Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! We want to say thank you for your thoughts and prayers for protection in recent months. Even though there have been a number of small isolated incidents in the past few weeks, overall tensions in Israel have notably decreased. Throughout the past month there have been several large and potentially deadly attacks thwarted by security forces in Israel. We thank God for His protection and lives saved during these difficult times. It was a joyous time with family and friends during the Hanukkah celebrations. We thank you for your blessings and kind wishes for Hope for Israel during the holiday. We will have a break of three months before the next major holiday arrives. As we enter into the new year, we would appreciate your prayers about the direction that God would take us in 2015 with refreshed vision, partnership, and growth. We also wish you and your families a blessed and joyous holiday season as you enter into a new year!
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Israeli Government: After months of internal arguments within the Israeli government, Prime Minister Netanyahu called for the dissembling of the current government and early elections that will take place on March 17th. This action revealed to the public that the current Israeli government has weakened and is not functioning properly. In light of the tumult, another Israeli political party has been charged with strong counts of corruption. Please pray for unity and integrity within the Israeli government, that leaders will rise up and stand for the truth of God’s word and lead the people of Israel on a just and godly path into the future.
Poverty in Israel: Recent statistics in Israel show that there has been a 55% overall increase in child poverty in the past 15 years. The report also showed that child abuse in Israel has increased. In 2013, 66.4 percent of Arab children in Israel were living in poverty and 20 percent of Jewish children. 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. 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 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.
Hamas in Gaza: Despite a cease-fire that was declared in August between Israel and Hamas, there have been several incidents that have broken the quiet since then. Recently a sniper in Gaza shot at Israeli border patrol and critically wounded a man. There is strong evidence that Hamas is quickly rebuilding the underground tunnels into Israel, putting security on high alert. The feeling is that the case with Hamas is a ticking time bomb, just waiting to erupt again. Please pray for wisdom for the Israeli government when dealing with Hamas. Pray for a spiritual revolution in the Gaza Strip and that the terrors of Hamas will be overthrown. Pray for continual safety and divine protection for those who are targets of the enemy.
Peace Process: Recently PA President Abbas was quoted as saying, “The world is on our side.” In many ways Abbas is correct. He has taken a strategy of taking his mission to the United Nations where he recently has proposed a resolution, with the help of Jordan, which calls for the full withdraw of Israeli presence from Judea and Samaria within three years. Several influential European nations have already shown their support for this resolution and are pushing their governments to support a Palestinian State. Pray for wisdom for Israeli and Palestinian leaders and for them to turn to the Messiah as the only true source of peace and justice. Pray for God’s hand to be over the voting process as leaders of nations show their true colors on where they stand in the world, in relation to Israel.
Rain: Praise God that Israel has received rain in the early winter months. We are hoping that the water will rise above the red line throughout the coming months in the places like the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, Israel’s major water sources. 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 – Moran has two tours in the month of January. Please pray for wisdom, focus and energy during these tours. Pray that the groups coming will be changed by the Word and their time in Israel. Also, please keep Moran in your prayers for vision and direction in the coming year. There are a number of new projects and ideas for the future of HFI that will be launched in 2015 and he would appreciate your prayers during this time of important decision-making.
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 – A group of youth recently took part in a conference that had a big impact on several who went. We ask for your prayers that the seeds that were planted at this conference would grow in time spent in prayer and the Word. Please keep the youth of Ner Yah in your prayers, for their hearts and their walk with the Lord. Pray that their relationship with the Lord would strengthen and their lives would be such a light that they begin the influence the world around them. Pray that they will be thirsty for more of God and for their hearts to be open towards Him.
Ner Yah Leaders –Please pray for the staff and student leadership team as they lead the group into a closer walk with God. Please pray that God would give them wisdom in knowing how to reach out and speak to the teens in a meaningful way to show them the love of God.
Believing Soldiers’ Outreach – This outreach was established to meet the growing need for support of our young believing soldiers when they come home for Shabbat. 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. Lastly, please pray for strengthening in this season of life for soldiers, that the Word of God would speak to their heart and that they will have the strength to turn and call upon the Lord.
Experience Israel Tour – Please pray for the 10th Anniversary Experience Israel tour February 27th-March 14th. We have a few spots left that need to be filled and we would appreciate if you could keep this in your prayers also. Pray that the Lord will bring the right people to join this tour and that all of the preparations and operations will be blessed.
HFI Project- HFI is starting a number of new projects in the new year to bring the organization to a new place in a number of ways. Please keep us in your prayers for wisdom, growth, and direction in the way the Lord would lead as we make strategic decisions on these projects.
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
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