“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’” — Psalm 122:6, 9 (NASB)

This past Shabbat, on what was to be one of the most joyous days on the Jewish Calendar (the end of the Feast of Tabernacles and the celebration of Shemini Atzeret – a day when Jewish people celebrate one more day in the Lord’s presence after the seven-day Feast of Sukkot – and ‘Simchat Torah’ – the Joy of the Word of God), the people of Israel endured their darkest day in a generation.

As of this afternoon, only two days after Israeli borders were breached, over 700 Israelis have been confirmed dead, either fighting for their country against those who wish to destroy it, or murdered innocently at parties, in the streets of their towns, and in their own homes and living rooms. And, shockingly, many nations around the world are already responding by vilifying the nation of Israel and the Jewish people – whitewashing the atrocities of militant terrorists!

In the midst of such unprecedented terror on Israeli soil, and as heart-wrenching photos and videos continue to surface on international media, it is hard to know what to do, or how to pray...

Today, it’s important to remember that for all of us who call upon the name of the Lord, the Jewish people and their neighbors suffering and mourning in the Land of Israel and the over 130 Israelis currently being held hostage or tortured in the Gaza Strip are not just headlines or numbers; as David declared, we say that they are “our brothers and our friends.” And so we pray for peace — for shalom. Pray with us:

• That IDF units and those working with them would quickly and entirely neutralize all remaining terrorists hiding or wreaking further havoc within the borders of Israel, bringing peace to the cities and kibbutzim that have been attacked
• That Israel would quickly eliminate all Hamas strongholds and neutralize all those attempting to attack Israel from any side right now, thereby restoring peace to the region
• For comfort and shalom for families mourning the loss of friends and loved ones who paid the ultimate price defending their country or who were murdered in cold blood while going about their daily lives
• For shalom beyond understanding for those awaiting news about the condition or whereabouts of family members dragged across the borders of Gaza. And pray these hostages are released alive!
• For peace in the hearts of Jewish Believers throughout Israel – some of whom have already lost children to the war. Pray the Lord would strengthen and comfort them so they can be a light and a comfort to their communities in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name
• For Believers currently engaged in active combat and serving in sensitive military operations – there are many. Pray that the Lord would cause His peace to reign in their hearts as they defend the Land God gave to the Jewish people and as they defend those living in it. Pray for strength, wisdom, and protection for these brave men and women in Yeshua’s name
• For peace between Messianic Jews and Arab Christians – that the unity of the Holy Spirit would enable them to remain in strong relationship with each other during a time when those relationships are tried like never before
• For our 85+ partner ministries (congregations, para congregational ministries, mercy ministries, emergency response organizations, etc.) throughout Israel – especially those located in southern Israel – that God would give them wisdom, divine strategy, and protection as they begin to respond in the midst of this crisis
• That many in Israel would, in the midst of this dark hour, encounter and experience the Prince of Peace and come to know their promised Messiah, Yeshua, who binds up the brokenhearted and who gives peace that this world cannot give

We will keep you updated throughout the coming days on ways you can pray, and we’ll do our best to keep you updated on events on the ground as we remain in touch with family, friends, and ministry partners in Israel.

Thank you for your enduring love for Israel and the Jewish people. Now, more than ever, they need your care, your support, your advocacy, and your prayers. And now, more than ever, we ask you to join us in praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps 122:6) and for all those dwelling in the Land of Israel.

Jonathan Bernis & Ezra Benjamin

By Judi Clarke

As a child, all I wanted to do was stay up later than my bedtime. Going to bed felt like missing out. As the youngest, I didn’t like being pulled away from the activity in the house. Everyone else was still up, but I had to separate myself from them. I had to leave TV shows, activities or projects unfinished, all for the sake of going to sleep while others remained awake. There were so many things I would rather do. But every night, the word came down from Mom, “It’s time for bed.” I never wanted to go – sometimes despite my tiredness.

Have you ever felt that way?

If we’re not in the habit of observing a weekly Sabbath day of rest, that’s how we might perceive the fourth commandment, too. We may see every unfinished project and people out there doing things we could enjoy if not for this weekly word from above, “It’s time for rest.” It may be hard to see the Sabbath, or Shabbat in Hebrew, for what it really is: a gift.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work... — Exodus 20:8–10

Children can go, go, go until long after they should be napping or in bed for the night. Eventually, they crash right where they are, no matter how inconvenient the time or place. It’s funny that, as adults, we can do the same thing without recognizing it. Our go-go-go just has a grown-up look to it.

Today’s culture lends itself to a non-stop pace. The internet has put a world’s worth of information on our desks, and our smartphones have put it right in our pockets. It’s always within reach, day and night, and we are always available. Work and rest can get muddled into one big blur of accessibility. We may enjoy recreational activities and time with family and friends, but when we return after the weekend, we often feel like we haven’t truly rested.

Many of us don’t even realize how tired we are; we just keep going. We go for weeks and months, even years, without getting the mind, soul and body rest we need. So, our crashes come in grown-up sizes too. Whereas children may get sick, cranky and suddenly fall asleep mid-sentence, adults may get seriously ill, have an emotional breakdown or burn completely out. At that point, incapacitation forces us to rest. Recovery can take months, not just hours — no matter how inconvenient.

Thankfully, God provided a remedy for our non-stop busyness — Shabbat, a weekly rest. Those who practice it know what a gift it is. The word Sabbath means “ceasing,” and on the seventh day of the week, we cease working. What does “work” mean? That might vary, so it’s important to listen to the Lord to know how He wants you to find your rest.

If you’d like to learn more about Shabbat and how to start incorporating it into your life, we have a brand-new resource for you. Shabbat: A Sacred Rhythm of Rest takes you through the biblical origins of the Sabbath, how the Jewish sages defined work and Jewish observance today. You’ll learn about setting the Shabbat table, the candle-lighting ceremony and blessings. You’ll also discover Shabbat’s relevancy for Gentile Believers, see Jesus in its Jewish traditions and find tips for establishing your own Shabbat observance. It also includes a Challah bread recipe and sample blessings you can pray over your Shabbat guests.

The word has come down; you can rest. You should rest. You’re invited to rest. Come explore the gift of Shabbat with us.

We asked you to pray, and God answered!

We have an update full of praises! To celebrate, we are singing “Hine ma Tov,” based on Psalm 133.  Let’s jump into the update, and we’ll tell you why.

We asked you to pray for our Messianic Leadership Training trip to Ethiopia, which took place in the second half of August. The training theme was unity, and the song I mentioned above is Hebrew for “Behold how good and pleasing,” referencing the first words of Psalm 133 pertaining to unity between brothers.

The two staff Rabbis who led the teaching times returned with testimony of the wonderful unity they saw develop among the leaders of the five different groups gathered from various regions of Ethiopia. Some didn’t even speak the same language, but by the end of the sessions, they were united in fellowship in the love of Yeshua.

Here are some other praises:

• Our newest staff Rabbi did an excellent job teaching, learning the history and culture, and connecting personally with leaders. This was a direct answer to your prayers
• Each teacher had significant connections or experiences during their time there.
• All the leaders we hoped would be able to attend arrived and returned safely to their home regions in Ethiopia. In fact, we had even more attendees than we had hoped for
• What was taught was caught! Our Rabbis heard the leaders repeat some of the principles they learned and also saw them put into practice

And here are some requests coming out of this fruitful time. Please pray for:

• Continued unity and growth among the members and leaders of these congregations in Ethiopia
• An ongoing receptiveness to further training and counsel among the leaders so that they may be equipped to serve the needs of their members and the larger Jewish community
• General safety and welfare of these brothers and sisters whom we partner with, especially for the Messianic Jewish leaders and members of the Jewish communities in troubled regions of Ethiopia
• Particular grace, anointing and protection over leaders the Lord is raising up for key influence and expanding influence – for such a time as this
• The Lord’s shalom in Ethiopia, in every area and among every people group
• Ease and freedom in communicating with these leaders on a continuing basis, and that distance will not be an obstacle as we attempt to develop relationships and ongoing discipleship through virtual training

Celebrate with us as we pray!

Lord, it is indeed so good and so pleasant when brothers and sisters, especially those who are one in Yeshua, live together in unity! Even though many of these dear leaders come from different cultures and regions of Ethiopia, You are giving them a vision and desire for Kingdom unity and partnership. May the fruit from this time of teaching, fellowship and impartation spread throughout their regions and beyond, impacting Ethiopia and the entire continent of Africa. You are working wonders among Your people, and we praise You! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

We’re inviting you into our staff’s Fall Week of Prayer and Fasting, taking place this month at Jewish Voice Ministries.

We know these times give us fresh experiences of intimacy with the Lord, new imbuement of power, added strength to persist and stamina to prevail in all He’s called us to do.

While we’re engaging in this week, we‘re also praying for you because we consider you part of this ministry through your giving, serving on Outreaches and prayers.

As we pray for you, will you pray along with us? This will be a key time for us, and we are fasting and praying with a sense of both great need and great expectancy. We believe the Lord can fully prepare us to fulfill what He has called us to, but we know that apart from Him, we can do nothing, and He works through fasting and prayer. Will you join us?

Here are some specific areas we will cover in prayer as we gather as a staff. Please pray with us for:

• Our partners – we are praying for you!
• The nation and people of Israel and for Jewish people everywhere to be saved
• The many ministries in Israel and elsewhere we partner with
• Messianic Jewish congregations, leaders and members that we serve in Africa and elsewhere
• Key areas here in the United States with large populations of Jewish people
• Our vision to reach as many of the scattered Jewish people groups around the globe
• Our upcoming Outreaches and the nations to which we go
• Us to effectively engage the church with God’s heart for Israel and the Jewish people in greater depth and scope than ever before
• Our ministry itself – our leaders, departments and staff

In addition, here are some biblical themes related to fasting that we are focusing on as we fast and pray.

• Longing for and Devotion to the Lord – Our fasting is not about deprivation but an invitation to draw near out of the desires of our hearts to be in His presence. See Matthew 9:15, Luke 2:37-38, Deuteronomy 8:3
• Repentance and Returning – Searching our hearts for anything that is not of Him and also praying for the Jewish people worldwide to return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through His Son, Yeshua (Jesus). This is an especially key prayer as we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur. See Joel 2:12-13, Daniel 9:3-5
• Humility and Consecration – We are humbling ourselves before the Lord, consecrating ourselves and the ministry to Him anew as we seek Him. See Ezra 8:21 and Joel 1:14
• Guidance and Discernment – As a ministry, we know we cannot rely on our own strength or wisdom. In this dark world, we need the light of His guidance and presence as never before. See 2 Chronicles 20:2-4, 12
• Deliverance and Breakthrough – We are praying and fasting for the Lord to break through with power in the lives of Jewish people, communities and congregations, and in Israel itself. May the Good News of Yeshua break through around the globe, bringing salvation, healing and freedom to Jewish people and their neighbors. See Isaiah 58:6

As mentioned above, this is also a very important season to pray for the Jewish people: during the Fall Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets), the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar), and Sukkot (the joyous Feast of Tabernacles). Join us as we pray for the Lord to meet with Jewish people globally and reveal Himself to them.

Let’s Pray

Lord, You can do anything! But You choose to work through humble human vessels like us and our partners. Will You move in mighty ways as we fast and pray and do more in us and through us than we can imagine. We love You, and we desire to be used by You to reach Your Jewish people so they, too, can know Your love, power and life for themselves. Lord, hear our prayers! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Rosh Hashanah welcomes the Jewish New Year, and this year, it begins at sunset on September 15. And on the Jewish calendar, it’s the year 5784.

Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” and falls on the biblical Feast of Trumpets. If you’re curious about why the Jewish New Year isn’t on January 1 or why it’s in the seventh biblical month rather than the first, you can find out the answers here.

As the New Year approaches, the idea of openness has been on our minds at Jewish Voice Ministries. Looking to the Jewish year 5784, we’re praying for open doors, open ears and eyes, and open hearts.

Open Doors

These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open (Revelation 3:7).

Our vision at Jewish Voice is to reach as many Jewish people as possible with the Good News of the Messiah, Jesus, no matter how far away they may be. As we discover unreached Jewish communities throughout the world, we explore their stories, oral histories, beliefs and more. Our exploratory trips over the coming months will take us to locations we have never been to as we look to see what doors God opens for us to walk through. We will visit new-to-us Jewish communities in familiar countries where we currently work and entirely new countries.

Such newness requires many open doors, from permissions at multiple levels of government to invitations from the Jewish community elders. The logistics of bringing a humanitarian Outreach to any location are vast and complicated. We pray for God to open doors in every area, preparing the way for us to share Yeshua’s (Jesus’) love and the Gospel.

Open Ears

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9).

Since just a few centuries after Yeshua walked the Earth, crusades of zealous people have falsely used His name to persecute, abuse and kill the Jewish people. Over and over again. It’s easy to see how Jewish ears have become stopped to the Good News that Jesus is indeed the Messiah they’ve waited for. We pray for God to open the ears of Jewish people we meet so that they may come to know the fullness of their Jewish identity, found only through faith in Jesus.

Open Eyes

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25 NKJV).

The Bible tells us there is a partial blindness, a partial hardening among the Jewish people today. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah with His first coming as the suffering Servant and will fulfill those remaining when He comes again as the conquering King. Pray with us that God will open Jewish eyes to see that Jesus is the Messiah promised in their Hebrew Scriptures.

Open Hearts

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message (Acts 16:14).

Loving care and meeting needs help open hearts to the Gospel, but ultimately, we know God is behind it all. We pray that God will open Jewish hearts to respond to the Gospel message and receive Jesus as their Messiah.

Personal Reflection

Ears to hear. Eyes to see. A heart to respond. What about you and the word “open”? As you take the time for traditional Rosh Hashanah reflection, ask the Lord some questions about your coming year. Here are some questions to get you started:

• What doors do You want me to walk through this year, Lord?
• What do You want to say to me? Do I need You to open my ears to anything?
• What do You want to open my eyes to?
• How do You want to open my heart more, Lord?

Prayer

Lord, help me have an open heart to the directions, doors and truths You want to lead me to in the coming year. Where there are closed doors, open them for me according to Your good and perfect will. Where my ears are closed, open them so I may truly hear You. Where my eyes are closed, open them so that I may see You and the people, paths and purposes You have for me. Where my heart is closed, open it so I can embrace all You are and have for me to know and do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Learn More

The Fall Feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot offer an extended time of reflection, repentance and drawing near to the Lord. Simchat Torah follows Sukkot as an occasion to celebrate the gift of God’s Word. Discover how these fall holidays can enrich your faith in Jesus.

A 5784 gift

In honor of the new year, would you consider giving a gift of $57.84 to share the Gospel with scattered Jewish communities throughout the world? And please pray that more hearts would become open to the Gospel through compassionate humanitarian Outreaches Jewish Voice conducts to meet their vital needs.

Prayer items from our Director of Global Outreach

Were you able to join us for our recent prayer briefing with Eric Pires, head of our Global Outreach Department? I hope so! Eric always does such a great job of engaging our hearts and fueling our prayers regarding the people and places we reach out to.

If you missed it, here is a recap of prayer requests Eric shared with us in four key and timely areas.

RECENT OUTREACHES

Please pray for these recent 2023 Outreach locations, specifically for follow-up of new Believers and others interested, congregation formation, patients who were treated, and the precious children who call these areas home:

• Konso, Ethiopia
• Chitsungo, Zimbabwe
• Mumbwa, Zambia
• Kechene, Ethiopia

ALL TRIBES UPDATE

We’ve told you about our desire to reach out to as many tribes as possible – all the scattered tribes of Jewish people. That’s why we are making an Exploration and Scouting Trip to Southeast Asia and the Horn of Africa, taking place now. Please pray for:

• Protection for our scouting team while traveling and on the ground
• The Lord to continue the process of identifying and giving us favor with “the man or woman of peace” – trustworthy individuals with significant community knowledge and influence who are open to the Good News
• Key conversations, divine appointments and divine connections
• Clear leading and guidance from the Lord, both during and after the trip, regarding the potential for future Outreaches

UPCOMING OUTREACHES

We have two Outreaches coming up this fall. Please pray for the following requests for our Medical Outreaches in Southern Ethiopia October 12–22 and Zimbabwe November 2–12

• All permissions and paperwork to be in place in good time
• Effective ministry for the local congregations we will partner with
• The Outreach work will be built on a firm foundation
• Effective follow-up with all those who express an interest in hearing more

2024 – BREAKING NEW GROUND?

Will the Lord open new doors for effective Outreaches in 2024? Only He knows, and only He can!

• Please continue to pray for clear guidance, divine connections and abundant provision to reach the scattered Jewish people with the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus)

“…Thus says the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens, and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens…”

–– Revelation 3:5

Let’s Pray

Lord, we look to You to lead the way to the specific Jewish people and locations where You know there is a readiness and openness to the Good News of Yeshua. We are eager to go where You send us! Make Your will and Your way clearly known to us. Our heart’s desire is to see Jewish people everywhere come to know Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray, AMEN.

Mumbwa, Zambia, Medical Outreach

• 8,215 Patients Received Care
• 705 People Received Dental Care
• 2,137 Eyeglasses Distributed
• 654 Children Attended the Zehra Kids Program
• 959 School Children Experienced Zehra in Their School
• 1,578 People Visited the Spiritual Care Ministry
• 514 People Professed Faith in Yeshua
• 697 People Requested Congregational Follow-up

In May, we returned to Mumbwa, Zambia, after our first Outreach there last fall.  It can often take a second visit for people to understand that we really ask nothing in return for the medical, dental and eye care we offer to a community. 

We were delighted to see a 73% increase in the number of patients seen this year over last. We also had over 55% more visitors to the Spiritual Care Ministry this time. Also, more than twice as many people accepted Jesus as Messiah as our first Outreach there. As the people learn that we genuinely care about them — and even more profoundly, that God loves them deeply and sees their needs — the door opens wider for the Gospel.

Eyecare is a tremendous need among the people in this area of Zambia — intensive care and vision correction. Even little children often need eyeglasses. A staff member of a very high-ranking government official visited during the Outreach. He, too, was amazed at the need for eyecare. He toured our eye department and walked the vast lines of patients waiting for eye care, asking them about their needs. At one point, he turned to someone with him and said, “Learn from Jewish Voice how they are meeting the needs of these people.”

Another day, a mother came to us carrying her son, who Who had Cerebral Palsy. Social stigma often accompanies such congenital disabilities or other maladies, and some presume it is a curse on the parents. At one point, this dear woman learned that the boy’s father wanted to “get rid of him,” which she understood meant killing him. The revelation shed light for her on the mysterious deaths of her previous children. She left the boy’s father and struggles today to make it alone, committed to her son.

Such a life would be difficult no matter where one lives. But in a developing country with few resources and a challenging rural lifestyle, it’s even harder. For the rest of his life, this boy must be carried by someone or eventually gain a measure of independence using his arm strength to scoot along the ground in a world that towers over him. When Jewish Voice provided him with a wheelchair, his mother’s smile told the story of her overwhelming joy and relief. What a difference it is already making in the lives of this boy and his faithful, loving mother.

You made this difference in their lives. Without you, we couldn’t have provided a wheelchair for the boy. Without you, we wouldn’t have been there at all to meet their needs and those of so many others. Thank you!

Something big for you to pray about

We have something big coming up and really hope you will prepare our way through prayer! As we told you in a previous Prayer Points regarding ways to pray for us this summer, we plan to do some investigative travel over the next few weeks in areas entirely new for Jewish Voice Ministries to see if we could do future Outreaches there.

By new areas, we mean new nations where we have never ministered. And this would also mean new Jewish people groups that we have not had an opportunity to reach before. We are sobered by the difficulties in some of the new places the Lord is leading us to investigate, but excited for what it could mean for the Jewish people there if our exploratory trip results in ministry there at a later time.

Will this summer’s exploratory trip lead to actual Outreaches in the coming months or years? We certainly hope and pray so because we know there are Jewish people who need to hear a clear message of the love and salvation of Jesus. But we know that the way must be paved in prayer – your prayers – in alignment with the Lord’s declaration through Paul in Romans 11:26 that ultimately all Israel will be saved, including those in far-off lands whose tribal names and languages we’ve barely heard of.

So, will you please pray with and for us regarding this important exploratory trip? Here are some ways to pray:

• Protection and favor everywhere and in every circumstance as we travel and explore the potential for new connections, locations and future Outreaches
• Great wisdom and discernment from the Lord that will protect and guide us in where we go and who we meet with
• Protection from spiritual warfare, opposition, and the schemes of the enemy as we do on-the-ground inquiry in new regions
• Favor for us with our in-country connection, who in turn has connections with the leaders of the Jewish community we hope to serve
• Divine appointments and favor with those community leaders – may we experience a genuine connection with them upon which to build relationships and open doors for ministry
• An opportunity to fully hear the story of their people group and how they have retained their identity within their community
• Hands-on, personal protection of the Lord upon the leaders from our ministry who will be on this trip and for their families at home

Please cover this exploratory trip in prayer over the next few weeks.

Sign up here: https://www.jewishvoice.org/247-prayer-calendar.

Let’s Pray

Lord, we don’t send these prayer requests out lightly. We believe and know that You are providing real people of prayer and intercession who will cover our small team of leaders on this trip. We need Your protection, discernment and favor. We seek Your guidance and blessing as we endeavor to do Your will in reaching out to Jewish people wherever You lead us. Thank You, Lord. And thank You for those who cover us in prayer as they pray for Your people to know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.