Prayer Letter — January 2018

Dear Prayer Partners,
The month of December was quite significant for Israel on the world front. While Israel is always making headlines somewhere in the world, the events of December 2017 marked a significant turning point in history. American President Donald Trump made an historic declaration when he officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. He also vowed to take steps towards moving the US embassy (which is currently in Tel Aviv) to Jerusalem. This created huge shockwaves in the international community, especially at the UN, which has always exhibited a double standard in any matter related to Israel. Please pray for wisdom for Israel’s government as they navigate these turbulent waters! January marks the new calendar year and we are hopeful as we look ahead! There are still many things on the horizon for Israel, especially in relation to the volatile geo-political issues. But we continue to rely on God’s faithfulness to protect Israel and, ultimately, to fight for her as He has promised! (Zechariah 12)

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Israel and the UN
Tensions at the UN have been unusually high since President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. It’s important to note that Jerusalem has always been Israel’s capital since its rebirth in 1948, (including East Jerusalem after 1967) but the international body refused to recognize it under Israeli sovereignty. In short, no nation (until now) has ever agreed to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. Since President Trump’s brave declaration in early December, several other countries have followed suit and have also officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Please pray for people throughout the world to understand the significance of these shifts in foreign policy, as well as for believers to recognize how this is significant in terms of where we are on the historical timeline. Please also pray for a blessing for those countries whose leaders were brave to go against the tide and do what is right! Lastly, please continue to pray for Israel’s protection from hostilities (literal and figurative) as a result of this newfound recognition.

Rain
Israel is in its worst drought in 40 years. Our main fresh water source, the Sea of Galilee, has reached dangerous lows and there is serious concern about where Israel will get water for its growing population. Please continue to pray for an abundant rainy season (it’s been quite dry so far…) and that all of Israel will recognize that the Lord is our true source of rain!

Southern Israel Attacks
Hamas has been much more active the past month in firing rockets from Gaza into southern Israel.  We are so grateful that there have been NO physical injuries (this is really miraculous), but there has been some severe damage to homes, cars, and properties when some rockets directly hit towns near the Gaza border. Please pray for continued divine protection over Israel’s citizens from the murderous threats of Hamas. Please also continue to pray for wisdom for Israel’s government and military leaders as they are always faced with difficult issues in how to properly respond to these attacks.

Northern Border with Lebanon
Top commanders from Lebanon’s terrorist group, Hizbullah, and Syria’s militant Islamic group, Liwa al-Baqir, have recently been seen visiting Israel’s border with Lebanon. The concern is that these groups are preparing for another possible military confrontation with Israel. While northern Israel has enjoyed relative “quiet” on its border, the memories of the last full-blown military operation in 2006 still evoke terror in inhabitants of the region. Please pray for God’s protection over northern Israel from militant terrorist groups from Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, as well as for intelligence for Israel’s military to thwart any attacks before they happen.

 

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:

Moran
Moran is standing before an incredibly busy January! In addition to overseeing the intricacies of the ministry, he will host two tour groups in Israel (one of which is our largest group yet), back to back. Please pray that both groups will be open to receiving what the Lord has for them, as well as physical protection and safe travels in the air and on the ground. Please also pray for the Lord’s protection over Moran from any stress or illness during this next month, as well as for wisdom as he will be dealing with many various issues related to the tours. Please also pray for health for Moran’s family and for the Lord’s peace for Melissa in this busy period, especially as Melissa is now working for the ministry part time while finishing her first semester of an MA program at Hebrew University.

HFI Board
Please continue to pray for wisdom for our board members as they make important decisions in every area of the ministry. Please pray for protection over them and their families, that the Lord would shield them from illness and spiritual warfare.

HFI Staff
Please continue to pray that our new coordinator for the Believing Soldiers’ outreach will adapt quickly and that she’ll grow continually in her ability to truly connect with the believing soldiers. We are still in need for God to provide staff to handle tours and other administrative tasks at Hope for Israel. We are also looking for another coordinator to help with NerYah. Please join us in praying specifically that the Lord will bring us people with a heart for ministry, who desire to serve as a team player, and believe in the work being done through Hope for Israel.

NerYah Youth Group
Please pray for that the leaders will be filled with God’s wisdom and love. We are encountering many difficult issues and in great need of God’s wisdom to know how to approach and deal with them. Please pray for the teens as this season in their lives is very important; it’s a stage in which a lot of their identity is being shaped. Please pray for God’s protection, truth, revelation and love. Please pray for God’s breakthrough in the lives of some of our youth that are fighting with addiction, depression, and other challenging things. Please pray that the youth will continue to open up more and more and to build a life-giving relationship with the leaders of NerYah. Please also pray that the youth will be faithful to really dig in to the teachings and to apply them to their daily life.

Believing Soldiers’ Outreach
Please join us in praying for God’s grace to carry the soldiers with whom we work during their military service. Pray for them to excel in following the orders of their commanders and for them to also excel in their personal lives, in prayer and in their study of Scripture. Pray also that they will be able to connect as often as necessary with us at Hope for Israel in order to receive support and encouragement to carry on.

Students & Young Adults
University students will be wrapping up the semester at the end of January. It can be a stressful time of exams and papers due. Please join us in praying especially for those students with whom we work at Hope for Israel. Pray that they will excel in every way and will balance effectively between work, school, family, and social life. Pray for wisdom and confidence. Pray for boldness to come to us and to approach their instructors and advisors with any questions or challenges they have in keeping up with their programs.

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!

Tours
Please pray that our tours will be full as we finalize things for the Experience Israel Tour in March. Please also pray for those who will be joining us on these tours. Pray that they will be truly blessed by their experience and that they will grow in an understanding of God’s heart for the land and people of Israel today!

 

In His Service,

The Hope for Israel Prayer Team

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