Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! The kids are out of school and enjoying their summer break. We had our final NerYah meeting for this school year at the end of June and we are prayerfully seeking guidance for the summer plans on how to stay connected with the students and what direction God would have for us for next year’s group. Please keep the youth members in your prayers during these summer months that they would remain in touch with the leaders of NerYah and be strengthened by friendships with others in the youth group.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of daytime fasting, and began the last week of June. Historically, during that month, there is a lot of tension and violence; this time has already proven no different. Numerous terror attacks against Israelis have already taken place within Israel. Please pray for a tranquil month and that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will reveal Himself to them in such a way that they understand that Yeshua has been given for their atonement.
Israel’s Standing Among the Nations: It is amazing that such a small country as Israel receives such negative attention from around the world. The U.N. continues to single-out Israel for war crimes, while Israel works hard to defend itself and uphold the highest standards of international law and democracy. Just recently, the loyalty of Israel’s strongest ally, the U.S., was put into question when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional a law passed by the U.S. Congress that stated that American citizens born in Jerusalem would have Israel stamped on their passport. Translated, this means that Jerusalem is no longer recognized as part of the State of Israel according to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jerusalem is considered a disputed territory. This is extremely saddening for Israelis who see that the U.S. is not standing with Israel in that Jerusalem is its rightful capital. Please pray for the nations and individuals that so strongly stand against Israel and deny the Word of God. Please pray that the hearts of people will long to be aligned with the Word of God and use criticism towards Israel with a godly righteousness and not according to the world’s standards.
Boycotts on Israel: In recent weeks and months there has been much coverage about a number of large and influential companies that have been making public statements about their intention to boycott Israel. These are not the first companies to do such, but the growing momentum to boycott Israel from all different spheres (academic, economic, cultural, etc.) is starting to become of concern. We ask for your prayers for Israel during this time of trial. 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: There has been an increase in rockets being fired from Gaza into Israel in recent weeks, thankfully no injuries occurred. However, this is of concern when also borders with Syria and Lebanon are tense. Enemies of Israel stand at every border 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 or 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.
Druze Community in Israel and Middle East: The Druze community in Syria is being targeted by Islamic militant groups operating in the country. Many have already been killed and the security of the other hundreds of thousands is under threat, especially considering the upheaval that is happening in Syria and the surrounding nations. Naturally this is very disturbing and frightening for those in Israel that have relatives and friends that live in Syria. They fear what they call a “Druze Holocaust.” The tension has erupted in a few incidents the past weeks when Druze attacked Wounded Syrians. Please keep the Druze community in your prayers, both in Israel and in Syria. The ones in Israel have faithfully served and supported the country and we pray that Israel will stand to their defense also.
Iran: Recently U.S. President Obama signed into law a piece of legislation that gave the U.S. Congress the right to review and potentially block any final nuclear agreement made with Iran. Iran has started to enter into a proxy war with Saudi Arabia over control for Yemen after the months of upheaval that has spread throughout Yemen. Please intercede for the future of any final agreement that must be reached by this month. This could be a historic shift in the Middle East, for good or for bad, depending on the outcome. Israel is one of Iran’s greatest enemies and is in much closer proximity than any other Western nations. We ask that you join us in praying for a divine intervention that will prevent Iran from continuing its nuclear weapons development and that the hand of God will watch over and protect Israel from every attack.
Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:
Moran – Please be in prayer for wisdom for Moran during these upcoming months. Also, he will be travelling this summer for several speaking engagements in the U.S. Please pray that God will sustain him in his emotional, spiritual and physical health during this time. Lastly, Moran is trying to complete a book he has been co-writing for a long period of time. He would appreciate prayers for the final stages of writing the book.
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, parts, 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. 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 – The NerYah youth group has had its last meeting for the school year. Please pray for the youth during this important time, especially on a spiritual level and their relationship with God. Also, pray for the safety and health of the youth. We would love it if you could stand in prayer with us for next year’s NerYah. Pray for wisdom and insights into the program next year, future operations, etc. 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.
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