WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 1/3/2018

My Word for the Beginning of the New Year 2018

In the 16 and half years that I have complied a Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests of Israeli Ministries, I have made a conscious effort to include all the ministries of faith in LORD in Israel without regard to differing theologies or eschatology. That was not because I didn't have a clear grip on my own convictions, but because I believe that there is more that we agree on than we disagree on, and that the more important issue was to be united in the things we do agree upon. That's also not to say that I haven't had fallings out over the years with a few individuals - or that they haven't had fallings out with me.  When the heat of the moment passes, it is always my heart's desire to present the body of Messiah in Israel as inclusively as possible.

Which is why I want to state emphatically that I stand 100% with my friend Asher Intrater.

I thank God for Revive Israel and for Asher Intrater whom I have known and followed his ministry closely since the summer of 2000. I have watched the ministry grow through many changes and always the teachings have resonated so strongly in my spirit. I am exposed to much in the Messianic Jewish movement, but none has touched me so greatly as Revive Israel and Tikkun.

Over the past many years I have seen how there was a conscious decision made to begin to pour into the young men and women who would make up the coming ranks of ministry leaders in Israel's community of faith. For years there has been true spiritual 'parenting' of young adults and now to say that Revive Israel is Asher Intrater is not exactly rightl, because it is a very large number of young family men and women who are functioning in leaderships positions within Revive and without. There are pastors, evangelists, prophets, teachers, apostles, humanitarian outreach, worship leaders and all manner of servants of the LORD serving the community of faith in Israel and in the nations.

We are not sent here to spiritually excel alone, but to duplicate - to make disciples and multiply our effectiveness in service to the King Yeshua. Not in service to building our own little kingdoms as is the pitfall of so many in ministry, but truly to serve selflessly bringing forth a new generation equipped to run with the vision of seeing God's will performed in Israel. This is what I have always seen in Asher Intrater. If you have seen something else, I don't believe you see him clearly at all.

God bless Asher, all of the Revive Israel and Tikkun International, Inc. affiliated ministries. If God be for them - and He is - who can stand against them? Whoever tries, I will not be joining them for any reason.   —  Donna Diorio,  December 25, 2017

Priority Prayer Focus Jan 3, 2018
Two priority prayers this week. 4 letters of the Alphabet: RAIN and IRAN

Seen over Jerusalem in December Howard Bass' circumzenithal arc (inverted rainbow) to the 1-1-2018 sighting by Ron Cantor of crepuscular rays shining down on the City of David.

Ron writes, "After a very dry 'rainy' season, Israel got a downpour today that started sometime this morning after 2018 began. While rain is other countries is associated with depression and gloominess, here in the Israel it is seen as LIFE. In the scriptures it is associated with revival, as rain brings to life that which appears to be dead. The lack of rain is seen as a curse. (Zech. 14:17) and the abundance of rain is seen as God's favor. (Acts 14:17). “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it." (Is. 45:8)             "Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3)

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IRAN | I don't know if you are aware but Twitter is alight with videos and reports from the popular uprising in Iran that is happening in many cities over Iran. I have sensed from the beginning of it that we may be seeing something shift in Iran that we weren't expecting - like when the Berlin wall came down. I don't know, but I do know that the people of Iran are seriously against the fundamentalist Shia Islamist government they are being oppressed by and that President Trump has said they are watching carefully for human rights violations by the mullahs' military.

God does some things suddenly, and it would not surprise me now if this was a "suddenly" change for 2018. If so, we will see other major shifts of alliances all over the Middle East - including some nations pulling back from their alliance with Israel. They go by the saying, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" so if the government of Iran returns to secular rule and the mullahs are thrown out of power, then suddenly nations like Saudi Arabia will not need alliances with Israel so much. However, their shift to the thinking of the new ruling power there, just may keep this as they are with the new attitude toward Israel...at least for a while. It would be a good time to pray for God's mercy and intervention on behalf of the people of Iran to get rid of the mullahs and that a great door for the preaching of the Gospel to open among them.

Last week in Israelprayer/Arrows from Zion, there was a report from Asher Intrater about a recent conference he attended in Egypt where a major breakthrough in the Arab world was sensed by all. Asher reported that they have been involved in an increasing number of conferences with Christian Arab brothers and Israeli Messianic Jews that are getting more and more intense in the level of breakthrough of brotherhood they are experiencing.

In the recent Egypt conference the sense of breakthrough was so great that many who have been praying for decades over the Isaiah 19 Highway said, "That's it! It's opened!"

I rejoice in that but it also gives me an hopeful expectation about the potential for a window of opportunity coming open right now in IRAN. Now Iranians are not Arabs, they are Persians. Their brand of Islam is Shia Islam, whereas most of the Arabic Middle East is Sunni Islam.

The Isaiah 19 Highway that opens with faith in Yeshua from Egypt to Assyria, also includes parts of Iran - "part of today's northern Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran and northeastern Syria". It is time to pray earnestly for the opening of the Isaiah 19 Highway and declare salvation in the peoples of the Middle East. - Donna Diorio

Arrows from Zion
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
Contact info for all the ministries included inside the subscription-only Weekly Summary.

We have many greetings for the New Year from Israeli ministries this week, and you will notice that although it has already passed, appeals for end of the year giving. Some I noticed said that end of the year giving actually represented 10% of their budget to fund the coming year. I don't know if that goes for everyone, but I believe it probably does represent some percentage of the paying for their vision for 2018. This I do know: Good for you getting a final tax-deductible donation in before the end of 2017 - but even better if you start your year off with a first-fruits offering for 2018 to help Israeli ministries fulfill their God-given visions in the coming year. As the Apostle to the Gentiles, Shaul, or Paul, said, it is the duty of the Gentiles who have shared in their spiritual blessings, to minister to them with material blessings. (Romans 15:27)

To start, we have a New Year's Eve blessing from Eddie and Jackie Santoro - Eddie, a walking miracle of God's healing of an aggressive brain cancer diagnosed in August of 2015. Eddie is thriving today, and God is opening great doors to him to pray for many who need healing in Jerusalem.  The Santoro's bless you praying this word over you: "We know that as you Trust in the Lord with all your hearts, and lean not on your own understanding; and as you acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5) We serve such an awesome and wonderfully good God! We praise the Lord for the wonderful things that have unfolded in all of our lives over 2017 and we proclaim that He who promised is Faithful! (I Thessalonians 5:24)  As we look ahead to the coming year, we know that God will work all things together to the good for those that love him and are called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28) If God is for us, who can stand against us? (Romans 8:31) We pray that 2018 will be a year in which the testimony of the goodness of the Lord overflows in your life and that you will walk in an ever deeper revelation of his amazing and unending love for you."

From the Maoz Ministry of Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram (see their opening comments below in the review of Jacob Damkani's new movie, A New Spirit), is also this prayer request: "For the body of believers in Israel.  Pray for unity. Pray for each believer and each leader to focus on what is truly important, setting aside theological differences and personal grievances. Pray against the spirit of rebellion and self-righteousness in the young generation God is raising up. Pray for revelation regarding the power of unity and love." For many other prayer requests for Israel and for their Maoz ministry please read inside the Weekly Summary attachment              

Kobi and Shani Ferguson (Shani is the daughter of Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram), a truly beautiful worship song they have just recorded for you to enjoy called Sapphire Skies. Read about how it came to be written, also about their Israel Worship Initiative and the Israel Family Fund (IFF) to help needy families - inside the Weekly Summary attachment          

From Orna Grinman in Modi’in of the A Sign & An Example Ot Oo’Mofet ministry to orphans, widows and single parents in the body of Messiah in Israel, a new blog post:  Nittel Nacht – the Chassidic Reaction to Christmas | While the Christians worldwide lit their Christmas trees, the Chassidic Schools (Beith Midrah), where the ancient Hebrew texts written by the sages of old are taught 24/7, remained darkened and barren. Purposefully.  [Israelprayer: What a prophetic symbol that is!!]

Hasdey Yeshua, the Hebrew congregation in Arad, write about the double tragedy there as their Negev town recently experienced its first terror attack in the murder of a 19-yr old IDF soldier stationed at an army base near Arad. The second part of the tragedy is that the two terrorists who were apprehended with 24 hours came from the same Bedouin tribe that they do outreach among. Here are two that were radicalized by Islam instead of touched by the Gospel. Please pray for the city of Arad and for those who are ministering among the Bedouin tribe there.  Also for the family who lost their young son to terrorism. Read more - including the good news from Arad - inside the Weekly Summary attachment              

Ron Cantor gives a yearend report that speaks of "a wave of evangelism sweep the body of Messiah here."  Indeed, as I have witnessed through the ministry reports over the last half of the year there has been a shift in things in Israel as the body of believers has begun to step out with greater boldness and as Israelis have become more open to receive from them. Read Ron's perspective inside the Weekly Summary attachment along with other news from his ministry and Tel Aviv congregation.

Eric Benson, who leads the Beit Nitzachon - House of Victory rehab ministry, (and has for the past 25 years!) was given a surprise birthday celebration by the students and staff of House of Victory.  He said it was a real and wonderful surprise - which is so great because rehab ministry is often such a heartrending work, it is good for a heartwarming blessing such as this. Eric catches us up on the ministry, but there is also a fascinating report he makes about how the Jewish and Arab Haifa city planners, merchants, shop keepers and restaurant owners got a vision to light up the city with a downtown Hanukkah and Christmas display of lights that attracted visitors from all over Israel. You can see a picture and read about it inside the Weekly Summary attachment.  This really seems like more evidence of the shift of openness we have been seeing an increase in within Israel.

Eric writes, "How much more will people be touched, if we as the children of God are shining the glorious light of God. May our light shine and draw people out of their personal darkness into His glorious light, so that we can all be changed more and more into His likeness."

Dani Sayag, who is the senior pastor of the HaCarmel congregation, writes about how teams from a few congregations went out during December to share the gospel in the Holiday of Holidays downtown Haifa festival.  "The teams passed out hot apple cider and told people it was "for free, just like God's love for you!" Amazingly, many people immediately responded with, "Are you Messianic believers?"  When one lady was asked why she responded that way, she said, "Because you all know how to show love!" Another man left behind his crutch as he was healed of severe hip pain after prayer. Read about it, plus all the news from the congregation of Carmel, inside the subscription only Attached DOCX Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries. 

Avi Mizrachi of Dugit Messianic outreach and Adonai Roi congregation in Tel Aviv looks back over the year with gratefulness and thanksgiving. Dugit has purchased a new storefront space, the King of Glory Conference played a significant prophetic role in what God is doing in Israel as the nations came to align with the Messianic believers of Israel.  For more milestones from the ministry, please read & rejoice with them inside the Weekly Summary attachment      

From Asher Intrater, my friend, who leads the Revive Israel and Tikkun network, an article, We Prophesy in Part: The phrase, "we prophesy in part" can be looked at in two ways. For those who do not believe in the continuing gift of prophecy at all, or who say that prophecy must be perfect or else it is totally false, we can see that New Covenant prophecy involves a level of interpretation and understanding that is only partial in nature. We "see through a glass dimly..."

Also, a video with Cody Archer, Embracing the Process:  God wants to work in us and through us through difficult times. AND a short piece, Between Two Worlds | Do you feel caught in a place between two forces – on the one hand an indulgent love of the things of this world, and on the other a place of negative standoffishness from all that is going on?

From Succat Hallel, Rick Ridings announces they have moved into their new facility on Ein Rogel in the Abu Tor neighborhood of Jerusalem. See more inside the Weekly Summary attachment               

From KehilaNews.com If you enjoy receiving updates from the Messianic community in Israel, please consider a one-time donation of $10. Thank you for standing with Israel and the Messianic community in Israel.

The year in review at KNI - Most read community news of 2017 | Kehila News Israel Staff | It was a busy year in the Messianic world in Israel, involving many cases of discrimination and the loss of a founding father in Israel's believing community. The following articles were the five top read stories about the believing community in 2017.

VIDEO: Brad Show interview with Richard and Carolyn Hyde - "The gospel message met by persecution" | Brad TV |

Richard and Carolyn share the gospel of Yeshua in Israel through a ministry called Heart of God. Recently, Carolyn’s citizenship has been targeted by the government to try to force them out of Israel.

Pray for Israel: HaTikva Project | FIRM Staff | Through HaTikva Project, Christians everywhere have an opportunity to not only minister to the needs of the local believers in Israel, but to also strategically fund the growing body of Messiah in Israel.

Urgent HEALING Needs | Life and Death is in the power of the tongue

We have added nothing new, so please consult lists from last weekly prayer summary.

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week:

We are getting such rave reviews from Israeli ministries who have gone to see the new movie about evangelist Yaacov Damkani's life, called New Spirit - it is all in Hebrew to reach Israelis, of course.

Here is an early report I got from Yonit Klein of Emmaus Way: "Last night we drove to Tel Aviv for the premier of the new full-length movie about Yaacov Damkani called Ruach Hadasha (New Spirit). It was excellent and REALLY tells the gospel and shows the ultra-orthodox very clearly. You’ll probably hear a lot about it. It’s opening in 8 theaters across Israel!!! The producer got saved while making the movie. I think it will cause an earthquake in Israel and things will never be the same. I want to get a copy as soon as possible. You can see the trailer online. English subtitles." 

Here is what Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram of Maoz Ministries wrote (12/27): Tomorrow the movie "A New Spirit" opens in theaters around Israel.  Since the premiere last week, there has been quite a buzz in the media about the movie, about Yacov Damkani, and about Messianic Jews. Not all coverage has been favorable towards our faith.  Most Israelis have no idea what (or WHO) we believe in, and many see Messianic Judaism as a cult.  Unfortunately, that's exactly how one of the journalists presented us on Channel 2 News' Friday Magazine, causing somewhat of an uproar among believers in the last few days.

Nevertheless, the fact is that this movie presents the pure Gospel—and it will be out there for every Israeli to see.  One of the most amazing things was to hear the director and the cast speak about the movie, and about Yacov.  Naturally, they see there is something different about those who follow Messiah Yeshua, and they are getting curious! "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  (Matthew 5:16)

Please pray with us for "A New Spirit."  Pray for many Israelis to go watch this movie and hear the Gospel.  Pray for open hearts, eyes and ears.  May the Holy Spirit move in power, drawing multitudes to return to God and receive the Messiah of Israel.

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 Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 


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