Shalom and greetings from Jerusalem! This past month has been especially busy at HFI as well as both tumultuous and awe-inspiring with regards to the nation of Israel as a whole. Hanukkah is just around the corner, which in Israel is a time of remembering that God is a faithful God and His faithfulness is especially clear when Israel is under the attacks of the enemy. God is ready to do great things in this land and He’s looking for believers who will partner with His heart. That’s where praying believers come in; we are so grateful for you standing with us in prayer!

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Fire Victims
At perhaps the driest time of the year, when there has not yet been significant rainfall in Israel, fires have ravished the nation. Many of these fires have been confirmed as deliberate acts of arson. While the forest fires affected between 4.25 and 7.65 square miles of forest, causing about 30 years’ worth of damage to the forests, the urban fires were much more serious. Fortunately, there was no shortage of first responders to help in this time of need. About 1,600 people were left homeless, but the rescue operations were truly outstanding with just over 160 people suffering from smoke inhalation and none dead. An astounding 2,500 firefighters took part in the rescue and firefighting operations over the 5-day period during which the fires were started. The USA, Russia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Jordan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and France all sent planes and/or firefighters to assist immensely in firefighting efforts. A network has been started by Israelis, which will seek to pair those displaced by the fires with a host home until they can get back on their feet. It is, nonetheless important to pray for full recovery for all affected by these fires as well as abundant blessings for those who are opening their homes and their bank accounts to help those in need. Pray that those responsible for the fires will be apprehended. And of course, please pray for protection against future attacks of this nature.

Rain
This month we are especially praying for abundant rainfall in Israel. December marks the beginning of the three-month period when Israel receives most of its rain. Please join us in praying that this month will see significant amounts of rainfall and restoration of water supplies. Although this drought has lasted over three years already, our God is a doer of the impossible. Along with prayer for rainfall, let’s pray also for policy makers in Israel as they consider innovative solutions to the crisis.

Israel’s International Relations
As has become clear in the recent U.S. elections as well as recent UN resolutions, Israel’s standing in the international arena is shifting significantly but the outcome of these shifts has yet to be seen. Please join us in praying that Israel’s leadership will be effective in responding to this quickly changing political environment. Let’s pray that God will also work in and through the world leaders currently making decisions that will impact Israel.

Protection along the borders
In the last few days of November, ISIS militants launched an attack against Israeli forces along the Syria border. The soldiers were able to respond quickly and effectively to the attacks, taking out both the militants and their makeshift base. Join us in praying that the month of December will be free from attacks and that those forces fighting ISIS will be successful as they push back the forces of darkness in the Middle East.

Poverty in Jerusalem
While nearly 70% of non-orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, both men and women, are working to provide for their families, about 80% of orthodox men don’t work while about 50% of the women in the orthodox community do work. The situation is no better among the Arab population in Jerusalem. About 40% of all Arab men (both religious and not religious) in Jerusalem don’t work, while a whopping 77% of Arab women don’t work in spite of large families. This situation is unfortunately the norm among these communities in Jerusalem due to a variety of factors including societal norms, lack of education and skills, and labor discrimination. A recent report ranked Jerusalem as the most impoverished city in Israel. Let’s pray for the families facing these challenges that they will be released into the workplace as needed. Praying for a change of outlook and educational standards is just as important as praying for provision of jobs. In Jerusalem of all places, let’s pray for God’s righteousness to shine forth.

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:

Moran
There has been no shortage of responsibilities to demand Moran’s time this past month, but he’s handled the exhaustion gracefully, leaning on the Lᴏʀᴅ for strength and endurance to run the race. In the month of December, Moran has a couple of tours to which he is dedicating his time to leading. He would especially appreciate prayer for wisdom as we wrap up 2016 and prepare for 2017 at HFI. As always, please keep Moran’s family in your prayers as they continue to make family a priority during this busy season, and for health in the winter ahead.

HFI Board
Please continue to pray for God’s guidance concerning the decisions facing the HFI Board. Pray with us that God would continue to provide for each and every need. Pray that God will protect the Board and its members from all attacks of the Enemy against their health, their families or the work they are doing for the kingdom of God.

HFI Staff
One of our staff recently gave birth to two healthy twins! Let’s especially keep her in our prayers this next month as she welcomes these beautiful children into a family of strong believers and loving parents.

NerYah Youth Group
Please pray for those youth who’ve grown distant for the Lᴏʀᴅ, especially those have disconnected from fellowship with other believers. Pray also for compassion and patience as the leaders respond to the environment created by youth who are visiting NerYah and present some difficulty because they lack respect for authority. Pray that these youth will find Neryah a welcoming place where they have room to grow both socially and spiritually and where they are able to participate both freely and respectfully in the gatherings.

NerYah Leaders
Please pray for God’s wisdom for NerYah’s leaders as they help the youth to navigate both theological and personal questions. God has been faithful to guide the leaders this far and they know that the wisdom to address the questions of the youth is something that goes hand in hand with prayer. Pray that we will have eyes to see those who are ready to join the team as we search for more youth leaders with a heart and vision for the youth.

Believing Soldiers’ Outreach
Last week, 3 more young people entered the IDF who were part of the NerYah gatherings for those who recently graduated high school. We would appreciate if you would pray for them to adjust effectively to military life. As always, we are praying for physical and spiritual protection of the soldiers. Military service is always a time when deceptions challenge the faith of the soldiers and when they most struggle in their walk with the Lᴏʀᴅ. During this time in their life when praying may be easily neglected, it’s important that we intercede on their behalf. We are still looking for more staff who can contribute of their time to be in touch with the soldiers and to organize soldiers’ meetings with us. Please also pray for the staff that we already have and that God will continue to strengthen them and prepare them for their work with the soldiers.

Fall Newsletter
The content for our fall newsletter is complete and in the final design stages! Please pray that the newsletter reaches the right people at the right time. These newsletters are an important resource in helping our readers to understand both what is happening at Hope for Israel and with regards to Israel as a whole in relation to God’s Word.

Foundations of the Faith Book
The Russian translation of the book went to print this last month. Please pray that this translation will open up new doors for helping new believers to grow in their faith. Please continue to pray for the preparation of the English translation of the book. Please also continue to pray that the Hebrew translation will have a great impact on new believers in Israel.

Experience Israel Tour
Please pray with us as we continue to bring people to join this year’s Experience Israel Tour (February 25^th–March 12^th, 2017). Pray that God will begin even now to work in the hearts of those who are joining us to prepare them for a revelation of His heart in this land. Pray that God will provide for every need as arrangements are made for the trip.

Pastors’ Solidarity Tour
Please pray that the remaining spots will be filled for our next Pastors’ Solidarity Tour (January 30 – February 8, 2017) that brings leaders of congregations on a condensed tour of Israel. Having a full tour is the way we ensure that our guests enjoy the tour for the best price. We know that God is going to use this tour to give pastors and spouses a fresh view of the Scriptures while helping them to understand what members of their congregation could glean from a visit to the Holy Land. Please pray that the Lᴏʀᴅ will minister to the hearts of those who come on this tour, renewing their strength during their time with us.

Tour Department
An effective way for Hope for Israel to sustain the work we do is by offering tours to help believers get a deeper understanding of God’s heart for this land. The tours give participants an opportunity to bless not only Hope for Israel but also the people of Israel through tangible acts of service. By welcoming people to Israel we’ve had the opportunity to show believers the realities of life in Israel today that are often misconstrued in the media. Please continue to pray that God will provide abundantly for every aspect of these tours, bringing more and more people to witness His love and to be a light in the land of Israel’s inheritance.

In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team