Dear Prayer Partners,

Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! Spring is well on its way in the Land and we gladly welcome the warmth, which brings with it blooming flowers and a new season. We thank God for the abundance He has poured on this Land and her people. Despite the hardships, we can rejoice in the blessings He bestows upon us. As we prepare for the Passover holiday (April 22-29), we look to the blessing of the sacrificial Lamb that God has provided us – we can rejoice in this eternal gift. We ask for your prayers during one of the most celebrated holidays in Israel. For Israelis it is a time to be with family and loved ones to remember the faithfulness of God to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. For those families that are struggling to put food on the table, we ask especially for your prayers for their provision as a continual sign of God’s consistent blessing of His people.

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Provision for Struggling Families: Unfortunately, the holiday season can add an extra burden on families that are already struggling financially. Families want to celebrate with their friends and loved ones and many try to take time for vacation during the holidays, but for some they are unable. Housing prices, the high cost of living and skyrocketing poverty rates – especially for children – have all made providing basic necessities like food, medication, schooling, and bills hard to manage. We ask for your prayers for these families facing difficulties, that they could find hope and salvation from the worries of this life through their Messiah. Please pray for God’s miraculous provision for those in need, and for us, as neighbors, to be open and willing to serve.

Role of Church in Relation to Israel: Today we would like to pray for the body of believers worldwide that come from all different backgrounds, traditions and even varying beliefs. We pray that in these final days there will be unity in the Body through the return of the Church to the Word of God and an acknowledgement of the role of Israel in God’s end-time plans. Please pray with us for unity in the Spirit to teach, admonish, and bring us to the same heart and understanding of God’s Word. We also pray for a greater connection between the believers in Israel and the body outside of Israel, so that together we can be an encouragement for one another in these difficult times.

American Primary Elections: Regardless of individual political opinions, we want to pray for God’s hand to be over the American elections this year. Debates and discussions have been ongoing for months as Republican and Democratic candidates are vying for the chance to be elected by the American public. The outcome of the American elections is always important for Israel and it often determines the trajectory of American-Israeli relations for the next term. We pray for God to establish a godly leader and put in place the person that He wants to use as He carries out His plans for Israel and nations.

Israel’s Regional Partnerships: With most of the Middle East spiraling into chaos and countries like Syria, Iraq and Yemen becoming de-facto failed states, Israel is put into a difficult situation when choosing who will be its regional allies. Iran and Russia are highly involved in funding and providing arms to their proxies in the region, many of whom are bent on the destruction of Israel. Recently, Israel has been finding new allies in countries like Cyprus and India, as well as potentially restoring some level of relations in Saudi Arabia and Turkey based on fighting mutual enemies. The stakes are high in the region and it is difficult to gauge the trust of others. We pray for wisdom for Israeli leaders and divine foresight to make decisions and form relations that remain in the overall benefit and safety of the people of Israel. “…I am God…declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Prayer for Repentance and Integrity in Government and Leadership: Many cases have come out in recent months of government and religious leaders who are being charged for serious crimes. Israel’s former president, Moshe Katsav, was sentenced to jail for sexual assault; the former Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, was recently sent to jail on financial corruption charges; a top rabbi, Yishayahu Pinto, was put in prison for trying to bribe the police department; and former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Yonah Metzger, is now standing trial for bribery of NIS 10 million. There have also been a high number of government officials being charged with sexual assault crimes. On one hand, it is good to see proof that Israeli democracy and rule of order is working, even when high ranking leaders are caught in a crime, but it also shows that the heart of man is dark and corrupt without the hope of salvation. We ask that you pray with us for a repentant heart within Israeli society to turn from sin completely and walk rightly with God. “And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Rain for Northern Israel: Despite the increased amount of rain across the country throughout the past winter months, northern Israel, is still undergoing a major drought for the third year in a row. The month of February was very arid at levels seen few times in the past. Please pray for an outpouring of rain and precipitation for northern Israel and the conservancy of water from the Sea of Galilee. Please pray for the Land of Israel and that God would bless the ground and multiply the crops and harvest for the year. Also, pray for the hearts of Israelis to look to God in their times of need, drought and dryness as a nation and in their personal lives. “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.” -1 Kings 8:35-36

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:

Moran – Please keep Moran in your prayers for wisdom throughout the month of April as he juggles a very busy schedule with tours, projects and managing the ministry. Please also pray for his physical health and stamina to be able to carry out all of the tasks and responsibilities in front of him. Pray for him to find time to make his plans for the upcoming year and guidance to walk in the direction that the Lord would want for him. Please also remember his family in your prayers for health and safety during this busy time and as we enter into the holiday season.

HFI Board – Please continue to pray for God’s hand to cover each and every important decision that the Board faces. Please ask for provisions and protection from any attacks that the Enemy would try to make on the health and well being of the members of the Board and their families.

HFI Staff – We are so grateful that the LORD has provided two new staff members! They will help to ease the increasing administrative work of the ministry, as well as with the Tour operation. Please pray for Rachel and Shoshi as they begin their work with Hope for Israel, for protection, wisdom, and a smooth transition. Please keep the rest of our staff in your prayers continuously for both their work and personal lives. Please pray for guidance, vision and unity in the work place. Pray that God would divinely work in the tasks that each one carries out on a daily basis. Also cover their families in your prayers for health, strength, and wisdom in every area of their lives.

NerYah Youth Group – Please join us in praying for the youth of NerYah as they walk through the difficult teenage years of coming into their identity and faith in the Messiah. They face many challenges at school with learning how to be a light and living the life of a disciple of Yeshua in the midst of friends and teachers who aren’t believers. It is very easy to simply tag along with the crowd and put aside their beliefs, but we are praying that the Lord will strengthen them in their faith to walk as His disciples. Please also keep the youth in your prayers during the holidays when many of them will be on break from school and will be attending a number of different conferences being hosted. Please pray for their hearts to be softened to hear from God and to receive encouragement, revelation and passion to grow closer and deeper in their walk with Him.             

NerYah Leaders—Please continue to pray for the leaders of NerYah who are still searching and waiting on the Lord to bring a new female leader on staff to be a coordinator in the youth group and also for the soldiers. Pray that God would open up doors of communication between the leaders and the youth, allowing them to open up their hearts and lives towards one another in order to receive the help and guidance they may need. We ask for continued prayer that God would strengthen the staff and volunteers of NerYah in wisdom, unity, patience, love, faith and perseverance.

Believing Soldiers’ Outreach –Please intercede with us on behalf of all of the believing soldiers across the country for grace, strength and wisdom. This past month three new believers started their army service. Please pray for them as they learn to adapt to their new environment and being away from home and their usual friends and community for the first time. We also pray for the current and new volunteers who give of themselves to love and serve the soldiers throughout their 2-3 years in the army. Please pray that God would place it on the hearts of more people to become volunteers in this coming season. The team asks for continued prayer for wisdom and the right strategy to reach out to the soldiers in a powerful way.

Passover Project – We have already begun preparing for our bi-annual project called “Operation Hesed (Grace)” where we provide food packages for struggling families twice a year on the high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Passover. As Passover approaches we are in the process of ordering the food and having it put together and ready for shipment in the coming weeks. If you could please pray for our team as they take on this large project and that all of the logistical details will run smoothly. We also ask for your prayers for the families receiving the packages. We hope and pray that these gifts will help to restore hope and bring the light of Messiah into their lives.

Experience Israel Tour –This year’s Experience Israel Tour group has come and returned home. We want to pray for each individual that participated on the tour; we ask for the lessons and revelation that they received from the Lord to become more solidified with time and integrated into their daily lives as they enter back into their normal routines. We also ask for your prayers as we have already begun preparing for next year’s Experience Israel Tour (February 25-March 12, 2017).

Tour Department – One of the ways that Hope for Israel is able to supplement the ministry’s income is by organizing and leading tours to Israel.  The tours also carry a strong ministry component, as tour participants often have opportunities to bless Israel via tangible acts of service.  As the situation in Israel continues to heat up, it is more important than ever for followers of Messiah to show their support by physically coming to Israel.  Please continue to pray that the LORD will bless this aspect of the ministry and that He would bring more and more people to witness His love on these tours. 

Lastly, please continue to pray for the salvation of Israel & the Jewish people throughout the world; we long for the day when all Israel will recognize her Messiah and receive Him… “For if their rejection [of Yeshua] is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Romans 11:15

In His Service,

The Hope for Israel Prayer Team