Specific Prayers for the Fall Feasts
L’Shanah Tovah! This Prayer Points email begins by wishing you a Happy New Year! Oh, how we feel the need for a fresh start in troubled times – a reset, a new beginning!
Rosh Hashanah, the “head of the year” in Hebrew, began the evening of September 22 this year and went through today, September 24. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, known as the Feast of Trumpets in most English Bibles, although it actually translates to “Day of Blasting.” Most Jewish traditions involve blowing or blasting the shofar 100 times on Rosh Hashanah.
Yom Teruah marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of intensified soul-searching and introspection that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.*
Below are some ways we can pray for ourselves and for Jewish people during this time of God’s appointed Feasts. Let’s pray that the shofar blasts of Yom Teruah will truly be a wake-up call and a time of preparation that ushers in God’s great mercy, justice, and renewal.
- May Gentile people, especially the global Church, “wake up” to God’s heart for the Jewish people and the centrality of Jerusalem and Israel in End Time events and His future Kingdom
- Just as the blowing of the shofar traditionally represents the arrival of a king, may we be both expectant and busy in preparing for the return of our King, which is closer each day
- May we have sober and repentant hearts, and as Believers, fully rely on the atonement provided for us by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus the Messiah
- May Jewish people everywhere take note of world events and the signs of the times, and seek the Lord through repentance and a desire to be in right standing with God
- May Yeshua (Jesus) Himself be revealed as the Messiah and coming King who will set all wrong right and usher in the eternal Kingdom of God
Following Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is Sukkot (the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles). This glorious season looks back to when the children of Israel dwelled in sukkahs, tents or “booths,” in the wilderness and rejoiced in God’s faithfulness. It also looks forward to the day when the Lord will dwell with His people forever.
Sukkot is called the “season of our joy,” and we are commanded to rejoice. This year, Sukkot begins right before the second anniversary of the murderous and vile terror attacks of October 7, 2023. Lord, give us the renewal of joy in Your presence and may we also experience the joy of seeing the hostages returned!
Let’s draw near to the Lord during these Fall Holy Days, aligning our hearts with the spiritual nature and meaning of each one and praying for the Jewish people around the world to meet with the Lord during this season as well.
*You can learn more about the Fall Feasts with the article “A Rabbi Looks at the Fall Feasts” on our website.
