Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Arrows from Zion 6/27/2018



EPA photo of the Sea of Galilee at current low level

Priority Prayer Focus

Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem wrote, The “island” in the Sea of Galilee pictured above is not supposed to be there.  It surfaced as the level of the lake went down because of the five-year severe drought in the north of Israel.  Nor is it the only island to have appeared in the lake. 

“But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.”  (Deuteronomy 11:11-12)

Although there were short and intense times of rain this past season, very little fell in northern Israel.  The rain effectively stops in the Middle East from mid-May to mid-October when the “former rains” begin.  This means that there are still 3 ½ months of evaporation.  As the Scripture above shows, this a land which God cares for, upon which His eyes always rest…it is His desire that it be a well-watered land.  
Please pray that God will have mercy on Israel, and His people call out to Him for the needed water (See Isaiah 41:18-20).

Prayer Priorities: Fire & Water. The arson and missile attacks from Gaza continue. Pray Isaiah 43:1-2:  Now this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not set you ablaze.

ALSO: The decline in donations in many Israeli ministries is as much as 50% down. This is not an isolated situation, and it is NOT because the ministries are not bearing fruit or are under judgment from God! Let's get over being like Job's friends trying to explain his hardships by citing bible verses that indicate sin or failures of the person. The simple fact of the matter is that God provides through the hands of men. It is past time for the Church to wake up to the reality that we are to be in support of the body of Messiah in Israel above all others in Israel - and included in our commitments to other passions of mission giving God has instilled in our hearts. Israel is not just like other nations; Israel is the geographical location where God will complete His plans for mankind. Israel's salvation is important to Him - as is our support of those ministries in Israel who are the laborers in His vineyard. PLEASE MAKE THIS A PRAYER PRIORITY so those who are watering the soil of hearts in the Land of Israel, will have what they need to do so.

Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com

Even though it has come in at the last minute, I am beginning this week with the ministry letter from Evan Thomas of Beit Asaph in Netanya because I believe he is sharing important information on the drought of financial support for the Israeli ministries that is currently happening.  The #1 reason why I was motivated to begin a weekly summary of prayer requests for Israeli ministries is because God had shown me over the years that the Church had completely lost its understanding that it was to stand in support of the faith of Jews in Israel in Messiah Yeshua - standing by them in every sense of support including our debt, as the apostle Paul framed it, to minister to the material needs of the body of Messiah in Israel.

So the background which Evan supplies to the current situation of most of the ministries in Israel is important : No matter what direction we are motivated to support in missions and ministry giving, we are indebted to "spiritual Israel" those who are walking like those who walked in the Acts of the Apostles and the "Epistles" of the New Testament. The Messianic Jews of Israel today are no different than those you are so familiar with from reading your New Testament Bible. Time and church history has not erased our debt as God sees it.

Evan writes, "With one or two exceptions, all of the local ministries and congregations among our Jewish and Arab communities are heavily dependent on outside financial aid. Finances coming from the international Christian community not only support our development work, but also augment our day-to-day existence. Without this support, we would not be able to sustain many of our institutions, such as our bible colleges, youth ministries, congregations and community centers. . . . Congregations and ministries like our own have grown in size and effectiveness over the past years, but have also developed larger budgets. We have lease contracts on facilities and several staff members on salary to run operations. Despite our congregants tithing and years of faithful support from abroad, we suddenly face a financial crisis. Many of our significant supporters have made decisions during the past 12 months to move the focus of their global giving away from local congregations in Israel. The focus is more and more upon outreach and humanitarian aid programs for the Moslem refugees in Europe and other parts of the Middle East. Of course, these are worthy causes; however, this sudden shift in mission policy has placed many congregations, including Beit Asaph, in a very challenging position, with little or no time to prepare for this new reality. This has led to our current financial crisis."

The time has come for the Church to awaken to its indebtedness to the minister to the material needs of the ministries of Israel. God has made this a key interaction to unlocking the harvest of all the nations.

For other news about the ministry going on in the Netanya Beit Asaph congregation you may read it in the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries, or write directly to Evan Thomas to be put on their mailing list.

Kobi and Shani Ferguson of Yeshua Israel Ministries in Jerusalem are appealing for sponsors for their summer sports and leadership camp for believing teens. Learn more Sponsor an Israeli Child

Catching up with some of the articles that Ron Cantor of Messiah's Mandate put out at the beginning of June: How Yeshua Healed Peter’s Devastating Wound | From Denier to Proclaimer | The Holy Spirit will not come on ALL Flesh! | Understanding the Awesome Prophecy of Joel

Last week, Katy of the Maoz Ministries under Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram asked a question that many in Israel are asking: Will Israel be dragged into another operation against Hamas in Gaza this summer?  There is still no definitive answer but it is not looking good. The first post of Facebook I saw this morning was one from Hananya Naftali: "How was your night? Overnight, Hamas fired 13 rockets at Southern Israel, sending tens of thousands of civilians to bomb shelters."

Katy provides prayer points that you can use to pray over this situation, because as she writes, "Israel is not interested in another operation—not now, not tomorrow, not ever!  Unfortunately, Hamas is set on destroying this land and getting rid of every last one of us, and they are not alone! Israel will defend herself if the need arises, but you and I know that our TRUE DEFENDER sits on His Throne of Glory and keeps this place under His faithful watch." She also gives prayer points for the Maoz Ministries. 

Claude and Michelle Ezagouri of the Morning Star Fellowship in Tiberias also send news of their congregation, and among many of the good things spoken of, I want to reinforce what Evan Thomas said with this that Claude wrote: "We received our financial statements for 2017 and we were concerned that our income decreased by 47%. Our CPA raised a red flag about this and we had a members' meeting to try to find solutions as this problem could rapidly deplete the finances available for the ministry. The main decrease of donations was both from abroad but we also encouraged our people to tithe according to God's word." 

These are fruit-producing ministries in Israel. Is it God withholding their needed support, or is it the Church not really appreciating the will of God for supporting them? Many in the church have pat answers to explain the lack of funding, not unlike Job's friends who used biblical truths misapplied to the exact situation at hand. But it is the church that is to come alongside the ministries of Israel. God provides through the hands of men who understand His will.

Some of the other prayer requests from the Morning Star Fellowship: "Please keep interceding for us to receive our status as a house of prayer which would automatically grant us local tax exemption. The local municipality has been procrastinating for a year and a half but the Lord can break through the Israel bureaucracy."  AND  "We have started a comprehensive Bible study on the gifts of the spirit and we are making encouraging progress. We have also touched on evangelism as we intend to reach out to the people in our city in a discreet and adequate way in the future. We are planning to extend our study on how to specifically convey our faith to the Jews. Please pray that our people will be equipped with wisdom and boldness and that we may receive the zeal of God for the lost in our area."

From Eddie and Jackie Santoro in Jerusalem, Eddie has received the results of his latest MRI and the brain cancer continues to grow. He is being switched to a biological drug which the doctor says is effective in 60% of the cases. Of course, Eddie's faith in God has taken him far past all expectations of survival over the past three years since the first sign of trouble emerged. His faith remains in God. Please pray for Eddie to receive complete deliverance from cancer.  Also, let me encourage you to read and share Eddie's book on the battle and the faith, Lifted Up: Overcoming through the Power of Love.

Other subjects are spoken of in the Santoro's ministry letter including a congregational retreat upcoming, and about the persecution of believers: "Israel is a land where there are complicated political realities. We are very pleased with Netanyahu and his government and the uncompromising stand he takes on the international scene. We are tremendously blessed with the warm relationship between the USA and Israel. The move of the American Embassy to Jerusalem is historic and the stand of the USA against those who want to destroy Israel is also stronger than ever. On the other side is the reality that to insure the right wing support, the current Israeli government also must include religious politicians in the coalition and they are often very anti Messianic. The Interior Ministry is controlled by one such party and as a result many Jewish believers have been denied citizenship because they are suspected of being believers in Yeshua. We personally know too many quality individuals who have had their legal right to move to this country be denied. Couples who marry here and where one spouse is a citizen and one is non Jewish must go through a 5 year process in order for the non Jewish partner to obtain citizenship. The Interior Ministry has a history of illegally harassing these couples and prolonging the process, not giving necessary visas and threatening to not give citizenship. As of this date, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult and many of our friends are enduring this harassment. Please join us in praying that this "anti Messianic" force will be exposed as illegal and that all Jews, no matter what their individual religious beliefs will find Israel a nation open and welcoming to them. "

From Asher Intrater's Revive Israel: Islam, the UN and the Second Coming "The second coming of Yeshua is connected with a battle over Jerusalem. Interestingly, today’s dramatic developments relating to terrorism, Islam, and the United Nations are shedding light on how this prophecy could come to pass." ALSO Astonishing Jerusalem Alignment | I believe we are crossing into a new period of prophetic fulfillment, whereby Jerusalem becomes both the center of international conflict, and at the same time there is the beginning of a new outpouring of the spirit of grace and supplication. Last month a number of events concerning the city of Jerusalem converged together in an uncanny way...
Revive has posted several truly excellent short video teachings, Sarah Singerman on  Spiritual Ambassadors or Spies and FACEBOOK VIDEO Todd Westphal shares a prophetic picture of a wheel with spokes - the hub of Israel giving balance to the nations. This Video Revive-Live Cody and Liat Archer | Learn more about Ahavat Yeshua, A Hebrew speaking, Holy Spirit empowered, 5-fold community in Jerusalem.

In Arad, the Hasdey Yeshua congregation is focusing on how children are taught to hate from the earliest ages. They see this in the Arab, Bedouin and yes, even the ultra-orthodox children.  They write that it is the same unclean spirit in all those children who are taught to hate anyone different from themselves.  In Arad, they are not living comfortable apart from those that hate them, and this motivates them to an intervention of the love of Yeshua in every opportunity they are presented.  This motivates their ministry to nearby Bedouin women and youth: "It’s critical to reach the young before they become radicalized. The most important thing you can do for the Bedouin Ministry is pray. The workers need protection against sometimes dangerous situations. And they desire supernatural wisdom to know how to proceed." Pray also for the children of the ultra-orthodox who are not as reachable by the ministry of Yeshua. Pray for breakthroughs. We see reports in Jerusalem that many are leaving because of the hatred they see. Pray this would be seen throughout Israel.

There is an update again from Rick Ridings on his daughter Esther Moore who has spent the last weeks in intensive care. Part of the update is that it was not cancer but sepsis that created her life-threatening issues. The doctor says the cancer has actually reduced to half the size it was one month ago before treatment at the Immunity Therapy Center in Mexico. Please go to Esther's GoFundMe page to help with medical bills coming due soon and for full updates on the situation.

From Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem, Ofer Amitai, Eliyahu Ben-Haim and Chuck Cohen, the last Friday Prayer Points covered Security issues (The Gaza border is literally and figuratively a tinderbox),    Salvation (We recently heard of a move by God in Gaza to save many), Syria (Syria's border continues to be a battle line between Israel and Iran),  Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's family's woes continues with Sara, his wife. now being indicted, UK's Prince William visiting the region, American "peace" team of Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt are visiting, and increased summer activity in immigration of Jews to Israel.  All of these issues come with points on how to pray backed with bible verses. Also back from European travel a link to view the messages that were preached by Eliyahu, Ofer and Heinz-Jurgen at the IFI Germany conference.

And from the Kehila News website, here are three articles from this week:

Native Americans extends support, apology to Israel through song, petition | Kehila News Israel Staff | Called “Our Kiss to Israel,” a song of repentance for the sins of the church against Israel and the Jewish people was written and performed in Israel last month by Laralyn RiverWind along with her husband Joseph.

On historic Israel visit Prince William honors great-grandmother 'Righteous Among the Nations' | Kehila News Israel Staff | On the first day of his historic visit to Israel, United Kingdom’s Prince William visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial where he honored his great-grandmother who rescued a Jewish family during the Holocaust.

Kite warfare continues in southern Israel | Kehila News Israel Staff | As Palestinians continued launching flaming kites into Israeli territory, Israeli children earlier this week sent balloons carrying candy over the border to Gaza as a gesture of peace.

Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry leaders and believers with urgent health needs

Rick Ridings: We need your urgent prayer for our daughter, Esther, who has been in intensive care the past two weeks (at a cost of $32,000 to be paid soon). Rick also has set up a GoFundMe page to help with her medical expenses. Click on updates at the page for the latest report on Esther Ridings Moore | Following his 2nd brain surgery Eddie Santoro ask for continued prayers. Please pray for full healing of all cancer. Eddie writes, "The MRI showed that the tumor in my brain is still there and growing. Due to my body’s negative reaction to the chemotherapy pills, the doctor recommended a biological drug which I will start in one week. This drug is given intravenously twice a month. According to the doctor, this particular treatment is very effective in 60% of the cases. | Ruth Nessim, one of the pioneer ministries in Israel, was hospitalized twice for 10 days with severe Gastro-Enteritis. I have had 5 attacks in the last less than two months and ask for your prayers  | Please pray for Shlomy Abramov for leg pain | Rachel Netanel has a polyp on her vocal cords. Please pray for complete healing for this evangelist in Israel.  | Olga Bikas continues to suffer from chronic, acute back pain. She is getting medication and physiotherapeutic treatments but without any substantial improvement

| The Kfar Saba Wellspring (Hamaayan) Congregation is asking prayer for their members suffering from cancers | Lebanese Christian Pastor Najeeb Attieh had two surgeries on his thighs & a hip replacement Pray for full recovery| PLEASE CONTINUE PRAYER FOR for HaMaayan congregant Danny Meyuseff suffering poor health on several fronts,  David Ortiz, Ami Ortiz, Ruth Nessim| LONG TERM BATTLES |  David Stern,  David, Leah and Ami,  Moshe M.;  Michael E, Claude Ezagouri; Baruch & Karen Maayan, Judy, wife of pastor Yaakov K. | Michael Lambert, finished his 2nd round of chemo and is already planning to return to Jerusalem in the Fall. Please pray with Michael for complete healing and restoration to  minister in his beloved Israel | Please continue to pray for Mississippi Israel Prayer warrior Debra Koen Abernethy who underwent a double lung transplant on 3/7 then developed a complication with immobility of esophagus on 4/8. On the 4/26 Deb got a g (gastric) tube. She still needs prayers for recovery.

Sensitive Information I cannot share names of several who have asked for prayers for the last several months for certain of their grandchildren who are afflicted, even tormented. The enemy not only strikes at us through our children, but also our through our grandchildren. Please pray for these Israeli grandmothers crying out to God silently for their grandchildren.

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Donna Diorio  donna@israelprayer.com  or donna@d10r10.com
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