Dear Prayer Partners,

Shalom and greetings from Jerusalem! From a security standpoint, this past month was a bit of a tense one for Israel. We know the Lord is watching over this land and trust Him for protection and look forward to your partnership with us in prayer for Israel’s protection. From a political standpoint, this month is likely to be fairly tumultuous and a lot rests on the outcome of this month’s elections. Of course, life as usual must also carry on. This month, kids go back to school and towards the end of the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets), many in Israel will be saying prayers of repentance and looking to reconcile with friends, family and neighbors for things from this past year.

Elections
On September 17th, Israel will be holding elections for the second time this year. The polls indicate that, for the most part, the elections will turn out pretty much like they did last time. The big question is: will the party with the most votes be able to form a coalition. A coalition is needed in Israel’s parliamentary system to ensure that the Knesset can get a majority of votes from Knesset members when voting on key issues. The two parties likely to get the most “seats” in Israel’s 120 seat Knesset are Likud and Blue-White. These two parties have nothing good to say about each other’s leaders but it would seem that the only way for a coalition to form would be for these two parties to work together. It seems that, as in the previous elections, Israel’s former Minister of Defense, Avigdor Lieberman, will be the deciding factor in who can or cannot form a coalition. Some are concerned that yet again a coalition would not form and this stalemate would be drawn out even longer than it already has been. Please pray for the elections this month. Pray for high voter turnout. Pray for every Knesset member, both new and senior members, to pursue the good of Israel and not selfish and destructive agendas. Pray that Israel will elect a God-fearing leader, and that the new Knesset will see the formation of a successful coalition that will address and take action on much needed issues in Israel such as cost of living, medical care, matters of national security, education and other important matters.

Rosh Hashanah and Elul
At the end of this month on the evening of Sunday, September 29th, we celebrate Rosh Hashanah in Israel (The Feast of Trumpets)! This is a great time to enjoy the apple harvest and honey in the land of milk and honey. Until the 29th of this month, we will be in the Hebrew month of Elul, a month of repentance in the synagogues and a time for reconciling with those whom we may have offended in this previous year. On the evening of Rosh Hashanah, in addition to celebrating the agricultural new year in Israel (Israel celebrates 4 new years each year), many will perform the ceremony known as Tashlikh (casting off), a ceremony that gets its name from a Scripture that is quoted during this ceremony. Micah 7:18–20 reads: “You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea”. Pray for all who are repenting of their sins this month to receive a revelation of the Messiah of Israel and to turn in faith to Him.

Radical Islam Surrounding Israel
Israel is threatened by radical Islam on multiple fronts. The daily terrorism along the Gaza border goes on despite continually improving methods of addressing these threats. Fire kites or rockets are a daily reality for residents in the south and the rioting along the border and efforts to cause damage to the security fence have yet to end. Of course, Gazans are rioting against Hamas as well, but Hamas has prevented this from making it into the media. The only way we know about Gazan discontent with Hamas is from the thousands who are fleeing Gaza each year to escape the radical Islamic persecution that they face on a daily basis there. Iran-backed militias in Iraq are accusing Israel of attacking them with the approval of the United States, an accusation that could indicate a coming escalation on that front. ISIS terrorists were apprehended within Israel’s borders this past month and plans to carry out terror attacks were foiled. Israel is daily faced with the threat of attack from radical Islamic jihadists and it is only by the grace of God that Israel’s security forces continue to learn and to keep catastrophe at bay. Please continue to pray for Israel’s security forces as they work tirelessly to protect our citizens from all threats. Pray for protection over all of Israel, especially from renewed fronts on the northern border with Lebanon & Syria. Pray that those involved in plots to attack Israel would come to a knowledge of the truth and bless rather than curse Israel.

End of the Summer Break
The school year in Israel kicks off the first day of this month! Families must purchase their own books and supplies for the new school year, putting a heavy financial burden on them (in Israel, all children are required to purchase their school books each year unlike most schools in the USA and Europe). Please pray that the Lord will provide for every family in Israel for school books/supplies, and that families will not be under a heavy financial burden as a result. Please also pray for the ministries and organizations that aid families in need with help to purchase books & supplies, that the Lord would bless them and provide abundantly as they help those in need.

Moran & Family
Moran had an incredibly fruitful trip in the States in August — THANK YOU for praying for him and his family during that time. He is looking forward to having some time in the office as the ministry has a bit of a staff turnover this month, and then will welcome two groups towards the middle of September. This month, he will host a service group from the States, and then the Israel-Greece Tour. Please pray for wisdom, clear thinking, strength, and health for Moran this month. Please also pray for Moran’s children as they begin the new school year!

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. Please also pray for healing for several of the board members’ spouses from various diseases and for strength during these difficult health challenges.

Rosh Hashanah Project
Our Operation Hesed project for Rosh Hashanah is underway! Join us in praying for this project to be well-funded and to truly be a blessing to many in Israel who are struggling financially during the High Holy days in Israel.

NerYah Youth Group
Please keep each and every one of the youth in your prayers as they return to school for the year. Pray 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 continue to pray for Zechariah as he grows in his position as the male youth leader, and also for a blessing over Efrat, our new female youth leader! Please also continue to pray for more male & female volunteers to work with the youth.

Soldiers’ Group
Please pray for the soldiers, both that they will excel and that they will be strengthened by God to remain strong in the faith despite 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.

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

“Israel Beyond the Headlines” Video Project
We began this special project in 2018 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!

Tours
Towards the end of this month, we’ll be hosting our annual Israel-Greece tour! This is an awesome opportunity for Hope for Israel to introduce believers from all over the world to biblical sites and local people living in these places in our day. It goes without saying that the more believers who have a familiarity with the biblical sites, the more believers we have in the world who can really help people to dig into Scripture and understand it in a personal way. Please pray that our “Experience Israel 2020” tour will fill up! We will be celebrating HFI’s 20th Anniversary on this tour, so there will be many special treats along the way! Please also pray that our “Pastors’ Solidarity” tour will get more interested congregational leaders to join. 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 (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 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