We are so glad that you will be praying with us for our first Outreach this year since February! So much has happened in our nation, our world, and in the nation of Ethiopia since then. It has all served to underscore the importance for us as Believers to have an eternal, Kingdom mindset, and to do all we can to partner with the Lord and invest in His eternal plans. You are partnering through prayer in a critical time for Ethiopia and the Jewish people! 

In terms of Jewish Voice’s work in Ethiopia, this Outreach will be in a new region – the Southern Nations region, and to a new people, group, the Dawro. We deeply desire to not only bring them medical care, but to share the Good News of Yeshua! The Lord has gone before us, even orchestrating a positive meeting between a regional official, one of our Global Outreach team leaders, and another gentleman. They all discovered that they each previously had experience on a Jewish Voice Ministries Outreach at some point in years past! This brought great unity and understanding as to why we are coming and how we want to bless the community. One of the men told us he has been praying for us to come to this new region ever since that Outreach about 10 years ago. What an encouragement regarding the power of prayer and how the Lord prepares the way! 

So please read on and pray with us daily. In fact, you can sign up here for a prayer slot to be part of our ‘round the clock prayer covering. Please pray for: 

Wednesday, November 4 – Joshua 1:9 

• The Lord’s protection throughout the entire Outreach trip in all areas in which we will be traveling and ministering, as well as over all participants, equipment and belongings; and for all shipments and other necessary items to arrive on time and in good condition 

• Safe travels, health and protection for our team members during the arduous 2-day trip from Addis Ababa to Dawro today and Thursday, as well as good rest and sleep for everyone upon arrival 

• Mild weather throughout the week as it is possible it could be quite warm, which would especially affect those waiting in lines and the medical professionals working in the confines of the clinic  

Thursday, November 5 – Matthew 24:44 

• The clinic site to be well prepared and ready for the thousands we hope to serve 

• Favor and wisdom in all decisions and work to be done, ensuring that when the clinic opens on Sunday, everything will operate smoothly and safely 

• Ongoing favor, permissions and supportive good will from all necessary local and regional authorities and the community members as well 

Friday, November 6 – Romans 9:17 

• Safe travels and protection for our in-country medical and dental professionals who are making the difficult 2-day trip from Addis Ababa to Dawro today through Saturday 

• A great meeting tomorrow, Saturday, between our team members, the Messianic Congregational leader, and local community elders. Pray that God’s peace, grace and love would overflow, they would see the Messiah in us and be personally convicted of His call to them 

• The Lord to prepare the region and spiritual atmosphere for effective ministry and the sharing of the Good News 

Saturday, November 7 – Psalm 133:1-3 

• Great unity, peace, wisdom and discernment for us all, including the Bete Kidane Messianic Believers with whom we will be ministering, that we might serve during the clinic from a place of shalom and rest 

• The kingdom of darkness to be pushed back and the Kingdom of light to advance, preparing the way for healing, miracles, salvation and deliverance! 

• Our team to be given great strength, insight and foresight all week long from the Holy Spirit, enabling us to walk in the Spirit in love, power and effectiveness 

Sunday, November 8 – Isaiah 43:18-19 

• Wisdom in hiring local workers with integrity and who will faithfully serve the purposes of the Outreach 

• A great start Sunday with shalom and order in the lines and clinic for as many as possible to be served and ministered to in the Name of Yeshua  

• That the Lord will protect us from every disease, including Covid-19, as we travel and minister even while cases are increasing in Ethiopia 

Monday, November 9 – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 

• Blessing and salvation for the Jewish people who have been marginalized, persecuted – literally and physically pushed to the margins and outskirts of the community 

• Our spiritual care team on this trip, consisting of Believers from the southern Ethiopian Messianic Congregation who had this region on their hearts and recommended it to us as an Outreach location 

• Unity, anointing, safety and effectiveness for our spiritual care team as some of them go into the Jewish community and villages; and others as they stay near the medical clinic location to minister 

• Safety and wisdom as we transport people from the Jewish community on the outskirts of Dawro to the medical clinic and back each day for treatment 

• Boldness to proclaim the Good News and to be protected from evil 

Tuesday, November 10 – Acts 5:14 

• An outpouring of blessing, shalom and unity upon the Messianic Congregation with which we are partnering  

• Peace and protection for their families as they are away from home ministering with us during the Outreach; please pray for that for our own staff members’ families as well, at home during an unsettled time in our own nation 

• God’s help for the Messianic Congregational leaders as they seek to identify, encourage and equip leaders among the Dawro community of Jewish Believers as they begin gathering, first perhaps in home fellowships and eventually congregations 

Wednesday, November 11 – Psalm 138:8  

• That the Messianic Congregational elders will also be able to effectively follow up with those who come to know Yeshua as a result of the Outreach 

• Good rest and stamina for all as the Outreach moves towards the last day 

• Favor and clear understanding as to what the immigration requirements will be for our staff team members who will be coming from either Ethiopia or the U.S. in order to minister the following week in Zimbabwe (watch for next week’s Prayer Points email for further information on that) 

Thursday, November 12 – Psalm 121:8 

• The ability to see as many as possible on this last day, and safety and protection in closing the clinic, packing up, and paying local workers 

• Leaving a blessing in the community as we go that will pave the way for further ministry and Kingdom growth! 

• Journeying mercies traveling back to Addis Ababa and other areas of Ethiopia as well as home to the U.S. for some staff team members, or on to Zimbabwe for others 

Even though this Outreach will have a smaller team and we expect to see fewer people, there are just as many logistics and hoped for outcomes for which to intercede! We thank you so much for your partnership in prayer for the Dawro community and the Jewish people in it. 

Let’s pray: Lord, we are humbled, blessed and expectant regarding the opportunity for this Outreach. We want to see the Dawro people as You see them and minister to them by the love and power of your Holy Spirit. May many come to know You, as well as their neighbors. Please pave the way with your provision, protection and anointing and lead us every step of the way, for Your Name’s sake. Amen. 

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.””

Romans 12:12 NIV

I hope you find great encouragement in the words of the verse above. No matter what we are experiencing or what is happening in our world, because of what Jesus has done for each one of us, we can “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Again this week there is much to share on countries seeking to normalize ties with Israel. There are further developments with both Sudan and Saudi Arabia as well as Oman being back in the news regarding a potential agreement. And United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel are moving forward with multiple agreements that deepen their ties. 

The latest on the coronavirus in Israel is still good news. The positive virus test rate hit a new low early this week. In addition, the number of patients in serious condition has fallen below 500 for the first time in about six weeks. 

In news closer to home, as the U.S. elections approach, we have a three-part series of our A Jew and a Gentile Discuss podcast where Carly and Ezra talk about the elections. The first episode, airing the week before the elections, has Carly and Ezra discussing important issues to consider as you go to the polls. The week of the election, they will follow up on what the results mean going forward. And then the week following the election, they will discuss any further developments and impact from the election results. Be sure and check out these episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts or at www.ajewandagentilediscuss.org. 

Please read the stories below for greater detail and thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for Israel and the Jewish people. 

Sudan moving forward with normalizing ties with Israel 

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry reported that Sudanese and Israeli officials will meet in coming weeks to discuss a package of cooperation deals to “achieve the mutual interests of the two peoples.” 

The ministry’s statement came three days after U.S. President Donald Trump made the announcement that Sudan would begin normalizing ties with Israel. Trump pledged to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism as part of the deal to normalize ties with Israel. 

Sudan has agreed to designate Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement as a terrorist organization, a senior U.S. official said. This is something Israel has long desired from its neighbors and other countries. 

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “sending $5 million worth of wheat immediately to our new friends” in Sudan, according to The Times of Israel. 

In addition, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said the U.S. would work with its international partners to relieve the country’s foreign debt, which is in excess of $60 billion. Both the U.S. and Israel would also help Sudan “consolidate its democracy, enhance food security … and fight terrorism,” the ministry said. 

Could Saudi Arabia announce desire to normalize ties with Israel after U.S. election? 

In closed conversations, Mossad Director Yossi Cohen said a normalization announcement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is close and major developments could follow the U.S. presidential election, depending on who wins, The Jerusalem Post has learned. Mossad is Israel’s national intelligence agency. 

It’s reported that the normalization deal would also involve an arms agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, Cohen said. 

According to recent polls, normalizing ties is something many in Saudi Arabia and Israel desire. A poll by Zogby Research Services found nearly 80% of Saudis are in favor of working toward normalizing ties within the next five years. In a poll published by Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, Saudi Arabia is the country with which most Israelis would like to establish ties. 

Oman could be next to normalize ties with Israel 

Citing Israeli sources, N12 news reported that U.S.-mediated normalization talks between Israel and Oman are close to achieving a breakthrough. 

These sources believe Oman is the country most likely to be next to normalize ties, according to The Jerusalem Post. 

Israel and UAE agree to new, deeper ties 

Last Tuesday diplomats from the UAE made their first official trip to Israel since the countries normalized relations in August. 

The two countries signed pacts deepening their ties. This included allowing their citizens to travel from one country to the other without visas – a first for Israel with an Arab state, reported The New York Times. 

“Today we are making history,” Netanyahu said. “The enthusiasm for this peace agreement among our peoples is enormous, it’s real, it’s broad, it’s deep.” 

The UAE delegation also made a formal request to establish an embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel is expected to do the same in Abu Dhabi. 

Another signed agreement paves the way for direct flights between the two countries. 

Modernizing the checkpoints for the approximately 2.7 million Palestinians living in the West Bank is another project being discussed. 

Israel and UAE open talks about oil pipeline 

Talks have begun between Israel and United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a top-secret oil pipeline that links the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. 

Europe Asia Pipeline Co. (EAPC), controlled by Israel’s government, and UAE-based MED-RED Land Bridge Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding, according to an EAPC statement. The two companies have agreed to collaborate on the transportation of crude and oil products between the Persian Gulf and Western markets, according to Bloomberg online news. 

Coronavirus restrictions extended by a week 

On Sunday the coronavirus cabinet extended virus health regulations until next week.  

“If morbidity goes down, then the restrictions will also gradually come down. If morbidity goes up, there will be no choice but to reimpose the restrictions,” Netanyahu said. 

The cabinet reportedly agreed to a proposal to allow students and teachers to gather outdoors in informal groups of up to 15, even as schools remain closed, according to The Times of Israel. This is effective immediately. 

No decision could be agreed upon by the cabinet regarding reopening open-air markets. 

The government plan to ease restrictions has been broken down into nine distinct stages by the Health Ministry. Netanyahu expressed interest in condensing the plan to five stages, but this could cause infections to rise dramatically, health officials warned. 

Grades 1-4 to go back to school next week 

On Sunday the coronavirus cabinet voted to reopen schools for kids in 1st-4th grade early next week. This will only be implemented if virus cases remain low. 

According to the approved plan, children in 3rd and 4th grade will be divided into pods and resume attending school five days a week. 1st and 2nd grade students will be split into two groups and alternate days, going to school only three times a week. Remote learning will continue for children in 5th grade and above. 

Human trials to begin November 1 for Israeli coronavirus vaccine 

The Defense Ministry announced that the first human trials of its coronavirus vaccine will begin Sunday, November 1. The trials will continue through next spring before it can receive approval for use. 

The trials will be conducted by the Israel Institute for Biological Research starting with two initial participants, increasing to 80 through November. If they respond well to the vaccine and develop antibodies against the virus, beginning in December the testing will expand to 960 participants. If this larger group responds well, the vaccine will then be given to some 30,000 people in April or May 2021. 

If there are no significant side effects and the vaccine works well, it will then be approved for full use in the general population. 

The first stage of testing will use healthy participants, aged 18-55. The second stage will use healthy participants 18 and older, and the third stage will have no limitation on the age or medical condition of the participants, according to The Times of Israel. 

Let us pray together 

Please pray with me for:  

• Continued progress on potential normalization between Israel and Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Oman  

• The coronavirus infection rate to continue the current trend of going down in Israel 

• Wisdom and protection for the people of Israel as the government has begun lifting coronavirus restrictions and younger children are attending school 

• Continued success of clinical trials to produce an effective vaccine, in particular, that the human trials for the Israeli vaccine would go well 

• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah 

Bless Israel Sunday is an opportunity for you and your congregation or small group to become more equipped to encounter anti-Israel bias and errant theology about God’s commitment to His Chosen People, Israel. 

In this “Pray for Israel” blog series, you’ll find a prayer for Israel along with information to serve as a starting-off point from which to add your own prayers. 

Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Bias 

Over thousands of years, the ugly disease of anti-Semitism has remained alive in both outlandish superstitions and careless stereotypes about Jewish people. Centuries ago, it marched through Europe, waging war on Jewish people and forcing them to “covert” to “Christianity” or die. Zealots misnaming the name of the Messiah massacred untold numbers of Jewish people and expelled countless others from their home countries. In World War II, Hitler attempted to eradicate the Jewish people by ruthlessly sending them, by the millions, to extermination camps.  

The Holocaust ended in 1945, but anti-Semitism has never been snuffed out. It lurks in hate-filled organizations as well as irrational prejudices of otherwise kind-hearted people. Though you may not hear about it often in the news, Jewish property is defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti or other vandalism nearly every day in the United States alone. Jewish people are subjected to vile, hateful language and sometimes physical assault.  

Anti-Semitism also comes out in bias against Israel – typically by those who have not taken the time to gaze clearly at the full picture of Israel’s situation in the Middle East.  

Many countries, and even the United Nations itself, manifest a habitually anti-Israel mindset. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meets three times a year in regular sessions that use a permanent agenda. In Agenda Item 4, they address all human rights violations of nations around the world ‒ except those involving Israel. Reviewing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a specific and permanent place – Agenda Item 7 – on the docket at each and every session. Despite many offenses, rarely are Palestinian human rights abuses examined, and very few resolutions have been brought against them. Instead, Israel is highly scrutinized, regularly receiving a vastly disproportionate number of reprimands against her.  

Pray for Israel and the Jewish people 

Lord, Your people have been mistreated throughout thousands of years. We know this is because the devil hates whom You love. He is the father of lies, and he has not stopped lying about Your people and the State of Israel. Anti-Semitism occurs all over the world, targeting innocent people going about their lives. Please protect Your people across the globe from anti-Semitic attacks, harassment and bias. Tear down the strongholds of anti-Semitism worldwide – whether large or small, open or secret – and bring an end to the hatred of and prejudice against Your people. 

Increase awareness of how anti-Semitism still thrives all over the world. Stir up a passion against it. Make it known that Jewish people are still targeted and persecuted around the world. Reveal to the world that there are, this very day, whole communities of Jewish people who are disparaged, attacked and denied economic equality simply because they are Jewish.  

Lord, we ask that You open the hearts and minds of ordinary people – even Believers – who may have prejudicial attitudes toward Jewish people. Identify for them where their hearts do not align with Yours.  

So much anti-Semitism takes aim at the State of Israel as well. Please open the eyes of those who blindly follow opinions about Israel that are based on prejudiced, inaccurate or incomplete information. Cause people to see the full picture and not merely the story spread by an anti-Israel mindset.  

And, Lord, it is hard to see the unfairness which the Land of Your people endures, especially by an organization in place to ensure fair treatment of all. Lord, please open the eyes of UNHRC member nations to an accurate understanding of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Turn their minds to look favorably upon Israel. Bring to light the injustices and offenses done against her and bring an end to the forced scrutiny of Israel – like no other nation endures – that is required by Agenda Item 7. Give Israel peace and favor in the sight of the world. 

In Jesus’ name, we pray for Israel and Jewish people worldwide. Amen. 

Learn more about Bless Israel Sunday: What is Bless Israel Sunday?   

Bless Israel Sunday is an opportunity for you to discover things about God’s faithfulness you may have never known before. 

In this “Pray for Israel” blog series, you’ll find a prayer for Israel along with information to serve as a starting-off point from which to add your own prayers. 

Messianic Jewish Believers 

Only 2 percent of Israel’s nine million-strong population identify as those who believe in Yeshua (Jesus). Messianic Jewish Believers are a minority in Israel, yet Messianic congregations are thriving. It’s estimated that about 20,000 Believers in Israel are Messianic Jews. There are hundreds of thousands of Jewish people around the world who have placed their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. 

With significant resistance to the Gospel in Israel, Believers are often subjected to opposition and even hostility. Gentile Believers in Israel are frequently seen as dangerous missionaries, while Messianic Jews are often believed to have betrayed their Jewish faith. Sharing one’s faith in Jesus must be done with great care and sensitivity, and it generally emerges through caring relationships. 

Messianic congregations have a vital testimony in the communities in which they live, particularly in Israel. Many of them serve their communities by offering essential humanitarian aid, helping the homeless, addicted, and those who are dealing with various forms of crisis. 

Unity among Believers is important to Jesus. Five times before His arrest in the Garden, He prayed for our unity as Believers so the world might believe that God the Father had sent Him.  

Pray for Israel and the Jewish people 

Father, please strengthen and encourage the Body of Messiah in Israel, both Messianic and Gentile Believers in Jesus. Draw each one deeper into the Scriptures so they may increase in knowledge and understanding of Your Word. Equip each member to carry out Your purposes for their lives. May they have great joy that radiates Your glory and provokes Jewish people to jealousy (Romans 11:11).  

Encourage these Believers and enlarge their faith. Strengthen them in Your Word. Heighten their hunger to study and “rightly divide” Your Word (2 Timothy 2:15). Help them to reach maturity in prayer, worship and wisdom. Give them favor in the Land.  

Move in their lives to build in them stellar reputations as people of kindness, generosity and integrity. Make them stand out as people who love and serve like no others. Use them to draw those they know into curiosity about Yeshua.  

Thank You for the Messianic Jewish ministries in Israel. Please give them Your vision for the work You would have them do in the coming year, and open doors of opportunity for them. Glorify Yourself and Messiah Yeshua through these ministries.  

Thank You for calling forth leaders to serve Your people in Messianic congregations. We pray that You would bless these fellowships with peace and joy; sustain them financially and spiritually. Give them hearts of worship and prayer, and ground them firmly in the truth of Your Word. Ignite in their hearts a fresh desire for the good works You have created for them to do. 

Please instill ministry leaders with vision and wisdom to serve the Body of Messiah and reach out to Israelis who need to know Yeshua.  

We especially ask for unity among Believers in Israel, the Land of Your Chosen People. Please strengthen the bond between Messianic and Gentile Believers, Jewish and Arab Believers. May the mystery of it draw attention to Your truth and love. May their love and unity stand out as a marvel so that all people would seek to understand it in a land with much tension between the two people groups. 

In Jesus’ name, we pray for Israel and the Jewish people, Lord. 

Learn more about Bless Israel Sunday: What is Bless Israel Sunday?  

I have to share with you that, even in the midst of all the challenges we’re all experiencing right now, my heart is filled with gratitude.

The work of Jewish Voice – meeting physical needs and sharing the hope of Yeshua (Jesus) with Jewish people worldwide – wouldn’t be possible without you.

During the turmoil of these past several months, we have seen your generosity and felt your prayers. That’s why this latest edition of Jewish Voice Today is focused on hope. Because of our Messiah, we have hope. And because of your ongoing support, hope is shared with Jewish people in need.

Throughout the first nine weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, a number of our staff members contributed to an online devotional series called Hope in the Midst. Now we have brought many of them together in this issue for you.

I pray God will use them to minister to your heart, and that as you read them you are encouraged and strengthened in your faith. And perhaps, after you’ve finished, you might consider sharing the magazine to encourage a friend or family member. We can all use a bit more hope right now.

In addition, I’ve written an article for you that brings together the topics of anti-Semitism and the upcoming U.S. election, including one of my own experiences with what I’m calling “The Oldest Hatred.”

Again, thank you for your partnership. May you be blessed and inspired as you read this issue we’ve prepared for you.