Dear Prayer Partners,

Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem! After reaching the end of a blessed week of Passover (Pesach) celebrating the freedom we have found in our escape from the bondage of sin and slavery through the blood of the sacrificial lamb, we enter into a season of commemoration and memorialization with three significant holidays: Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom HaShoah) on May 5; Memorial Day (Yom HaZicharon) on May 11; and Israel Independence Day (Yom HaAtzma’ut) on May 12. Holocaust Memorial Day marks the 71 years since the end of World War II. The entire country comes to a standstill when the morning siren goes off and all of Israel takes a moment of silence to dedicate in remembrance of the six million Jewish brothers and sisters that were killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust. The following week, for Memorial Day, the nation takes the day to mourn the loss of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. For many this year, after more than six months of constant terror attacks, this day will be a very difficult one as too many people have experienced the pain and suffering that terror has brought to their families. After all of the tears shed for those that were taken from us, Independence Day brings joy and a feeling of hope for the future as citizens celebrate their great nation that continues to persevere and survive so much tragedy. Please keep all of these holidays in your prayers and for the families who mourn their lost loved ones. Also, as we celebrate Israel’s national independence, please pray that we will also see a spiritual independence for the people of Israel. Please also remember to pray for safety in Israel during these holidays.

Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:

Anti-Semitism Rising in Europe: Jewish communities across Europe have warned of a rising tide of anti-Semitism, fueled by anger at Israeli policy in the Middle East, while far-right movements have gained popularity because of tensions over immigration and concerns following militant Islamist attacks in Paris and Brussels. Please pray with us against any and all forms of anti-Semitism, whether individual attacks such as these that are increasing across the globe, or in international campaigns like the BDS movement, which we believe is rooted in anti-Semitism. We ask for your continued prayers against any form of violence or hatred towards the Jewish people. Please also pray for any of those who are considering escaping to Israel, that God will guide their journey.

Poverty in Israel: A new UNICEF report reveals that Israeli children are not only the poorest children in Western countries, but their parents also suffer from the greatest income inequality. The daily struggle to put food on the table for families in Israel is becoming increasingly harder. Certain sectors of Israeli society are growing, while leaving others behind. The gap between rich and poor continues to grow. Please keep struggling families, individuals and the elderly in your prayers. Pray for open eyes and hearts for places that we can serve our surrounding community in need and wisdom on how best to meet those needs.

Tunnels from Gaza: More attention has been drawn recently to the tunnel activity taking place in Gaza. Hamas has recruited over 1,000 operatives to work on developing the vast underground tunnel system. There are several purposes for the tunnels; one is smuggling in major goods and people in and out of Egypt, but another is to penetrate into Israeli territory. We remember well that these tunnels were used in the war with Gaza in 2014 to sneak Hamas fighters into southern Israel to attack, kill and/or kidnap soldiers and residents of nearby Israeli homes. Since that time, Hamas has continued to spend millions of dollars to build and develop this underground system (instead of building an infrastructure for its citizens), causing concern for a future war. Please pray for wisdom and insight for the Israeli and Egyptian intelligence that are both working to prevent any terrorist activity from coming from the Gaza Strip through these tunnels. Please pray for protection and God’s watchful covering over Israel, especially residents living nearby in southern Israel.

Temple Mount: Tension once again has returned to the Temple Mount. Jordan recently decided to go back on their original decision to put security cameras on the grounds in order to help monitor the situation to prevent future violence between the Muslims and Jews. Jewish visitors are now prohibited from going to the Temple Mount to pray. Problems between the Jewish community that seek to pray at their holy site and the Muslim community that forbids it, was one of the initial causes for the wave of terror that began back in September. We pray for God’s hand of protection and divine intervention at this sacred and significant site. There is clearly a battle in the physical and the spiritual over this location and we pray for the light of Messiah to shine even brighter in these Last Days.

Protection Against Attacks: The nation continues to be on heightened alerts for terror attacks in preparation for any escalation in violence during the holidays. Please pray for the protection of our soldiers and security forces, as well as peace for the people of Israel as they take time to memorialize those who have been taken and to celebrate Israel’s independence this month. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)

American Primary Elections: Regardless of individual political opinions, we want to pray for God’s hand to be over the American elections this year. Debates and discussions have been ongoing for months as Republican and Democratic candidates are vying for the chance to be elected by the American public. The outcome of the American elections is always important for Israel and it often determines the trajectory of American-Israeli relations for the next term. We pray for God to establish a godly leader and put in place the person that He wants to use as He carries out His plans for Israel and nations.

Rain for Northern Israel: Despite the increased amount of rain across the country throughout the past winter months, northern Israel is still undergoing a major drought for the third year in a row. The past few months were very arid at levels seen few times in the past. Please pray for an outpouring of rain and precipitation for northern Israel and the conservancy of water from the Sea of Galilee. Please pray for the Land of Israel and that God would bless the ground and multiply the crops and harvest for the year. Also, pray for the hearts of Israelis to look to God in their times of need, drought and dryness as a nation and in their personal lives.

Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:

Moran – Please keep Moran in your prayers for wisdom throughout the month of May as he juggles a very busy schedule with tours, projects, and managing the ministry. Please also pray for his physical health and stamina to be able to carry out all of the tasks and responsibilities in front of him. Pray for him to find time to make his plans for the summer and guidance to walk in the direction that the Lord would want for him. Please also remember his family in your prayers for health and safety during this busy time.

HFI Board – Please continue to pray for God’s hand to cover each and every important decision that the Board faces. Please ask for provisions and protection from any attacks that the Enemy would try to make on the health and well being of the members of the Board and their families.

HFI Staff – We are so grateful that the LORD has provided two new staff members! They will help to ease the increasing administrative work of the ministry, as well as with the Tour operation. Please pray for Rachel and Shoshi as they begin their work with Hope for Israel, for protection, wisdom, and a smooth transition. Please keep the rest of our staff in your prayers continuously for both their work and personal lives. Please pray for guidance, vision and unity 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 – NerYah would appreciate prayers for new activities coming up this month for new gatherings for boys, girls and those preparing to enter into the army. Pray that these small groups will bear much fruit and the youth will desire an even more intimate relationship with the LORD. Please also pray that God will continue His good work in the lives of the youth who attended a number of different conferences during the Passover holiday, that any changes, encouragement or challenges the LORD revealed to them would not be something momentary, but will become a part of their lives completely.

NerYah Leaders—Please continue to pray for the leaders of NerYah who are still searching and waiting on the Lord to bring a new female leader on staff to be a coordinator in the youth group and also for the soldiers. Pray that God would open up doors of communication between the leaders and the youth, allowing them to open up their hearts and lives towards one another in order to receive the help and guidance they may need. We ask for renewed motivation and that God would strengthen the staff and volunteers of NerYah in wisdom, unity, patience, love, faith and perseverance.

Believing Soldiers’ Outreach –Please intercede with us on behalf of all of the believing soldiers across the country for grace, strength and wisdom. Pray there will be good, soft soil in their hearts ready to receive God, even if it is only for few minutes a day. We also pray for the current and new volunteers who give of themselves to love and serve the soldiers throughout their 2-3 years in the army. We would appreciate prayer for wisdom, patience and love in the relationship between the soldiers and the volunteers working with them. Please pray for soft hearts for the leaders and the ability to speak and to answer the many questions that the soldiers are dealing with them. Please pray that God would place it on the hearts of more people to become volunteers in this coming season.

Experience Israel Tour –We ask for your prayers as we have begun preparing for next year’s Experience Israel Tour (February 23-March 12, 2017). Please pray for wisdom as our team builds next year’s itinerary in hopes of creating a unique and special experience for all of those the Lord will lead to come be a part.

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