Dear Prayer Partners,

Shalom and greetings from Jerusalem! We are kicking off this month with Jerusalem Day, a national holiday in Israel in which we commemorate the liberation of Jerusalem from the Jordanian military occupation. This past month ended a bit hotter than usual for the season and this coming month is starting out unseasonably hot as well, with wildfires breaking out here and there. School is coming to a close for the year and the political scene is still shifting in ways that leave the future somewhat uncertain.

Shavuot
The evening of June 8^th through the evening of June 9^th, Jews all over the world will be celebrating Shavuot (The Feast of Weeks also known as “The Day of Pentecost”). This is an exciting time for Jews as it is on this day that Jews traditionally celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai so long ago. This is also a special time for us as believers as we remember that on this day, the New Covenant records the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2). God is eager for each and every one of us to come to the saving knowledge of Him and Shavuot is an especially valuable time to press in for a deeper relationship with Him. Please pray that many will come to the saving knowledge of Messiah this Shavuot.

New Elections
At the end of May, re-elected Prime Minister Netanyahu failed to form a coalition for the next Knesset (Israel's governing body). As a result, new elections will be held September 17^th. This could mean a variety of things, and it is too early to tell if Netanyahu will again be a strong contender, or if parties who had a strong showing in the previous elections will rise. It really is too early to tell. Please pray for Israel in these uncertain times! Please pray that the Lord will raise up a leader who loves Him and has a heart to lead in His wisdom. Please also pray for a coalition that will protect the freedom of all Israelis, including the Body of Messiah in the Land.

Last Academic Semester
School is almost out and with it all the busy weeks of end of the year events, tests and projects both for grade school and in universities. Parents in Israel will have their work cut out for them as they strive to attend these end-of-year events and help their children to focus on finishing the year strong. For Israel’s 12th graders, this is the time of the year that they are working hard to finish up any last graduation exams (challenging tests called “bagruiot” bog-roo-yote) in order to wrap up their grade school education and move on to their years of military service. For college students, this is a key time to pursue excellence in how they finish out the year. Please pray for parents and students alike in Israel as they tackle the challenges of the final weeks of the academic year.

Extreme Heat in Israel
Recent days and weeks in Israel have proven to be hotter than usual and the first days of June are looking like they’ll continue the trend. Israel has been experiencing extreme heat (from a heat wave that is referred to in Hebrew as “shaw-rawv”). As a result of this extreme heat, many parts of Israel have had wildfires break out. Southern Israel has been especially susceptible to fires and already suffered from fires caused by the combination of the extreme heat and dryness along with the incendiary terror balloons sent into Israel by terrorists in Gaza. Please pray for safety for all living in the parts of Israel that are most susceptible to fires. Please also pray for protection from heat strokes, especially for the elderly in Israel and those living in areas with extreme temperatures who may not have air conditioners in their homes.

Jerusalem Day
This June 1^st through June 2^nd, we celebrate “Jerusalem Day”, a time in Israel for celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. After Israel was attacked in 1967, within six days (hence, the name “Six Day War”), Israel retook the Old City of Jerusalem, which was under Jordanian military occupation at the time. This is a strongly disputed celebration, obviously, as the majority of Arab nations still do not recognize Israel as a valid country. Considering the current tension between Israel and the Palestinians, please join us in praying over Israel on this day, and that there will be no attacks or violence.

Peace Plan Reception
The US Peace Plan for the disputed territories in Israel (Judea and Samaria [referred to by many as “the West Bank”] & Gaza) has yet to be unveiled after more than a year of delays and perhaps revisions and abundant speculations as to what this plan might entail. One concern for Israel is that this plan may call for establishing a Palestinian state and ultimately lead to ethnic cleansing of Jews from areas within the borders of the land promised to Israel long ago (especially in the region of Judea and Samaria). One concern for the Palestinians is that the current US administration has stood especially strong with Israel and has immensely cut funding to numerous Palestinian aid organizations (due to the failure of these organizations to address the real issues at hand or to bring about any lasting change). On both sides, there is some concern that the US Peace Plan will not address the real issues as has been the case with previous peace plans. On the other hand, there have been some indications that this plan will steer away from focusing on national borders and instead focus on ensuring a high quality of living for everyone in the region through carefully prepared business plans. Please pray that this truly will be the case and that the US-drafted peace plan will not include any requirement for dividing up the land of Israel.

Moran & Family
Moran is home this month, which will be full of ministry activities in Israel. He will host two tour groups this month, as well as participate in a local conference the third week of June. It will be a time of wrapping up some loose ends in the office, and also strengthening the staff through various activities. Please continue to pray for wisdom, health, rest, and strength for Moran in June, and for new opportunities to bless Israel, as the LORD sees fit. Please pray for his wife as she completes her last full semester towards an MA, and for his three children who are finishing school this month. Pray also for the family as they prepare for summer and all that it entails, both for Moran’s speaking engagements and work here with Hope for Israel as well as for the family to enjoy time connecting during the kid’s time off school in between summer activities.

HFI Board
Please pray for protection over all of HFI’s board members and their families. Pray that the Lord would shield them from illness and spiritual warfare.

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 pray for us as we seek to a replacement for our female youth leader as our current one is leaving to study full-time in September. Please also continue to pray for more male volunteers to work with the youth.

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. Please also pray for God’s protection over them as they serve in a place where war is always a possibility. Please also pray for a new coordinator to serve our Soldiers’ group.

University Students
Please pray for the university students with whom we work that they would be strong in their walk as they wrap up their school year. Pray for both excellence in their end of the year projects and tests and also that this challenging time of the year will draw them even closer to the Lord.

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. We now have the book printed in Hebrew, English, Russian, & Spanish.

“Israel Beyond the Headlines” Video Project
We began this special project last year to celebrate the miracle 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, Elad & Melissa. Please pray for His protection over us all and for the truth about Israel to reach to the ends of the earth!

Newsletter
Please pray for wisdom and clarity for us as we write the newsletter, for Mike as he designs the newsletter, and for Debbie who will be in charge of printing & distributing the newsletter. Please pray for the LORD’s protection over us during the entire process and for His kingdom to be glorified as a result!

Tours
Please 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 click here to learn more). 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. Please also pray that our Israel-Greece tour will fill up soon with people who are ready to grow in their understanding of Scripture and the lands in which it all began. Please pray for those joining us on these tours to be blessed and to grow in their walk with the Lord. Pray also for Moran and those leading the tours with him for peace and wisdom, and for unity among the leadership team of the tours.

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

In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team