November is a big month for the government of Israel. Israelis once again go to the polls to elect the party they want to form a coalition for the next Knesset (Israeli parliament). This will be the 5th election in under 4 years. The security situation continues to be a top concern in Israel, including threats from within Israel and from surrounding countries. There is always much to be in prayer for, and we ask that you intercede on behalf of Israel and Hope for Israel this coming month.
PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR:
Israeli Government
Elections are scheduled for November 1. At the time of writing, current polls show right-wing Likud, led by embattled Benjamin Netanyahu, to get the necessary 61 seats to form the government. But centrist party Yesh Atid, led by current Prime Minister Yair Lapid, could produce a strong showing, which could render Netanyahu incapable of forming a government. The other potential wild card is that if many Arab voters show up at the polls, they could also keep Netanyahu from being able to form a coalition. Please continue to pray for:
- the next government to be one that seeks the good of the Israeli people and not their own political ambitions
- strength & wisdom for Israelis who are quite tired from the political instability
- practical ways to help Israelis continue to recover from the economic downfall of the pandemic
- establishing an equitable system of checks and balances to keep the government from overreaching
- lowering the extremely high cost of living in Israel, skyrocketing inflation, and getting more families out of poverty
Israel's Security
Tensions between Arabs and Jewish Israelis are still very high. Multiple “lone wolf” terror attacks occurred in October, killing innocent Israeli civilians and one 18-year-old female soldier. The IDF has initiated numerous operations in the Judea & Samaria region (incorrectly but commonly referred to as the “West Bank”) in response to the attacks in efforts to stop the next ones. Hamas in Gaza has been rather quiet, but this could change in a moment. Concern remains very high regarding Iran and its rogue nuclear ambitions. Israel has vowed to do whatever is necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Please continue to pray for:
- the Lord's wisdom for Israeli military officials if diplomacy fails and a military attack on Iran becomes necessary
- an immediate cessation of terror attacks
- protection over Israel's soldiers who protect God's Land and people every single day
- revival in the hearts of all Israel's enemies, that they would see they are fighting the God of Israel and come to know Him through Messiah Yeshua
Economic Troubles
Many Israeli tech companies have laid off hundreds of employees, signaling a downturn in the nation’s strong tech sector. The companies claim that the layoffs are necessary to “adjust to the situation in the market”. July saw the beginning of the hi-tech slowdown, where layoffs began and they have only continued since. Also concerning is the low number of startup companies that were funded in 2021. Analysts blame the global economic downturn, rising inflation, and the Russian-Ukraine war. Israel’s current inflation rate stands at 4.4%, but also keep in mind that Israelis pay 17% sales tax on all goods, making the cost of living in Israel one of the highest in developed countries. Please pray for:
- provision for those who have lost their jobs in the hi-tech sector
- more job opportunities in other sectors
- lower tax rates to stimulate Israel’s economy
Israel Bias
The UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) passed a resolution at the end of October which states that Israel must give up its nuclear weapons. While Israel has never admitted to possessing nuclear weapons and has not signed the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT), nonetheless, the UNGA resolution was aimed at Israel – not Iran. The UN continues to unfairly single out Israel, which is yet another “sign of the times”. Additionally, senior IDF officer Colonel Eyal Toledano could be put on trial at the International Criminal Court for “war crimes against humanity”. American non-profit organization DAWN (Democracy for the Arab World Now) reportedly investigated Col. Toledano’s military policies in the Judea and Samaria region and have submitted their case to the ICC. Please pray for:
- wisdom for Israeli officials as they navigate these troubling developments
- more voices supportive of Israel in the UN, and that real human rights violators will be pursued instead of the current witch hunt of Israel
- for a fair investigation for Col. Toledano, and protection over he and his family
Rainy Season
We received our first rain last month! We have had a few showers since and are hopeful this signals the start of an abundant season. Israel relies heavily on rain for its fresh water supply. Although we have made great advances in our desalination operations, we still need an ample amount of rain. Please pray for:
- an abundant rainy season
- cities to ready their drainage systems to avert flooding
- safety on the roads, especially with the first rain washing away months of debris and dirt on the roads
HFI Prayer requests:
We continue to prayerfully seek the Lord’s wisdom and guidance to implement a renewed vision. Please join us in praying for:
Moran
Moran had a very fruitful trip to the USA last month. He will host two tour groups in Israel this month. He will also spend time in the Jerusalem office, reconnecting with the staff and interviewing possible candidates for open positions. Please pray for:
- wisdom regarding all areas of the ministry, that he would receive clear direction in making important decisions
- sustainance for studying & writing his weekly Scripture commentaries
- health for he and his family, especially as flu season is already in Israel
- protection and peace over his family
HFI Board Members & Staff
Please pray:
- for a blessing over our board members and staff who devote time and energy to executing our vision for the ministry
- for protection over their families while they serve
- for wisdom for the board members as they make decisions that impact the ministry in tangible ways, and for the upcoming board meeting
- for Bill Katz, our U.S. representative, for health & traveling mercies; for protection over his wife and daughter while he is traveling; for fruitful meetings and speaking engagements
- for God to bring us an Operations Manager in our Jerusalem office to oversee the daily operations of the ministry in Israel
Threefold Vision for Empowering the Future Generation of Believers
Please pray for:
- wisdom for the staff as they continue this year’s program
- unity in the hearts of the team
- more volunteer counselors for this year’s program
NerYah Youth Group:
The weekly meetings continue to see many youth from all over the Jerusalem area! This group is so important for encouraging and discipling the believing youth, strengthening their faith, and providing a safe haven each week.
Please pray for:
- for the youth to be challenged and strengthened in their faith
- for the youth to have deep, meaningful experiences with God this year
- for victory in the lives of the youth as many struggle with various challenges at school, home, and personally
Believing Soldiers:
- Spiritual, physical, and mental protection for our soldiers who are at various bases in the country
- Wisdom for the soldiers' coordinators in planning & implementing our monthly meetings
- That God will encourage the soldiers and speak to them even while they are at the base detached from any believing framework
Post-Military & University Students:
- a strong start to the year for the students, that they will be focused, calm, and successful in their studies
- for young professionals to influence their workplaces and enter very important places of influence in the country such as organizations, government ministries, and more
HFI Media Projects
Our various media projects keep people connected to HFI and also help educate people about Israel's spiritual and historical significance. In a day and age where many people oppose Israel, we see advocating for both Israel and what the Word of God says about Israel as top priorities. Please pray for:
- wisdom for Elad, Moran, Nate, Lior, & Melissa as they seek to produce innovative and creative material for social media and the website
- increased engagement with our target audience on various social media platforms
- increased engagement & greater exposure for videos, especially our "Beyond the Headlines" project
- a video crew that we can work with in Israel to generate new content
- creating a grassroots movement of Israel advocacy via YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
- informative & interesting articles and other original material that will educate our audience and encourage their spiritual development
- updating our website and messaging
Tours
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 to announce that our flagship tour “Experience Israel 2023” is FULL! We have opened a waiting list for the tour. Please pray for:
- wisdom for Moran as he continues to make challenging decisions regarding the tour operations
- BJ & Beverly for wisdom, flexibility, and patience as they handle the complex coordination of these tours from the USA
- a strong candidate to fill the position of Tour Coordinator in our Israel office
- for the two tours in November, that they will be a great blessing to all!
Ministry Finances
God has been so faithful in providing 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,