Arrows from Zion 8/29/2018

It's the people. It's always been about the people.

Priority Prayer Focus

At this time of August in 2001, just a couple of weeks before the 9/11 attack on the USA, I was preparing the third weekly issue of the Israel Prayer Summary gleaned from a handful of ministry letters I had received over the past week. It would be a couple of years before tracking down all the ministries that existed that I didn't know about, and I am still doing that!
The initial purpose was to take what I saw as 'God's Greatest Secret' in our day - the existence of thousands and thousands of believers in Yeshua who are Israeli citizens - and expose their existence to the Church.

It has long grieved me that Christians only seem to get excited by Israel's visibly religious traditional Jews like the Hasidic men with peyos and long black suit coats from the 1800's. I really wanted to see more Christians get excited about the Messianic Jewish ministry and congregational leaders in Israel. Then after visiting Israel for the first time in 2003 and getting to meet many of those Messianic ministries, I also wanted the Church to get excited about all the people of Israel. Israel is a great melting pot of Jews from many cultures and nations of the world in a sea of opposition surrounding them from all sides.  Only Yeshua levels the playing field for them.
Israel is an inspiring place with incredible sights, ancient history and modern problems. It is the eye of the storm for the spiritual warfare of the last days. God's eyes are on all the people of Israel.  He has set His heart on them knowing their Messiah. We can help by getting excited about what Israeli ministries are doing to reach them.
Please feel free to forward Arrows from Zion to your friends who love Israel.

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

The Maoz ministry of Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram write about the period of repentance being observed now before the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. This is a Jewish tradition—a time to make amends, seek forgiveness, and finish the year right.  It is as good as a practice for believers always.  Maoz asks specifically for Israel's salvation.  Pray for the veil of blindness to be removed from the eyes of the Jewish people, so they will be able to recognize Messiah Yeshua.  Pray for hearts that seek the truth and seek God's love and forgiveness.  Pray for true repentance and turning from evil, for all Israelis—secular, ultra-Orthodox, and all in between.  

Also Maoz share about their Music Making for Kids project, and share the story of Andrew, who is receiving istandwithIsrael.com help to continue his education as a sound technician.  This is a wonderful way that Maoz is helping young Messianic leaders to be trained for the positions they have in local congregations and ministries.

Part 7 of Orna Grinman's “Back to Beit Lehem,” The Jordan Journey: Passing, Crossing and Wrestling

Israel Pochtar shares the testimony of a family of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine that they have been able to help through Voice of Judah Israel. Watch this stirring VIDEO of the Makarov Family Testimony 

There are so many opportunities for us to take hold of in changing lives of Israelis. It is great to help Jews from across the nations make aliyah to Israel, but it is another thing to help them not just to survive, but thrive once they get to Israel which is a hard place for new immigrants to get back on their feet. This is beyond humanitarian help, because so often they see that those ministering to them have something greater working in their lives, and they want it too. There are no-strings laws surrounding humanitarian giving in Israel, but the difference in the people of Yeshua is powerful.  Contact Israel Pochtar for more information or find links in the Weekly Summary subscription.

Evan and Maala Thomas write a glowing follow up report of their Germany-Austria ministry trip calling it an "open heavens" experience.  They also report that so many responded to their cry in the last ministry letter for support that they were lifted out of the immediate crisis and now have the time to re-establish their support base of the Netanya Beit Asaph congregation.  Please remember the international donations across all the Israeli ministries has been down over the past year - and it is the lifeblood of the work they do. Many face severe cutbacks to staff and outreach if the donations continue to be diverted away from Israeli ministries.  Read more about the Thomas' German-Austria trip inside the Weekly Summary or sign up to receive their ministry letter directly.

Avner Boskey of David's Tent has a call for the Body of Messiah to get back to its roots. It is time for believers in Yeshua to bring it all back home – to get back to the apostolic and biblical foundations of our Messianic faith. Just to make it clear – we’re not talking about wearing head coverings or fringes, doing Davidic dance or eating chopped liver. No emphasis here on esoteric Hebrew word studies, mysteries of the Hebrew calendar or trying to find one’s own potential Jewish DNA. Bringing it all back home

Ron Cantor of Messiah's Mandate has A Call to Prayer for the President (Trump) and also for our own ministry leaders in Elders must be Empowered: Don’t Emasculate them!

Revive Israel shares a VIDEO What is Biblical Repentance? from Asher Intrater, and from Eitan Shishkoff, and article about hearing the voice of God, So, I’ve Come Down. Plus this video Revive Live with Cody Archer and Tal Robin "Tending God's Garden"

Israeli children are back to school and Howard Bass of the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva asks for prayers for the children of Messianic and Christian families "as they are faced with all the worldly influences in the school system. Very few local families home-school their children. All of the parents need sanctified sense in helping their children know the way of faith in the one true God and Savior, and to help them think through what is true being taught and learned, and what is false and in error."

Howard also has many key young adults going off to schooling, study programs and ministry which will impact the congregation for a time. He asks for prayers for them going out, and God willing, their coming back in to continue in the service in the congregation. Howard also gives an update on Albert who was mentioned in our last urgent prayer needs.  Albert was rushed to the hospital with a painful headache which caused blindness. It was discovered he had a benign tumor on his pituitary gland, they operated and doctors are amazed at his swift recovery! Praise the Lord. Please pray for Albert, Esther and the ministry work they have been doing in Beer Sheva and Dimona.

Also Howard's sermon from last Shabbat:  God Chose Abraham To Know Him

Guy Cohen who leads the Acco congregation, Harvest of Asher, has a good word on Ecclesiastes 3:1, To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Also the announcement that the time and season has come to anoint and declare three couples  as elders in the congregation, the first local elders since the congregation began in 2004. It is good to see this development in the congregation and good to have trusted people to share the responsibilities for the flock.

The Hebrew congregation in Arad continues to reach out in their community which is heavily populated with religious people. They share the testimony of one of their women who was able to share with a spiritually hungry religious woman recently.  The woman did pray to receive Yeshua and Hasdey Yeshua congregation asks for prayers that she would be able to grow in full understanding of the miracle that has planted in her heart.  They also write about their ongoing ministry among the youth and the Bedouin, plus continue to ask prayers over the upcoming city elections. These are important, even critical municipal elections in many cities - small like Arad or large like Jerusalem, whoever wins the election dictates whether the Gospel continues to go forth or persecution breaks out. That is simplifying it a whole lot but also cutting to the chase.

Hasdey Yeshua also asks prayer for  "wisdom on how to proceed with our quest for a property of our own, and for funds to continue to come in. With our thanks to all of you for your faithfulness to us in every way."

From atop the mountain of the Carmel congregation preparations are underway for the High Holy Days "beginning with the traditional Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShanah, the Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25) at sundown on Sept. 9, leading into the 10 “Days of Awe.” During these days we will be calling a congregational fast from Sept. 12 through Sept. 19, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Please consider joining us as we humble ourselves before the Lord, asking Him to purify and sanctify us in deeper ways, as we stand in the gap for the salvation of Israel."

Beit Yedidia, The House of God's Friends, is a critical property in the life of the Carmel Congregation. If buildings wore hats, this one would wear dozens of them - from a guesthouse to a fellowship hall where many different groups meet for bible study, prayer meetings, holiday gatherings, outreaches and so on. It is a key to the life of the HaCarmel congregational community had has served to host the begining days of an Arab-speaking sister congregation, as well as the birth place of the Kerem El Hebrew speaking congregation. It has housed Israelis during past periods of war and also been used for temporary housing for new immigrants and others who have needed relief shelter.

It was truly inspiring to read all the ways that Beit Yedidia has been used to bless the people of Israeli, both congregants and non-congregants which is why we want to encourage you to hear this prayer request from HaCarmel:  "We would greatly appreciate your prayers for Beit Yedidia, for the Lord’s provision to keep the house open and well-maintained, that all of the God-birthed ministries that take place there may continue to flourish .... If you or your group are planning a visit to Israel, please consider supporting the vital work of Beit Yedidia by booking your accommodations there"
There is much more to read from this ministry inside the Weekly Summary.

From Tikkun (Restoration) Guy Cohen's article I.D.ENTITY, Asher Intrater's article, Islam, the UN and the Second Coming, Eitan Shishkoff's article A Trail to Follow and Daniel Juster's book, Prosperity: What the Bible Really Says

From KehilaNews.com  Important Legal Ruling in Israel: Israeli Immigration Appeals Court rules foreign tour leaders are not missionaries. A new worship music release from the Yuval Arts Worship Center ‘My Face Toward the Lord:’ New Messianic album released [See also this Concert video]; and a new Jerusalem-based global prayer initiative Global sunrise prayer centered on Jerusalem – New PrayerWave

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

Keep praying for CONTINUED URGENT PRAYER FOR JACOB DAMKANI and prayer for continued decreasing cancer in  EDDIE SANTORO's brain | Albert a Messianic leader from southern Israel, has had a successful surgery and an amazing recovery details in Howard Bass' ministry letter |  Rania Sayegh asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing.| 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 | 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 |  

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  (see last week Summary for Debra's urgent prayer need)

Praying the Headlines

Barry and Batya Segal's Jerusalem News Network reports on Trump Assures Evangelical Leaders He’s Delivering On Promises, Jared Kushner Working To Close UNWRA, and an invite to join them Sept 25-27 for the Succot Celebration in Jerusalem.

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week:

8/1/18 Jim Schutz, Exec Director JOSEPH PROJECT LTD. 
Largest Importer of  humanitarian aid to Israel  P. O. Box 7295  Jerusalem, Israel   jim@josephproject.org.il http://josephproject.org.il/ Tel: +972-52-381-6284  Fax: +972-2-573-4770  The Joseph Project is a nonprofit organization in Israel importing storing humanitarian aid, and providing to the needy in Israel through reputable organizations and professionals.

Shalom! My name is Jim Schutz and I am the Executive Director of The Joseph Project. I invite you to take a look at the work we do and consider joining with us to impact the people of Israel with practical, caring love from the nations. Your contribution by praying, shipping, or donating, enables us to import and distribute quality aid to Jews and Arabs in need across Israel for a fraction of the actual value of the aid.

See more in the Weekly Summary or contact directly for details.

________________________________________

Donna Diorio 
donna@israelprayer.com  or donna@d10r10.com
 
Please pray about making a financial gift donation. 
Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio
and mail to: P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 
Or via PayPal, Send to:  donna@israelprayer.com or https://www.paypal.me/DonnaDiorio  

I do not have tax exempt status.