Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! June is a month when the schedule shifts for all school-aged kids as they enter their summer break until the fall term. Also for our NerYah youth group they will be ending their regular weekly meetings at the end of June and shifting to a summer schedule that will focus on more one-on-one time with individual youth.
Politically in Israel, it seems that after two decades and a series of unsuccessful “peace agreements” and two failed intifadas, the Palestinians are taking a different direction in attempts to attain their demands and goals for a Palestinian state. In the past, direct negotiations with Israel, with the Americans serving as a mediator, was the only form of discussions. Now after both parties are not able to find legitimate partners to continue direct negotiations, the Palestinians have turned to other actors such as the UN, the EU, and the ICC in order to get them to impose a solution.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Israel’s New Government: After a two-week extension and intense discussions, PM Netanyahu was able to put together a new coalition government for the next four years. In the end, the coalition made up 61 seats, the minimum possible for any government. In the weeks following many ministers grew very disappointed with the way that the prime minister chose their ministerial positions, practically surprising them with no prior notice in front of the entire Knesset. Please pray for Netanyahu and all of the government leaders that are tasked with building the next four years of political authority in Israel. Pray for wisdom and divine inspiration from God that He will build for Himself a God-fearing country submitted to His will and will choose to walk in righteousness.
Anti-Semitism in the Nations: In recent months there has been much news coverage about several instances across the U.S., Europe, South Africa, and Australia of anti-Israel protests or misconduct. Each campaign has a different audience and is carried out in a different way, but the underlying motivator is the same – anti-Semitism. This is not to say that any and all events surrounding Israel and the Palestinians are anti-Semitic, however when these events begin to use rhetoric that denies the recognition of the State of Israel or demonizes the state, at that point a line has been crossed. We ask that you would pray about how to deal with this growing stream of anti-Semitism worldwide. It takes on a number of shapes and forms, but the root remains the same as it has for centuries. As believers please pray for wisdom and protection as to how to recognize and discern how best to pray and deal with this issue. We also ask that you would pray for a covering of protection for Israelis and Jews around the world that are coming under attack.
Security Concerns: Despite the fact that the number of terrorist attacks has reduced in recent months, the problem of terror has not disappeared entirely. Recently we have seen a number of separate knife and vehicular attacks where thankfully none of the victims have been killed or seriously injured. We see how God is divinely protecting his people and we ask for constant prayers in this area. 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. Yet, 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.
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.
Israeli Economy: For the Israeli public, one of the most important issues is the economy. Housing prices, the cost of living and high poverty rates – especially for children – has left Israelis frustrated and hungry for economic change. Families living in poverty oftentimes have to make difficult decisions like whether to buy food for the kids or medication, paying the electric bill or buying books for school. On top of that housing prices have skyrocketed throughout the country in recent years making it almost impossible for families to become homeowners or save for the future. There are many reasons for poverty, but much of it has to do with Israeli government policy: reduction of welfare pensions, a low minimum wage, and tax and labor laws, to name a few. Please keep those who are struggling to provide the basic necessities of food, medicine, and education for their children. Pray for the new government to take notice and make progressive changes that will help lift these families out of poverty. Of course, pray that people would come to see God as their Provider.
Peace Process: At this point it is unclear what the future of the political negotiations will be. However, we continue to stand and pray for a nation aligned with biblical prophecy and according to God’s promises. This is the time and place to press in with prayer for true peace to make its way to the hearts of Israelis and Palestinians, for we know that this will only come when the people are surrendered to Yeshua. Please pray for wisdom for the leaders from both camps, as well as all of the international body that is involved in the peace process.
Rain: Praise God that Israel has received rain throughout the winter months and now we have entered into the warmth of summer. Israel’s major water sources in the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee received an abundance of rain this year. Please pray for a continued and steady amount of rain to fall on this dry Land. “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” Zechariah 10:1
Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:
Moran – Please be in prayer for wisdom for Moran during these upcoming months. He has important guests that are arriving to Israel, so we ask that you would pray for a successful visit for them and Moran. Also, he will be travelling towards the end of June for several speaking engagements in the U.S. We ask that you cover him in prayers as he finalized all his travel plans and prepares the messages the Lord would have him share. 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 – Recently there was a tragic car accident that involved one of our staff members and other relatives and close family friends of our staff. Several people were hospitalized and are facing a long road to recovery. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for everyone involved or impacted by this accident, especially for B.L. and A.S. (we prefer to keep the names anonymous). Please pray for complete physical, emotional, and spiritual healing for those injured and the family and loved ones surrounding them.
NerYah Youth Group – The NerYah youth group is reaching its final weeks for meeting this year before the youth enter into their summer break. They are leaving the structured environment that they received from school and weekly youth meetings. For some youth this can be a positive transition, but for others it can be more difficult. Please pray for these transitions and keep them in your prayers for continued spiritual growth and that they will be strengthened in their intimacy with God.
NerYah Leaders – Prayer for the leaders of NerYah, that God will give them the wisdom they need to close out this school year and begin the summer break in the strongest way possible. They will be involved with youth in a number of ways through conferences and different meetings. The leaders are already looking and praying about next year’s youth group and who will come alongside them to help lead the youth. 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 walk in God’s anointing and wisdom for this ministry opportunity. 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.
Summer Newsletter – We are in the process of working on the summer newsletter that will go out in the upcoming months. We would appreciate your prayers for the vision and direction that God would have us take as we are building the newsletter content. We seek to glorify His name in all that we say and do.
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