WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 3/2/2015

Arrows from Zion
Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

Arrows from Zion May be copied for use in Prayer Gatherings
Copy & paste into a document for printing

Priority Prayer Focus Mar 1, 2015

I am sending this out early because of the “historic mission” that Israeli PMNetanyahu has embarked on to address the U.S. Congress.  Many have called for Esther prayers for the PM’s address and I also agree that it is not only a historic mission for the Prime Minister, but one of biblical proportions. 

Preparing to leave for Washington, D.C., the Prime Minister went to the Wall to pray. Later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (Sunday, 1 March 2015), made the following remarks before departing for the US:  "A few days before the Fast of Esther, I am leaving for Washington on a fateful, even historic, mission. I feel that I am the emissary of all Israelis, even those who disagree with me, of the entire Jewish People. I am deeply and genuinely concerned for the security of all Israelis, for the fate of the nation, and for the fate of our people and I will do my utmost to ensure our future." 
      We ask all:  Please intercede for his mission and for its reception in America.
The Israeli Prime Minister will address the US Congress ONE day before PURIM.

Contact info for all the ministries included inside the subscription-only Weekly Summary.
Arrows from Zion

This is catch-up issue covering the past two weeks so it is larger than usual.  But here is how it works: in the Arrows I try to distil the prayer points as concisely as possible.  The Weekly Summary attachment is for you to be able to follow up with more details on any of the points covered in the Arrows, also to be able to retrieve the contact information of the ministries.  Don’t feel you have to read the full Weekly Summary – but please know that it is there as a resource to you as God stirs you on certain prayer points or for certain ministries cited in the Arrows.

Eddie Santoro of the Ahavat Yeshua congregation in Jerusalem covers the Israeli elections “that will have a profound impact on the future of this nation” in his article called “Existential Threats”.  From the outsider’s point of view, one might think the threat from Iran & other hostile neighbors would be the overriding priority of all Israelis, but as Santoro leads us through it, Israelis are like us all – our own pocketbook issues are often the most important thing we take into consideration at elections.  As Santoro writes, “There is no easy answer for the nation” in choosing its next government leadership. Find out more inside the subscription only PDF Weekly Summary

Eddie writes, “The decisions facing Israel are profound and complex. Please join us in praying for God's supernatural involvement in the coming elections that will be held on March 17th. He is the one who sets the governments of nations in place and he will surely respond to our intercession, as we pray for this nation that He so loves.” 

He also gives perspective on the upcoming address of Prime Minister Netanyahu before the American Congress about the nuclear threat from Iran and deals cooking by the Obama administration that could prove disastrous.  “Please pray for supernatural empowerment for the Prime Minister as he speaks on Tuesday. Pray that his words would be used by God to awaken America to the dangers of President Obama's current strategy with Iran. Please pray for protection as he travels.  It is also amazing that the Prime Minister is going before Congress a day before Purim to plead for Israel's protection from its enemies.”

The Fast of Esther  |  On this Wednesday, March 4, Revive Israel will be observing the Fast of Esther. We will be joining together with representatives of congregations throughout Israel to fast, pray and intercede for Israel and the nations. The entire event will be live-streamed with translation.  You can join in by visiting the live web-stream the day of the event at Reviveisrael.org    We so appreciate you standing with us. 

Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem also writes about the coinciding Netanyahu address to the US Congress with that of the biblical holiday of Purim which is one day after the prime minister’s speech in the US.  Sarvis gives a teaching and background to the spirit of Amalek, which is “a covenant-hating spirit behind the religious system of Islam.  . . . The influence of this spirit extends throughout Islam-both within the Shia and the Sunni streams.”  Learn more inside the Weekly Summary, and please use the provided prayer points to strike strategically against the schemes of the enemies of God and His Israel.

The intercessory leader at the Kfar Saba congregation of the Wellspring (Kehilat Hamaayan), also sends a strong list of prayer points on the region, government, their congregation and lifting the veil over many eyes to see.  This congregation will be fasting starting Sunday night 3/1 thru Wed sunset on 3/4  You can also access their prayer points for Israel at this time inside the subscription only PDF Weekly Summary

Intercessors for Israel must be prepared to pray on many fronts not just the international politics or threats of wars, but also FOR the harvest and for the protection of the whole community of the faith inside Israel from those who oppose the Gospel – and ESPECIALLY oppose any Jew believing in Yeshua/Jesus.  To be an intercessor for Israel you have to take up the spiritual battle that comes from without, but also be informed and effective in the spiritual battle that comes from traditionally religious opposition to Jewish followers of Yeshua.  You read in Acts how zealous the apostle Paul was to persecute believers before the LORD opened his eyes – the same thing goes on today and our prayers must be made to keep the believers – who are the witnesses of Yeshua – safe.

You can watch this video as Asher Intrater speaks about the persecution that has been going on against the Tiferet Yeshua congregation in Tel Aviv.  We have to get the right attitude to intercede effectively and this talk will help you get in the right mindset.  Intrater, who oversees the Tel Aviv congregation (as well as the Jerusalem Ahavat Yeshua congregation) also offers this Audio teaching on “Withstanding Trials” and this article link by Ron Cantor who pastors the Tel Aviv congregation, “Five Ways Suffering Brings Life

On the Esther Fast live stream event invitation offered above by Eddie Santoro who pastors the Ahavat Yeshua congregation, Asher also writes, “This year the event seems more-than-a-coincidence that it falls right at the time Israeli Prime Minister is due to speak in the USA about the threat of Iranian (modern day Persia) nuclear armament and the funding of world-wide jihad terror. Immediately afterwards follows the governmental elections in Israel. The parallels to the book of Esther are striking. The need for intercession at this time is as urgent as it was then.”

You will find other prayer requests from Asher’s Revive Israel prayer letter inside the subscription only PDF Weekly Summary

Howard Bass of the Nachalat Yeshua (Inheritance of Yeshua) congregation in Beer Sheva, writes about the unusually cold winter in Israel and his trip recently to the USA.  “I continue to pray for a Holy Spirit breakthrough into the Body of Messiah to shake us, wake us, set us in our place that glorifies our Father in Heaven, and that has the power in the name of Jesus in a world falling away into lawlessness and confusion.”

Howard sends a link to “a video with an interview of a brother of two of the Coptic Christians beheaded in Libya by ISIS.”  He writes, “This testimony is a strong challenge to me, and I also pray, should the time ever come, that I and my family would honor the name of Yeshua/Jesus despite all my horror and fear.  I would also say that the brother understands the difference between the responsibility of a national government as compared with the commandment for believers to forgive and not to seek vengeance.”

Bass:  “Please also pray with us for the upcoming SAYF (Sitting At Yeshua's Feet) prayer retreat for pastors and other leaders from Mar 18-20 at Sde Boker in the desert.  This semi-annual gathering of representatives from the diverse members of the Body of Messiah in Israel is very important in our striving to maintain the unity of the Body in the bond of peace. Sad that it needs to be mentioned at all, but it also brings together Jewish and Arab brothers, along with other Gentile brothers, adding to its significance in a region where only in Israel is such a gathering even possible!  One reason that we are beginning on a Wednesday rather than our usual Tuesday is because the Israeli elections are being held on that Tuesday, the 17th of March.  As can often be said, these elections are very crucial.”

Dov Bikas of the Aviv Ministry doing evangelism and outreach among drug addicts and sexual abuse in Tel Aviv, is also the pastor of a Russian-speaking messianic congregation in Beer Sheva.  In this prayer letter Dov shares the story of Irena, who immigrated to Israel at 18 and was soon swept up into prostitution and drug addiction that has gone on for 24 years – even though she did have a child with a nice man who could not stay in Israel.  Three months ago Irena entered the help of the Aviv ministry and against the odds God is restoring her broken life.  Please read this personal testimony inside the attached Weekly Summary.  God lifts many from the gutters of bad personal choices and set them back on the path of life in Yeshua.  You will want to pray for this woman and for the ministry team that is dedicated to making this kind of difference in the lives of Israelis who need help desperately.  They also have just opened their new rehab center for women and already have several women in the program.

Carolyn and Richard Hyde of Heart of God ministries write about their recent trip to France which was prompted by a dream Carolyn had last November.  The gist of the dream was to encourage French Jews to come home to Israel. Since the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris, inquiries about how to immigrate have skyrocketed in France.   The Hydes went to France and just sought out French Jews on the streets, talking to so many they lost count.  “How did we know where the Jews were?  We looked for places where French military troops were guarding and we would be sure to find a synagogue, a Jewish school or a day center!”

The Hydes write, “We had a special encounter with Philippe Karsenty, deputy mayor of Neuilly (and the founder of Media Ratings in Paris.  He speaks often in America and we highly recommend that you invite him to come and share.  Click here for an interview with this hero for truth in the media!”  They will return to France and neighboring countries during the summer.

The Hasdey Yeshua congregation in Arad focuses its prayer focus on the IDF soldiers, particularly those who know Yeshua, noting the increasing tensions on Israel’s borders.  They also note that it is a spiritual battle:  “therefore, the Arab peoples are not our enemies. Our struggle is not political, and cannot be solved by moving borders or making dubious 'peace agreements.' The battle is spiritual and our real enemy, satan, is doing his best to keep all sides in the dark.”

The congregation offers insight into how to pray for the IDF soldiers – for excellence in soldiering, but also for spiritual protection in a challenging situation for the believing soldiers.  Find out more by reading the prayer letter inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary  They also recommend a ministry that takes care of the believer IDF with special conferences and opportunities for fellowship to keep their faith built up, Called “His Soldiers”.  They run a Facebook page where they share verses, tips, videos, songs and more.  Please pray for “His Soldiers” You can contact them at:  hisoldiers@gmail.com  or follow.the.bible@hotmail.com

Also from the congregation, “Debbie Figueras’s instrumental disc has arrived.  You can request a copy at no charge by sending an email to devorah.fink@gmail.com (we would, however, appreciate a small donation to cover shipping charges). 

You can also click here to listen to the album or download the music free.   One of our women gave a disc to a local farmer the other day. He promptly turned it over to see the names of the songs. “Is this woman (Debbie Figueras) religious?” he asked. The congregational member explained that, no, Debbie isn’t “religious” but believes in Yeshua HaMashiach (Yeshua the Messiah). The farmer then began asking a stream of questions. What we believe? Do we have meetings? Where do we meet? What do we do at our meetings? Hopefully he’ll attend soon since he lives close-by.”

From Israel Pochtar in the Beit Hallel congregation an update regarding Shelly’s medical situation (which you can find below in Urgent Healing Needs.  Also two recent healing testimonies from their ministry teams to rejoice in and also encourage us all to believe for the healing of Shelly.

An underground reconciliation conference for Jewish and Arab believers which we will not give public details on but you can read more inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary  With the great number of Christians being brutally murdered by Isis and in Syria, this is an especially strong need for the fellowship between brothers in Messiah to encourage all.

During Purim, the Beit Hallel congregation will also be conducting their UNITY - Regional Youth Conference .  Watch the video and pray for this upcoming generation of Israeli Messianic believers.

We have a short report from Evan Levine of the HaTikva Project, which seeks to help the needy among the household of faith first in Israel.  Hey folks: that Bible right there!  Evan writes that they got a great influx of aid requests last month and were able to help many people.  One thank you note from one such aid:  “Your support impacts not only N. (the recipient) and her family, but also our entire community as we see people like her uplifted and encouraged.  I believe her testimony will show others that the impossible can happen even after many years of waiting and praying.”  

Levine writes, “Praise God that he is using us to accomplish what to some, seems impossible.  However, all things are possible with God!  I can say with no sense of exaggeration that God is truly using HaTikva Project to change peoples’ lives. Actually, He’s using you. All of the blessings that flow from our ministry are due to your generosity. Please continue to stand with us in prayer and finances. You are highly valued and treasured.”

Joel Jelski writes that he and his wife have returned to Israel from their ministry trip to the US and Mexico.  If you would like to listen to the message that Joel and his Palestinian and fellow-Succat Hallel minister delivered in the US, click here.

Joel also writes about the upcoming ELAV 2015 conference for young people set for July 11-13.  Joel is doing the admin work on the conference and asks for prayers “as doing this conference in Jerusalem will bring a lot of spiritual warfare over anyone involved"

Barry and Batya Segal write with an appeal to help them help Israel prepare for those who are fleeing the spiraling anti-Semitism abroad.  “Upon arrival, assistance is needed by many for such basic items as household furniture, appliances, kitchen utensils, clothing, food subsidies and so much more. Please enable us to welcome Israel’s new arrivals with much needed help - also to continue aiding vast numbers of the poor and elderly in the land. Your generous donations are vital and appreciated at www.visionforisrael.com”  See more inside the attached Weekly Summary.

They also share news of the historic US Terror verdict last week that held the Palestinian Authority responsible for over $655 million in damages for a terror attack in 2004.  Read more about this great development inside the attached Weekly Summary.

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

Please keep in prayer the Israeli believers who are fighting for their lives or other urgent health needs: 

Update from Israel Pochtar on Shelly’s medical situation:  We finally received news about Shelly. She has been diagnosed with a "Primitive neuroectodermal tumor" which is a serious and rare form of brain cancer.  Eitan and Shelly have been comforted and strengthened by the Holy Spirit and are experiencing much peace during this time. They are spending a lot of time in the Word and in prayer, and while they were both soaking in God's presence, Yeshua gave Eitan this word of power, "Not a hair on Shelly's head will be lost" (Luke 21:18).  They both have absolute assurance that God is in control and that Shelly has been healed by the stripes of Yeshua.  Thank you for praying faithfully for Shelly's medical situation. We really appreciate your love and concern.

Pray for the young woman in the Harvest of Asher congregation who must have two heart valves replaced soon or she will die. 

Brian Slater’s wife in Netanya has just had to undergo a 2^nd hip surgery last week after just recently recovering from the first surgery.  Racheli developed rare complications where the bone was actually dying.  Pray for her full recovery from the surgery and that doctors were able to make right the situation.

Some of you know the ministry of Lance Lambert, who has been battling with serious health issues for months.  Intercessors for Israel have issued an update that Lance believes he is under a spiritual attack in these health issues and asks for prayers.  IFI also writes that “Many spiritual leaders in the land are facing spiritual attack as well as individual members of the body.”

Please pray for the continuing recovery of Ronit B and Leah C who are on the mend!

Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Kobi Ferguson of Yeshua Israel Ministries & Jerusalem Prayer Tower;  and David and Karen Davis of Kehilat HaCarmel  

Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
Online each Wednesday at Israel Prayer Dot Com  |  Israel Watcher – A Second Opinion   Mostly political or current events commentary | Fruit of the Fig Tree   Spiritual insights 

If you appreciate the efforts of this ministry to share both the  challenges and the great things God is doing among the Israeli indigenous ministries, please pray about making a financial gift donation.  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.