
Shalom from Jerusalem,
As the weather begins to cool, we keep our eyes focused on the Lord’s grace for the coming month. The difficult month of October is behind us, where we marked the 1-year anniversary of the October 7th massacre and celebrated the High Holy Days. It was a month mixed of ceremonies and memorials, celebration and sorrow. Though we mourn our dead, and pray for the remaining hostages to be released, we continue to fight a seven front war while trying to find joy where and when we can. We trust the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who has been faithful to bring us through so much for so long.
While the war is far from over, this coming month holds the potential for some crucial shifts in both Gaza & Lebanon. The military continues to make great advances in destroying terror infrastructure in both areas, but Iran is still a very real threat to Israel’s security.
PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR:
- A decisive end to the war and victory for Israel
- Comfort and hope for the families of the hostages.
- That our leaders would have clear wisdom and vision leading the war
“Swords of Iron” — A Multidimensional War
The Gaza Strip
The war has passed one year. The elimination of Hamas leader, Yahia Sinwar, was a great military victory for Israel. His elimination brought great relief not only in Israel, but also in parts of Gaza. Reports show that there were no days of mourning, either in Gaza or the Palestinian-controlled areas of Judea & Samaria. Few mourn the death of this terrorist who has brought destruction on so many.
The IDF continues to dismantle terror infrastructure including tunnels and uproot and eliminate terrorists. Tragically, we continue to lose soldiers in these precise and targeted operations.
Currently, 101 of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza. At this point, we do not know how many hostages are still alive. Despite ongoing negotiations, Hamas remains intransigent regarding accepting any deal that would end the war and release the hostages. It is unthinkable that Hamas continues to fight this guerrilla-style warfare, while prolonging the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Though the number of missiles launched from Gaza has been significantly reduced, there is no foreseeable end to the war.
Please pray for:
- For wisdom and protection for our Commanders and soldiers who continue to fight in Gaza
- For safety and security for the citizens of the south who live in constant threat from rocket fire from Gaza
- Supernatural strength for the hostages, & that they would remain hopeful
- Wisdom for the negotiation teams
- A deal would be reached to bring them home
Northern Israel
Hezbollah’s leadership has largely been eliminated, and according to reports, it is now retains only 30 percent of its missile capabilities. Nevertheless, the daily attacks on Northern Israel are relentless, and intense fighting continues. IDF forces are destroying weapons supply and tunnels that Hezbollah has dug and accumulated over the years. The fighting in the north is another front that exacts a heavy toll, with soldiers being killed and wounded. Entire families are entering a cycle of mourning and pain. The IDF has expanded its operation to push the enemy further away from Israel’s borders. This will enable residents from the north who have been living as refugees in their own country for more than a year to return to their homes safely.
In recent weeks, Hezbollah has increased its missile attacks southward, so more towns and cities are under the threat of fire. Many residents do not have a safe routine and live in daily fear.
Please pray for:
- Wisdom and courage for our leaders to respond to the intelligence that is received.
- For the safety and defense of the civilians and our soldiers on the north.
- For a speedy end to this war so that people can resume their normal lives.
- For the emotional and physical protection of soldiers and civilians during this extended time of uncertainty.
- That all children in the north will be able to return to their homes and study soon and safely.
- Protection for the security forces in the north of the country who are in reserve and regular duty.
Iran
On October 1, Iran directly attacked Israel with a missile strike, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nations. In response, Israel launched a series of retaliatory airstrikes on October 26, targeting Iranian military assets and allied forces in the region. This exchange has heightened the ongoing tension and underscored the persistent threat of conflict, with both nations remaining on high alert. The situation has drawn international concern, with calls for restraint to prevent a further escalation in violence.
Please pray for:
- The safety and well-being of all civilians and soldiers affected by the recent escalation, asking for a shield of protection over those in harm's way.
- Ask for discernment and wisdom for leaders on all sides, that they may seek peaceful solutions and prevent further escalation.
- Pray for healing for those injured and comfort for families who have lost loved ones or live in constant fear and uncertainty.
- Ask for a spiritual awakening in Iran, that people may experience hope, transformation, and renewal even amidst difficult circumstances.
Antisemitism
The rise in outright hatred of the Jewish people throughout the world is alarming. Proponents of the “Palestinian cause” will often use several buzz words such as “genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and colonialism”, which are all meant to elicit strong indignation at Israel. It is crucial to remain focused on countering these false claims, and to remind the world that a “cease fire” was in effect and NO ISRAELIS in Gaza prior to Oct. 7, 2023. We are fighting a war for our survival which we neither wanted nor began but must finish to ensure peace and stability for the region.
Please pray for:
- Wisdom in speaking and writing about the anti-Israel bias. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed throughout the world.
- That people around the world will join and boldly speak against any words or acts of violence against any group of people
- That people of faith would understand the role of Israel during these difficult and challenging times
- Praying for physical protection for Jews around the world
HFI Prayer Requests:
We continue to prayerfully seek the Lord’s wisdom and guidance to implement a renewed vision amid a tragic and costly war. Please join us in praying!
Moran
Moran continues to be completely devoted to the ministry's emergency response efforts. He continues to work in the field, providing support for those we have evacuated from the north and south of Israel, ensuring that the evacuated families have what they need, bringing meals every day to injured soldiers and their families, and delivering aid to anyone who is in need. He also continues to oversee the ministry's Israel advocacy & information project, as people must receive reliable information from Israel.
Please continue to pray for:
- Wisdom regarding the various aspects of the ministry that he oversees
- Wisdom for he and the ministry’s board as they devise & implement restructuring plans
- Strength & wisdom as he provides support for friends & families who have lost their loved ones in the war, all the while dealing with personal loss related to the war
- Strength, wisdom, protection & health for he and his family during this intense time
- Guidance and inspiration as he writes his weekly Scripture commentaries
- Peace during this difficult season
HFI Staff & Board Members
Please pray for:
- • Blessing over our staff & board members who devote time and energy to executing our vision for the ministry.
- Protection over their families while they serve.
- Wisdom for the board members as they make decisions that impact the ministry in tangible ways.
- Our U.S. representative, Bill Katz, drives and flies thousands of miles weekly to speak on behalf of Hope for Israel, for health & traveling mercies, for protection over his wife and daughter while he is traveling
- And for fruitful meetings and speaking engagements. Please pray for Protection over Bill during this period as antisemitism continues to grow throughout the world.
Threefold Vision for Empowering the Future Generation of Believers
NerYah believing youth group
This month, the 9th graders joined NerYah. The group goes from 9th grade to 12th and the new addition brought a great deal of energy and hope to the group. There was a large opening party and those in the 12th grade saw themselves as leaders and were active and excited about the coming year. The opening party was a huge success, and it was very encouraging to see so many youth who want to participate in NerYah!
Please pray for:
- Ro’ee, one of the main counselors who is on reserve duty
- More counselors who will strengthen and take part in the youth group
- Wisdom for planning the new year’s special sessions
- That the youth would not be negatively affected by social media. That they would continue to hear the voice of the Lord with clarity.
Believing Soldiers
This month, we distributed care packages to the believing soldiers, some of whom are on the front lines, facing the same intense challenges. They were incredibly appreciative and excited, sharing that the support brought them much-needed encouragement during these challenging times.
Please pray for:
- Pray for more male counselors who see this service as important and vital. Often, supporting the soldiers can be challenging.
- Please pray for the mental and spiritual condition of the soldiers.
- Please pray for wisdom and guidance so that we can provide all the soldiers need, on all levels.
- Wisdom as to how to deal with discharged soldiers who still have psychological, spiritual and physical needs
Students Group
Hope for Israel is providing scholarships for 19 students. This is very exciting! The students expressed gratitude for the financial assistance, especially considering the continuing challenging circumstances.
Please pray for:
- Strength and excitement for the new year of studies. It is not easy to find motivation during these challenging times.
- Pray that students in the Reserves find peace and strength to manage their studies amidst the challenges they face. Many reservists are deployed and then return, only to be called back into service. Please keep their safety in your thoughts and prayers.
- For the wives and children of reserve soldiers who are also students. There is additional stress on the families due to fear of the unknown and having to maintain some sort of routine during the absence of the other parent.
HFI Media Projects
During a period when Israel is fighting not only a physical war but also diplomatic and public pressures and fake news, we see our work in the media as doubly important! Thank you for your continued support of our work in this area and your continued prayers! If you aren’t already receiving our regular updates about the war and the ministry, you can subscribe here.
Please pray for:
- Wisdom to manage attacks against our platforms and content and for the cessation of such attacks.
- Strength and wisdom for our media team as they continue to produce new content for our website, email, and social media, especially during the current war.
- Insight and wisdom are needed to offer fact-based and Scripture-based answers to those who oppose Israel; God would use our content to change peoples' hearts and minds!
- We need a video crew in Israel to work with to generate new content.
- Creating a grassroots movement of Israel advocacy via YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
- Informative & exciting articles and other original material that will educate our audience and encourage their support of Israel now and always.
- Prayer for spiritual protection
- Insight and efficiency in updating our website and messaging; God would provide the right website designer.
Tours
We are at a major crossroads with our tour operation. We are still working on rescheduling tours due to the war and have not moved forward with scheduling any new tours for 2025. This has been a very challenging and, at times, stressful logistical operation. One of the main objectives of our tour operation is to cover ministry overhead so that a higher percentage of donations can go to projects. We are excited for our “Footsteps of Paul” Tour to Greece that’s taking place November 11-21st. While it is not a big group, it promises to be a special experience!
Please pray for:
- Wisdom for Moran & Melissa as they face challenging decisions regarding the tour operations considering the current war.
- Open doors for "Footsteps of the Apostle Paul" tours to other countries of the Mediterranean region (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, etc.)
- Grace as we begin planning our next Israel Solidarity Tour in early 2025
Ministry Finances
God has faithfully provided for the ministry's operating and project costs! We ask that you pray that He will continue to do so and that we will be able to bless more Israelis than ever!
In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team