Hope & Human Nature
by Donna Diorio
It is human nature to view the shortcomings of others - other individuals, other families, other nations - with a more jaundiced eye than we do with our own selves, our families, our nation. I have long had an antenna up for that as I heard harsh judgments out of Israeli believers against the United States. We know scripture says all nations will come against Israel in the end, so I see why this is easier for them to conclude we are at the unredeemable level as a nation.
Also I realize, that is just how human beings are, kinder in judgment to our own than to others. It really takes a lot to get to a place spiritually where our default to the human condition doesn't kick in as we consider our own versus the others. We know in our heads that none of us deserve all of God's goodness, but sometimes we don't have the heart of God in the matter. When we are looking at what we think other nations deserve of God's goodness, it is much easier to see our own nation deserving more time of grace.
That is why Heart of G-d ministries, Carolyn Hyde's email today was so startling to read. Of course, the Lord spoke to her His own evaluation, which says a lot about Carolyn, because she is a mom and mom's don't like hearing negative things about their children — even from God I imagine. So I have to admit I stand with great admiration of Carolyn, knowing how intensely she is fighting for the life of her daughter, but God trusted her so much that He could be perfectly honest with her about how her daughter was hanging in the balance.
Our nations are like our families. We all look for God's goodness for our nations - including Israelis. We know from scripture that God is going to arise for Israel as He promised, and also that all the governments of all the nations will rise up against Israel even though there is a believing Remnant in the nation at the same time. What we do not see is how many souls in Israel will be lost before that time is upon us, or how many now unsaved people in the nations will come to faith first either. This applies to the USA and all other nations: we do not know how many years, months or weeks we have left as free in the nations (or alive in a beastlike nation), or how many of our fellow countrymen will enter into relationship with the Father of Eternity before eternity comes for us in the face of Yeshua.
What we do have is hope in God's longsuffering with us, so we standing praying, like Carolyn, a mother praying for her child whose life hangs in the balance. Who would tell a mother like her to forget about it, it is too late? Let's not do that to each other towards our nations either because we are waiting in hope as mothers and fathers there too. “Shall not the judge of all the earth deal justly?” (Genesis 18:25).
Arrows from Zion
Summarized
from the Weekly
Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
On Sept 26th we received the first alert on Facebook from Carolyn Hyde
that their daughter who suffers juvenile diabetes was fighting for her life.
Deborah Hyde is still fighting for her life and the Hyde's have been on an emotional
roller coaster as Deborah shows signs of improvement, then plunges again into
deep jeopardy. Carolyn tells the full story (as of yesterday, 10/13), how the
Lord spoke to her on 9/26 that "our daughter
Deborah didn’t have much time left if she continued on her current path." She
carried that word from the Lord in prayer as she watched The Return repentance
& prayer event in D.C. that day and as the Shabbat ended the Lord spoke to
her again to go right away to the town and place where they heard their
daughter was currently at. When Carolyn arrived, she found her daughter in a
diabetic coma near death. Following the ambulance to the hospital, it stopped,
the driver jumped out and into the back of the ambulance in a frantic attempt
to restart her daughter breathing. She remained in ICU for 12 days, mostly in a
coma; her kidneys stopped working, she was put on dialysis, later her kidneys
began to function again. She started showing signs of awakening, and did, then
she went blind and the next day her heart stopped and she had to have a
pacemaker.
The Lord continued to speak to Carolyn about her daughter, as in a dream He
showed her of Deborah's "life in three packages that
resembled trash from the outside, while inside were valuable treasures."
Carolyn writes, " this dream reminded me how often we initially perceive
people who have mental illness as somehow inferior. And yet these same people
are really treasures hidden in darkness. Deborah is one of these treasures.
Many of her friends in Tsfat recognize her value. Though many of them are
broken themselves, they have poured out compassion in tangible ways; bringing
food, visiting, showing concern, offering to pray."
I have tried to share as much as I can of Carolyn's letter as possible (although
there is much more) because I believe it is a real testimony how God trusted
Carolyn to speak the hard truth to her even about her own child. Also it is a
testimony that challenges us to, as Carolyn writes, to have "the heart of
G-d that, even while masked, distanced and in pain, we can enter into
relationships where broken hearts are exposed and vulnerable. And as followers
of Yeshua we know that He is the only One who can gather those broken pieces
and make our hearts whole again." Please continue to pray for Deborah's
healing in all ways, for the entire Hyde family, Richard, Carolyn and all their
children and families.
We have updates from the Abramov's of Awake Israel Ministries on Christian Arab pastor Victor Bahbah. His family members except on daughter who still tests positive for the Covid virus, have all healed, but pastor Victor remains in an induced coma, ventilated. Please pray for restoration of his lungs and complete healing from Covid in the name of Yeshua.
Dov Bikas sends a welcome word of a successful surgery for his wife Olga, who even still in pain from the back surgery is already delighted to be able to do things that she has not been able to do in 4 years. Olga is not able to tolerate the strong painkillers, so she must ender the post-surgery pain without that help. Please pray for God to manage her pain and to bring Olga to a quick post-surgery recovery. They thank you for all the prayers!
Returning to the rest of the ministry letter from Christian Arab pastors in Haifa, Najib & Elizabeth Atteih, the send news of the father and son they have written about in the past - the son, just a child has been losing his battle with cancer. Pray for him, Zuher, father Osta, and their family. On the Christian soldier's home, they have a great report of an Arab christian who lived under house arrest with them last year, finally released from 9 months jail time (when he ran into trouble in his village for serving in the IDF). The young man is happy, grateful and looking forward to his life following Jesus. They also share that they continue to minister to refugees via Zoom & WhatsApp providing a spiritual lifeline to many whose burdens are great with overwhelming difficulites, and persecution. They are seeking specific financial assistance to help with education costs for some of the children whose families are refugees in Jordan. In Lebanon, they have been able to help some of the believers after the terrible blast with donated funds. The Immanuel ministries are Immanuel Church, Refugees, Christian Soldiers, Beit Lahmo, Lebanon, Armenia, Osta & Zuher, Pastor Najeeb & Elizabeth and family. They appreciate your prayers and financial donations.
From Tikkun Global (10/7) Ron Cantor has returned to Israel and experiencing the Israeli lockdown. He writes, "And let’s be in prayer for all the nations of the world, many of whom are experiencing protest and turmoil in the midst of this virus." Cantor's new book, Birth Pangs is yours for any donation of $30 to Tikkun - as soon as it come out you will receive it. He also includes and article he wrote, Columbia University students vote to urge school to adopt BDS. Here also is an article from Dan Juster, Black Lives Matters Demands
Here is a story in the Maoz Report, "Shmuel was delivering top-secret documents all over the world for the Israeli government when a harrowing day changed his life forever. He left his high-paying job in New York to move back to Israel and dedicated his life to ministry." Shmuel is with Lech Lecha, an intensive 3-month discipleship program the Shmuel is now with helping young adults in Israel. Follow the link to read more and to hear also from Shani Ferguson why they are so committed to helping this program.
From the Maoz prayer letter, Kobi, Shani & family are off to the USA in a matter of weeks & have a few remaining dates open in places between Texas and Georgia. They also cover the fires across Israel, the rainfall that is expected ("While the Jordan River itself could use the fresh supply, it is the ever-drying Dead Sea that could benefit the most from the influx of water. As God’s favor and Israel’s water supply often went hand-in- hand in the Bible, restoring the Dead Sea to its former glory would be a statement in both a natural and a spiritual sense.") and concerning flash floods in the Negev desert (If you look at a topical map of Israel there is a (very low) mountain range, of sorts, that divides Israel’s western and eastern deserts. Whatever rains fall on the eastern side, will eventually roll into the Dead Sea, which is great. Whatever rains fall on the western side will roll off into the Mediterranean, which is a huge waste. ...Only a skilled caretaker can help transform desert lands into gardens." Here's some good news: this week they posted the weekly prayer letter on their Facebook page where you can read it in full.
From Kehila News Israel here are 3 of the dozens of articles you can find there this week: There Really is a Firmament by Howard Bass (excellent!) | Encouraging update from the Ebenezer Senior Citizen Home in Haifa (the Messianic Seniors facility) | and if you didn't catch it the first time, my article We Return: The Remnant in America Repents & Seeks God in Two Simultaneous Prayer Events in Washington, D.C.
Chuck Cohen of Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem sends the Friday Prayer Points 10/9/2020. One prayer point is: Security – Turkey: With its egomaniac President Erdogan, Turkey is now as great a danger to Israel as Iran. Turkey has military tentacles in Syria, Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, and in the Azerbaijan vs. Armenia conflict. It works with Russia, although it is a NATO member nation, and works with Iran, although it is a Sunni nation and Iran is Shi'ite. And Erdogan has just proclaimed that Jerusalem belongs to Turkey.
Cody and Liat Archer, who have been on a sabbatical for the past year seeking for what God wants from them next, have transitioned from Revive Israel in Jerusalem to Fields of Wheat in the Golan Heights, both Tikkun ministries. Cody has written a quite transparent, vulnerable letter explaining the situation that led them into the sabbatical and how they, especially Cody, experienced the 12 months since it began. It was touching to me and I look forward to reading the redemptive side of the story which he will share next. God bless you for the courage to be so transparent, Cody! You can support them in their new ministry work, Fields of Wheat via USA / International Online giving | Canada Online giving
Norma Sarvis in Jerusalem has a new blog post: Look What's Chasing You
Revive Israel, began as the personal ministry of Asher Intrater and has now transitioned into being the media voice for the Tikkun Global ministries. As such, here is the October Revive Team Update. Also I highly recommend this conference Zoom meeting Prayer Needed for Armenia between Asher Intrater, Hany Boghossian, Bedros Nassanian, Michael Niebur and Craig Simonian, to discuss everything from the historic and geopolitical background, to family stories, the spiritual significance and prophetic destiny, and how to pray for this unique nation and people, in this critical hour of conflict. | Here also in another Zoom conference that has been blessing many, Global Broadcast Dwelling Place The Sound of Desire | Replay the Oct 8 Zoom "Dwelling Place"
Tents of Mercy' Avi and Hannah Tekel send greetings at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles and joyous Simchat Torah. They write about sitting in their sukkah as the typical strong winds called “chamseens” that come up from the desert in spring and fall. " During Sukkoth we can’t help but think of our human frailty as we look upon the temporary booths we have erected to commemorate our ancestors 40 year trek through the desert on their way to the Promised Land" and of " Yeshua who was God’s human presence on Earth ~ a temporary tabernacle ~ “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” John 1:14.... therein lies the beautiful connection between the Feast of Tabernacles and Simchat Torah.
Gil Afriat of Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv writes that they are looking forward to the easing of restrictions in Israel's 2nd national lockdown. He write that that: "Covid-19 is taking a serious toll on the ultra-orthodox communities. Largely cut off from media and internet, the ultra-orthodox society exists in a bubble where the vast majority of boys and young men spend all their time in religious schools (yeshivot) under the watchful eyes of their religious leaders. Now with the quarantine, rabbis are worried that these "yeshiva boys" stuck at home with possible access to the internet will be exposed to information outside what the rabbis allow. Ministries in Israel who have robust online outreach in Hebrew are reporting that disillusioned ultra-orthodox are reaching out to them. God could be using this covid crisis to create a breach in the formidable rabbinic fortress surrounding the ultra-orthodox society: we are believing for a harvest from the ultra-orthodox community!" Hallelujah!
The Tel Aviv congregation is also turning its teams to minister to the urgent mental health needs that needs that have sprung up in this 2nd national lock down. they are reaching to help "several challenging situations with individuals dealing with serious mental health issues." On that front, their assoc pastor Moti Cohen is on the frontlines every week with their Feed Tel Aviv street outreach. Moti has suffered a knee injury and need prayers (See below in the Urgent Healing Needs section).
Guy Cohen of the Harvest of Asher congregation in Akko asks prayers for the people of Israel: "We are experiencing demonstrations and division as never before. Pray for the wisdom of government officials and leadership in all areas of society as we are entering into deeper crisis; politically, financially and on all levels."
Tikkun
ministers, Restoration from Zion letter from Dr.
Daniel & Patty Juster and son, Ben & Lorena Juster finds Ben &
Lorena returned to the Jacksonville, Florida area as Ben takes the leadership
of Tikkun America ministries. From mom, Patty Juster, a good word of encouragement
despite, "Never before in all of my 70 plus years have I experienced such
spiritual warfare. My spirit is warring day and night as the battle
intensifies. This battle is over the establishment of God’s truth on earth as
it is in heaven." She writes the
times are like Isaiah 59:12-16...and "The nations are in a rage and are
seeking to throw off all restraint. The man of Anti-christ is pounding on the
door ready to release a full array of lawlessness and deception. One great
aspect of the war which people miss is the place of Israel and the new peace
treaties with Arab nations. In addition, policies concerning Jerusalem and the
covenant promises to Israel for the Land. There are those who would fight to
turn back the clock on the progress recently made." There is much more,
including how much is at stake in the upcoming US elections. As she writes,
" Several large gatherings of 100,000’s have been hosted in different
parts of the world—two in Washington, DC recently—to repent, worship and to
humble themselves as spoken of in II Chronicles 7:14: if My people, who are
called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their
sin and will heal their land. It can no longer be said that there is no one to
stand in the gap as multitudes have responded."
Dan Juster's part of the letter shares how he and Patty are planning a less than 3-month trip to the USA soon. They will be visiting the Tikkun affiliated congregations, "but are not able to visit supporting churches due to ongoing limitations of the coronavirus. We are very pleased that you continue your strong support." If you would like to support this excellent ministry, consider becoming covenant partners with Restoration form Zion
Last but not least, a highly entertaining but also serious word from David's Tent ministries, Avner Boskey in Beer Sheva. You can read it in full online, but it starts out like this: The earth is polluted by its inhabitants | In 1966 Randy Wolfe, a fifteen year old Jewish kid and brilliant guitar player, stepped into Manny’s Music on West 48th in Midtown Manhattan. There he bumped into a guitarist by the name of Jimmy James (‘and his Blue Flames’). Jimmy (who soon changed his own name to Jimi Hendrix) invited Randy down to the CafĂ© Wha? in Greenwich Village to jam. Jimi drafted Randy into the band for a three month stint, giving him the stage name ‘Randy California.’ Randy later formed the rock group ‘Spirit’ and wrote the powerful “It’s Nature’s Way,” a song speaking of upcoming dangers facing mankind. The opening words of the hit song were, “It’s Nature’s way of telling you something’s wrong; It’s Nature’s way of telling you in a song.”
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
NEW: Moti Cohen of Tiferet Yeshua congregation injured his knee and experiencing serious pain. Steroids and pain killers prescribed caused him unpleasant side-effects, so he quit using them. Moti regularly serving the poor and needy and preaching the gospel on the front lines in Tel Aviv and needs prayer covering for healing | Hadassah Nisim Lerner had surgery for a cancerous tumor caught early. She wrote on Facebook: Prayers are being answered. The doctor got all the cancer. Waiting to hear about the Lymph node he took out. Continued prayers appreciated. Pain management. Sleep. Healing. The Peace that passes understanding hasn’t ceased! | Urgent Prayer for Carolyn and Richard Hyde's daughter Deborah Hyde's heart went into a rapid irregular rate that is life threatening. The doctors tried everything, including shocking her heart 7 times. But her heart rate was still fast, abnormal and stopping! So she received a pacemaker now, but if she doesn’t come out of this, the doctors said there’s nothing more they can do. But we know the One who is more than able to save and heal. | Christian Arab Pastor Victor Bahbah who is now in a medically induced coma in treatment for Coronavirus! His life hangs in the balance, please pray | Olga Bikas had a successful back surgery and even though she still has pain from the surgery, she can already tell there is improvement. Continue to pray for her rehabilitation & recovery | Also Aleksey Raikhstadt's special needs son tested positive Covid and the whole family is now in extreme quarantine | A prayer request for Naomi, for a dear family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who was diagnosed recently with colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are confident in God’s unfailing Word and promises." Read in her own words| Ronit Bender whose cardiologist told her that her irregular heartbeat is SEVERE | Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva
Donna Diorio donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
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