Dear Prayer Partners,

Shalom and greetings from Jerusalem! With the first signs of Spring here in Jerusalem, families, and friends can be seen gathering in the parks of the city to enjoy the great weather and blossoming flowers and trees. Blossoming almond trees, wildflowers along the hills, and citrus trees full of fruit remind us that our God makes beautiful things and is a giver of new life. This truly is a month to pray that we will not only be refreshed by this observation of life all around us but will also partner with God in making life-giving choices as we face the challenges of each day. In addition to enjoying the beautiful weather this month in Israel, we will also be celebrating the bravery of Queen Esther. May this month be a month for bravery to do what God has prepared us to do for such a time as this.

 

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Safety of Jews Worldwide

In two shocking acts of vandalism this past month, nearly 300 gravestones were desecrated in Jewish graveyards in the U.S. Also, close to 100 bomb threats have now been phoned in to Jewish community centers since the beginning of 2017 marking an unprecedented spike in anti-Semitic threats. Please pray for the safety of Jews and effective response to the wave of threats as of late. Please pray that those responsible for the threats and vandalism will be brought to justice and come to sincerely repent for what they’ve done. Please also pray for those world leaders who are standing up in support of the Jewish communities affected by this year’s bomb threats and acts of vandalism.

Purim Celebrations

In light of heightened anti-Semitism in the world these past many weeks, please join us in praying specifically for God’s hand of protection over those celebrating Purim this month. Purim truly is a time to remember God’s faithfulness to deliver the Jewish people from the schemes of the enemy but it’s also a time to remember that the enemy desires the destruction of the Jewish people. Let’s pray that God will make the celebrations a time of joy and a time for a revelation of God’s heart for Israel.

Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia

Iran put out a call for another intifada in Israel this past month. Please pray that the situation in Israel will remain stable in spite of all acts of incitement. Please also pray that Israel’s relationship with Egypt will continue to grow and that Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of Iran as a terrorist state will be followed by a growing collaboration between Israel and Saudi Arabia regarding realistic solutions for peace in the Middle East.

Peace Offerings

This past month, Israeli Minister of Defense, Avigdor Liberman reinforced and added to a historic offer that he made to Hamas in Gaza back in October of 2016. In the original offer, Liberman promised an airport, seaport and industrial area. His offer was laughed off because of not addressing the issue of unemployment in Gaza. Liberman has now come back with an offer to also create at least 40,000 jobs for residents of Gaza. Hamas leadership has rejected this offer also. Please pray that Israel’s offer will reach further than Hamas leadership, even to the ears of the people of Gaza so that they can come to an understanding that it is Hamas that is keeping them destitute. Please pray that God will open eyes and bring a spirit of peace between the Israeli government and those living in Gaza.

Israelis Caring for Syrian Refugees

Part of Israel’s northern border runs along Syria’s southern border, so Israel is very close to what is happening in Syria. Because Syria is an enemy state, the Israeli government has been limited in its ability to get involved in the crisis, but Israelis are finding innovative ways to offer much needed humanitarian relief during this tragic time in Syria. There is a hospital in northern Israel that has been treating and rehabilitating refugees since the crisis began. More recently, during the coldest months of the winter, a number of Israelis pulled together to provide warm clothing for refugees, to be delivered anonymously to those in need in Syria so as to not cause any issues by the fact that the clothes are coming from citizens of an enemy state. Currently, another project is also underway to provide supplies for infant care among refugees in Syria since this is something that can be done without being viewed as supporting or opposing the Syrian regime. Please pray that those of us close to the Syrian crisis will continue to find innovative ways of loving our neighbors during their time of need. Pray also that Syrians will soon be able to return to their homes in peace and begin their life anew without fear of either their government or of terrorists.

 

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:

Moran

Moran is currently leading the Experience Israel Tour. Please pray that he will receive strength and encouragement as he accompanies participants in our experience Israel tour while continuing his roles as writer and teacher and Executive Director of Hope for Israel. Pray that Moran’s time with his family will be truly life-giving during this busy season and that he will be blessed with an increasing vision for how to lead his family into greater and greater love and care for one another. Please also pray for protection over his family, as he is away from home much of the month, as well as health for them all.

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

Please pray for clear communication between staff and for wisdom and effectiveness in all that we do. Please pray for wisdom as we are considering bringing a new staff member to our Jerusalem office who would oversee projects, freeing up Moran to focus in other areas more pertinent to discipleship. 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

Please pray that the leaders of the youth group will truly experience a level of personal growth in intimacy with God that the youth may see and recognize as something that is accessible also to them. As always, we are praying for those who God is preparing to join us as youth group leaders and we would appreciate your prayers as well. Please also join us in praying that the youth will catch God’s heart for servant-hearted leadership. Pray for the youth to really grasp God’s heart for serving in every sphere of life: in the youth group, in the congregation, at home and in society.

Students

University and college students are on break between semesters, which is a time of exams and research work before the next semester begins. Please pray that this time off from attending class will be both restful and productive for them and a time of spiritual strengthening before beginning the next semester.

Believing Soldiers’ Outreach

Pray that during their military service, our soldiers will draw closer to the heart of God. Pray also for those of us working with the soldiers that we will pull together as a staff and keep our hearts in the right place for ministering to the soldiers during this challenging time in their life. We are also praying and would appreciate your prayers for more volunteers to join us in working with the soldiers. Join us also in praying for strategic and effective planning as we look to God for guidance concerning what lies ahead.

Experience Israel Tour

We have begun our Experience Israel tour. Please pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of those who are joining us, and that they would receive a revelation of His heart in this land. Pray that God will continue to provide for every need throughout the trip as needs arise. Pray especially for health for all our tour members. 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