Israel

Praise God that the team at Christian Mission to Gaza have been asked about Christianity while distributing food and water to those in need. Please pray for those in Gaza who have lost loved ones in the current conflict. Please pray for one particular lady, with seven children, whose husband was recently killed, leaving her to care for them with no provider.

Such uncertain times are opportunities for Christians in Israel to shine. Ask that there will be many fruitful circumstances when people find new faith and hope in Christ.

Please pray that as we lead into Passover (an Old Testament Feast) that CMJ UK will have the opportunity to engage with Jewish communities sharing the truths of the Old Testament. Pray that many will remember how God gave his people a way to escape Egypt and that many will have an interest in the Passover feast's relevance for today.

Druze in the Levant: Over one million Druze originate in the Levant region, calling themselves the 'Mowahidoon'. Their religion was founded on 9th and 10th century caliph and mystic teachings from Persia and Egypt. Like Alawi people, they believe in 'transmigration of the soul' (reincarnation). They are reticent to talk about their religion, don't accept converts and rarely intermarry with outsiders. Although they respect Jesus as a prophet, the Druze do not know him as Lord.

Palestinian Arabs of the Levant: The term 'Palestine' originates with the Philistines in Biblical times, and was reintroduced by the Romans circa 135AD. It was not used again until 1917 when the British captured the region from the Ottoman Empire. When 30 years later the UN partitioned the region into two states, Jordan and Israel, the ensuing war caused many to be expelled from their homeland, and their descendants became refugees. Pray for the 2.6% Palestinian Christians to hold onto hope and have courage to reach across barriers to Jewish and Muslim neighbours.

Bedouin Arabs in the Levant: The Bedouin traditional homeland is the Arabian Desert. Some have migrated north into the Israeli Negev region, the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai peninsula and Lebanon. They speak Bedawi Arabic and lead a harsh existence with few amenities. The Banu Sakhr and the al-Huwaytat are mostly nomadic sheep and goat herders, while the Fellahin take menial jobs or farm on the desert edge. Pray for a movement to Christ among the Levantine Bedouins.

CMS mission partners J and R, working in Bible translation in the Middle East, write that the book of Ezra will be reviewed for accuracy and readability (consultant-checked) in September. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guard against anything that would hinder this vital work. Pray, too, for J and the other Bible translators as they work to balance the time and effort on each book at each stage of the translation.

One of our local partners, Wilhelm Polikhronidi, manages a faith-based rehab centre in Tel Aviv, Israel. We praise God for Wilhelm, who has built close, trusting relationships with the eight men currently living in the rehab centre. As a result, the men are more open to hearing God’s word. Pray for God to continue working in these men’s lives, for healing and restoration. Pray for God to equip more servant-hearted people to reach those who are searching for hope in Jesus.

St Peter’s Church in Jaffa, Israel has been closed for over 70 years. Mission partners Jennifer and Kevin Cable are preparing to reopen the church building. Give thanks for four new members who have settled into the congregation and are now reading Scripture in their services, coming to Bible study and one who is preparing for baptism. Please pray for permits to be granted to allow repair of the tower at St Peter’s and for patience as the Cables wait.

In recent days, our missionaries have found that many Jewish people who previously wouldn’t engage in a conversation, are now open to talking about Jesus. One missionary who has experienced this change of attitude among the Jewish people is Misha Vayshengolts. He regularly conducts Bible studies and evangelistic bus tours for Russian-speaking Jewish migrants in Israel. These tours are extremely popular - news of them is spread among the Jewish community by word of mouth and increasing numbers are attending. Please pray that many Jewish people will be saved through these Bible studies and evangelistic tours.

IMJP reaches out to Jewish people around the world. God has used the challenging circumstances that we have all faced recently to provoke many Jewish people to consider their own spiritual state and seek him. We continue to hold local outreaches in every city where we have a missionary placed. Each outreach is organised and led by our local missionary, who partners with local churches and uses local volunteers to reach the Jewish community where they are based. Seven outreaches have taken place so far this year, with more to follow in the cities of Tel Aviv and Strasbourg