In Israel, the Fields are White unto Harvest
Photo by Howard Bass at the Yeshua’s Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva
Israel’s
Election & the Harvest
by Donna Diorio
By now you may
have heard that in the latest election in Israel Netanyahu has been ousted and
a strange combination of Left and Religious Center Right now hold the keys to
power in Israel – if the Knesset final vote holds. This
short summary is to hopefully guide our prayers so we are not praying against
what God is doing in Israel at this time.
Netanyahu is beloved by Christians
and many Messianics outside of Israel, but he is not so beloved by the body of
Messiah in Israel. The main reason for that is because Netanyahu's alignments
with the religious-right parties give excessive and undue power against the
Messianic Jewish community. They are given power to exercise oppression of
believers. So Bibi is beloved because he protects Israel from external enemies
so well, but that is not the
only thing God is overseeing in Israel. We need to see the spiritual parallel
in that! Because Christians are all too often single-focused about protecting
Israel and turning a blind eye to the body of Messiah in Israel being thrown
under the bus of religious opposition to the Gospel!
Every once in a while, like a tea kettle
on the fire, steam is hissing loudly and God has to move in and take the heat
off of the followers of His Son, Yeshua, in Israel. That's what God did in the
elections of the Israeli Left's Yitzhak Rabin in 1992, Shimon Peres in 1995,
and Ehud Barak in 1999. I believe that is what God is doing now and probably
the number one reason Netanyahu has been removed from power. It is the second
time God has removed Netanyahu from power when he allowed the religious
opposition to Messianic grow out of control.
Know this: God is the protector of Israel
and Israel's existence will not be allowed to be wiped out. Even if bad
decisions are made when the Left is in control—remember Oslo—but God is also
focused on protecting the Israeli Messianic community of Israel because they
are carrying His mandate of the Gospel in Israel.
So when it means wrenching power from
leaders like Netanyahu so the religious persecutors do not feel they have free
rein to stalk and oppress the believers of Israel, God lets the
"steam" off through the election of the Left. We have to see that God is ALWAYS going to
move on behalf of the Israeli Messianic believers because they are all the
stands between the ultimate salvation of Israelis and the demonic hordes of
hell determined to destroy Israel and keep Israel from Yeshua's salvation. We
need to see this is the 'end game' in all the elections and politics surrounding
Israel, and put the spiritual goal of God before everything else.
An important reprieve is that the
leadership of the Interior Ministry will be taken from religious hands, but the bureaucracy is still programmed
to years of persecution of Messianic believers. There will still need
to be prayers made to break up the institutionalized persecution within the
Interior Ministry against Messianic believers.
Arrows from
Zion
Summarized
from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests
Israeli Ministries
A good report from Gil Afrait who leads the Tel Aviv Tiferet Yeshua congregation: They put out an appeal a few weeks after losing a major donation – the $100,000 commitment that covered the congregational rent in their budget for 2021. As pastor Gil said, “It was scary…but we had no other choice but to trust God, whom we know has called us to shine the light of Yeshua in Tel Aviv. We chose to turn to our friends, believers around the world who love Israel and want to contend for her salvation as watchmen on the walls. And you responded!” His update is that they have received $55,000 in pledges of support toward the $100,000 needed to cover their rental —so only $45,000 more in commitments needed. Would you be one to commit to help. As Gil writes: “Despite the challenges to the gospel in Israel, Israelis are seeking and coming to faith in numbers we have never before seen. Healthy local congregations, like Tiferet Yeshua, are critically important.” Amen to that!! Here also are some Exciting Harvest Testimonies
The HaTikva ministry led by Evan Levine is one I really love because
they not only do outreach among the unsaved, but they also help the needy among
the believers in Israel. Now I know that in Western thought if a believer is
needy it is assumed they are doing something wrong spiritually. I don’t believe
that is true in Western Christian societies and I KNOW it is not true in
Israel! In Israel, there are so many factors that make believers subject to poverty
and need that it is quite uninformed to have such a off-base view of the root
of their need. If you know enough about
the conditions of believers in Israel, then you would be delighted to know that
this is a ministry that will help believers in need as much as they will help
unbelievers —and they do outreach in some unusual and innovative way. Learn more
Cody and Liat Archer with Fields of Wheat in the Golan Heights announced the
birth of their 3rd child, a daughter they have named Eden (very
fitting name seeing the vision of Fields of Wheat, like a garden —Gan Eden or Garden of Delight, where Adam and
Eve walked with God). Mazal tov to the
Archer’s! Their prayer requests are for both of them to be strengthened
physically, mentally and spiritually in this season and for our son Elisha to
adjust to having a little sister and that he would not be jealous. Also for the
heated situation in Israel to cool down and for God's kingdom to be advanced
through it all.
Sally Shiff, who is an intercessor and the English-speaking liaison for the
HaMayaan congregation in Kfar Saba (led by Tony and Orna Sperandeo, sends a
wrap up of the hostilities with Gaza that are quelled for now. She also has
exciting news about the re-opening of Israel to tourists. Already a
limited number of closed and pre-arranged tourist groups will be able to enter
Israel | From July 2021, individual tourists will be able to enter Israel
subject to several criteria (restrictions involving a negative corona test
before flight & a vaccine certificate, and a serological PCR
test upon arrival at Ben Gurion).
Sally writes, “Let me know
when you are coming as our guest house is already scheduled for Sept and
October.”
From the Hebrew-speaking
congregation in Arad, Hasdey Yeshua, a testimony from one of their
congregational teachers who was caught in a dangerous situation during the
uprisings as they were surrounded by Bedouins who attacked the vehicle he and
others were traveling in to work in Beer Sheva. “I seriously thought that I and
those with me were going to die. I’m still getting flashbacks.” Their Bedouin
driver talked his way out of the first attack, but in a second barricade he had
to take “daring and dangerous” action driving through a barricade as fast as
possible to escape the crowd shooting and throwing rocks at them. One of the
women in the group was so traumatized she has not been able to return to work
because of PTSD. They ask for prayers for their congregants and for all others
who have been traumatized by the surprising explosions of street violence
across Israel. As you might imagine, this has also cut off their ministry
outreach to the Bedouin, especially women, in the Bedouin villages. The women
are very desperate for help, but it has been too dangerous to resume so far.
All the unexpected street violence has opened the hearts of people to hear the
Gospel. Pray for much fruit. They will give a report on their search for a permanent
congregational home next month.
From Chuck Cohen for the Intercessors for Israel Jerusalem: Friday Prayer Points May 28, 2021 and June 4,2021. With specific scripture verses you can pray over
each item and point
Watch Israel Pochtar talk about how their team did outreach during the recent
rocket fire from Gaza Clothed in Peace - Working under Fire also his video Healing Our Scars and Walls of Salvation and Gates of Praise. Pochtar writes about
the Unstoppable Force of Kindness as they minister to the needs of
thousands of families and
elderly Holocaust Survivors who live under the poverty line and depend on our
help to provide even the basic food supplies. Plus the testimony of a woman who
took the step of faith in Yeshua Lydia's Story. Last but not least, Pochtar writes “Recent events and conflicts that ensued on the
streets of Israel between Jewish and Arab Israelis have revealed there’s so
much healing that needs to take place between the two. However, as believers
and disciples of Yeshua, we know what that healing looks like. We’ve not only
witnessed it, we’ve also experienced it, and that coexistence is real and
tangible. It is in the form of loving brotherhood we have with fellow Arab
believers in Yeshua in Israel, with whom we pray, worship, fellowship, and
minister together to our nation.” Read Coexistence: A Powerful
Reminder that Peace in Israel is Real. Coexistence is real, but only
found in Yeshua.
Chaim Malespin of the Aliyah Return Center announces a Fall Feasts tour SEPT 2021 IN ISRAEL as part of The Aliyah Return Center’s Ambassador Academy. Learn more and Register by clicking here! Also, Chaim will be in the US from Jul 29-Aug 16. If you are interested in hosting Chaim in your church or venue, contact Deanna: Deanna@aliyahreturncenter.com. Download the letter about the speaking trip to your computer here: letter.
Ron Cantor made an appeal last week about a matching grant they received for buying
and supplying portable bomb shelters in the city of Ashkelon. But then they met with the mayor of Ashkelon
and said that the real need is to renovate the larger bomb shelters in the bottom
of apartment buildings with paint, carpet, televisions and video games. He
explained that children can be stuck there for hours at a time with nothing to
do. So there will be a shift toward filling this need. As of May 28th
they “have raised about $11,000 of the $30,000 matching fund challenge. Every
dollar you give to renovate these bomb shelters...and if you've been watching
the news, you know how important this is.” Learn more
Revive Israel’s Asher Intrater sends Five Priestly Prayers in Scripture “that represent God's will as we intercede from a position as spiritual
priests on behalf of the world around us.” Also link to the Revive Israel Global
Broadcast with Ron
Cantor’s message about unity and reconciliation, the Isaiah 19 Fund Report and a special fund this month for the
Akko congregation to be able to respond to the city request for helping 10 moms
in a pilot program to help them obtain a bachelors degree so they can break out
of poverty. The congregation’s
contribution to the program will only cost $1,700 annually for each of the 10
women, totaling $17,000 per year. Can you help with this special #IAMWITHISRAEL. To
donate
Ronit Bender writes about following the leading of the LORD in everyday life to
be able to walk through doors He is opening to her for sharing her faith with
others. She also gives an update on what happened a few weeks ago when she
began experiencing chest pains during an outing. The next day she had to go to
the ER with an irregular heartbeat and now has stronger meds, a new
cardiologist and an appointment in 2 months to see what else needs to be done
for her. She writes, “I covet your prayers!” God certainly wants Ronit to
get the care she needs, so she can continue to impact the many people He brings
across her path to touch for Yeshua.
In Sderot Michael and Dina Beener of the City of Life congregation continue to raise funds in their effort to minister the traumatized elderly, children and families. They write, “Sderot residents are gradually becoming psychologically affected by the constant trauma of Palestinian rocket attacks fired from the Gaza Strip towards the civilian population in Israel.” So, not only do they help out with poor in humanitarian relief (read more), they also provide “mental health days” for “a day of rest and relaxation for the elderly in a spa center and thermal water pools, as well as a day of swimming pools and water slides in an amazing water park for families.” This will not entirely cure PTSD, but it goes a long way in helping people unwind from weeks of stress and trauma as rockets are fired on their city. It is a Door opener and you can help. Read more
Shani Ferguson writes in
their weekly news and prayer letter, “We are just a few signed documents away
from a potential coalition. Granted, only God knows if it’ll last the full
term, but honestly, when I heard someone had formed a coalition, I felt relief
even before I knew what parties would make up the coalition. I’m sure there are
things coming down the pike that as a believer I will find troubling, but I am
convinced a flawed government is better than no government. Decision makers
whom we can pray for are better than no decision makers at all.” She also
shares about anti-Semitism abroad ahead of their summer with the kids in the
USA. She notes they are advising their children not to speak Hebrew in public
at all on this trip “unless we tell them otherwise.” She writes that, “Some of
Maoz’ international branches are experiencing some harassment as well. Protect
Maoz representatives around the world—their families, offices and homes. “ This
should become a top prayer priority for all Christians, and not only prayer,
but we should do all we challenge false narratives in our nations about Israel
and the Jewish people in general. In the US, for example, the blame of anti-Semitism
is put on an over-inflated claim of rising white supremacy, in reality the rise
comes from the Left —from
unholy alliances that have formed between American Islamists, Black Lives
Matter, Feminists, even LGBTQ of all things!
Many Americans, and many Jews, both American and Israeli, have been
deceived by these false narratives.
From David and Josie Silver, Out of Zion, an invitation to pray for Israel on
Zoom (email them for detail on how to
join in. You can also join David’s YouTube news Midweek Update Video - June 1st. From their Silver Family ministry letter they
write that they still need prayers for David's knees and Josie's back otherwise they are generally very healthy. Covid restrictions have continued to
interrupt their plans for travel —both for David going out to speak and for believers coming in to the
country for their special prayer tours. This takes a toll, as it has taken on
all the Israeli ministries, in donor support.
Their children and their familes continue to thrive in their own
ministries — Stefan
and Keren their 3 girls at the Kerem-El congregation where Stefan is a pastor,
and Jordan and Limor, Jordan working in a video production ministry. David and
Josie write, “We have dedicated our lives to fulfill the apostolic calling on
the Jewish people to be a blessing and a light to the nations. “ You can partner with them here.
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Quiet Desperation or Passionate Involvement?
by Eitan Shishkoff
“Quiet
desperation indeed describes the lives of many people, especially in today's
computer-dominated world of expanding corporations, increasing debt and the
ever-spreading divide between the haves and the have-nots. "How then shall
we live?" asked the prophet Ezekiel (33:10). This is the ultimate
existential question for any generation, but especially our end times'
generation. Is there a way out of quiet desperation, a way that forges meaning
and purpose when we feel like pieces of drift wood swept along by the tidal
wave of history?
“. . . . It is exactly this passion that we see in Hannah, the barren woman in 1
Samuel 1. Her sense of desperation was anything but quiet. The intensity of her
desire to bear a son was so great that she silently screamed her prayer in the
sanctuary. Those who have changed Israel's history, have done so through
passion for God and His purposes. This was Hannah.
Her situation parallels ours. We tend to feel barren, not bearing the fruit we wish we could bring to Yeshua; at least that's how I feel at times. But the Scriptures say that the Lord had closed her womb. TIMING! The Lord wanted to draw her - and wants to draw us - closer before granting conception and birth. Hannah was provoked by Peninah, the "other" wife, whose ease of child bearing speaks of those who seemingly do not need to rely on God and who can be insensitive to our difficulties. Hannah did not eat, but went to the house of the Lord to weep before Him. She presented herself weak and empty, but passionate in pursuing the face of God. As Rachel before her, Hannah's prayer was ‘give me children or I die.’ When we care about something so much that it represents our very existence, it catches God's attention. “ Continue to read in full online by clicking the title.
Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power
of the tongue
Please keep in prayer
the Israeli believers who are fighting for their lives or other urgent health
needs:
Pray for Ronit Bender
whose heart arrhythmia sent her to ER! She is home now with new
meds but still needs our prayers | Pray for Carolyn Hyde whose left hand is so pained she can no longer play
guitar and it is also sometimes painful to play piano | the Silvers: David's knees and Josie's
back pain | Rachel Netanel is still recovering from a broken ankle. She asks for healing & for the pain
to subside. Her ankles were weak already, so the process is slow and painful| A
prayer request for Naomi, for a dear family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who
was diagnosed with colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are
confident in God’s unfailing Word and promises." Read in her own words| Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the LORD's mercies over Jacob and
his dear wife, Elisheva | Olga Bikas is slowly recovering
from a broken ankle (after her back surgery!) The recovery process is slow,
but, praise the Lord, she is getting better and stronger, can already walk for
20 minutes and do some physical The recovery process is slow, but, praise the
Lord, she is getting better and stronger, can already walk for 20 minutes and
do some physical exercises. Please keep praying for Olga
donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
THANK YOU to those who support this ministry with donations. ♥
Donations appreciated | on PayPal donna@israelprayer.com
Or by postal mail make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 | I do not have tax exempt status.
