From the Frontlines

Bringing a Sense of Home to Soldiers 

When the war first broke out a few weeks ago, we had many volunteers wanting to help. Some helped pack food parcels, while others delivered them to military bases and displaced Israelis. We also had the opportunity to prepare sandwiches and hot meals for 300 soldiers at a kibbutz near Gaza, close to where the massacre first took place on October 7, which gave us the chance to spend time in prayer with some of the soldiers.

A few days later, we went to the Lebanon border with nutritious food. We had the privilege of reaching a unit on the very outskirts of the border area. Our staff member recounts: “The commander kept shaking my hand, and he said, ‘You have no idea how much this means to our soldiers. Yes, we have food, but it’s tuna fish in a can.’ Home cooking means so much for the soldiers. Everyone was really grateful, and we took time to pray.”

Praying with the Israeli Army

One of our staff members received a call requesting water bottles for soldiers near the Lebanese front. As he connected with the commander, Major “E,” we soon discovered a need for 120 liters of water (approximately 44 gallons). Once we reached the meeting point, we could clearly see clouds of artillery fire over the Lebanon border.

Major “E” met us and gladly took the water and soda. He immediately distributed it to the soldiers. Our staff leader prayed for his safety and courage for our soldiers. Moments like this encourage us as we do something concrete while we pray for Israel’s courageous soldiers.

Praying for Messianic Jewish Believers

One of our staff members shares a treasured experience with people they minister to in Tel Aviv:

We had prepared goodie bags of supplies for a couple of dear soldiers on reserve duty who attend our HaMercaz events.  They are our friends, and we wanted to encourage people within our community.  We called Yakov* to say we had something for him. A few days later, on Friday, late in the afternoon, we had a surprise knock on our door from him—he happened to be off duty for the Sabbath. He was on his way home to his mother’s apartment (for a soldier, there is nothing like home cooking, mom’s laundry, and a clean bed). He sat with us for a little while, and we had a chance to pray for him and encourage him. Taking time outside of our tasks and projects to encourage individuals is very important.  We said goodbye to Yakov and were filled up and ready for what the Lord has for us to do next.

Pray for an Interest in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah Prophesied

In the midst of war, we still have individual requests for six dozen copies of Isaiah 53 Explained books in Hebrew. These requests came from all over the country, so our prayers are for the books to arrive, for people to read them, and then, eventually, for them to contact us to continue exploring the truth of God’s Word—Jesus is the Messiah!

Please pray for Israel right now.  As you pray over the above updates from our staff, pray our team and the people to whom they minister would feel the Messiah’s love, care, and comfort for them.

We also invite you to pray for:

• freedom for the hostages—more than 224 people, including women, children, babies, and the elderly
• safety and wisdom for Israel’s leaders and commanders
• protection for the Israel Defense Forces soldiers, police, and emergency services—especially as the ground operation in Gaza is moving forward
• the almost 800 believing soldiers serving in the IDF at the moment to be a light and a witness for Yeshua—our global ministries have four soldiers serving in their units
• a clear plan for fighting Hamas despite the deadly tunnels and their use of hospital rooftops to shoot rockets
• positive exposure in the media, as propaganda and fake news are inciting anti-Zionism and hatred against Jewish people
• safety for Jewish communities around the world, especially as chants from large crowds cry, “Free Palestine!” which really means “Destroy Israel!”
• the salvation of Jewish people and Arabs
• our staff who are working tirelessly but with joy to be able to minister to others and supply basic needs
• the body of Jesus, the Messiah, as it has incredibly come together in this time of crisis
• the Enemy not to interfere in the work being done in Israel