Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! Summer is quickly flying by and we are blessed to be a part of what God is doing in Israel and at Hope for Israel. In the past few weeks, we have been busy moving our office in Jerusalem. God has blessed us with a new and larger office with more space to invest in our local community and projects that God continues to plant and grow. Despite the fact that it seems the world is spiraling into disarray, we know that those who keep their eyes steadfast on God will see fruit and His faithfulness in their lives and communities. We praise God for His abundant grace and love through every trial and victory.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Iran: On July 14th six world powers — including the governments of U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China– reached a nuclear arms deal after many tiring months of negotiations. Israeli PM Netanyahu says it is a mistake of historic proportions. The U.S. Congress will hold a vote of approval or disapproval in the near future, though the Congress is limited in power to stop the deal. We know that the agreement doesn’t entirely remove Iran’s nuclear program. It has agreed to reduce it dramatically, giving a one-year window notice in case Iran decides to break its agreement. Negotiators also failed to meet the standard of ‘anytime, anywhere’ access to Iran’s nuclear sites as demanded by the U.S. Congress. If Iran abides by the terms, the UN has agreed to release its sanctions, freeing up approximately $100 billion worth of frozen assets to the Iranian government, which can provide them the funds needed to expand their nuclear weapons development and continue funding its proxy wars in the Middle East. This is just the beginning of developments in Iran and we have already seen that Iran’s leader Ayatollah Khamenei continues to denounce America and Israel and calls for their destruction. Please pray for steady hearts and minds that are fixed on the Lord in light of all of these world events. Pray for peace and protection over Israel who is a close neighbor to Iran. Please pray that God’s will be done as a result of or in spite of what the world is seeking to accomplish.
Boycotts on Israel: The growing momentum to boycott Israel from all different spheres (academic, economic, cultural, etc.) is starting to become of concern in Israel and internationally. The Prime Minister of Israel, among other influential political and cultural leaders, have taken this issue more seriously and began campaigns against the boycott Israel groups. We ask for your prayers for Israel during this time of trial as the nations are coming against the State of Israel. We ask that God would glorify Himself throughout these difficult times. Please pray that God will continue to break down these barriers that come against Israel and that the Truth will be known. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).
Israeli Borders: Israelis live in constant tension of threats from within her borders and the neighbors surrounding her. Enemies of Israel stand at every corner of the country with Hezbollah threatening the northern border, the war in Syria only miles away, and the constant threat of surprise attacks by Hamas from Gaza and the Palestinian territories. We see how God is divinely protecting His people and we ask for constant prayers in this area. We serve a God who is in control of all circumstances and protects His children. Please pray that we would not live in fear of danger of an enemy that we cannot see. Pray for God’s hand to watch over all those the enemy would seek to harm. Also, that we would learn to love our enemy and pray that he would turn from his evil ways and come into the light of Yeshua.
Cohesion Between Israelis: Israel is a great mix of cultural and ethnic diversity, not only between different religions, but also among the vast Jewish majority population. Among them are Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia, Russia, Europe, the Arab world, North African nations, South Africa, North America, South America and many more. All of this mix of cultural, political and ethnic influences strongly affects the dynamics of the State of Israel. These differences can also cause division and discrimination between the people. Please pray for a united Israel and Jewish people. Pray against misunderstandings, slander and division that can so easily create tension between the different cultural groups. We also ask for prayer for a unified identity as the people of God.
Terror in the Sinai: Smugglers and jihadist groups, including a growing number of ISIS militants, continue to stir up trouble for the Egyptian and Israeli governments in the Sinai desert. These groups have been increasing their terror in the Sinai on Egyptian police, border patrol and civilians. This has led to the death of hundreds of Egyptians and forced the government to extend its state of emergency protocol in the Sinai. Also, as a result of the terror attacks, Israel has closed the border between Egypt and Gaza to prevent terrorists from entering Gaza through Egypt. The entire situation in the Sinai is turning chaotic and the Israeli and Egyptian governments are working together to prevent and reduce terrorist cells from carrying out attacks. Please pray for the collaboration between the Israeli and Egyptian governments that will lead to a strong partnership that will last into the future. Pray for the safety of those traveling in the Sinai desert, as well as the security and police forces that are patrolling the area.
Hot Summer Months: In the past few weeks there have been two large wildfires that have broke out in forested regions across Israel. Thankfully, in both of these instances firefighters were able to get the flames under control before anybody was injured or homes caught on fire. We are currently in the hot and dry months of the year in Israel with no rain in sight, so we ask for your prayers against wildfires throughout this dry season.
Protection for Children Over their Summer Vacation: Kids are out of school for the summer months and we ask that you pray for grace and provision for their parents who most of them are still working in their regular jobs and do not have daycare provided. We also ask for prayer for the kids for their safety as they have fun and try to enjoy their time off.
Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:
Moran – Please be in prayer for Moran as he finishes up the last leg of his extended trip in the States. He has been traveling all over the U.S. sharing with others about Israel and the work of HFI. He asks for your prayers for spiritual, mental and emotional health in this upcoming weeks, as well as safety in travels for him and his family. Also, please join Moran and the Hope for Israel staff in prayer for wisdom about the future of the organization – to be sensitive to the Lord’s guidance and direction.
40% Growth in 2015- We would appreciate it if you would join us in prayer about the growth and future of HFI. We have a goal to grow by 40% in financial giving in order to be able to serve with a greater capacity, as well to grow in partners and the number of tours we host throughout the year. Please pray for guidance and direction from God in every area of the organization – finances, partners, projects and tours.
HFI Board – Please continue to pray for the Board as they always have important decisions for the ministry in front of them. Please ask for provisions and protection from any attacks that the Enemy would try to make on the members of the Board and/or their families.
HFI Staff – Please keep our staff in your prayers continuously for both their work and personal lives. Please pray for guidance and vision in the work place, especially as the staff adjusts to the dynamics of working in a new office. 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 –We would love it if you could stand in prayer with us for next year’s NerYah. Please pray for wisdom and insights into the next year’s program, future operations, and relationships with the youth. We need the Lord’s help in planning for next year.
NerYah Leaders – Please pray for refreshment and renewal during the summer vacation for the leaders. In addition, we hope that the staff will grow next year and we will be glad if you could pray for new instructors. Please pray for wisdom and grace to find new leaders and to understand the direction God would lead them into the upcoming months.
Believing Soldiers’ Outreach – Please pray for the specific needs of the many believing soldiers trying to keep strong in the faith in light of the many physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come with the army. Many soldiers struggle with loneliness and frustration with their jobs in the army, so we ask that you would help cover them in prayer. Please pray for wisdom, strength and grace for the soldiers throughout all of the transitions that come with army service, for those currently entering and those that are exiting. Pray for them to be a light and true friends to the other soldiers surrounding them and that they will find direction for life in this season. Please pray for David and Sara who are leading this outreach – that they will have the time and strength to stay in contact with all of the soldiers. Please also pray that they will grow in love, encouragement, peace, and joy in their service of the soldiers.
Experience Israel Tour –Please begin to pray for this next year’s Experience Israel Tour (March 4-20, 2016) as we have opened registration and are praying for the right participants that God wants to bring to Israel. We praise God that already a good number of participants have signed up and we continue to pray for the building and unity of this group as they prepare their hearts and logistics throughout the coming months.
Pastor’s Solidarity Tour – February 1-9, 2016 we will host next year’s Pastor’s Solidarity Tour. Please keep this unique tour in your prayers, as it is specifically for congregational leaders. Pray that God would already begin to stir in the hearts of pastors and leaders to come to Israel so that they will be able to share with their communities about Israel in order to educate others about God’s heart for this Land and His people.
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