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Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom! Spring is passing and summer is approaching soon. Summer is often a time of transition, especially for many of the youth in Neryah who will be finishing their school year. Many will also be preparing to enter the Israeli army once finished. This is also a pivotal time for Israel with talk of Iran and Syria dominating the agenda. Furthermore, Israel is continuing to face threats both of rocket fire from Gaza and the Sinai, and from the ongoing tensions with the Palestinians. Moreover, the new government has been working on a budget and it appears there must be many cuts to government programs that keep Israel secure and help the poor.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
US and Israel Investigate Claims of Chemical Weapons Use in Syria: The US and Israel are investigating reports of chemical weapons used in Syria by both sides of the civil war there. Israeli intelligence has claimed that chemical weapons were used and that they have proof of such use. However, the US is being more cautious and continues to say they are investigating such claims. A senior Israeli intelligence official claimed that chemical weapons are already leaking into the hands of Hezbollah. Please pray for wisdom to be given as security officials and government leaders make crucial decisions regarding whether to intervene in Syria or not. Please also pray for the many innocent civilians being affected by the conflict there, that they would experience the peace and comfort of God. Furthermore, please intercede for Israel’s safety and that chemical weapons would not successfully be used against her. Lastly, please pray that Israel would see that it is God who ultimately defends her more than any army in the world can.
Iran: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said that while Iran has not crossed “the red line” in its nuclear program, they are getting close. What that means, exactly, remains to be seen, but it most likely means that Israel will be involved in some kind of intervention. The tough sanctions are not doing much good in getting Iran to cease its uranium enrichment. While the world want to “talk”, Iran continues to buy time to get closer to its nuclear weapon. Please continue to intercede on behalf of Israel where Iran is concerned. We know that the end days will bring much suffering, and we pray for God’s hand of mercy over Israel, as her enemies are becoming more brazen about her destruction. Please also pray that if Israel does attack Iran, that the USA and other nations will stand behind her!
Rockets Fired from Gaza and from the Sinai: In the past month, rockets have been fired from both Gaza and from Jihadists in the Sinai. Though not a steady rain of rockets as happened in November, it is enough to remind residents in Israel’s south that they are always on the edge of conflict. Two rockets were fired from the Sinai on the popular vacation spot of Eilat a few weeks ago. Most recently, a few rockets fell in Southern Israel while children were celebrating the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba’Omer around bonfires. Thankfully, no one was injured or killed in both occasions. Please pray for continued peace in Southern Israel and that the situation will not return to all out conflict. Please also pray for leaders and the IDF to know how best to respond to these provocations. Lastly, please pray for God to meet the residents of both Southern Israel and Gaza and to bring them His peace and His light.
Tensions High Between Israel and the Palestinians: Tensions have been especially high between Israel and the Palestinians in recent weeks. After a couple of prominent Palestinian prisoners died of medical conditions unrelated to their detention, Palestinians began rioting and blaming Israel for their deaths. Furthermore, there has been an increase in Palestinians throwing stones at civilian vehicles on roads in the West Bank. One such incident close to Ariel resulted in a severe car accident, critically injuring a three year girl. Others were lightly injured. There have also been incidents of “price tag” attacks against Palestinians. Please pray for all those who are innocent, whether Israeli or Palestinian, to be protected from attacks. Please pray that those bent on violence would be brought to justice and even repentance. Please also pray that God would thwart any of the enemy’s plans and turn what he meant for evil into good.
Shavuot: The Jewish holiday of Shavuot is approaching in the next few weeks. Shavuot, literally meaning “weeks,” is a holiday in which the Jewish people commemorate the end of the counting of the Omer, the period between Passover and Shavuot. This is also when they believe that God gave the Torah to the Jewish people. In addition, believers celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost, which actually occurred during Shavuot two millennia ago. Please pray that this would be a time in which God’s Holy Spirit would bring His Word, the Torah, to life for many people in Israel, making it more than works. Please also pray that God would be close to those who are suffering during this time and that He would be close to them. Lastly, continue to pray that all Israel would be saved and come to full knowledge of the Messiah.
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. 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.
HFI Staff – Our staff is in a time of transition as we have a staff member leaving for a new opportunity and are searching for someone to fill her place. In addition, we are looking forward to Joanna’s return from discipleship school in Sweden. 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.
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, 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.
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.
Ner Yah Youth Group –The youth are continuing to meet on a weekly basis. David and Sapir are being led by God as they seek to disciple the youth. 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, many of the youth will be studying for the final national tests that will be coming up in the next month or so. Please pray that the youth will continue to be rooted in the Lord through a deep relationship with Yeshua. Additionally, continue to pray for David and Sapir as they lead the youth into becoming disciples of the Messiah. Please also pray for the youth to remain focused and to have God’s peace as they prepare for the end of the school year and their end of year tests. 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 & Sapir, 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 Sapir as they continue to lead on a full-time basis.
Moms’ Group: The group continues to meet monthly; 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