Prayer Points for Christian Friends of EMUNAH Israel

“Lord God of Armies, who is like You, Mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You…. For our shield belongs to the Lord…”
(Psalm 89:9, 19)

Dear Friends of EMUNAH,

In the month of May the People of Israel will be observing three significant days. Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) in Israel begins on the evening of Sunday the 5^th of May. On that day we set aside time to remember the 6 million Jewish People who were savagely murdered by the Nazi Germany and their collaborators. We also remember the bravery of the Jewish Resistance in instances like the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

This year Yom HaShoah will be especially solemn and relevant in the shadow of Oct. 7^th and the unfolding events. Anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head in a way the world has not seen since the 1930’s and 1940’s. Yom HaShoah reminds us that defending our Homeland – the one Jewish State in the world – is paramount.

Then, starting at sundown on Sunday the 12^th of May, we will observe Remembrance Day (Yom HaZikaron), where we honor the memory of our fallen soldiers. It is difficult to imagine how sad this year’s observance will be, with so many hundreds of heroes who have fallen since Oct. 7^th.  Too many of Israel’s ‘best sons and daughters’ have bravely fallen in battle defending our Homeland.

The next day, beginning at sundown on Monday the 13^th of May, we celebrate Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Hatzmaut). The close proximity of these two dates is a sobering reminder that Israel’s freedom and independence is directly linked to the heroism and sacrifice of so many brave men and women. Please remember Israel and the Jewish People in prayer as we grieve and remember our fallen soldiers, and celebrate the fact that God fulfilled His ancient promises to bring us back into our own Homeland.

Seven months post-October 7^th massacre, Israel continues to fight for her safety and survival. As Israel remains in this intense state of war and vigilance, support from friends and allies is so valuable. Global expressions of anti-Semitism abound. The pro-Hamas, anti-Israel protests sweeping U.S. university campuses are truly alarming. And, tragically, so much of the international community has displayed an unreasonable, hateful anti-Israel bias. Nevertheless, Israel must neutralize the threat of Hamas terror — not only for the protection of Israel – but also for the safety of the global community and all who stand for Judeo-Christian values.

As the IDF awaits the go-ahead for the Rafah operation, nothing is more clear than the need for Israel to finally and fully eliminate Hamas. Please join us in prayer that God/Hashem will deliver the remaining Hamas leaders into Israeli hands bringing a swift end to the war and the release of the hostages.

Yet, our hearts are also full of amazement for the great miracle that we witnessed in the Holy Land several weeks ago. No one knew what destruction would occur when Iran launched a direct attack on Israel on April 14^th. As we waited and prayed in our bomb shelters, we saw the truth that Israel’s true source of defense does not lie in the technologically sophisticated Iron Dome and IDF. Even the Iron Dome and the other anti-missile technology that Israel and her allies engaged when Iran attacked Israel about 2 weeks ago were only supposed to have 90% effectiveness. The fact that 99% of all of the 350 missiles and drones were shot out of the sky and only one person in the whole country was injured in the attack – was a true miracle. God/Hashem is a ‘MAGEN’ – a shield and a defense – and He protected Israel from this dangerous threat.

“They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorn; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” (Psalms 118:12:14)

Thank you to those of you who are standing with us, supporting us, and praying with us in these perilous (and miraculous) times. You bring us so much hope. Your friendship and care gives us strength. TODAH RABA.

Please could you pray (in faith!) with us this month…

For the estimated 132 hostages still held in Hamas’ terror tunnels in Gaza. May the Lord protect them and strengthen them. May they be returned home soon and safely. May He bring comfort to them and their families as they painfully wait and endure. Please pray that the Government and decision-makers would have (and heed!) clear wisdom from God about how to proceed. May God Almighty show them how to best help the hostages, wipe out militant terrorism from Gaza, and win this war.
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7)
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.” (Psalm 107:19)

For Wisdom for the Leaders of Israel. Pray for shalom, unity, and healing in the Land. Pray for the leadership of Israel, especially Prime Minister Netanyahu and the leaders of the IDF, that God will give them wisdom to govern Israel in justice and righteousness. Pray that the Lord will help them to make wise decisions that will bring the war to an end soon – with a decisive victory – while protecting the lives of the soldiers and civilians on the ground.
“Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king’s Son. He will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice.” (Psalm 72:1-2)

For the traumatized and grieving families across Israel. Over 600+ IDF soldiers have lost their lives since Oct. 7th. The loss of the 1,200+ Israelis who were brutally murdered on Oct. 7th by Hamas terrorists, continues to be a source of heavy grief for their friends and families. May their memory be a blessing. May God comfort the families of the bereaved as only He can. Pray that hope can be restored, and lives rebuilt, in a way that honors the memory and sacrifice to those who have fallen.
“…Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.” (Psalm 56:8b-9)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

For the soldiers and reservists on the frontlines in Gaza and around Israel’s borders. Pray for the families of all those husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters serving in the IDF. Pray that they may know God’s shalom, peace, strength and comfort while their loved ones serve. May God Almighty grant them each protection, alertness, strength, courage, wisdom, and help. May they return home safely to their families.
“I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:1-2)

For the war relief efforts of EMUNAH Israel. Please pray for EMUNAH’s professional staff who, in this time of intense need and stress, are on the ground across 73 cities serving Israel’s most needy families. EMUNAH is providing crucial crisis counselling services, food for Holocaust Survivors, day care, residential care, schools spaces for displaced families, and much more.
“Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me—they have no regard for you. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” (Psalm 86:14-17)

For new bridges of healing and reconciliation between the Jewish community and the Christian community, especially as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and work together to care for the most vulnerable families in the Holy Land.
“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, they shall never hold their peace day nor night: ‘You that are the Lord’s remembrances, take ye no rest, And give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7)

May the Lord grant Israel a speedy and decisive victory:
“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of God/Hashem, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45)

We are so grateful to our Christian Friends for their prayers and support in this difficult time. Thank you from your EMUNAH Israel Family