Dear Prayer Partners,
Shalom and greetings from Jerusalem! We want to say thank you for all those of you who have been standing with us in prayer for Israel during the recent wave of attacks throughout the nation. Thank you for sending your love and support, it is felt here among the Israelis and gives strength and encouragement when they see and hear how people from abroad are standing strong in love and solidarity with them. We also know and see the fruit of your prayers in the protective hand of God at work in our midst. Please continue to pray for the softening of hearts for the nation during a time when hatred and violence can so easily sink in. Pray with us for the everlasting peace of God to cover Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.
“And my people by whom My Name is called upon, will surrender and pray and seek (Ask for) My Face, and return from their evil ways and I will hear from the skies (Heaven) and forgive their inequities and heal their Land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Please join us in interceding on behalf of Israel for:
Surge of Violence in Israel: The past few weeks have been especially challenging and disheartening in Israel as daily, and oftentimes several times a day, terror attacks are wounding and taking the lives of innocent Israeli citizens. There are so many emotions that run through the hearts and minds of Israelis as they see their fellow countrymen become the victims of vicious hate crimes. Much of the violence has continued due to incitement and the lack of condemnation on the part of the Palestinian leadership. On the contrary, we have seen religious and political leaders go as far as praising the ‘martyr’s’ and encouraging Palestinians to continue the fight. It seems as if the Palestinians are trying to create another Intifada. PA President Abbas himself places the blame entirely on Israel and claims the assailants are innocent victims. We pray for the scales to be removed from the eyes of those in positions of influence within the Palestinian community and a heart of repentance to cover them. We pray for their salvation, that they will come to know Yeshua as Messiah. We pray for strength, resilience, and unity for the people of Israel as they cope with the situation and mourn the loss of innocent lives. We pray that God will use this moving and shaking in Israel to bring glory to Himself and bring revelation of the Messiah to the nation of Israel.
Boycotts on Israel: The growing momentum to boycott Israel from all different spheres (academic, economic, cultural, etc.) is becoming of concern in Israel and internationally. The Prime Minister of Israel, among other influential political and cultural leaders, has taken this issue more seriously and began campaigning against the ‘Boycott Israel’ groups. Recently, the EU has announced that they will be labeling all goods that are produced by Israel in Judea and Samaria as a way to warn consumers not to buy. It is very important for us to become informed about this BDS movement in order to know better how to educate others, respond and pray. If you would like to start to learn more details, you can read our most recent newsletter on BDS here. We ask for your prayers for Israel during this time of trial as the nations are coming against her. We ask that God would glorify Himself throughout these difficult times. Please also pray for HFI as we have begun to share more about this BDS campaign through articles and social media outlets. We ask for wisdom and guidance to approach this issue in a godly and honorable way. 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)
Iran: Just recently, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, published a letter written to the president of Iran that sets out a number of guidelines and conditions for the nuclear deal. As Supreme leader, his words are final. These conditions fundamentally change the framework of the agreement by creating separate obstacles for every point laid out in the nuclear deal. For example, one of the 10 new demands in his letter is that the US and Europe provide guarantee that they will drop sanctions before Iran complies with its commitments under the agreement, essentially ruling out any snapback option if Iran is non-compliant. It is clear that Iran continues to hold a policy of hostility against the US, Europe and Israel. We pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to the people of Iran. We pray for a revival in that nation and a revelation of the Messiah of Israel. We ask that the Lord will continue to watch over and protect Israel as the leaders of Iran seek and pursue her destruction.
Threats from Within and Outside Israel: Israelis live in constant tension of threats from within her borders and the neighbors surrounding her. Enemies of Israel stand at every corner 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. Just beyond Israel’s borders, war and instability are wreaking havoc in almost every country surrounding Israel – Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and others. Fifty-two million people have been displaced from their homes as a result of the war in Syria. The issues of refugees is now hitting world headlines as those fleeing are desperately trying to reach the shores of Europe for refuge and safety. Yet, somehow, right in the middle of this chaos the tiny country of Israel remains protected and continues to thrive. It is amazing to think of the odds. We must pray without ceasing for the life and vitality of Israel and her people. Please pray for a hedge of protection on all borders and that the armies of God will defend this nation. Please also pray for the innocent lives of men, women, children and elderly who are subject to such horrendous outcomes of war and hatred spreading throughout the Middle East. May we intercede for a great harvest in the Muslim world.
Rain: We have entered into the wintery-rainy season where Israel receives the majority of rainfall for the entire year. Already, a few major storms have come through causing major power outages, flooding and car accidents. Please pray that this season will bring enough rain to fill up the reserves and water the land so that we will even see the desert bloom. We also ask for safety during the rainy months and for the wisdom and capacity for Israel’s city workers to address all of the complications that can arise. 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 cover Moran in prayer as he is travelling for a number of speaking engagements and meetings in multiple cities in the US. Please pray that these travels will not tire him, but will be a source of energy and encouragement so that he will return home full of strength from the Lord. Please pray for the right doors to be opened during this time. Also, Moran and the Hope for Israel staff ask for prayer for wisdom about future decisions that need to be made – to be sensitive to the Lord’s guidance and direction.
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. Already we have seen growth in many areas of the ministry and are praying for more partners to join us. We ask for continued prayer for guidance and direction from God in every department of the organization –finances, partners, projects and tours.
HFI Board – Recently, the Board held an important meeting to discuss and pray for HFI presently and into the future. We ask that you pray for the decisions that were made during this meeting that God’s hand would cover each and every move taken by the 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 health and well being of the members of the Board and 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 –We would love it if you could stand in prayer with us for the youth of NerYah. We pray that the Lord would protect and watch over them in their schools and as they walk the streets during this time of tension in Jerusalem. Pray also as they learn to be a light in their schools even though they may be the only believer in that school. Please pray against any attacks from the Enemy to distract or tempt them from remaining strong in their faith.
NerYah Leaders –The team at NerYah requests your prayers for wisdom for the leaders in identifying the needs of the youth members in order that they are able to serve them in the best way possible. Please pray for unity and collaboration for the team of leaders so that together in unity of heart and mind they can function effectively. Also, we ask for your prayers for future NerYah leaders and volunteers to join the team for a committed period of time with a heart to serve the youth in Jerusalem.
Believing Soldiers’ Outreach – The team of volunteers who help to serve the believing soldiers are in need of more help, other people who can volunteer and commit their time for an extended period with a heart wanting and willing to pour into the lives of the soldiers. Please join us in prayer for someone to come on board as a staff member who will be in charge of the volunteers and outreach. The team asks for continued prayer for wisdom and the right strategy to reach out to the soldiers in a powerful way. We ask that you pray that God would protect our soldiers during this time when they are the targets of much of the terror attacks throughout the past few weeks. Pray also for their hearts and spiritual walks, that they will be able to see and understand what God’s calling is for their lives during their time in the army. They have many unanswered questions and we ask that you intercede with us for God to examine their hearts, reveal Himself, encourage and uplift them during this trying time.
Experience Israel Tour –Please continue to pray for this next year’s Experience Israel Tour (March 4-20, 2016). We praise God that already a majority of participants have signed up and we continue to pray for the building and unity of this group as they prepare logistically and spiritually throughout the coming months. We ask you to join us in praying for the last 5 participants that God wants to bring to Israel. We trust God for provision and grace as we make any adjustments necessary.
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. This month we will be promoting the tour more actively and we ask for you to pray that God would stir in the hearts of right pastors and leaders to come to Israel. It is our hearts desire to see these pastors come and be renewed in their mind and in their teachings so that they will be able to share with their communities 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