jack Teitel was also responsible for the murder of 2 Palestinians. For more, see Teitel Sentencing. Please pray for the Ortiz family to continue to be comforted by God and that He would turn what was meant for evil into good for all families involved. Please also pray for continued wisdom to be given to the justice system in addressing both Teitel’s case and others who commit evil.
Purim: The Jewish holiday of Purim will begin at sundown on February 23rd and end the following evening at sundown on February 24th. This holiday commemorates the bravery of Esther as she endangered her own life to save the Jewish people by confronting her husband, the king, regarding his top minister’s plan to wipe out the Jewish people. Esther is especially relevant today as another leader of Persia (Iran) desires to wipe out the Jewish people. Please pray that the Jewish people would recognize God’s hand in their repeated salvation from their enemies. Please also intercede for Israel and that God would intervene and protect Israel from her enemies. Lastly, please pray that there would be those among Israel’s enemies who would repent and turn from their evil plans.
Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:
Moran — Please pray for wisdom and strength for Moran as he leads the ministry that God has entrusted to him. Please pray that God would protect his and his family’s health as the winter season continues. Finally, please pray that God would put His hedge of protection around them all and give Moran and Melissa great wisdom as the raise their three young children. Lastly, please pray for wisdom for Moran as we are implementing a new vision for the ministry.
HFI Staff – Thank you for praying for our staff and their families’ health; we have seen a great move of the LORD to heal and strengthen. The office environment is growing more and more family-like, and we are all very encouraged by the LORD’s provision for our work. 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. Lastly, please pray that God would give us wisdom for decisions we need to make regarding some possible staff changes.
New Website – The new website is now up and running thanks to our talented website team! This team has recently taken over the responsibilities of keeping the website updated and making changes as needed. Please continue to pray for God’s blessing over this project, and for clear communication between everyone involved. Please pray for our new web team to be blessed and for God to use the website for His glory.
Newsletter – We are at work on our next newsletter. This is one of our most effective areas in the ministry, and also one that comes under spiritual attack the most. Please pray for Moran, Melissa, Tamar, Mike, and Judy as we prepare the newsletter. Please pray for God’s wisdom, inspiration, and words as we write, design, and print the newsletter. Please also pray for a problem-free printing and mailing of the final product.
Office space – We are still URGENTLY in need of a new space that will meet our needs for every different activity of the ministry. We have almost totally outgrown our current space, and it’s become a much more pressing need since we’ve added staff members! Please pray for gracious provision of a space that we will be able to purchase, so that we are not at the mercy of a landlord. Please also pray for the funds needed.
Healing: Many people who are involved with Hope for Israel or who partner with us have been sidelined with illness ranging from common colds/flu to more serious diseases. Please pray for God to protect all who are involved with our ministry from sickness and to heal those who are already fighting illness. Please pray for His shield of protection to be around the ministry and that God would continue to raise up prayer warriors for us.
Ner Yah Youth Group –The youth are continuing to meet on a weekly basis. David and Sappir are currently teaching about the importance of service rather than focusing on self – a challenging subject for youth culture today! Additionally, we have around 7-8 youth who will be entering their army service at different points this year, so we are hoping they develop the deep roots needed to keep them strong. Lastly, God has recently revived a vision for prayer and fellowship in the youths’ schools with two schools that have started this. Please pray that God would light the fire for prayer in more schools and among more youth in this time. Please also pray that the youth will continue to be rooted in the Lord through a deep relationship with Yeshua. Additionally, intercede for a breakthrough in many of the youths’ lives and that they would begin to turn their focus from themselves to God and those around them and learn to serve. Lastly, please pray for God to prepare those who will be entering the army and strengthen them for the time ahead.
Ner Yah Leaders – The youth group is overseen by Moran and two other adult leaders. In addition, there is a leadership team of youth leaders and junior youth leaders who volunteer to work with the younger youth. The two full-time adult leaders, David & Sappir, are doing a great job in leading the youth and we are so grateful for them! Please continue to pray for unity among the staff and leadership team. Please pray that God would give them wisdom as they seek to do His will with the youth and for God’s patience and love to be on David and Sappir as they continue to lead on a full-time basis.
Moms’ Group: The group continues to meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month; God has added some new mothers to the group, and it’s a great blessing to see the fruit of encouragement in their lives. Please continue to pray for a fresh anointing on the group and the meetings, and for each mom to be encouraged in her great work of raising a family. Please pray for Melissa, for guidance and insight, as she plans what to share and discuss at each meeting. Please 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 – 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 of 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 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