With Shavuot (Pentecost) just a few days away, my thoughts are drawn to the drama that unfolded on Mount Sinai where God made a covenant with the people of Israel and gave them His law so that they would walk in His ways, though they quickly fell away.
How fortunate for them and for us, that as Moses called on the name of the Lord, the first thing that the LORD wanted him (and us) to know is that: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness and truth, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished….” (Exodus 34:6-7a NASB1995)
The time spent in God’s presence, getting to know Him and His ways, changed and transformed Moses. The Scriptures say that Moses was the only one who the Lord spoke with “openly, and not in dark sayings. And he beholds the form of the LORD.” (Numbers 12:8 NASB1995) This encounter with God caused Moses’ face to shine so much that he had to put a veil on. This idea of transformation in God’s presence and of His being with us always is a great encouragement.
Recently I was inspired by the testimony of Omer Shem Tov. Captured at the Nova festival, Omer endured captivity in Gaza for 505 days. Asked how he passed the time there, he shared “I would dream of home, family and friends. You try to flee into those dreams. … It was a difficult time. A depressing time, but there was never a time when the light in me was totally extinguished. Throughout my captivity my faith was strengthened. I would just sit and talk with God.”
Asked what he would talk with God about, Omer said, “You know how there is this thing that everyone asks things from Him, but they never ask how He is? So, I would always begin with, ‘How are you, Abba? How are you feeling?’ And then, the first thing that I would do is be grateful. Thank Him that I was still alive. Thank Him that I had breath in my lungs. Thank Him for the food that I had. Thank Him for everything that I did have.” And then what after that? Omer continued, “Only then, would I begin to ask Him for things. … That He would put me on the right path. That He would help me to return home in peace. That He would direct me and strengthen me…that He would watch over my family.”
What a beautiful testimony of God’s strengthening presence. We are transformed by His light and life as we spend time with Him. Though our face may not shine as it did with Moses, those moments with Him cause His light in us to shine brighter. God did a miracle for Omer and brought him home. May this testimony of faith and resilience be an inspiration for all as we celebrate this Shavuot/Pentecost.
Blessings from Jerusalem,
Nicole Yoder Vice President for Aid & Aliyah International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
MONTHLY PRAYER POINTS June 2025
PRAYER FOR ISRAEL
1. THE GAZA FRONT
We must thank God that nearly 200 Israeli hostages held in Gaza have returned over the past 19 months of this long conflict with Hamas. The latest was Edan Alexander, who was freed just as US President Donald Trump visited the region. But there are still 58 hostages remaining in Gaza, including up to 23 presumed alive and 35 bodies. The IDF has launched a major offensive to try to defeat Hamas and return the last hostages, while also depriving Hamas of any way to control the food supply in Gaza. Please pray these efforts will be successful: a) Hamas vanquished from Gaza, and b) the remaining hostages will finally come home. Also pray that civilians in Gaza can collect food and other aid without interference by Hamas. Pray as well that Israeli leaders will make the right decisions concerning any future ceasefires, and who will rule Gaza going forward. Pray that any Palestinians in Gaza who want to voluntarily leave for another country will be allowed to do so. Pray that the surrounding Arab leaders will reject any future for Hamas in Gaza.
2. THE HOME FRONT
Israelis are paying a high price to win this war. For instance, many IDF reserve soldiers have lost their jobs or businesses due to their many months of serving combat duty. Pray for these brave soldiers and their families as they seek to recover. Recent studies also indicate that nearly half of Israelis are suffering from traumatic stress due to the war, and the waiting list for appointments to receive psychological care is at least six months long. Please pray that there will be more trauma care services available for those who urgently need it. And pray for Israeli people to look to the Lord for the healing balm of Gilead in their lives.
3. THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT
France, Saudi Arabia and several other nations are currently spearheading an effort to unilaterally force upon Israel the establishment of a Palestinian state. They will convene an international conference at the United Nations in mid-June to take “irreversible steps and concrete decisions” concerning the imposition of a two-state solution. Please pray for these efforts to utterly fail, as it could well bring divine judgment on the nations, according to the warning of Joel chapter 2 and other key biblical passages. Pray that many nations stand alongside Israel is resisting this dangerous and unwise movement, which would be an unjust reward for Palestinian terrorism. Pray that more Arab and Muslim nations will normalise relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords without first requiring the establishment of a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, several countries are considering to open national embassies in Jerusalem, including Fiji, Czech Republic, Malawi and Ecuador. Please pray that these nations and many more will open embassies in Jerusalem to honour the city and thereby align with God’s prophetic and redemptive purposes over Israel.
4. THE IRAN FRONT
The Trump administration has now held at least five rounds of talks with Iran over its renegade nuclear program. Some reports say progress has been made in the negotiations, but the US and Iran both insist wide gaps still remain, especially on whether Iran can continue to enrich its own uranium. Pray that Israel and the US will prevent Iran from ever developing nuclear weapons to threaten Israel. Pray that these negotiations will lead to the complete dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment program and its ballistic missile production. Pray that Iran will not be able to harm Israel or Jewish communities abroad. Pray that the radical Islamic regime in Tehran will be driven from power by its own people.
Prayer Guide
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
With Shavuot (Pentecost) just a few days away, my thoughts are drawn to the drama that unfolded on Mount Sinai where God made a covenant with the people of Israel and gave them His law so that they would walk in His ways, though they quickly fell away.
How fortunate for them and for us, that as Moses called on the name of the Lord, the first thing that the LORD wanted him (and us) to know is that: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness and truth, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished….” (Exodus 34:6-7a NASB1995)
The time spent in God’s presence, getting to know Him and His ways, changed and transformed Moses. The Scriptures say that Moses was the only one who the Lord spoke with “openly, and not in dark sayings. And he beholds the form of the LORD.” (Numbers 12:8 NASB1995) This encounter with God caused Moses’ face to shine so much that he had to put a veil on. This idea of transformation in God’s presence and of His being with us always is a great encouragement.
Recently I was inspired by the testimony of Omer Shem Tov. Captured at the Nova festival, Omer endured captivity in Gaza for 505 days. Asked how he passed the time there, he shared “I would dream of home, family and friends. You try to flee into those dreams. … It was a difficult time. A depressing time, but there was never a time when the light in me was totally extinguished. Throughout my captivity my faith was strengthened. I would just sit and talk with God.”
Asked what he would talk with God about, Omer said, “You know how there is this thing that everyone asks things from Him, but they never ask how He is? So, I would always begin with, ‘How are you, Abba? How are you feeling?’ And then, the first thing that I would do is be grateful. Thank Him that I was still alive. Thank Him that I had breath in my lungs. Thank Him for the food that I had. Thank Him for everything that I did have.” And then what after that? Omer continued, “Only then, would I begin to ask Him for things. … That He would put me on the right path. That He would help me to return home in peace. That He would direct me and strengthen me…that He would watch over my family.”
What a beautiful testimony of God’s strengthening presence. We are transformed by His light and life as we spend time with Him. Though our face may not shine as it did with Moses, those moments with Him cause His light in us to shine brighter. God did a miracle for Omer and brought him home. May this testimony of faith and resilience be an inspiration for all as we celebrate this Shavuot/Pentecost.
Blessings from Jerusalem,
Nicole Yoder
Vice President for Aid & Aliyah
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
MONTHLY PRAYER POINTS
June 2025
PRAYER FOR ISRAEL
1. THE GAZA FRONT
We must thank God that nearly 200 Israeli hostages held in Gaza have returned over the past 19 months of this long conflict with Hamas. The latest was Edan Alexander, who was freed just as US President Donald Trump visited the region. But there are still 58 hostages remaining in Gaza, including up to 23 presumed alive and 35 bodies. The IDF has launched a major offensive to try to defeat Hamas and return the last hostages, while also depriving Hamas of any way to control the food supply in Gaza. Please pray these efforts will be successful: a) Hamas vanquished from Gaza, and b) the remaining hostages will finally come home. Also pray that civilians in Gaza can collect food and other aid without interference by Hamas. Pray as well that Israeli leaders will make the right decisions concerning any future ceasefires, and who will rule Gaza going forward. Pray that any Palestinians in Gaza who want to voluntarily leave for another country will be allowed to do so. Pray that the surrounding Arab leaders will reject any future for Hamas in Gaza.
2. THE HOME FRONT
Israelis are paying a high price to win this war. For instance, many IDF reserve soldiers have lost their jobs or businesses due to their many months of serving combat duty. Pray for these brave soldiers and their families as they seek to recover. Recent studies also indicate that nearly half of Israelis are suffering from traumatic stress due to the war, and the waiting list for appointments to receive psychological care is at least six months long. Please pray that there will be more trauma care services available for those who urgently need it. And pray for Israeli people to look to the Lord for the healing balm of Gilead in their lives.
3. THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT
France, Saudi Arabia and several other nations are currently spearheading an effort to unilaterally force upon Israel the establishment of a Palestinian state. They will convene an international conference at the United Nations in mid-June to take “irreversible steps and concrete decisions” concerning the imposition of a two-state solution. Please pray for these efforts to utterly fail, as it could well bring divine judgment on the nations, according to the warning of Joel chapter 2 and other key biblical passages. Pray that many nations stand alongside Israel is resisting this dangerous and unwise movement, which would be an unjust reward for Palestinian terrorism. Pray that more Arab and Muslim nations will normalise relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords without first requiring the establishment of a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, several countries are considering to open national embassies in Jerusalem, including Fiji, Czech Republic, Malawi and Ecuador. Please pray that these nations and many more will open embassies in Jerusalem to honour the city and thereby align with God’s prophetic and redemptive purposes over Israel.
4. THE IRAN FRONT
The Trump administration has now held at least five rounds of talks with Iran over its renegade nuclear program. Some reports say progress has been made in the negotiations, but the US and Iran both insist wide gaps still remain, especially on whether Iran can continue to enrich its own uranium. Pray that Israel and the US will prevent Iran from ever developing nuclear weapons to threaten Israel. Pray that these negotiations will lead to the complete dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment program and its ballistic missile production. Pray that Iran will not be able to harm Israel or Jewish communities abroad. Pray that the radical Islamic regime in Tehran will be driven from power by its own people.
Events & News
Be in the know – stay updated with our latest articles and events.
ISRAEL
July 20th – 28th 2025
Ages 18 – 30+
ISRAEL
Oct. 6th – 10th
ISRAEL
Nov. 16th – 25th