Dear Prayer Partners,
          We begin this month with Purim celebrations and end it with Passover! The rainiest part of the year is coming to a close in Israel, but we’re still praying for as much rain as God will bless us with! This past month saw the excitement of the Winter Olympics along with continued drama in the UN regarding Israel even as more pressing issues like the Syrian crisis are pushed to the side. The spiritual battle against the people and land of Israel is strong but our God is stronger, something that both Purim and Passover help us to remember.

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Passover Celebrations
Passover is among the three major feasts of the Bible alongside Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks) and Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). For us as believers in Yeshua, Passover has the added significance of reminding us that God Himself has provided an atonement for our sins and provided a way for us to draw near to Him. Please pray for protection for all who will be celebrating this Passover, for a revelation of God’s free gift to us, and for provision for those living in harder circumstances.

Migrant Workers
One major debate in Israel right now surrounds policies regarding African migrant workers who came to Israel without the proper approval. These men and women were fleeing difficult situations in their home countries, namely Eritrea and Sudan, but they never received official asylum status in Israel. They have made a home in Israel and many are currently facing deportation to African nations who have agreed to take them off Israel’s hands. This is especially important to pray into because the nations agreeing to take them will not necessarily be the most welcoming to them. Some in Israel have suggested creating “sanctuary cities” similar to those in the US in order to provide places in Israel exempt from policies requiring the deportation of illegal migrant workers. Part of the problem is that they have trouble finding work in Israel, many don't speak Hebrew, and they live in terrible poverty. Whether Israel finds a solution that allows refugees to remain here, or whether the solution is to deport them, please pray that the refugees in this situation will find peace and a home in which to settle. Please also pray that the solution will be a righteous one that will not bring judgment on this nation. Please also pray that the tensions this issue is creating among the Israeli population will not further polarize our nation.

High-Speed Jerusalem – Tel Aviv Train
A high-speed train connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv was expected to go into operation late this March, but due to a number of safety concerns will not go into operation until September or October of this year. In the rush to complete the tracks on time, safety inspectors have noted a number of issues with the construction of the train line in recent months. Now that the opening of the train line has been delayed for another 6 months, the likelihood of maintaining safety standards is much better. Nonetheless, people in Israel are eager for this new line to open as it is expected to take a mere half hour for the train to go between the two cities (half the time required for driving between the cities on a good day). Pray that as work is continued on the train line, safety standards will be maintained. Pray also that in these next 6 months, the train will truly come to completion and contribute to efforts to decongest Israel’s roads.

Netanyahu Corruption Charges
A number of corruption charges have been brought against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the years. Recent years have seen more serious allegations. Among the most recent allegations are those connected to the acquisition of submarines in Israel as well as some allegations connected to media coverage being influenced by connections with crime families in Israel. A recent recording was released of a member of a crime organization family in Israel instructing a news organization to keep the Netanyahu family out of the negative news spotlight. There is increasing pressure on Netanyahu to resign as prime minister of Israel, so prayer is needed for two things: Pray that the truth will be known and justice done in the case of allegations against Netanyahu; and pray both for Israel’s current prime minister and for whoever will come after him. God has called this nation to be a light to the nations, so it is important that we pray for utmost righteousness to grow in the government in Israel in the days that lay ahead.

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:

Moran
Moran is hosting the ministry’s annual “Experience Israel” Tour from March 1–18. He is excited to welcome this diverse group of people from all over the world! These tours where Moran joins 24/7 are intense, however, and require much of him. It also means two weeks away from home. But after this tour, Moran’s schedule will settle down a bit, paving the way for some more time of rest and focused time with his family and the staff. Moran and his family will have a week of family vacation at the end of the month, which they are looking forward to very much! Please pray for health, strength, and wisdom for Moran during this month. Please also pray for him as he continues to juggle many roles and responsibilities, and will continue to run the ministry while he is with this tour group. Lastly, please pray for his wife, Melissa, and their children for peace, health, and protection while Moran will be away.

HFI Board
Please continue to pray for wisdom for our board members as they make important decisions in every area of the ministry. Please pray for protection over them and their families, that the Lord would shield them from illness and spiritual warfare.

HFI Staff
Please pray with us for the health of our staff and families as winter illness goes around here in Jerusalem. Please also continue to pray with us for us to find another person to work with the NerYah staff. We are grateful that the Lord provided a young man to work with us in our tour operation! Please pray for “S” that he will have a smooth transition & training period and that he will learn the job well.

NerYah Youth Group
Pray with us that each and every one of the youth will have a personal encounter with the Lord. Pray also for strengthening as they encounter a number of challenging circumstances during their time in school and in their free time. Pray also for our one-on-one conversations with the youth as they come to us for guidance and direction. Finally, pray for our holiday activities with the youth such as the Purim activities beginning this month as well as our Passover hike with them at the end of March.

Believing Soldiers
Please pray with us for strengthening and encouragement for the soldiers mentally, physically, and spiritually. The military is replete with temptations and people encouraging moral compromise and this reality leads to a number of questions and doubts for believers serving in the military. We’d appreciate prayer that God would strengthen them in this formative time in their adult life, so that they will stand strong and draw even nearer to Him than ever before.

Spring Newsletter
Our latest edition of our newsletter is in the final stages of writing & editing, and will then go on to our graphic designer and printer. Please pray for protection for us all involved in the production of the newsletter, as we always experience some kind of warfare related to it. Please also pray for a smooth process from design, printing, & mailing, and that many hearts will receive the message of Israel’s miraculous reestablishment!

Messiah in the Passover
Our US representative, Bill Katz, will be traveling the entire month of March to various places throughout the USA to lead special presentations called “Messiah in the Passover”. This is a compelling presentation that reveals how Messiah Yeshua’s sacrifice was foretold in the ancient Passover meal! Please pray for safe travels, for health during the extensive traveling schedule, for the Lord’s leading as Bill speaks, and for open hearts to receive Bill’s message. If you would like more information, or to possibly join one of these special presentations, please email us at info@hope4israel.org.

Operation Hesed
This is our main food distribution project that we initiate twice a year: Passover & Rosh Hashanah. This is a huge undertaking and requires a great deal of hours of planning & executing! We are in the planning stages for this year's Passover distribution and would be grateful for prayer for: peace and one heart in the planning process, for clear communication for all involved, for a smooth and seamless distribution process, and that this would be a wonderful blessing for all the families struggling to put food on the table during the Passover holiday.

Israel Beyond the Headlines Project
This is a monthly video project that we’ve initiated in honor of Israel’s 70th Independence Anniversary, where we are highlighting special aspects of Israel that you won't find in the news. From writing the script, to filming, to editing, and distribution, this is a big project! But it is a very important and worthwhile project, since we have a strong burden for Israel advocacy. Please pray that the Lord's covering would be over all involved, from conception to execution, and that He will ultimately be glorified for the miracle of His hands—Israel!

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. Lastly, please pray that the current project to translate the book to Spanish will be blessed and for a fruitful harvest among our Spanish-speaking brethren.

Tours
Please pray for those who will be joining us for the Experience Israel Tour this month! Pray that they will be truly blessed by their experience and that they will grow in an understanding of God’s heart for the land and people of Israel today! Please also pray that our Israel Greece Tour in October will fill up to capacity! 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.

In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team