As the long, hot summer begins to fade, we welcome the cooler mornings and evenings with a sense of relief. The slight breeze and hint of moisture in the air revives our spirits, encouraging us to look toward the future with hope and optimism.

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR:

Back to School – A Time of Uncertainty
While many children excitedly prepare to return to school on the first of September, there are countless others who face uncertainty. Displaced from their homes in the north and south, many families remain as “internal refugees” in their own homeland, living in temporary quarters. With nearly 90,000 Israelis still displaced, they lack permanent homes, schools, and any sense of when stability will return. This ongoing insecurity weighs heavily on these families as they navigate the start of a new school year.

Please pray for:

• The safe return of all children to their homes and studies.
• For the Israeli children, their parents, and teachers as they are returning to another school year.
• Pray for the teachers in Northern and Southern Israel, asking God to grant them strength, wisdom, and courage as they navigate uncertain and challenging times.
• Pray for resilience and peace for these educators, that they may provide stability and hope for their students despite the ongoing turmoil.

Social unrest
The population of Israel is growing increasingly restless and frustrated with the ongoing war and the repercussions of it, psychologically, economically, spiritually and emotionally

We are experiencing "war fatigue". Rumors of a deal bring hope, and then those hopes are cruelly destroyed, and we mourn and bury our dead, and try to move forward.

Many children, as we have said, are not returning to school due to a teacher's strike in the upper grades. Some parents are simply afraid to send their kids to school, as the rides to and from can be dangerous.

Many have taken to the streets to protest what they consider to be a forsaking of the hostages and a desire to prolong the war. Still others feel that the opposite is true, that Israel must continue to fight until victory is assured. There is strong disagreement between these two camps. Reserve soldiers have left their businesses for long stretches of time and this is causing a great deal of economic uncertainty for them.   

During times like these it is important to remember that we have the same goals, though differences of opinion in how to reach the goals. We must also remember that we are not each other's enemy, and to remember who is.

Please pray for:

• Please pray for peace for those experiencing anxiety and fear, that they may find comfort and strength during these uncertain times.
• Pray for peace and unity among the people of Israel.
• Pray for spiritual protection and renewed hope for children and adults, that they may be guarded and uplifted in difficult moments.

“Swords of Iron” – A Multidimensional War
The Gaza Strip
On September 10th, Israel will mark 11 months since the beginning of the war. The IDF continues to dismantle terror infrastructure, maintain control over strategic areas, and conduct precise operations to eliminate threats. Tragically, we continue to lose soldiers in these operations. In late August, the IDF and the Israeli Security Agency retrieved the bodies of 7 hostages who were abducted on October 7. Additionally, the IDF successfully rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi, who had been held in a Gaza tunnel since his abduction from Kibbutz Magen.

Recently, the bodies of 6 more hostages were returned to Israel, brutally murdered after surviving over 300 days in captivity. The nation is united in mourning these young heroes, who were the focus of our daily prayers.

Currently, 101 of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza. Despite ongoing negotiations, Hamas continues to resist any deal that would end the war and release the hostages. The trauma faced by the families of the abducted is beyond comprehension, and demonstrations to secure their release are held every week.

Northern Israel
On August 25th, Hezbollah launched over 320 rockets and drones at northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of their commander, Fuad Shukr. The IDF responded swiftly, deploying approximately 100 warplanes to neutralize numerous Hezbollah positions. Despite the effectiveness of the operation, northern Israel remains under daily rocket fire, and many have been forced to abandon their homes.

The ongoing threat has devastated the region, with historic parks and forests destroyed by fires ignited by rocket strikes. The displaced children in the north face an uncertain future, with parents afraid to send them to temporary schools.

Judea and Samaria
In Judea and Samaria, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in partnership with the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and Israel Border Police, are conducting extensive operations to dismantle terrorist cells linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. These operations have successfully eliminated militants, arrested suspects, and destroyed weapons intended for attacks on Israelis.

In recent incidents, a coordinated double car bombing attempt in Gush Etzion was foiled, preventing what could have been a mass casualty event. Additionally, a tragic attack on Route 35 near Hebron resulted in the deaths of three Israeli police officers. The attackers exploited recent efforts by Israel to ease restrictions and improve living conditions for Palestinians, highlighting the complex and tragic nature of the conflict. The situation remains tense as the IDF continues its efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further attacks.

Please pray for:

• A decisive end to the war and victory for Israel.
• Clear wisdom and vision for our leaders.
• Wisdom and protection for our Commanders and soldiers fighting in all of the fronts.
• Safety and security for the citizens of the south who live under constant threat from rocket fire.
• Supernatural strength for the hostages, that they would remain hopeful.
• Wisdom for the negotiation teams working tirelessly to bring them home.
• A breakthrough in negotiations that leads to the safe return of all hostages.
• Wisdom and courage for our leaders as they respond to threats in the , Gaza, the north and in Judea and Samaria.
• A speedy end to this war, so that life can return to normal.
• The emotional and physical protection of soldiers and civilians during this time of uncertainty.

Antisemitism Around the World
A synagogue in France was torched by a man draped in a Palestinian flag, and pro-Hamas demonstrations continue worldwide. Many demonstrators chant slogans that call for the destruction of Israel, often without understanding the true implications.

Please pray for:

• Wisdom in addressing the rising tide of anti-Israel sentiment.
• Boldness among people of faith to speak out against acts of violence and hatred.
• A deeper understanding among people of faith of Israel’s role during these challenging times.

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
Since the war began, Moran has been fully dedicated to the ministry's emergency response efforts. He works tirelessly to support those evacuated from the north and south, bringing meals to injured soldiers and their families, and delivering aid to those in need. He also oversees the ministry's Israel advocacy and information project, ensuring that reliable information is shared amid a sea of misinformation.

In addition to these responsibilities, Moran will also be hosting the first Hope for Israel, Israel Solidarity Tour this month. This tour is a significant initiative aimed at showing unwavering support for Israel during these challenging times.

Please pray for:

• Wisdom in overseeing the various aspects of the ministry.
• Strength as he supports friends and families who have lost loved ones in the war.
• Protection and health for him and his family during this intense time.
• Guidance and inspiration as he writes his weekly Scripture commentaries.
• Peace for him and his family during this difficult season.
• Success and safety for the Israel Solidarity Tour, that it may deeply impact the participants and serve as a powerful demonstration of support for Israel.

HFI Staff & Board Members

Please pray for:

• Blessing and protection over our staff and board members as they work tirelessly to execute the ministry’s vision.
• Wisdom for the board members as they make decisions impacting the ministry.
• Protection for Bill Katz, our U.S. representative, as he travels extensively to speak on behalf of Hope for Israel. Please pray for his health, traveling mercies, and protection over his family while he is away.

Threefold Vision for Empowering the Future Generation of Believers
The “Neriyah in the Neighborhoods” project is off to a strong start, with youth showing great engagement. The smaller, neighborhood-based meetings have allowed for deeper intimacy and openness among the participants.

Please pray for:

• Continued wisdom and sensitivity among the youth to recognize God’s voice and leading.
• A peaceful and successful transition to new schools for our youth.
• Supernatural peace for those experiencing fear and insecurity during this time.
• Deep connections and trust among the youth.
• For NerYa’s new year.
• More leaders to join our team.

Soldiers’ Testimonies:
This past month, Hope for Israel distributed summer packages to believing soldiers, each containing a notebook with blessings and personal verses, along with a gift card. The soldiers were deeply touched by this gesture.

Please pray for:

• The physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being of the soldiers.
• The families of the soldiers, that they may feel supported during this difficult time.
• Opportunities for the soldiers to rest and spend time with their loved ones.
• Thanksgiving for the discharged soldier who has volunteered to help build a new program for soldiers.

Student Testimonies:
We have completed the registration for scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year, with 16 students registered so far.

Please pray for:

• Wisdom in placing students in departments where they can utilize their gifts and contribute to the ministry.
• Strength for the students as they prepare for the academic year, ensuring they complete their assignments and exams successfully.
• The organization of the annual student program and training.

HFI Media Projects
As Israel faces physical, diplomatic, and public challenges, our media work is more critical than ever. We seek to continue providing fact-based, Scripture-based content that informs and inspires.

Please pray for:

• A new content writer and media coordinator to join our team. This an urgent need!
• Wisdom in managing attacks against our platforms.
• Strength for our media team as they continue to produce content during this challenging time.
• Insight in offering responses to those who oppose Israel.
• The right video crew in Israel to generate new content.
• The creation of a grassroots movement of Israel advocacy via social media.
• The development of informative and engaging content to educate and encourage support for Israel.
• Spiritual protection over our media efforts.
• The right website designer to update our online presence.

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. Due to the war, all our groups through September have either canceled or rescheduled for 2025, leaving the tour operation without any income for the foreseeable future. This has been a very challenging and, at times, stressful logistical operation. However, we are excited to announce an Israel Solidarity Tour in September and in the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul, in Greece in November . Please email info@hope4israel.org for more information.

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.).
• A full turnout for our tours in September and November !

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