Arrows from Zion 8/15/2018

17th Anniversary Issue

Priority Prayer Focus

Reading Elisheva Damkani's Facebook message Monday morning of Jacob's health status, reminded me so much of those dark days in January 2011 when our then 25-year old grandson, Karl, was lying in the ICU after being rear-ended on the Dallas tollway. We learned that he had a severe brain injury, like the "shaken baby" brain injury where there is damage in many parts of the brain. Doctors were saying he would not regain consciousness and if he did, he would be too brain damaged to function. It was weeks before he opened his eyes, and when he did, he wasn't really seeing.

Everything we heard then and everything we could see with our own eyes was devastating, discouraging. Yet, just minutes before I got the call from our grandson's mother, Kim, that morning of January 8, 2011, I had written something on Facebook:

Today I woke with no voice, my throat is sore and closed because of flu. It spoke to me of Prov 31:8-9 "Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all 'sons passing away'. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy."

Then I saw that the literal translation of 'ben chalowph' which translators rendered 'appointed to destruction' is 'sons passing away'. It is a scripture for sons, and not only for the fatherless.

That very morning I began to raise prayers for Karl among my Israel Prayer mailing list who prayed over him every step of the way from that point on. It is what you do for family.

The first month was hell. The second month we started to see signs of real awakening: he was still in a coma, but began to respond to his mom in a cognitive way. Over many months, Karl fought to reawaken to life and Israel Prayer warriors continued to pray for him until he came back to us.

Today Karl's life is a miracle and we are so glad to have him back. On June 30, 2012 Karl chose to be baptized. He awoke with the understanding that it was God who had performed a miracle in him that he might live.

I am writing this because I wanted to say thank you, again, to those who opened their mouths for those who were speechless, for "sons passing away." When our grandson was clinging to life, considered by the medical teams treating him to be a hopeless case, I did not even consider any failures he might have had in his life. It was certainly nothing people on the prayer list needed to know in order to pray to God for his life to be spared. It was not the time and could only negatively impact how people might pray for him - human beings being what we are. I include myself in that.

And what are we human beings like? I believe Yeshua addresses this with two examples in Luke 13:1-8,  followed by a parable about tending the fig tree (Israel) that was not bearing fruit:

                Now there were some present at that time who told Yeshua about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Yeshua answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

                Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’  “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

We know that there are many critical medical issues among us. I list them in the Weekly Summary and Arrows from Zion each week. Thank you for praying for these who need our prayers to pull out of the impossible medical odds against them. The heart of prayer for them is to really love the persons we are praying for like family - not like a theological matter or discipline.

I came across a scripture that became sort of a motto for this prayer summary, you see it at the bottom of the Arrows from Zion mailing: "Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit." Proverbs 27:18

Prayer does make the impossible, possible. Our grandson is living proof of it.

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

Elisheva wrote that Jacob Damkani remains in a coma. Jacob's blood pressure is changing often from high to low. Pray that the doctors will zero in on the right medication to stabilize it. His breathing is not always good and Elisheva is concerned about Jacob becoming dependent on the ventilator. She is starting to seek out potential rehabilitation facilities to have it in line, but admits that it is hard to even know what will be best for him, although God does. She is watching over Jacob with faith in God's goodness and love. Please pray that Jacob will be touched by God, awakened and set back on his feet to finish running this race in the Spirit and power of the Lord.

Arni Klein writes about Jacob Damkani, "Brother Ya’acov (Jacob) Damkani for decades has been among the most well-known and well-used Messianic believers in the Land.  Over three weeks ago he underwent a most delicate heart surgery.  Not one of the attending physicians expected he would survive the operation.  As of yet he has not opened his eyes or communicated verbally. . . . It’s hard for me to imagine the Body in Israel without this brother.  His love and passion for the Name of the Lord is reminiscent of young David running to meet Goliath. "

Will you join with us in crying out to Jacob Damkani's spirit, like Lazarus of old: YA’ACOV WAKE UP.  JACOB WAKE UP.  The Master needs you.   

Repeating from last week what I consider a most important article by Ron Cantor because I left it out of the Arrow Heads links. This mailing list is not only to raise prayer for the Israeli Ministries, but it is primarily to raise awareness of their significance to the whole body of believers throughout the world because of what God's plans for them are in these last days. That is why Ron's article The Most Powerful Site in Jerusalem that Almost No One Sees —as it peels back a layer of the veil over the eyes of the Church regarding the importance of a Messianic Jewish following of Jesus in the first century and in the current century. Read it!

Also from Ron, his new MIDDLE EAST UPDATE is available through subscribing to his mailing list. And Ron writes about a life changing trip his family made in February to Nepal...and now they are going back to lead a 2-day pastors retreat at the end of Sept. Read more in Rescued girls | Revival in Nepal

August 8th the Maoz ministry of Ari and Shira Soko-Ram wrote about the Israeli Supreme Court extension on passing a law that regulates the draft of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF. "The ultra-Orthodox don't want to serve, because they prefer studying in Yeshivas and receiving a government-subsidized scholarship, which is much higher than what an IDF soldier receives during the service. Actually, this has been a battle for decades, and is one of the main rifts between the ultra-Orthodox society and the rest of Israel, who feel they are not pulling their weight. Now, because of the court ruling, if the coalition does not present a version of a law acceptable to all parties, the government is sure to fall.  And come election time, no one really knows what will happen.  Needless to say, while some will definitely profit from early elections, the situation may bring great instability, and we cannot have that. "

I know that many Christians who love Israel idealize the religious in Israel as paragons of virtue. It is not true, neither can it be for anyone who is not following hard after Yeshua, Jesus. Please develop an ability to look at Israel honestly without losing the very real sense of God's love for them and desire that they would also come to the knowledge of Yeshua, their Messiah. This is where many miss it: they look at Israel and see deep spiritual failing and dismiss that God could possibly still care about their salvation. Or the flip side of the coin is idealizing God's love for Israel and glossing over or ignoring the deep spiritual failings thinking that God will save them regardless. The Israeli Messianic believing community stands in between those two false assumptions, extending love, grace and the Gospel of Yeshua to their fellow Israelis of all walks of life. It is their family they are standing for.

From Revive Israel are several articles and videos that speak to the status of the Messianic Jews in Israel and how the Christians in the nations can impact that standing.  There is the Revive Live video with Eitan Shishkoff What is the Calling of Gentiles in Israel's End Time Revival? and also Eitan's article, What Status for Messianic Jews in Israel? Asher Intrater speaks about Yeshua being rejected by religious leaders in His day and how this was one of the fulfillment's of prophecy for Him to be the Messiah, in this short video, The Rejected Stone

From Beer Sheva, Howard Bass writes about the wake-up call his town received when rockets from Gaza fell in Beer Sheva last week. "The sirens were heard for the first time in exactly four years, and surprised the locals that the conflict was heating up to this extent." Pray for Israel. Hamas is trying its hardest to provoke war with Israel, which will only serve the terrorists propaganda purposes.

Bass writes, "The God of Israel told the Jewish people that they were to be good citizens in other countries, seeking the peace of wherever He scattered them. This is also what He tells believers in Jesus wherever we live: that we are to pray for those in authority, seeking a quiet and peaceable life, and also the repentance and salvation of those leaders and peoples.  The god of Islam, though, for example, has another agenda wherever Muslims are, and he calls upon them to forcefully (whether through terror or through the political process) take over a society and impose Sharia law upon all: the means may change, but the objective remains the same.)  It is a spiritual battle between our God, who is good, and against the Devil, who is bad.  Simplistic, and simple. People are mostly ignorant of the core issue, because we have been deceived into thinking that maybe is isn't so cut and dry, or that our God isn't the only one who has the right to determine and carry out His will.  We have been saved by His grace and mercy!  And He loves all, and gave His Son to die for all, wanting that they be saved and not condemned eternally." Read more in the Weekly Summary or by directly subscribing to the Nachalat Yeshua congregational email.

Ronit Bender in the northern Mediterranean coastal region of Israel writes about a visit to an English-speaking church in south Tel Aviv, where she was involved with teams ministering to drug addicts, prostitutes and street people for many years. She was delighted by the Spirit of the Lord moving in the church, located in a poverty stricken area of the city. She also writes about the heating up of Israel's borders —and her plans to be in the US in October. Because of this, she will not go to Jerusalem for Sukkot high holidays in September, but will remain in Haifa.

Orna Grinman writes part 5 of “Back to Beit Lehem” The Jordan Journey, Looking Over From Mount Nebo Read more online by clicking the linked title.

Because the Jerusalem Institute of Justice emails are sent as images rather than text, the best I can do is give you the link to their latest email regarding how JIJ is blessing Holocaust Survivors and Lone IDF Soldiers.

From Tikkun International: More from Eitan Shishkoff in No Room For Small Dreams | | Regardless of what you think of former Israeli President Shimon Peres’ politics, his life story is a parable of the rebirth and the flourishing of modern Israel. Reading his autobiography, No Room for Small Dreams (London, Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 2017), I am freshly inspired to plant my life in this miracle nation.

Also from Tikkun, this article by Avi & Hannah Tekle at Tents of Mercy, Recharged Batteries And Renewed Perspectives and Asher Intrater writes on Delivery Man, a good reality check on what it means to be an apostle.

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

CONTINUED URGENT PRAYER FOR JACOB DAMKANI | and EDDIE SANTORO Following a 2nd brain surgery, Eddie has now started a biological drug which drug is given intravenously twice a month. According to the doctor, this particular treatment is very effective in 60% of the cases. | See latest update on Jacob Damkani above |  Ruth Nessim appears to be on the repair and currently out of the country with her son after suffering from severe Gastro-Enteritis which she had 5 attacks of within a 2-month period. Con't prayers  | Rachel Netanel took a fall and has broken her leg. Pray for quick healing. In April she learned she had 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 | 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.

Pray also for Israel intercessors/supporters in other nations with urgent health needs:  Jeurgen at ICEJ, Karen and Yonit in Israel.  Also for Israel intercessors:  Cecelia Toth, Arlene Stucki, Una Gere, Mo Murray, also from our friend Steve in the UK for his wife Elizabeth.

A special appeal for prayers for Israel intercessor Debra Koen Abernethy (from Mississippi) who in early March had a successful double lung transplant in another state (Alabama), but there were complications and  five months later, Debra is still in the Alabama hospital with a stomach pump and no food by mouth. The complications were immobility of the esophagus and pneumonia. Her husband has taken a small apartment there to be near. He is a veterinary in Mississippi. Please Pray!

Praying the Headlines

Barry and Batya Segal of the Jerusalem News Network are reporting a Baby Boom is being reported throughout Israel with 10% higher rates of newborn deliveries. Also reporting that 2.4 million tourists have visited Israel so far in 2018 - a 17% increase over this time in 2017.  Also see details of their upcoming Succot Celebrations Sep 25-27, 2018.

Teaching Articles 

Martin Sarvis takes a look at the missing Yeshua scriptures from rabbinic Torah portion readings (the Haftarah portions) - the portions of Scripture that have been excised because they relate to the Anointed Messiah Yeshua. That include Isaiah 53 which was the Haftarah portion a couple of weeks ago. Sarvis notes that even a secular academic noted the missing passages and their correlation to Jesus in his 2005 arcticle for HaAretz, “What happened to Jesus’ haftarah?” by Hananel Mack. And, Sarvis writes, " Certainly, the Messianic Jews of the 1st Century were aware of to whom it was referring. "

"But all of Israel is starving for the truths of Chapter 53.  During the past decade, Handel’s oratorio Messiah has for the first time begun to be performed annually in Hebrew in different cities in Israel.  At the heart of this exalted work lies Isaiah 53, and with a clear message as to whom it refers!  For many in the audiences, this is a first exposure to this chapter of Life from their own Scriptures. PLEASE PRAY:  That the Holy Spirit will awaken a curiosity which will lead many Jews to this year search out and read Isaiah 52:13-53:12.  Pray for the “veil” to be lifted, that they may see and have understanding and believe in the one who came first to live and release Kingdom life among us, to suffer and “bear the sin of many”—to die and be buried, to be raised to see His seed and prolong His days.  Pray for revelation of this righteous One, the knowledge of whom “justifies many!”

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week:

My sense is that the critical health crisis of several of the Israeli ministry leaders is part of the demonic attempt to thwart God's restoration of the healing ministry of Yeshua in the land of Israel. Healing was not an incidental part of the ministry of Yeshua, it was a dramatic spiritual eye opener too. As healing is restored to the ministry of the Body of Messiah in Israel, it will also be a dramatic spiritual eye opener. That is why, I believe, the enemy has been attacking the leaders of the Israeli Messianic body attempting to turn faith into unbelief.  

We are standing for the restoration of spiritual sight to the blind in Israel. My sense is that healing will play a major role in the ministry of Yeshua as the body of Messiah goes forth in the land. We know there is always a battle involved when God is restoring what has been lost. It should not surprise us that the battle would try to overtake the men and women of God who are leading the restoration of faith in Israel. Please pray that God will complete the good work He has begun in these leaders, raising them to health as a testimony to His love and greatness. - Donna Diorio

Available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle
Eddie Santoro was excited with all that was going on in his life as pastor of a thriving and growing congregation in the heart of the city of Jerusalem. Feeling fulfilled and full of energy, he and his wife Jackie were thrilled to be spiritual parents—even spiritual grandparents—to so many in these days. Then suddenly, three years ago, deadly cancer exploded in his brain. The doctors declared a certain and quick death. But God declared life! And Eddie not only survived, he was transformed and prepared to overcome the next battle.

LIFTED UP is more than the incredible account of Eddie Santoro’s trials and victory over multiple cancers, it is the inspirational testimony of being lifted up and transformed. It is the story of learning how to overcome through the power of love and the Word of God.

In this book, you will discover the truth of this same overcoming power that you can apply in your life. Trials and tribulations are difficult to face, but the authority and power that is ours through our faith and our love of Yeshua knows no boundary. In every situation, Jesus is the victor! As you read and apply these truths, your life will be also be transformed and victory will be yours.

________________________________________

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