Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and Greetings to you from Jerusalem! September is a month for transition—transition into the fall season, transition back into school (for kids and college students), and transition that comes with the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot). With transition comes vulnerability and a need to adapt to change. Please join us in praying this month for Israel and for us here on the Hope for Israel staff to adapt well to all the changes that we will encounter this month.
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
High Holy Days
Toward the end of September, Jews all over the world will begin the observance of the High Holy Days. The Feast of Trumpets (traditionally known as “Rosh Hashanah”) takes place the evening of Wednesday, September 20th to Thursday, September 21st and Yom Kippur will be observed on the evening of Friday, September 29th to the evening of Saturday, September 30th. Please pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to all of Israel during this time, and for the hearts of the Jewish people to receive their promised Messiah! Please also pray for supernatural protection over Israel and the Jewish people throughout the world as they celebrate with festive meals, family gatherings, and synagogue services. Lastly, please pray for safety as the High Holy Days are the time of the year in Israel with the highest number of visitors to Israel.
The Harvest
As we move into the month of September, Israel’s grape, fig, date, and pomegranate harvests are coming to a close and the olive harvest is just beginning. Please join us in praying for high yields and good prices for all agricultural products during this most fruitful of months in Israel.
First Rain
Fresh water levels in Israel have been dangerously low for years now. The Sea of Galilee is Israel’s primary fresh water source, and the level there is quite low. We are praying for ample replenishing of our water this year in Israel and invite you to join us in praying that this year will see abundant rainfall in Israel to help restore our water supplies. As September is the earliest we usually see rain after the dry summer months, we ask that you join us in praying that this September will be unusually rainy!
New School Year
September 1st marks the beginning of the new school year here in Israel. It is a much-welcomed time for both parents and children after a solid two months of summer vacation! It can also put a strain on families’ finances, as each student must purchase his own books, supplies, and school uniforms. Please pray for the Lord’s abundant provision for all families in Israel sending their children back to school. Please also pray for the school administrators and teachers, for peace, patience, and renewed vigor in their professions. Lastly, please pray for Israel’s students (elementary, middle & high school, and university) as they enter this new academic year; may they also have a renewed vigor for learning and advancing not only their own education, but the future of Israel as well.
Immigration due to Anti-Semitism
Israel needs prayer in preparing to possibly receive a large influx of Jewish immigrants from all over the world due to rising anti-Semitism. Among the racial tensions mounting in recent weeks, there have been a number of acts of anti-Semitism. Protesters in Charlottesville made anti-Semitic statements such as “Jews won’t replace us” as if Jews are out to replace anyone. Another demonstrator commented that “this city is run by communist Jews”. Members of one synagogue came across a Nazi website calling for their synagogue to be burned. Many of the demonstrators wore apparel featuring the swastika and Hitler. Please pray for special protection from anti-Semitism and for God’s blessing as many Jews begin the process of immigrating to Israel.
Following are some ministry requests for Hope for Israel:
Moran
Please keep Moran in your prayers for wisdom throughout the month of September as he juggles a very busy schedule with writing, two tours, projects and overseeing things here at Hope for Israel. 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. Please also remember his family in your prayers for health and safety during this busy time and as we enter into the High Holy Days.
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 continue to pray with us for more full time leaders for NerYah and for our work with the soldiers. Please also pray for the leaders who have already joined the HFI team—those working with NerYah, with the believing soldiers, and in the post military outreach. Pray for the work that each and every person is doing to help the youth connect to the heart of the Lord in a personal way. For those working with the soldiers, please pray for strategy to maintain a strong connection with the soldiers and effectiveness in pouring truth into them as they confront challenging realities.
NerYah Youth Group
Please pray that the youth will get back into the flow of balancing school and home life as the new year begins. Pray that the youth will do well in school this next year and that they will grow closer to the Lord as they meet each challenge head on. Please especially pray for those youth who committed their life to the Lord just this summer, that nothing will take away from that commitment but that their commitment will grow deeper with every passing day.
Believing Soldiers’ Outreach
Please pray for the soldiers to grow stronger in their faith during this most challenging time in their life. Military service provides a whole slew of challenges that are hard to predict and hard to overcome. Everything comes into question during military service. Please pray that the soldiers will be filled with a supernatural confidence in the Lord despite everything they are up against.
Foundations of the Faith Book
As of last month, we have Hebrew, Russian and English translations of our discipleship book! Please pray that every copy of the book will have a personal impact on those who read it and draw many into an increasingly deeper relationship with God!
Tours
This month, we have two tours here in Israel! Please pray that those on the tours will grow in their faith as they broaden their understanding of this land and the people who call Israel home. Pray that as we welcome people to this land, we’ll continue to effectively show believers the realities of life in Israel today that are often misconstrued in the media. Please also continue to pray for next year’s Experience Israel tour and Pastors’ Solidarity tour, that they would fill to capacity and that the many new things planned on the itineraries will come to fruition.
In His Service,
The Hope for Israel Prayer Team