Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and greetings from Jerusalem! This past month was, in many ways, a challenging month for those living in Israel. There are a lot of changes taking place in the Middle East, so there is plenty to pray about for our people and our nation. Please continue to join us in praying for the salvation of Israel as God demonstrates His faithfulness above and beyond what we could’ve ever expected. Please also keep Hope for Israel specifically in your prayers as we push on towards the goal of making the hope of Messiah known in the Land.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Poverty
Although this year showed an overall reduction in the number of people in Israel living in poverty, a recent report found that the number of children living in poverty is rising. One in three children in Israel live in poverty, which amounts to half of the impoverished population in Israel. Many children go to school without food each day and skip meals because their parents are unable to provide. Please pray for those of Israel who are impoverished as well as those who are struggling to keep food on the table.
Security Forces
One of the most undervalued and underpaid jobs in the world is that of security. This past month proved fatal for a number of security personnel in Israel. One officer lost his life in the chaos of a protest. Also, in the ramming attack in Jerusalem the lives of four young soldiers in the IDF. In Jerusalem, police are preparing to launch an initiative that will create police stations in high-risk neighborhoods from which “communal police” will operate. These police will not be responsible for handing out fines or for carrying out arrests but will be focused entirely on opening up dialogue between police and residents that might bring about a reduction in violence and terrorism coming from those neighborhoods. Pray for the safety of Israel’s security personnel, both government employees and private contractors. Pray also for the success of trust-building efforts, especially those planned for the near future in Jerusalem’s high-risk neighborhoods.
International Relations
Whether it’s dealing with BDS campaigns, UN resolutions, “peace” conferences, or EU council meetings, the enemy has especially been attacking Israel in the political arena in recent weeks. Already since the passing of Resolution 2334 in late December, there has been an upsurge in terrorist activity that seems to have been triggered by the anti-Jewish wording of the resolution. A number of consequential decisions are being made in the international arena that are already impacting the safety of people in Israel as well as the legal status of Israel’s citizens. As God continues to demonstrate His faithfulness to the people of Israel, pray that He will make himself known to the people of this land.
Bedouin
Israel is home to as many as 250,000 of a people group, known as the Bedouin, who until the mid 1800’s were largely nomadic. Today, the Bedouin live in villages, primarily in the Negev (Israel’s southern desert). Their transition from a nomadic to a more sedentary lifestyle along with their tendency to live only among other Bedouin has left them in need of establishing villages of their own. There’s only one problem: It is challenging to get permission to build new towns in Israel unless building permits have been secured through legal channels. Please pray for the Bedouin people as they continue to transition into an increasingly sedentary lifestyle.
Protection Against Corruption
There have been a number of investigations lately into corruption of government officials in Israel. Please join us in praying that the truth will be made known. Please also pray for protection against corruption over the leaders in government in Israel.
Rain in Israel
Please continue to pray for rainfall in Israel. During this rainy season in Israel, we cannot pray enough for the restoration of water resources in Israel. God is ready to do a miracle and he already has done many when it comes to water in Israel. Currently, 86% of Israel’s waste-water is recycled as irrigation water for agricultural uses. Israel recycles more water than any other country—Spain reusing only 17% comes in at second. We had an outstanding 9.5 inches of rainfall in December, more than any December since 1992, but completely refilling the “Sea of Galilee” (AKA: the Kinneret) would require around 13 feet of rainfall (16 times as much rainfall as we received in December). A miracle is clearly needed and it may need to come in the form of further use of innovative water conservation technology.
Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:
Moran
In addition to writing and taking care of matters in the office at HFI, Moran is leading the Pastors’ Solidarity Tour during the first part of this month and the Experience Israel Tour during the latter part of this month. Please pray that Moran will receive strength and encouragement as he juggles all the upcoming decisions that will need to be made this next month. Pray also for Moran’s time with his family and for their well being during this busy season.
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
We are currently in the process of hiring new staff. Please pray for wisdom in this process. Please pray for clear communication between staff and for wisdom and effectiveness in all that we do. Pray for the salvation of those family members of ours who have yet to believe. We know that even as we work to shine the light of God in Israel as a whole, we must also work to see breakthrough in the lives of our own family members.
NerYah Youth Group
We are very thankful for our current staff. They have demonstrated such a steadfast commitment to working with the youth. Please continue to pray with us for leaders for the youth group. Also pray for wisdom and perseverance in working with those youth who are struggling with issues such as depression. Pray that God will help us to surround them with His love and to offer them appropriate spiritual guidance and to direct them to professionals as needed. Join us in praying for unity and consideration for one another among the youth of NerYah. There is always a tendency among youth to form exclusive groups within the youth group rather than to do the necessary work to reach out to others in the group with whom they are less familiar. We are working to encourage the youth to step out of their comfort zone to build relationships even with the people they don’t know well already.
Believing Soldiers’ Outreach
We have a new staff member who has chosen to commit herself to teaming up with us in the believing soldiers’ outreach. Please pray that she’ll have a smooth on-ramp to working with us as she begins to take part in working with the soldiers. We’d appreciate prayer for protection and awareness among the soldiers as well as for their physical, spiritual and mental health. One of our soldiers recently received a new job duty. Please pray that she will adapt effectively to her new role and be blessed as she works as unto the Lord. On the flip side, there are some soldiers who were recently declined from job positions within the military for which they had applied. Pray that those who were declined from positions for which they applied will not take it personally or lose self-confidence. Pray also that the soldiers will receive strengthening and comfort and protection from sadness and rejection.
Pastors’ Solidarity Tour
We have begun the 2017 tour! Pray that everyone will be able to joyfully engage throughout the tour while building lasting friendships with others along the way. 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 Lord will minister to the hearts of those who come on this tour, renewing their strength during their time with us.
Experience Israel Tour
Pray that God will 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. Please also join us in praying for unity and positive spirit as we venture through the Holy Land together!
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.
Foundations of the Faith Book
Please pray for the preparation of the English translation of the book. Please also continue to pray that the Hebrew and Russian translations will reach many for the kingdom of God.
In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team