Dear Prayer Partners,
In the month of October, we will celebrate the biblical feasts: Rosh Hashanah (Day of Trumpets), Yom Kippur(Day of Atonement), and Succot (the Feast of Tabernacles). This last festival recalls God’s goodness and provision during the time of Israel’s wanderings in the Wilderness, when they lived in booths. But this year’s Feast comes as Israel will also be marking the one-year anniversary of last October 7 and the deadliest assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.Jewish communities in Israel and around the world will hold memorial ceremonies to remember this very dark day, and the loss of so many loved ones – husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, and so many good friends.
The war on Israel’s borders goes on and the focus has recently shifted to restoring security and returning evacuee families in the North. Some fear the remaining hostages in Gaza will be forgotten, though the efforts to bring them home continue. The nation is crying out with broken hearts, longing to have them back. Many Israelis have life-long physical injuries and mental traumas from this war. The nation is searching for answers, even more so during this period, as they days before Yom Kippur is a time to search your soul and seek forgiveness from God and man.
Amid all this pain and longing, we will keep praying that the Spirit of God will touch the nation of Israel and bring them healing. It is not by human efforts, but by the Spirit of God that the needed answers will come (Zechariah 4:6; Isaiah 61:1-3).
Despite the uncertainties, the ICEJ will be hosting our annual Feast of Tabernacles gathering in Jerusalem. We are expecting hundreds of courageous Christians to join us in Jerusalem and many more online. We will show our solidarity to the nation of Israel, including visiting the Gaza border area. Please pray that all the preparations will go well, but most important that our presence will be a great comfort to the people of Israel. Our Feast theme is: “by My Spirit, says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6).
Lastly, I want to encourage you to pray for restored hope, joy and peace for Israel. It might be a paradox in this difficult time and many remembrance ceremonies, but one of the chief characteristics of the Israeli people is resilience. So, please pray that they may find a way to hold on to hope in God and in a better, more peaceful future. We know it is possible with the Spirit of God, even when our own strength fails.
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Thank you for praying together with us. Since October 7, we have had thousands of Christians worldwide praying daily for Israel. It is a great testimony to our Israeli friends and brothers in the Lord. They are truly amazed and encouraged by our prayers and unwavering support.
Many Blessings,
David Van der Walt
Vice President for Finance
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
MONTHLY PRAYER POINTS
October 2024
PRAYER FOR ISRAEL
1. THE NORTHERN FRONT
Thank the Lord for answering our prayers during the current escalation between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon. Over recent weeks, the Lord led us to pray that there would be a clear separation between the terrorists in Lebanon and innocent Lebanese civilians, like separating killer bees and honey bees. Israel apparently was able to do this with the series of rigged pager and walkie-talkie explosions specifically targeting several thousand known Hizbullah operatives. Additionally, Israel has successfully targeted the entire leadership of their elite Radwan force as well as their rocket commander and drone commander, severely impacting their ability to fire upon Israel or stage a ground invasion of northern Israel. Pray that Israel’s leaders will continue to have the wisdom, intelligence and means to press the battle against the enemy and achieve a swift victory. Pray for the evacuees to return home and for peace to return to Israel. Pray that Hizbullah will lose its grip on power in Lebanon.
2. THE SOUTHERN FRONT
Praise the Lord that most of the Hamas military command structure and brigade formations in Gaza have been decimated. Keep praying that the remaining Hamas and Islamic Jihad forces will be eliminated, including Yahyeh Sinwar. Most importantly, please continue to pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
3. THE HOME FRONT
Pray for the people of Israel as they approach one year since the brutal Hamas massacres last October 7. Besides official state ceremonies to commemorate this great tragedy, Jewish families also will observe a traditional one-year morning period (yahrzeit) for any close relative’s death. With over 1,200 Israelis killed on Simchat Torah last October, there are many families and friends who will mark their losses over the coming weeks. Pray that God will be a great comfort to them in this difficult time of remembrance (Isaiah 60:1-3; Jeremiah 31:13; Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
4. FEAST OF TABERNACLES
The ICEJ’s Feast of Tabernacles will take place from October 16-23. Despite the tense situation here in Israel, we are determined to “keep the Feast” as the prophet Zechariah said (14:16). This Feast is shaping up to be a uniquely powerful and timely statement of steadfast Christian support for the Jewish nation and people. Please pray that the window will remain open for an in-person Feast to take place, and that the Lord will draw a faithful remnant to join us in Jerusalem. Pray that they can find flights at affordable rates. Pray that our presence in the Land will be a source of great encouragement to those who lost close family and friends in this war and to those who are starting to rebuild their lives. Pray for the anointing of God’s Spirit to rest heavily upon our Feast speakers and worship leaders. Pray for the safety of all our Feast participants. And pray about joining us for this year’s Feast, whether in Jerusalem or online, as the Lord leads you.
