Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you for all of your prayers in December. Last month, we were praying for the upcoming elections in Israel. The political scene continues to shift making it hard to know which way things will go. Please continue to pray for the upcoming 2019 elections in Israel. Another thing we prayed for last month was for Hanukkah celebrations. Sadly, the celebrations ended abruptly on the final day of Hanukkah when a terror attack led to the death of a baby that had to be delivered in a premature C-section because of the attack. Moving into this next month as we pray for the following things, please also continue to pray for those affected by terrorism in Israel.

Elections in Israel
Israel’s government dissolved towards the end of December. The people of Israel will go to the polls on April 9, 2019 to vote on a Prime Minister. The political bantering and unpleasantness that often comes in an election season has already begun. Please pray for Israel during this tumultuous time, and for a person who loves and fears the LORD to lead Israel.

Increased Terrorism in the Judea & Samaria Region; Tunnels from Lebanon
This past month saw a marked increase in terrorist attacks in Judea & Samaria. Many say this is in response to what the Palestinians see as a weakened defense system since Avigdor Lieberman resigned as Defense Minister after the controversial cease-fire agreement Israel quickly entered into with Hamas. The recent discovery of multiple tunnels from Lebanon into Israeli territory to be used for the purpose of terror attacks also has many on edge. Please pray for God's continued protection over Israel from a virulent enemy who actively seeks Israel's destruction! Please continue to pray for the border with Gaza in the south, for the quiet to continue and for protection from further rocket attacks. Lastly, please pray for Israel's governing body, the Knesset, to make wise, godly decisions regarding Israel's security and how to deal with our enemies.

Rain and Snow
This past month saw the first big snow on Israel’s Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, and the rest of Israel saw a significant amount of rain. The Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) is still frighteningly close to the lowest level it can reach before there could be permanent damage to the water quality in the lake, however, the lake’s water level did rise by nearly 2 centimeters this past month. As the drought in Israel continues, pray for an especially rainy wet season in Israel (typically at its peak from December to February). Please also continue to pray for those who are pursuing technological solutions to the water shortage in Israel.

Ending the Myth of the Occupation
Ever since the Six Day War in 1967, Israel has been accused of occupying land that belongs to other nations. One of the areas that Israel is accused of occupying is the Golan Heights, which Israel annexed to the nation after Syria lost it to Israel in the Six Day War. It has now been over 50 years since that war and with ISIS becoming less of a challenge for Syria, the Syrian president is now turning his sights to the Golan Heights. Earlier this year, the US opposed for the first time ever an annual UN General Assembly resolution calling for Israel to rescind its sovereignty over the Golan. Thanks to continued support from many in the current American administration, the US senate introduced a resolution this past month aimed at asserting US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. It is this kind of recognition of Israeli sovereignty that is necessary in ending the myth of the occupation. Please join us in praying that more and more nations will recognize Israeli sovereignty in all of Israel and give up the notion that land that exchanged hands over 50 years ago is somehow up for negotiation.

US Ambassador to the UN
In some of her final words as US Ambassador to the UN before stepping down from her post this past month, Nikki Haley said: “Israel is a thriving, strong, prosperous country… It has always wanted peace with its neighbors. It has clearly demonstrated its willingness to make big sacrifices for peace, including giving up large areas of land. But Israel will not make a peace agreement at just any price, and it shouldn’t. No UN resolutions, anti-Semitic boycotts, or terrorist threats will ever change that. Throughout its existence, and even today, Israel has been surrounded by threats to its security. It would be foolish for it to make a deal that weakened its security. And yet, even in the face of constant threats, Israel has become one of the leading nations in the world. Israel wants a peace agreement, but it doesn’t need one.” As Heather Nauert now steps into the role of US Ambassador to the UN, please join us in praying that she will be as effective as Nikki Haley and perhaps more so in representing US support for Israel and asserting the ways in which standing with Israel is a strategic way to pursue peace in the Middle East. Pray especially for favor as the US seems closer than ever to unveiling its peace plan. Pray that despite all the resistance until now, the plan will actually be reasonable and better than expected by many.

Cost of Living in Israel
The cost of living in Israel is high and getting significantly higher in 2019. There were a number of protests this past month aimed at curbing price increases in things such as utilities and food products, but a significant increase in cost of living in 2019 is very likely nonetheless. Please join us in praying for Israel’s economy to grow abundantly in 2019 so that Israelis can keep up with the increasing cost of living. Pray for creative and ingenuity to continue to flourish in Israel and for new jobs to be created in a variety of sectors that can accommodate the increasing financial burdens that Israelis face in the coming year.

Moran & Family
Moran is preparing for a busy three months! January, February, & March will be full of many visitors and tours in Israel. This is always a great blessing! Yet, it also means Moran will be away more from his family and the office. Please pray for him as he prepares his teachings, and prepares physically and emotionally for this season ahead. Please also pray for wisdom for him as he continues to lead the ministry, and constantly faces important decisions that affect all aspects of the ministry. Please pray for Melissa as her schedule is quite full, for wisdom, peace, and patience, and for the children to grow in the Lord, and seek Him for everything. Lastly, please pray for health for Moran, Melissa, and the children in this winter season!

HFI Board
Please pray for wisdom for our board members as they begin to implement decisions made during Moran’s recent visit to the US. Please pray for protection over them and their families, that the Lord would shield them from illness and spiritual warfare.

HFI Staff
We are still looking for two people to hire in our media and tour department. Please pray that the Lord will continue to guide us to the right people, and that as we await them to join the HFI team, God will continue to equip them to do the job well once they begin. Please also pray for health for our staff, especially for Joanna who continues to face stomach issues. Please also pray for our staff's children who continue to face winter illness!

NerYah Youth Group
Please keep each and every one of the youth in your prayers that they will find NerYah to be a place of encouraging fellowship and guidance through the challenges they face as youth in Israeli society. Please also continue to pray for more male volunteers to work with the youth.

Soldiers’ Group
We are still praying for more volunteers to work with our soldiers’ group. Please continue to pray for the soldiers both that they will excel and that they will be strengthened by God to continue strong in the faith in spite of the many challenges they face. Pray that God will use them powerfully also to encourage those around them as they experience a level of discipline that they have never before encountered.

University Students
Hope for Israel is working with a number of college students who were once with us in NerYah and a part of our Soldier’s Group. Please pray that all of the students with whom we’re working will continue to develop successful learning strategies and that we will be successful in helping as the need arises throughout the school year. Please also pray for them to be strong in their walk as they are immersed in a system that can be hostile to their faith.

Foundations of the Faith Book
Please continue to pray that every copy of this discipleship resource will have a personal impact on those who read it and draw many into an increasingly deeper relationship with God! Please pray for a wider distribution of the book, that it will reach many people and that they will be strengthened and challenged. Please also continue to pray that the current project to publish the book in Spanish will be blessed and bring forth a fruitful harvest among our Spanish-speaking brethren.

“Israel Beyond the Headlines” Video Project
We began this special project last year in honor of Israel’s 70th year of independence (click here to check it out). This is a video project where we produce short videos highlighting a different aspect of Israeli innovation that is making a difference in the world. This project is a means of Israel advocacy, which is an important part of our call as the Body of Messiah throughout the world. But of course, this is also a threat to the enemy and we have experienced some warfare in this area. Please pray for us as we continue to produce powerful & effective videos, and for all involved in this project: Lior, Moran, Nate, & Melissa. Please pray for His protection over us all and for the truth about Israel to reach to the ends of the earth!

Tours
Please especially pray for a tour we will host in which 18 Hispanic pastors from Chicago and Miami will visit Israel! This is our first ever Latin Pastors Tour! Please pray that we can have a wonderful and life transforming tour! Please also continue to join us in praying for all our tours to be a blessing both to those who join and a blessing to the work of Hope for Israel. We host multiple tours each year. In addition to the upcoming Latin Pastors tour, we also offer the Experience Israel Tour, Israel-Greece Tour, & the Pastors’ Solidarity Tour (www.hope4israel.org/tours/). These tours generate income for the ministry, which goes to cover our overhead, thus allowing a higher percentage of donations to go to our projects.

Thank you for joining us in prayer for these things! May the Lord bless you.

In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team