WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 8/27/2014

Arrows from Zion

Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 

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Priority Prayer Focus Aug 27, 2014

The war between Israel and Hamas was 50 days long, and it has been noted that this was the longest operation that Israel has ever conducted. Ever since I saw that it has been striking me as a spiritually significant number. Like the 50 days from the First Fruits of Passover until Pentecost, the number 50 in this period of warfare with the Islamist terrorists controlling Gaza must also be significant.

Fifty can be found 154 times in the Bible. Its meaning is directly related to the coming of God's Holy Spirit. Fifty also symbolizes deliverance or freedom from a burden.

The warfare that Israel has just gone through is not without spiritual gain. As Israelis are made more open spiritually to seeking the truth of the God of Israel, I believe the 50 days of warfare carries the Promise of the coming of God's Holy Spirit to Israel. The wars will continue to the end, but deliverance and freedom comes with the entrance of Yeshua in Israeli hearts. 

Let’s pray into this – for a greater coming of the Holy Spirit in Israel.

Contact information for all the ministries is included inside the attached Weekly Summary.
Arrows from Zion
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

First up is the news from Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram that as of 7pm last night, a long-term cease fire commenced ending rocket fire from Hamas in Gaza and Israeli response.  The Maoz ministry leaders note that “Israelis are confused. ... the announcement about the ceasefire came unexpectedly. The cabinet didn't vote on it. It was entirely Netanyahu's decision. . . . Everyone here in Israel understands that it is just a matter of time until the rocket fire on our towns starts up again.”

Israelis had set themselves to fight to finish with Hamas knowing that it is the only way that Hamas will not rise again, regrouped to fight another day.  It is a baffling decision from the standpoint of human logic, but if you believe as I do that God Himself sways whoever the Prime Minister of Israel is, then it is easier to believe that God has His purposes even in this decision by Israel’s leader – knowing he is bucking what most of the nation wished to do.  Netanyahu is no coward, but his decisions are not up to him alone.  God in Heaven has something to say about it too.  “PRAY for Israel's salvation, and for the salvation of the Arab people.”

Asher Intrater also draws attention to “the slaughter of thousands across the Middle East and Africa.  Pray for awareness to spread about the danger of radical Islam and the similarity between Hamas, ISIS, Boko Haram, Hezbollah, Al Qaida and all Jihadists.  These groups are engaged in mass murder, singling out Christians for torture, raping young women, calling for the destruction of Israel, and establishing a world-wide Caliphate under Sharia law.”

Two prayer requests from Revive Israel are:  “Pray for divine strength and protection for the many Arab Christians who stand as witnesses for their faith in the midst of Islamic persecution; and for those who also declare their faith in the biblical promises to the Jewish people and support the nation of Israel today.

“Pray for our protection from continuous harassment by ‘anti-Messiani’ groups in Israel; for the growth, health and unity of Messianic congregations; and for true repentance, faith and salvation for our people.”  

 

Inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary you can find out about Revive Israel’s vision to strategically give 1/3 of all their donations to help with the needs around them: “we donate to are medical bills, house payments, newly married couples, students, non-profit organization etc… We also highly support those in the business world, Arab Christians, and those who serve in their congregations.” Clearly this is not a ministry that is building its own kingdom.

Israel Pochtar points out that this 50-day war is the longest military operation in Israel’s history.  He wrote just prior to the announcement of the truce, “We find ourselves waking up and falling asleep with the sound of sirens and explosions in the air. A few days ago a rocket hit a local synagogue here in Ashdod, in the residential neighborhood where we have 3 home groups. Thankfully there were no people in it when it exploded.”  

All the ministries – especially those close to Gaza – are worn out from the need for immediate response to the sound of Code Red sirens.  Even as far away as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, ministries are reporting that they are hearing sirens in every sound – so great is the level of urgency they have been living under along with the other citizens of Israel.  For the believers, there is more assurance than for the unbelievers whose nerves are wracked.  Pray for the ministry of the Holy Spirit for all these hearts prepared to see their need for the Prince of Peace.

As Poctar puts it, “we continue working under fire; we don't allow it to stop us from doing more food projects to those in need, reaching out, visiting people at home, bringing them supplies and essentials. So many dear friends have responded so generously to help us with our special wartime relief humanitarian packages for the poor. People have been touched by the love and concern more than anything. This is the perfect time to continue pouring God's love into people as never before. That is what our outreach and visits are all about these days: bringing love, hope and encouragement.”

One of the greatest needs for the Ashdod congregation that Pochtar leads is provision for a new church van.  If you are interesting in helping them, see more inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary

I have two insightful news perspectives from Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem – one you can read online and concerns why we need to be praying for the Kurds who are fighting ISIS in Iraq, The Flood Must Be Held Back.  The other is inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary, and deals with praying about “cutting off the head of the serpent” and that the occultic shields of protection be removed from the leaders who are controlling and fuelling Hamas and other Islamist terrorists.

Sarvis covers ground that you won’t see in most news reports – how Hamas was dropped to its knees in the last furious days of the war and mainly because Israel got intel about the location of the chief Hamas military director and took him out. Hamas denied the death, but responded in a furiously unprecedented barrage of missiles against Israel.  This terrorist will not be the last ‘Goliath’ to roar at Israel, but he will never again roar himself.  You can find good prayer points, from Rick Ridings of Succat Hallel at the end of Martin’s news perspective.

David Lazarus of Beit Immanuel writes about “Our Bi-Polar Israel Existence” as the nation is constantly pulled “between the extreme poles of ecstasy and tragedy. We are either celebrating the wonders and miracles of our existence, or else grieving over the loss of our loved ones.”

Lazarus writes, “Our latest ongoing war is a source of some measure of depression amongst our people, as we worry where all this is going. Many wonder out loud what possible solution there can be to a seemingly insoluble predicament. But we also know that we have weathered every imaginable storm throughout our history, and with God's help we will successfully navigate this latest crisis as well. We will certainly come through to even greater glory.”

Can you see the theme here?  The people of Israel are seeing no human solution in sight. That means they are coming up to that corner most of us have been personally back into of seeing our urgent need of the LORD and willing to accept Him however He shows up to us – even when it means the Yeshua/Jesus we were not willing to consider before.

Evan Levine, writing from the USA where they have been on a long scheduled speaking tour, having been watching the violence from afar but not distant in spirit.  “Our hearts are pained by all of the violence in Israel. We are personally connected to two soldiers who lost their lives in Gaza. There have been two terrorist attacks in a part of Jerusalem we travel through every day. We are also greatly distraught at the loss of life in Gaza.”  

Their work in Israel continues as this organization seeks to render aid to the needy in the Messianic community, and also to do outreach in their communities.  You can read about one of their most recent recipients of help, and also about the dental clinic project they are raising funds for to benefit the believers of Israel, as well as provide lower cost dental services within their community (in Jerusalem).  This is a real need and answer to prayer for so many among the believers.

Avi and Chaya Mizrachi have a really slick online magazine for their ministry, Dugit, which means a little fishing boat.  Check it out SPECIAL WAR EDITION - Dugit Media

Ron Cantor has three great podcasts you can tune into BLOG: 8 Myths about the #IronDome  BLOG: Hamas—We don't target civilians (and 5 other lies) and BLOG: The Difference Between ISIS and Hamas—Not Much!

Kehila.com, which is a newsfeed aggregate of news, articles and videos from over 100 Messianic websites in Israel gave us this funny animation by a Messianic Jewish writer, Tolik Piflaks.  It’s called Let’s Talk Peace and pokes fun at the talks led by John Kerry weeks ago.

Inside the attachment of the
Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
Arrows from Zion can be shared freely.  Just copy and paste this email into a Word document to make it easy to print.  However, we ask the Weekly Summaries not be forwarded or information republished without consent of the specific ministries. The Weekly Summary is by subscription only, write arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com

Record, Mix & Master in Israel

With the professional expertise of Messianic psalmist Marc Chopinsky & Son
http://www.futurevisionstudios.net/

Israeli Ministries on Tours

BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Marc Chopinsky, the primary songwriter of Israel’s Hope who has been investing himself in the young Messianic psalmists of Israel.  He is looking for dates in the US especially during Nov-Dec; David and Karen Davis just wrapping up a time of ministry in Australia; and Carolyn & Richard Hyde also wrapping up their time of ministry in the U.S.

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week

A trio of important books from Israeli ministries Asher Intrater and Eitan Shishkoff.

Order: Abraham                Order: What About             Order: the Land    

Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
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 Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio and mail to: Israel Prayer  P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 Or click on the PayPal account:  donna@israelprayer.com I do not have tax exempt status.