“From the LORD comes deliverance. May Your blessing be on Your people.”
Psalm 3:8 (NIV)
 

Shalom, my friend. 

Thank you for your love and compassion for Israel and the Jewish people. 

I’m so grateful that you are willing to stand with her through your ongoing prayers and financial support. I pray God’s blessing on you and His presence with you for your faithfulness toward His people. 

And I pray that, no matter what you may be facing today, you’ll embrace the Truth of the Scriptures from the Psalmist – that “deliverance” comes “from the LORD.”

Whether it’s fear or anxiety, sickness or any other challenge . . . look up to God – call out to Yeshua (Jesus), and He will hear you. May you experience His deliverance and His blessing.

Thank you again for praying with us and for us.  

U.S. VOTES “ABSTENTION” IN AFFIRMING THE RIGHT OF RETURN OF PALESTINIAN REFUGEES TO ISRAEL

According to The Jerusalem Post, in the U.N.’s General Assembly resolution voting, the U.S. abstained during the vote on the right of return for Palestinian refugees to sovereign Israel as part of a broad text in support of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

This abstention comes after the previous administration under President Trump voted “No” to all such resolutions and texts. Historically, every US administration has sided with Israel during U.N. votes. The Obama administration in 2016 was the first to abstain on a vote related to Israel.

The Trump administration had opposed UNRWA and cut U.S. funding to the organization over charges that textbooks used in the agency’s schools are anti-Semitic and incite hatred against Israel.

According to The Jerusalem Post, prior to last week’s vote, an Israeli representative spoke out against UNRWA at the Fourth Committee meeting:

“We cannot stand idly by when a UN humanitarian agency promotes a political agenda under the guise of true assistance. UNRWA must be accountable for the hateful indoctrination of children in its classrooms. It must put an end to the spreading of anti-Semitic lies by its employees, and it must show a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability.”

She added that UNRWA resources and infrastructure must not be hijacked by Hamas in conducting acts of terror.

American Deputy Ambassador Richard Mills told the assembly’s Fourth Committee that “under President Biden, the United States announced it would restore its financial support to UNRWA, which we do believe is a vital lifeline to millions of Palestinians across the region. Since April, the U.S. government has provided more than $318 million to UNRWA in fiscal year 2021, including critical support for education, health and social services benefiting millions of Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA.”

The Jerusalem Post reports that these resolutions are part of a package of close to 20 annual resolutions against Israel the General Assembly is set to approve before the end of the year.

The Israeli representative told the General Assembly that these texts were “disproportionate, one-sided and rooted in bias against” her country. “Israel is the only country – the only country – that is subject to such systematic discrimination in the U.N.” 

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N. TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO ISRAEL

United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, makes her first visit to Israel this week alongside her Israeli counterpart, Gilad Erdan.

Thomas-Greenfield will be the first White House cabinet official to visit Israel since the formation of its new government in June, in a trip that will “reinforce the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and discuss continued US-Israel cooperation at the UN and a full range of regional issues,” her office said in a statement.

Since her confirmation as U.S. President Joe Biden’s ambassador earlier this year, Thomas-Greenfield has consistently defended Israel at the U.N. and criticized the Security Council for its disproportionate focus on Israel.

“This council spends a great deal of time on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is both understandable and consistent with the agenda. But far too often, the substance of these discussions is centered almost entirely around criticism of Israel and counterattacks,” she has said.

“I sincerely hope that going forward, council members will do their best to take a more balanced approach. Also, there are other countries and situations in the region that merit Security Council attention and should not be neglected.”

UAE, BAHRAIN, ISRAEL AND U.S. JOIN FORCES IN FIRST JOINT NAVAL DRILL

YnetNews reported last week that forces from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Israel and the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) began a multilateral maritime security operations exercise in the Red Sea.

This is the first publicly acknowledged naval exercise between the United States, Israel and the two Gulf countries.

According to a senior Israeli naval official, as reported by YnetNews, the drill is meant to send a “direct message” to Iran and its “power projection” in the region.

“We intend to continue to cultivate relations with the countries participating in the exercise,” he said. “The Iranians are quite independent in the maritime space, and it is important to keep their activities away from the State of Israel in order to prevent terrorism.” 

The five-day exercise includes training on the USS Portland and will “enhance interoperability between participating forces' maritime interdiction teams,” a statement by the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) said.

Iran also announced that its own large-scale sea, land and air military drill will be held east of the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean.

ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS COMMANDER: IF ISRAEL STARTS A WAR, IT WILL END WITH ITS DESTRUCTION

The Jerusalem Post reports that Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Aerospace Force, warned late last week that if Israel starts a conflict, Iran will “destroy” it, according to Iranian media.

“The Zionist regime officials know that they can be the initiators, but the end is with us,” said the commander. “The end of this work is the destruction of the Zionist regime, and if they give us an excuse . . . their destruction will certainly be advanced historically.”

Hajizadeh went on to boast about Iran’s growing use of drones and that the technology has become “a thorn in their side,” speaking of Israel and Western powers. 

Israeli Defense Forces OC Artillery Corps Brig.-Gen. Neri Horowitz agreed on Wednesday that drones are going to be a large part of future conflicts, an that there may even be drone vs. drone battles in future conflicts with Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Israel has already established two unmanned ariel vehicle units with a third coming in the future.

ISRAEL UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART ELECTRONIC DEFENSE SYSTEM

According to YnetNews, in last month’s joint “Blue Flag” military exercise, Israel Aerospace Industries successfully tested a new state-of-the-art defense system called Scorpius. 

Scorpius scans a large area for targets and deploys narrowly focused electromagnetic beams to counter multiple aerial and ground threats simultaneously. This allows it to disrupt a target’s critical systems, including radar, electronic sensors, navigation and data communications.

Current electromagnetic systems can only deal with one target at a time unless they employ a wider beam that risks disrupting friendly forces.

Scorpius may eventually be deployed alongside Iron Dome and Israel’s other defense systems to increase protection for Israeli citizens. Because it only requires electricity to work, it could be crucial during future, large-scale attacks meant to exhaust Iron Dome’s missile supply. Scorpius could knock out advanced missiles and swarms of drones indefinitely, freeing up Iron Dome to intercept just the unguided rockets.

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• God to give wisdom and insight to Israeli leaders as they navigate threats from enemies who are surrounding them – and protection for the Jewish people
• God to move in the hearts of Iranian leaders, turning them towards peace to prevent the current nuclear hostilities from escalating
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

As a Jewish Voice Prayer Partner, you know that one of the three prongs on our mission statement is to grow the Messianic Jewish community. Strong, healthy leadership is vital for the growth of the Messianic Jewish Movement!  Today, we’re focusing our prayers on Messianic Jewish leaders in Israel, the United States and globally. 

Please pray for a gathering of Messianic Jewish leaders from around the world that Jewish Voice will host in just a few days. Here are some of the ways you can pray for these leaders to be strong in the Lord and make a significant kingdom impact during challenging times: 

• Encouragement and energy, considering the weariness, stress and grief brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a big and broad request due to several factors, including leaders navigating local and national regulations along with personal and congregational convictions; ministering to the ill and bereaved; taking care of their personal health and that of their families; plus processing their own grief over the loss of loved ones and congregational members (Isaiah 40:29-31)
• Connection, unity and enriching fellowship with other leaders and godly Believers. The last two years have been ones of isolation and divisiveness in many places — including in the Body — and leaders have been impacted like the rest of us (Hebrews 10:25)
• Anointing from the Lord to be like the sons of Issachar and correctly discern these times and seasons to lead their congregations and ministries well (1 Chronicles 12:32)
• Innovation to overcome limitations and barriers and to press on in carrying out the vision the Lord has given them for their congregations and ministries (Isaiah 43:19)
• Renewed dedication and urgency — as Messianic Jewish Believers, ministries and congregations — to be a light to the Nations, reaching many with the love of Yeshua (Isaiah 49:6)
• Health, including strong marriages, families and healthy finances, as well as good physical, mental and emotional health personally (Ephesians 6:10)
• Diligent maintenance of their own spiritual lives and well-being through abiding in the Messiah and keeping short accounts with God and others (John 15:4)

Let’s pray:

Lord, we thank You for the hundreds of Messianic Jewish leaders around the world heading up congregations and other ministries. Thank You for the more mature ones and their years of faithful, pioneering service, many of whose most significant years of kingdom impact are still ahead. Thank You for the younger ones gladly taking on the costly mantle of leadership in serving Your purposes in their own generation. May each generation honor You and honor one another. May the gathering next week be a time of encouragement, affirmation, renewed vision, and deeply sweet fellowship with You and each other. Thank You for how You are using the Messianic Jewish leaders of today to have a global impact tomorrow and fulfill Your prophetic promises for Israel and the nations. In Yeshua’s name, Amen. 

After a year of escalating violence between warring factions in Northern Ethiopia, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency this week. The conflict may affect the capital city of Addis Ababa in the coming days or weeks. 

We at Jewish Voice are deeply concerned for the citizens of Ethiopia in light of this dramatic escalation. On our hearts especially are the many dear congregations and brothers and sisters in the Lord that we know and love there, as well as our NGO staff and in particular, precious family members of some of our USA team. 

““Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Psalm 122:6 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. 

With so much tension and turmoil stirring against the Jewish people – with Hamas, Iran and those who are eager to see Israel destroyed — we must engage in battle through our prayers by asking God to intervene and accomplish His purposes. 

And this isn’t just about the global enemies who are surrounding Israel – it’s also about our own lives. We must be a people of prayer. That in every circumstance we face, we’re quick to hand over our cares and concerns to God.

Nothing moves the heart of God like the prayers of His people. 

That’s why, as you pray over the challenges – and as you join with us to pray over God’s people – you can know that He is eager to hear your heart and respond in His time.

CYBERATTACK IN IRAN – ISLAMIC REPUBLIC CASTS BLAME ON FOREIGN STATE

According to The Times of Israel, Iran’s subsidized fuel distribution system was partially restored late last week following an unprecedented cyberattack by unknown perpetrators last Tuesday.

Shortly after the disruption, which crippled Iran’s fuel distribution network and left frustrated motorists stranded, The Times of Israel reported that Iranian authorities said the system would be fully up and running this week.

Iranian authorities said the results of an investigation into the alleged attack would be ready within 10 days, and that it may have originated from outside Iran.

Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi, told reporters that his country must be “seriously prepared” against cyberattacks. President Raisi also said that the attack was designed to get “people angry by creating disorder and disruption.”

The Times of Israel reports that Iran has blamed Israel for provoking unrest during protests in the past. As early as July of this year, Iran claimed to have arrested a Mossad cell that planned to provoke violence during demonstrations over water shortages in the country.

While Iran didn’t call out Israel specifically, we’ll be watching in the weeks ahead for the release of the Islamic Republic’s investigation. 

CURRENT PRIME MINISTER CLAIMS TRANSFER OF POWER IN ISRAEL UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN

According to Ynet News, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett privately delivered comments predicting that his government would not last long enough for Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to become prime minister.

As reported, Bennet told news outlets late last week, “I estimate that the rotation will not happen. There is a considerable chance that the government will dissolve between the budget and the time of the change of power, for various reasons.”

When asked about the report, Bennett’s office confirmed that the prime minister made the remarks but insists that the premier will honor the previously-agreed-upon power-sharing deal, nonetheless.

“The partnership with Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is based on mutual trust and fairness,” the Prime Minister’s Office responded to news outlets.

Lapid has been serving as Israel’s alternate prime minister since Bennett’s coalition government unseated former longtime leader Benjamin Netanyahu in June.

He is supposed to take over Bennett’s role as prime minister in August 2023 as part of a power-sharing deal the two politicians struck to form their government.

REPORT FINDS IDF COMPLIED WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW IN GAZA WAR IN MAY WHILE HAMAS SPREAD DISINFORMATION

The Jerusalem Post reported late last week that the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) issued their findings on the conflict with Hamas that broke out in May.

The findings indicated the IDF complied with the law of armed conflict and “consistently implemented precautions to mitigate civilian risk.” 

In addition, The Jerusalem Post also reported that despite accusations from human rights groups that Israel violated international law, some Israeli precautions actually exceeded “those implemented in recent U.S. combat operations that we participated in, despite confronting an adversary that often sought to exacerbate that risk deliberately.” 

But although the JINSA findings indicated that the IDF’s conduct of the war complied with international law, it also highlighted that “a significant gap between this reality of IDF LOAC [Law of Armed Conflict] compliance, and of Hamas’s violation of it, and the public’s perception. Israel’s messaging efforts were unable to close this gap.”

If the IDF was mostly focused on degrading Hamas’s attack capabilities, the Gazan terror group was equally investing resources in a massive disinformation campaign to delegitimize Israel, alongside its firing of rockets at Israeli civilians.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that the JINSA findings called out numerous organizations, including the United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch – organizations claiming to be experts in the relationship between law and military operations – who quickly seemed to accept Hamas’s assertions of unlawful IDF operations.

Tracking the disinformation campaign against the IDF, the JINSA said that the problem started with “the media and public’s misunderstanding of how LOAC applies to military operations – especially the false assumption that the effect of an attack, and especially the presence of civilian casualties.”

“Coupled with social media’s ability to transmit graphic images rapidly and globally without explanatory context,” JINSA said Hamas succeeded at making “audiences more receptive to Hamas’s disinformation that Gazan suffering was evidence of Israeli LOAC violations.”

The JINSA authors included about a dozen senior and retired U.S. military officers who traveled to Israel to examine the actions of both sides and included the following: Lt.-Gen. Robert Ashley, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency; Lt.-Gen. John M. Bednarek, former senior defense official in Iraq; Lt.-Col. Geoffrey S. Corn, the former chief international lawyer for U.S. Army Europe and others.

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• God to move in the heart of Iranian leaders and officials to join the table of diplomacy and prevent any violence or potential war
• God to give wisdom and insight to Israeli leaders as they navigate threats from enemies who are surrounding them
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

Eight-year-old Esther Gever laid hold of her father’s arm in their Vienna home, facing off against the Nazi soldier trying to take him away. “No! You cannot take my father!” she asserted. “Why would you take my father?” The soldier growled back, “Because he is a Jew.” Esther persisted, “You will not take him! He didn’t do anything.” The soldier had had enough of this little girl standing in his way, slowing down his dirty business that night. He grabbed Esther by the front of her shirt and threw her hard against the wall. Esther blacked out. What was Kristallnacht? Scenes like this one – played out in various ways in Jewish homes all across Hitler’s domain.

What was Kristallnacht?

Kristallnacht defined means “night of broken glass.” The event was a coordinated attack on the Jewish people in Germany and other areas under Nazi control. On the night of November 9–10, 1938, German citizens smashed the windows of Jewish businesses, looting and vandalizing till nothing was left to salvage.

Spurred by years of anti-Semitic propaganda and riled by a Jewish teenager’s revenge murder of a German diplomat, ordinary citizens formed mobs. They followed German soldiers to Jewish homes to arrest Jewish men, young and old, and terrorize Jewish families. They threw bricks through windows, rammed through front doors and ransacked Jewish families’ possessions. Some seemed determined to do as much damage as possible – slashing pillows and pictures, smashing furniture and stealing valuables. They roughed up whomever they chose or got in their way.

Some of the Jewish people had been vaguely alerted in advance. They’d heard rumors that something was afoot that day or received somber advice from kind-hearted neighbors or Jewish relatives in other cities already hit: “Stay home. Tell the men to hide. Do not go outside.” Jewish people who were unfortunate enough to be on the streets were often savagely beaten by people they once considered neighbors and friends – along with thugs brought in to accelerate the frenzy.

Mobs set fire to synagogues, cheering as new bursts of flame erupted. When a synagogue blaze was risky for nearby non-Jewish structures, crowds instead drug sacred books, Torah scrolls, and furnishings into the street and made a bonfire of them. Inside, they ransacked the worship houses and stole valuables.

Local authorities told to stand down

Meanwhile, police stood by, unable, unwilling and ordered not to do anything – even when bloodthirsty mobs invaded Jewish orphanages and hospitals, rousting little ones into the cold night in their nightshirts and bare feet.

What was Kristallnacht? It was a night of broken humanity. In all, Nazi soldiers and wild mobs murdered 91 Jewish people, destroyed hundreds of synagogues, looted and ransacked thousands of Jewish homes, businesses, schools and hospitals. Aside from this, they arrested tens of thousands of Jewish men, hauling them off to concentration and labor camps. One of them was Esther’s father.

For weeks, Esther’s family inquired with Jewish neighbors trying to learn where Hitler’s soldiers had taken the men. After three weeks, they received a censored postcard from Dachau concentration camp. Between blackened-out words, they read that he loved and missed them and that he was “well” – though they didn’t trust that he was. Many of the men arrested on Kristallnacht were released after a few months. The following year, after Esther’s father returned home, the family fled to Poland. When the war’s danger followed them, they headed to Siberia, where Esther’s mother died. Esther moved to Israel in 1949 and to the U.S. in 1959.

Along with a night of unchecked – indeed encouraged – rioting and hatred toward Jewish people, Kristallnacht was also the proof Hitler needed to proceed with his plans in confidence. The Night of Broken Glass showed him that the masses would not rise up against his plans to eliminate the Jewish people from among them. For the most part, Kristallnacht proved that Hitler had successfully stirred the non-Jewish population to wild hatred of the Jewish people or frightened them enough to stand by and let it unfold. And so he proceeded with his “Final Solution,” executing 6 million Jewish people before he was stopped.

What was Kristallnacht? It was a warning for us today, showing us how human nature can be turned, manipulated, and run wild with prejudice. Anti-Semitism is very much alive today, more than 70 years after the horrors of the Holocaust. This Kristallnacht, and every day, let’s pray for God to bring it to an end and for His peace to reign on Earth. Pray with us for Holocaust survivors everywhere to come to know the eternal peace and love of Messiah Jesus.

Sources:

Holocaust Survivors Remember Kristallnacht, Encyclopedia Britannica YouTube channel showing 1994-2008 USC Shoah Foundation Institute video

The Lucky Ones, Esther Gever. New Friends Publishing book page

““Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Psalm 122:6 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend.  

While the Scriptures tell us to pray for the “peace of Jerusalem” in any and every season — my heart is moved for us to be more vigilant in prayer than ever before.  

While all indications appear that war with Iran seems to be inevitable and even imminent, we know that God has the power to change hearts, lives and circumstances.  

I’m sure you’ve experienced God’s supernatural presence in your own life. And I hope you’ll hold up your experience as a point of confidence and faith as, together, we ask God to bring His peace to Jerusalem, to Israel and to the Jewish people.  

“CONFRONTATION WITH IRAN IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME . . . AND NOT A LOT OF TIME” 

Israeli Finance Minister, Avigdor Liberman, told reporters late last week that a confrontation between Israel and Iran is inevitable. His comment comes, according to Ynet News, in response to questions regarding the overall efforts being made to bring Tehran back to the 2015 nuclear deal.  

While there have been hints out of Iran that negotiations of some form will continue, Tehran continues their nuclear program development — refusing to abide by the 2015 nuclear agreement. 

“A confrontation with Iran is only a matter of time, and not a lot of time,” Liberman continued. “No diplomatic move or agreement will stop the Iranian nuclear program. This is a problem of the international community but first of all ours because they have stated that their policy is the destruction of Israel, and they do mean it.” 

The Finance Minister, as reported by Ynet News, also added that the Israeli government recently approved a $1.5 billion budget to prepare for a strike against Iran. 

ISRAEL, IRAN SEPARATELY RUN AERIAL DRILLS IN PREPARATION FOR POTENTIAL MILITARY CLASH 

The Jerusalem Post reported last week that both Israel and Iran are reportedly holding large-scale aerial exercises. This report comes as tension between both countries continues to accelerate. 

The Jerusalem Post indicated that Israel and seven nations – Germany, Italy, Britain, France, India, Greece and the US – are participating in Blue Flag 2021, the largest and most advanced aerial exercise ever held in the Jewish State. 

This year’s drills will focus on the integration of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-35 Adir in complex operational scenarios, the Israeli military said. 

Israeli Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. Amikam Norkin told reporters that the threats posed to Israel continue to increase and that the drill is a “steppingstone” toward cooperation with other countries in the region. 

“We are living in a very complicated region, and the threats to the State of Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran are only increasing,” Maj.-Gen. Norkin said. “Holding an international exercise in this current reality, while continuing our public and covert operational activities on all fronts, is of utmost strategic importance and has an extensive impact over the Israeli Air Force, the IDF and the State of Israel.” 

Meanwhile, according to The Jerusalem Post, Iran’s Air Force kicked off Modafe’an Aseman-e Velayat 1400 (Guardians of ‘Velayat Sky’ 1400) last week, which is aimed at testing the capabilities of the Islamic Republic’s Air Force. 

As reported by The Jerusalem Post, the drill will see the use of indigenous and upgraded systems and weapons, including heavy and semi-heavy smart bombs, all kinds of laser, television, thermal, radar missiles, rockets and bombs. 

Iranian F-4, F-5 and F-7 fighter aircraft as well as Sukhoi Su-27s, F-14s, Mirage F1s, and MiG-29s, are taking part in the drill. 

ISRAELI AIR FORCE DRAWS UP PLANS FOR STRIKES ON TEHRAN’S NUCLEAR SITES 

In light of growing uncertainty regarding a return by Iran to the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), amid long-stalled negotiations with the United States, The Times of Israel reported earlier this week that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in recent months has ramped up its efforts to prepare a credible military threat against Tehran’s nuclear facilities. 

At the beginning of this year, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi announced he had instructed the military to begin drawing up fresh attack plans, and last week the government reportedly allocated billions of shekels toward making those plans viable. 

In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last month, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declared that “Iran’s nuclear program has hit a watershed moment, and so has our tolerance. Words do not stop centrifuges from spinning . . . We will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.” 

Earlier this week, The Times of Israel indicated that they had learned that some aspects of the strike plan, which is still in the “draft” stage, could be ready within a short period of time, while others would take more than a year to be fully actionable. 

Preparing for such a strike has become a top priority for the Israeli Air Force and making the necessary preparations has required changes to its training schedule. 

In addition to having to find ways to strike Iranian facilities that are buried deep underground, requiring specialized munitions and tactics, the Israeli Air Force will have to deal with increasingly sophisticated Iranian air defenses in order to conduct such a strike. The air force will also have to prepare for an expected retaliation against Israel by Iran and its allies throughout the region. 

ISRAEL TO OPEN BORDERS TO VACCINATED TOURISTS STARTING NOVEMBER 1 

Ynet News reported that, while waiting for the final approval of the Coronavirus Cabinet, Israel’s Health Ministry has agreed to open Israel’s borders for vaccinated tourists, starting next week. 

This decision, however, comes with a variety of conditions for entry, depending upon the tourist’s country, vaccination type and/or recovery from COVID.  

Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov said this was only the beginning of the resumption of tourism to Israel.  

“I commend Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz for maintaining a balance between public health and a robust economy, and thank the professional staff that has worked hard to bring the tourism industry back,” Razvozov said. 

Let Us Pray Together 

Please pray with me for: 

• God to give wisdom and insight to Israeli and global leaders as tensions continue to escalate in regard to Iran’s nuclear threat 
• God to move in the heart of Iranian leaders and officials to join the table of diplomacy and prevent any violence or potential war 
• God to protect His people, their neighbors and tourists as the Israeli borders open amidst the ongoing effects of COVID-19  
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies 
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have not been able to visit this land and its people as often as we would’ve liked over the past two years. But now we have a great opportunity and are asking for your fervent prayers.

We have permission to hold a Medical Outreach from November 7 through 11 in Zimbabwe. It will be on a smaller scale than the large ones we typically hold, but we know, by God’s grace, it will hugely impact the people of a rural region in southwestern Zimbabwe.

We first visited this particular area on a scouting trip and again during our Food Distribution Outreach earlier this year. We are so grateful to be able to return. Please join us in covering every aspect of this Medical Outreach in prayer:

Wednesday, October 27 – Wednesday, November 3

Preparations | John 9:4

• Our Global Outreach staff, who are simultaneously completing the last details of our recent Ethiopia Outreach while quickly taking care of every logistic required to launch this Zimbabwe Outreach successfully
• Preparation of the local clinic we will use and the property that will serve as campgrounds for the team and volunteers
• Spiritual preparation of the region, in which witchcraft and other practices are quite common. May the Lord’s presence prepare the way, pushing back the darkness and any forms of opposition in response to our prayers

Thursday, November 4 – Friday, November 5

Travels and Adjustments | Psalm 34:10b

• Our small team of Outreach volunteers as they prepare to leave home and serve in various capacities
• Safe travel and timely arrivals for all team members, in-country medical professionals and international volunteers
• Good health and negative COVID-19 tests at every checkpoint

Saturday, November 6 – Sunday, November 7 

Set-up and Clinic Opening | Colossians 3:23

• The ability to effectively minister to local congregation members and their families and neighbors
• Favor among local officials and tribal elders, leading to open doors for ministry now and in the future
• A God-ordained plan for spiritual care that will lead to many coming to know Yeshua (Jesus)
• Unity and effective communication between everyone working to see this Outreach glorify God

Monday, November 8 – Wednesday, November 10

Worship and Work | I Chronicles 16:11

• Fervent, daily prayer and worship that affect the spiritual atmosphere as well as impact all those who are investing time and spiritual energy to serve this week
• Open hearts to receive not only medical care but also spiritual care and, most essentially, salvation
• The Spirit of the Lord to move in power wherever our Spiritual Care team ministers
• Open doors, favor, and kingdom impact for the Living Waters team as they distribute family-sized LifeStraws® and share the Good News in the community

Thursday, November 11 – Sunday, November 14

Closing and Returning | Numbers 6:24-26

• Protection over every aspect of closing out the Medical Clinic and traveling home
• The Lord’s blessing to rest upon the community as we leave – and upon all those who have served
• Timely follow-up as the local Zimbabwean team meets with individuals to review the use of LifeStraws® and once again share Good News
• Encouragement and growth for the local congregation, leading to more significant spiritual impact in the region

We continue to pray that more doors will open for effective ministry in many places, wherever the Lord may lead us. But for now, we focus our prayerful attention on this particular location and Outreach.

Let’s pray:

Lord, for the last several years, we have sensed You highlighting this area of Zimbabwe, and we are so glad to be going there again as You have opened doors and prepared the way. God of Miracles, we ask You for the healing, deliverance, and salvation that You alone can give. May this small Medical Clinic glean enormous and eternal results. Continue to prompt us to pray as we partner with You in the work of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.