Celebrate Israel – Page 2 – For those who go, for those who stay, for those who pray.

How to respond to a crisis situation the ECI way – the power of prayer, education and advocacy

Picture: Tomas Sandell speaking at an Israel rally, a joint initiative with other pro-Israel organisations, Helsinki 16 May 2021.

This article is reposted in full from the European Coalition for Israel via Andrew Lothian.

Many of us are grieving when we see the pictures of the devastation caused by the current conflict between Israel and Hamas which began after the terrorist organisation in Gaza started firing rockets into civilian areas in Israel some ten days ago. But what can we do to help?

Government in Israel

This article was originally written 29th April 2021. The image above is the Knesset building.

Introduction: 2021 Israeli election

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Romans 13:1 NKJV

Israel held elections on 23^rd March 2021. This was the fourth election in two years, and only a year after the last election.

Likud, which is the right-wing party of the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, won 30 seats, nearly twice as many as any other party. However, they are still a long way short of the 61 seats needed to form a majority government in the 120 seat Knesset (Israeli Parliament).

May Prayer Focus

The salvation of Israelis – both Jews and Arabs
Israel’s new government formation: It looks hopeless for Bibi Netanyahu to put together a coalition.
Last night, during a massive celebration by ultra-Orthodox of Lag B’Omer on Mount Meron in northern Israel, there was a stampede which left more than 40 people dead and many more injured. Please pray for the survivors, the families of the dead and for the recovering of the injured. Also ask God to use this grave tragedy to open their eyes to the real Messiah – Yeshua.
Riots, rockets & Ramadan: Ramadan, Islam’s holy month, has proven to be once again a very violent time in Israel. There were riots in many areas including Jerusalem and Jaffa, and terrorists in Gaza shot dozens of rockets into Israel. There were calls for another intifada.
Palestinian Authority [PA] President Abbas has used Israel’s refusal to allow Arabs in Jerusalem to vote as an excuse to cancel their May 22 national elections.
Pray for the Body of Christ, the congregations to put Israel into the correct focus.
Salvation over Ramadan: This is always the best way to gain victory over God’s enemies – by seeing them become part of His, and our,in family.
The Iranian regime is playing mind games with most nations.
Messianic leaders/congregations/unity
Poverty – Pray for all those who are struggling to feed their families, pay their rent, other bills as a result of losing their jobs, or on unpaid leave.
Pray against the rise of Anti-Semitism in whatever form it takes.
Aliyah

Trevor Harris

Visiting speaker, Trevor Harris will be sharing with us at our face to face meeting – 8th May 2021 and online 15th May 2021- via a Powerpoint presentation about Prophetic Mapping in the Holy land.

Trevor Harris is the Director of Key-line Christian Research Pty Ltd. An Australian company dedicated to research into Bible sites. Qualifications include an Honours Degree in architecture and a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Research has been conducted for 20 years including seven field trips to the Middle East. He is particularly interested in promoting prophetic mapping of the Middle East.

April Prayer Focus

The salvation of Israelis – both Jews and Arabs
Israel’s Current government: Depending on how negotiations for the next government proceed the current government might still be in office for several months. And if we go to another election, which is a definite possibility, then we are looking at another five to six months in which Israel’s current government is still running the nation.
International Criminal Court: Responding to the illegal and blasphemous ICC accusations against Israel of war crimes needs to happen by next week. Yet reportedly, as of this alert, there have been no meetings to discuss what Israel’s strategy should be.
Internal security: The rumours about the up-coming Palestinian elections continue to fly. One of the most popular Palestinians to challenge Abbas is the terrorist Marwan Barghouti who is serving several life sentences in jail in Israel. If he wins, expect pressure from an anti-Semitic, anti-Zionistic world to fall on Israel to release him, with likely unfair comparisons to Nelson Mandela.
External security: Today all of Israel’s dangerous external security issues come from Iran and its proxies: Hizbullah in Lebanon and Syria; Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza; the Houthis in Yemen and the various Iraqi proxies Iran is trying to establish. Iran’s proxies in Yemen now have long range missiles which can reach Israel.
Messianic leaders/congregations/unity
Pray for the Gentile Church in the nations to arise and to re-connect with its Hebraic family and the complete story.
The Coronavirus crisis in Israel easing – nation still struggling as life resumes after lockdown.
Poverty – Pray for all those who are struggling to feed their families, pay their rent, other bills as a result of losing their jobs, or on unpaid leave.
Pray against the rise of Anti-Semitism in whatever form it takes.
Aliyah.

Passover and Communion

Luke 22:7-8, 13-20 (NKJV):

Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” … So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.”

When we celebrate communion, we are remembering what is called the Last Supper, the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples before His death. As we can see from this passage in Luke, the Last Supper was actually a Passover meal. The Passover is a significant feast which has been celebrated by the Jews for many, many centuries, down to this present day. It is very much a family meal, and the children are important participants in the celebration.

The Passover Lamb

Passover 2021 (Sunset 27th March to nightfall 4th April) is not far off. Passover (פֶּסַח‎ Pesach in Hebrew) has come in prayer and worship as a prophetic statement from the Lord many times. It is time to consider and declare Passover over the current world situation and Australia.

Let’s consider what the true Passover is. First, it is the story of the final plague of Egypt (Angel of Death) passing over the Israelites who were captive in Egypt. (Exodus 12:12-13) All who had the blood of a sacrificial lamb painted on the door posts were saved from the death plague. It is in the Passover Lamb we are delivered.

March Prayer Focus

The salvation of Israelis – both Jews and Arabs
Israel General Election 23rd March. Pray that the Lord will give Israel a fully functioning government following the election.
Messianic leaders/congregations/unity
The Coronavirus crisis in Israel that the vaccine would be effective
Poverty – Pray for all those who are struggling to feed their families and pay their rent and other bills as a result of losing their jobs or being laid off on unpaid leave.
Pray against the rise of Anti-Semitism in whatever form it takes.
Aliyah.

The Esther Generation: Purim

May we, the Australian family come alongside of Israel in her hour of need.

Key Points from the Book of Esther

This week is Purim, from the evening of the 25th of February until the evening of the 26th of February.
It is an ancient Festival with a modern application.

The Book of Esther (Hebrew: מְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּר, Megillat Esther), also known in Hebrew as ‘the Scroll’ (Megillah):
God’s name is not mentioned once in these ten chapters, but His workings are evident on every page. He is always at work behind the scenes. Continue reading “The Esther Generation: Purim”

February Prayer Focus

These are our prayer items for February 2021

The salvation of Israelis – both Jews and Arabs
Israel’s leaders/Government – March 23rd election (Give Israel a government that will not need to submit to Haredi manipulation to function.)
Messianic leaders/congregations/unity
Covid 19 – restrictions lifting, life resuming.
Pray for all those organisations that are reaching out to the poor and needy at this time.
Pray that the Palestinian Authority will organise a vaccination program for its people very soon.
Aliyah, that many Jews would return to the Land
Ein Yakov our prayer sponsored street in Mea She’arim, Jerusalem
Ministries supported by Celebrate Israel