WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 10/21/2015

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

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Priority Prayer Focus Oct 21, 2015

Obviously the prayer priority this week continues to be the violent, brutal and deadly attacks by Palestinians on Israelis.  You will learn much insight by reading the prayer letters this week and I encouarge you to 'drill deep' into the Weekly Summary - print it out and read it as you would a magazine with articles that can deepen your understanding.

One of the most important points this week was brought to the fore by Howard Bass who emphasized how believers are not exempt from falling victim to these attacks!  A great case in point is the stabbing of a Dutch Christian woman who has lived in Jerusalem for 32 years fostering Arab children from difficult backgrounds in east Jerusalem.  One of the other ministry couples you read in these pages lives next door to this stabbing victim, and as Shira Sorko-Ram just shared on Facebook:  "The Body of Messianic believers here in Israel are praying for Marike's full recovery. We are agree that her preservation was supernatural." 

You can read Marike's story in the Israeli newspaper Ynet:  Dutch victim of East Talpiot attack: I yelled 'Jesus, save me!'  

Pray for the whole body of believers in Israel to be protected and preserved from harm, and please read the prayer strategy below which calls out for an silencing of the voices inciting the murderous acts we are seeing.

Contact info for all the ministries included inside the subscription-only Weekly Summary.
Arrows from Zion Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

Last Friday, on their usual day to put out the Revive Israel prayer letter, Asher Intrater wrote about the massive wave of terror attacks that have been unfolding in Israel over the past few weeks.   Asher writes,
This new wave is a conceptual leap, primarily in two dimensions:
   1. From organized terrorist groups to social media mobilization
   2. From Palestinian civil rights to holiness of the Temple Mount."

" In the local competition between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas," he continues, "it seems that Abu Mazen wanted to gain ground in public opinion. So he came out with several blistering (and lying) accusations against Israel. These were centered on the Temple Mount issue, and were soon being sent out widely on social media. The response in social media called for every Muslim in Israel or Palestine to go out and stab Israelis."

 In light of the terrible events in the terror attack in Beer Sheva a couple of days ago where an innocent bystander was mistaken for a terrorist and later died of his wounds, Asher's previous insight days before put that incident into perspective, as he wrote:

"The local Israelis and the security forces are so on alert that the terrorist events last only a few seconds before the people around jump up to neutralize the terrorist. It is causing an amazing sense of alertness everywhere, all the time, by all the people. At the slightest hint of an attack, people run TOWARD the incident to help out. 

"On the other hand, since the terrorists are young and not part of an organized group, they pop out from everywhere. No place is safe; no moment relaxed; no situation protected; no person trusted. One news report is scarcely finished before the next attack occurs. The number of attacks is higher, and their location more widespread. This makes the defense against them almost impossible, despite heroic efforts by the security forces."

Without making excuses for the death of an innocent, it is easy to see how an incident like this can happen.  Which is why a major prayer strategy for silencing incitement is worth your time to open the attached DOCX Weekly Summary  to read all that Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem has sent us -a revival of the prayer strategy/vision from Rick Ridings in 2014 "Not Now!"  We are already seeing some of the other sources within leadership of both factions of Palestinians (Fatah and Hamas) being exposed. 

Rick Ridings writes, "I Believe We Are to 'Re-Enforce' a 'Gag and Restraining Order' on Demonic Incitement. . . .As I was crying out to the Lord for revelation whether now was the time that 'timer' was finished, and that spirit allowed a greater freedom, I had new vision:  I saw that a demonic power had partially bent open the bars of the dungeon, and had succeeded in partially removing the gag over the dragon’s mouth.  The dragon was breathing out some fire, and thrashing with its tail, trying to break out of the dungeon.  Then I heard the Lord say we were to 're-enforce the gag and restraining' order.   As we proclaimed that, I saw two strong angels enter the dragon’s cell, and say 'Heel!!'.   Just like a trained dog, the dragon stopped thrashing and sat down.  The angels then put the gag back fully over its snout, and bent the bars straight, so that it could not escape. I would encourage you to join us to keep proclaiming this 'gag and restraining order' and 'Not Now!' until we have seen a fully calming-down of the situation, as occurred last year in November and December.

Continuing with what Asher wrote, " The propaganda against Israel is now focused on the Temple Mount. The tactic of blaming Israel for social injustice toward the Palestinians has lost impact, when Muslims are murdering one another by the tens of thousands in Syria, Iraq and Turkey. The only issue left that can inflame the masses is the 'sacredness' of the Al Aqsa mosque (built 1700 years after Solomon’s Temple on the same location).

"Jihad propaganda, reinforced by PA propaganda, is that Israel is invading the Mosque with their 'filthy feet.' All Israelis know this is untrue; yet these lies are repeated endlessly in the media. The Palestinians hear just the lies. Then some of the seemingly most sincere Arab youths, willing to sacrifice themselves for the honor of their 'holy place,' go out to stab any Jew in the area, since Jews are portrayed as demonic beings."

I will add, because so many Christians are reluctant to understand this, it is not helpful when Israeli traditionally religious fundamentalists, up the Temple Mount rhetoric either.  God is well able to take possession of the mountain He has chosen to place His Name and where Yeshua will reign from.  Israelis forcing possession of the Temple Mount is an idea for people unconcerned with the death toll.

As I mentioned in the prayer priority, Howard Bass brought home the point that the believers in Israel are not immune to falling victim to these terror attacks - probably because that point was brought home to his family as one of the terror attack occurred in the ground floor coffee shop in the building where his son-in-law works.   We are seeing many reports from the Israeli ministries of terror attacks in places they normally would have been, or extremely close to where they were.  We had this same experience in the first year of Israelprayer in 2002 during the second intifada and believe me - your prayers will make a difference in the safety of the believers! 

Yet, life and ministry continues on. Bass tells of former Muslims who attended their services last Shabbat, delighted after two years to find out there were other believers in Beer Sheva.  Last week there was also the annual gathering of Jewish and Arab believers in northern Israel which is held to increase the fellowship of the whole body of faith in Israel.  During times like this when violence is occurring, the  believers in Israel especially desire your prayers for their unity in the LORD.

Israel Pochtar of Beit Hallel and Voice of Judah ministries also wants you to know that there is salvation in the midst of terror.  Israel shares the testimony of an Israeli young man who was raised in a religious background but fell into alcohol abuse. But his wife, whose friends were Messianic, came to faith too. He rejected her faith but when their 4-yr old son fell sick and doctors told them they might lose him, eventually the man agreed to let some of the Messianics come to the hospital to pray for the son.  You know the rest, the child began to improve and the father's heart was softened by the ongoing visits of the believers to pray.  Soon the father made his decision for Yeshua.  This is it, my friends. Israel is being saved, coming to the LORD Yeshua in much the same ways we have.  Is there not a cause to pray and support these laborers in the Lord's Israel harvest?

From Arab pastor Najeeb Atteih in Haifa, we are touched that he leads with a request for prayers for Israel because of all the violence.  This is a man who loves his people, and who loves Israelis too.  His son, Tino, serves the IDF.  Yes, such a thing happens!  Najeeb's prayer letter is full of news about the continuation of their kids summer camps into the school year - which gives them ministry to Arab kids in mostly Catholic homes.  In their book shop in Haifa they are also ministering to many Catholics, and other Arabs and Jews.

The highlight of Pastor Najeeb's prayer letter is his recounting of ministry in Sweden to many Arabs who have fled the Middle East.  There he visited with local Arab believers in Jesus, including "an Arab Assembly of people who had fled from the Middle East. We heard one brother who had belonged to Al Qaeda, and who had come to faith in Jesus."  You will be encouraged to read of the encounters Najeeb had while in Europe meeting with Arab refugees.  In their crisis, there are many God is calling out to know His Son.

From the Maoz Ministries of Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram, Katie Smith writes about the effect of the terrorism on life in Israel, "Israelis are frightened! People remain at home if they don't have to go anywhere. Those who have to take a bus, walk or ride a bike - carry with them improvised defense tools like umbrellas and even selfie-sticks and nunchucks (these three things were used in the last couple of days to disable terrorists).  I have to admit that even as a believer, knowing I have the Lord's protection, I was very conscious of my surroundings walking down the streets today - looking for anything suspicious just in case. It's not a good feeling. . . . .  There's also anger when it comes to the continual incitement by PA leaders, especially Hamas, to continue the attacks and frustration for the silence from the rest of the world."

Eddie Santoro, who even though he is taking his chemo and radiation has been continuing to file his prayer letters & reports, writes about the riots, "The rioters today were primarily young people who have been poisoned by the unending hate and lie filled campaigns that control the Palestinian internet. This generation is disillusioned with the PA, hates Israel and has no hope for the future, as their governing organization has done nothing to actually try and build a real nation. They have been overtaken by a spirit of hopelessness and hatred, victims of Palestinian Authority corruption and abuse which has stolen their dreams from them.

"We ask you to lift up the current situation in prayer for God's supernatural defense of this nation. Pray that our men, women and children would be protected. Pray that the government, the police and the army would have wisdom on the correct strategy and response. And above all, pray that He who guards Israel, who never sleeps nor slumbers will fulfill His word and his kingdom will be established in Jerusalem.  Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people and although much of the world hates this truth, we will see its destiny fulfilled and its enemies destroyed.  We thank you for your love and support during these most trying times."

Carolyn Hyde sent out an urgent request on the 13th about a warning her grandchildren's kindergarten had received on terror attacks involving Arab women dressed in long dresses from which they would pull knives out to kill children." Days later we heard of a terror attack that took place in exactly this method.  Carolyn writes, "Thank you for sharing this with other trusted intercessors.  We are not operating out of a spirit of fear and if you're called to come to Israel, this is a remarkable time to come as hearts are open like never before!  We truly thank you for standing with us during this season as we and others in the Body of Messiah continue to reach the lost with the love of our Messiah Yeshua.  For He alone will bring peace to this region."

From Kehila News Israel, which is a news and information portal of the community (kehila) of faith in Israel, is this article by Miriam Abramov of Awake Israel Ministries, Just a little while longer  |  A week’s review in Terror on Israel

Evan Thomas of the Netanya Beit Asaph congregation shares with us the heart so many of the ministries in Israel share:  "Please pray for us as Messianic Jewish and Arab Christian believers, that we would respond to the crisis in ways that honor God and demonstrate our call and commitment to Kingdom principles and to one another. Whatever challenges the nation also challenges our relationships. Faced with fear, anger, confusion and heartache it is common to retreat to our own national and ethnic groupings and see issues through the lens of a 'zero-sum mentality', where one side’s gain is the other side’s loss. Please pray that we would not abandon God’s calling on our lives; that we would love one another and allow His light to shine through us and that we would proactively search for ways to demonstrate our commitment to peace, fellowship and to one another."

Evan gives brief recounting of the Reconciliation Initiative training a new generation of leaders in reconciliation in Israel from Palestinian and Israeli families.  This was held in a Christian community in the Black Forest of Germany.  Read more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary where you will also find an update on the congregational do-ings at Beit Asaph - including "two wonderful baptisms with four young adults boldly and publicly declaring their commitment to follow the Lord…we already have a list growing for our next baptism."

Evan writes, "Dear friends we so appreciate your support and prayers at this critical time. We cannot remember such a time of spiritual growth and development in Beit Asaph like this. With a steady number of people coming to faith and being baptized, and a renewed enthusiasm for ministry, especially among the younger generation, we are encouraged! However, the spiritual warfare is great! Our population centers are under a cloud of fear from the accelerating number of terror attacks over the past days. 

"Coupled with this, we are facing increasing financial pressure as the cost of living continues to rise dramatically; most of our congregants earn minimum wages and many of our overseas support agencies are struggling too. Please pray with us with thanksgiving and intercession for our hurting nation, for both Jews and Arabs, as we are caught up in this new wave of violence."

Thank you for your prayers over these matters this week and every week. - Donna

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

Please see inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary to keep in prayer the Israeli ministry leaders and believers with urgent health needs including the fight for their very lives:  Marike Veldman, Eddie Santoro,  Michael E and unnamed Israel-related ministers, Jacob Damkani, Rachel Slater, Judy, wife of pastor Yaakov K, Moshe Morrison, Ruth Nessim, an unnamed forefather of Messianic Judaism, Shelly wife of pastor Eitan, Claude Ezagouri, Patti, wife of Dan Juster, Baruch and Karen Maayan.  Pray for Ghazi, the son of an Arab pastor, who is suffering from Leukemia.

Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Asher Intrater, Lura & Eddie Beckford, Carolyn & Richard Hyde, and Orna Grinman

Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
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