Israeli Secret Service On Alert

Three recent terror plots in India, Georgia and Thailand have targeted Israeli and American diplomatic missions. Although there were no deaths or serious damage, these attacks are an ever-present reminder of the threats to Israel's security. They have provided a wake-up call for the Israeli secret service to keep a close eye on Iranian sleeper cells and other countries friendly to Iran. (Haaretz)

Please pray for Israel's protection both inside and outside her borders.

Wife of Israeli Ambassador to India Injured in Attack

The Israeli diplomat's wife who was wounded in the bomb attack in New Delhi has returned to Israel via airlift. A motorcyclist attached a bomb to her car while she was on her way to pick up her children from school, then detonated it remotely. Israel has blamed Iran for the attack, but India says the evidence is inconclusive. (JTA)

Please pray for emotional and physical healing for the Israeli diplomat's wife.

Upcoming Purim Celebrations

The Jewish holiday of Purim (celebrated on March 8 this year) is a fun time in Israel: children dress up in their favorite costumes – usually little girls as Queen Esther and boys as any mighty man found in the Bible. Israelis traditionally send elaborately decorated Purim Baskets filled with food and drink to friends, family, business associates, and teachers. Many also give gifts to charitable organizations that help the needy. These customs come from Esther 9:22, in which the Jewish people are instructed to "...make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor."

This is a perfect time to pray for our soup kitchen and distribution centers for the poor and needy. You can also give a gift to help us in this important work!

Messiah's Love Opens Homes and Hearts

Maxim K., a Chosen People Ministries staff member in the Holy Land, is thankful that the Lord has provided new furniture for our center in Sderot, a small town near the border with Gaza. The center will soon house ten volunteers from Germany who will help with the distribution of food packages. At the moment, the Sderot center is helping 240 families in the city, including Holocaust survivors. The volunteer team will be helping repair their apartments and providing other practical assistance, as well as visiting them and praying with them. Maxim describes his heart for this work: "I truly believe that this ministry of caring will open people's hearts to see Jesus!"

Antisemitism on the Rise in the Church of England

The Church of England's ongoing hostility to Israel and Zionism is rooted in a deep dislike for Jews. A highly influential Church of England vicar has promoted a website that supports Holocaust denial and warns of Zionist conspiracies. Many UK clerics are now saying openly that the Jewish State should never have been founded. Some have encouraged boycotts of companies on the basis that they "channel their profits to the Zionist agenda." In their rhetoric, they reject the eternality of God's promises to the Jewish people and revive the anti-Jewish theology known as "supersessionism." (Ynet)

Please pray that the Lord would touch the hearts of those who hate His chosen people.

Iran Nuclear Threats Reminiscent of Cold War Tensions

As Iran supposedly grows closer to having nuclear weapons capability, there are rumors that the Israeli government (and others) are considering a preemptive strike on Iran's facilities. The current situation is reminiscent of the years after World War II, as the Soviet Union approached nuclear capability and the United States faced a threat from Cuba, 90 miles off the coast. At that time, the United States saw Moscow as irrational, aggressive and utterly unconcerned with human life. The same can be said of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, considering his speeches in favor of Israel's annihilation. (CNN)

Please pray for wisdom for world leaders in deciding what actions to take against Iran.

Tel Aviv Buses on the Sabbath?

The city of Tel Aviv is seeking government permits to run buses on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Ever since the modern State of Israel was established, transportation, as well as government offices, businesses, schools and most stores, have not operated on the Jewish holy day. However, soldiers, teenagers, young Israelis and poorer people who cannot afford a car or pay for a taxi often do need to travel on the Sabbath. Most residents of Tel Aviv are secular (unlike the many ultra-Orthodox residents of Jerusalem) and many are in favor of such a change. It is easy to understand why this is a highly controversial proposal. (YNet)

Please pray for wisdom for the decision-makers in this situation.

Iran: Zionist Regime is a Cancer

Tehran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised that the world will soon be rid of the "cancerous Zionist regime" and pledged Iran’s help to anyone working to eliminate Israel. Khamenei made these statements while addressing thousands of worshippers attending a Tehran University prayer service. He said that any threats from the United States only show its weakness, and that Iran will not forfeit its nuclear ambitions despite the sanctions. After his speech, the crowd chanted, "Death to Israel." (Ynet)

Please pray for Israel's protection against its enemies and for Iran’s threats not to turn into action.

Ancient Jewish Scrolls Found in Afghanistan

There was once a vibrant Jewish community living in Afghanistan along the Silk Road, but little was known of their culture. Recently, scrolls with poems, commercial records and judicial agreements were found, providing a window into a unique ancient Jewish society. The scrolls, written in the Judeo-Persian language, date back to the 11th century. They are currently in the possession of antique dealers in London, who value the scrolls at several million dollars. (Ynet)

Tu B'Shvat – Israeli Earth Day

This holiday, on which Israelis honor God’s creation, began on the evening of February 7 and ended on the evening of February 8. The holiday falls at the beginning of the planting season after the winter rains have soaked the fields. Many people plant trees in remembrance of Leviticus 19:23 – "When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food..." Israelis today find it important to eat locally-produced foods in season and to practice responsible farming. On Tu B'Shvat, Israelis eat nuts, dried fruits and fresh produce in special holiday dishes and classes make field trips to plant trees. (JPost)

Please pray for a special harvest this year with bountiful rain and yields.

Special Award for Work Among Holocaust Survivors

A new award to honor those who have worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of Holocaust survivors will be given to sixteen recipients in Tel Aviv. There are about 207,000 Holocaust survivors whose living conditions are very bad – many are below the poverty line – and their needs increase as they grow older. The recipients of the award, including an official who fought hard to raise pensions for Holocaust survivors, have helped these survivors live in dignity. (JPost)

Please pray for these dear people who have lived through so much and who are now struggling in Israel.

Skiing on Israel's Mount Hermon

Israel's tallest mountain, Mt. Hermon, received 1.5 meters of snow during a weekend snowstorm. The storm temporarily closed major roads in the Golan Heights and added 11 centimeters to the Sea of Galilee. Despite a rainy January, the Sea of Galilee is still 44 centimeters below the "red line" that indicates an adequate water level. As snowfall is rare in Israel, many people find it very exciting. Crowds converged on Mt. Hermon after the blizzard to ski and play in the snow. (JPost)

Please pray for more rain to come to Israel.

Elite Chefs Tour Israel

A delegation from the group "Club des Chefs des Chefs," or "Chefs of the Heads of State," which included chefs from the White House, the Kremlin, the Élysée Palace and the German Chancellery, toured Israel in early February and cooked a gala dinner in an initiative called "Cooking for Peace." The chefs prepared specialties from their home countries with the help of Israeli and Palestinian chefs. The proceeds from the dinner went to support youth programs in Tel Aviv and Jaffa. (JTA)

Please pray for many avenues of building peace between Israel and the Palestinians, including this unique opportunity.

Gilad Shalit Welcomed In France

The Shalit family – released soldier Gilad along with his parents, Noam and Aviva – traveled to France, where Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed them at the Elysee Palace. They thanked the French President personally for his commitment to Gilad's release from Gaza. Noam and Aviva were the guests of honor at a banquet held by the Council of French Jewish Institutions, and received standing ovations. Gilad did not attend, as it is still difficult for him to be in large crowds; his integration back into normal life is a slow process. Noam addressed the attendees, "We always knew that you, the French, and you, Mr. President, would never tire until our son returned to us." He also thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for his courage in going ahead with the deal and bringing Gilad home after five years in captivity. (Haaretz)

Please pray for Gilad Shalit's continued adjustment and healing.

Harvard Professor Says Israel Needs to Strike Iran Now

Harvard University history professor Niall Ferguson, speaking to Newsweek magazine, said that the current Iranian threat is like the Arab world's threat to destroy Israel in 1967, and Israel must attack now. Dr. Ferguson believes that the United States would come to Israel's defense if Israel was to take action to slow down Iran's nuclear development or even destroy the facilities altogether. In his view, the United States cannot see the price of oil at $200 a barrel (as Iran is a big exporter of oil and would close the Strait of Hormuz) and there would be a tremendous backlash for not standing by Israel's side. Ferguson stated, "War is evil, but sometimes a preventive war can be a lesser evil than a policy of appeasement. The people who don't yet know that, are the ones still in denial about what a nuclear-armed Iran would end up costing us all." (Arutz-7)

Please pray for wisdom for all the governments involved in deciding how to deal with Iran’s threats.

Latest Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks Fail

Israeli and Palestinian representatives recently met in Amman, Jordan, to continue peace negotiations. This latest round of talks was encouraged by the Quartet of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. Israel has said that it will negotiate with a Palestinian unity government if Hamas agrees to dismantle its terror infrastructure. However, no progress was made in the negotiations. (JPost)

Please pray for continued peace negotiations in the Middle East.

Hezbollah's Weapons Concern U.N. Secretary-General

On a recent visit to Beirut, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that he was deeply concerned about Hezbollah's military capacity and the lack of progress in disarmament. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah responded, "We want you, the United States and Israel to be concerned. Hezbollah will not relinquish its weapons." The weapons in question are tens of thousands of ballistic missiles, which were supplied by Iran and shipped to Lebanon via Syria. Many of these weapons, which are aimed at Israel's civilian population, are placed near Lebanese schools, hospitals and mosques. (Haaretz)

Please pray for this network of terrorist weapons in Lebanon to be dismantled so that citizens of both Israel and Lebanon can live in peace.

Messianic Israeli Leaders Receive Training

Chosen People Ministries is starting a new discipleship program for Israeli leaders. This program is a three-year enterprise that deals with practical issues of Messianic faith. Twenty leaders from various Israeli Messianic congregations will participate. The program will provide teaching on the issues of practical theology, as well as serve to unite the younger generation of Israeli leaders.

Pray for the body of Messiah in the Holy Land to be strengthened in its unity and witness.

Tightening Sanctions on Iran

The United States is increasing the pressure on Iran by imposing restrictions on the country's third largest bank, which has allegedly been helping in developing Iran's nuclear program. These sanctions will deepen Iran's isolation by not allowing the bank to access the United States' financial system to fund its nuclear program. The European Union recently banned imports of oil from Iran, thus affecting a major source of the country’s income. (Haaretz)

Please pray that the nuclear program in Iran does not result in functional nuclear weapons that could be used for long-range attacks.

New Treatments Help the Blind in Israel

Blindness in Israel has declined by 51% over the past decade as new treatments have become more advanced and more widely available. Diseases affecting the retina, blindness from glaucoma, and complications due to diabetes have decreased, and the country's social medicine and health maintenance organizations are providing excellent follow-up care. People with cataract problems, for example, can now have corrective surgery almost immediately as opposed to waiting for a year as in the old health care systems. (Haaretz)

Praise God for advances in medical technology that enable the blind to see! Pray for Israelis to have spiritual insight as well.

A Step Forward for Migrant Workers in Israel

Migrant workers in Israel have very few legal rights and are frequently sent back to their home countries. This has been a hotly debated issue, as many of these workers have young children who know only Israel as their home (and speak Hebrew in school). A new law protects foreign workers from being arrested and deported if they have applied for legal status and have children who were born in Israel. To qualify, the workers must have entered the country legally and their children must have been in the country for at least five years. (JPost)

Please pray for the thousands of families who face the difficult decision whether to stay in Israel or return to their home countries.

Shortage of Gas Masks May Leave Israelis Unprotected

There is a possibility that Israel's Home Front Command may run out of gas mask protective kits in three months, potentially leaving millions unprotected against biological and chemical warfare. Currently, 55% of Israeli citizens – about 4.2 million people – have gas masks. One senior official said, "We don't have the budget to produce the gas masks – and even if we did, it would take two years to manufacture them." November and December 2011 saw a sharp increase in gas mask requests after the United Nations nuclear watchdog released a report that Iran is in the process of developing nuclear weapons. (YNet)

Please pray that the citizens of Israel never have to use their gas masks!

Iran Ambassador attends Holocaust event

The Iranian ambassador to Hungary attended an event honoring the 100th birthday of Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who granted Swedish diplomatic papers to 20,000 Jews so that they could escape the fate of the 600,000 Jews that were murdered in Hungary during the Holocaust. This is especially significant in light of the Holocaust denying statements made by Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Wallenberg was taken into custody by the Soviets at the end of the war and never heard from again. He was 32. (JPost)

Pray for the salvation of those Jewish people and their descendants who were saved from death by this Righteous Gentile.

Saving the Dead Sea

A group of environmental activists has banded together with the aim of saving the Dead Sea, which is at risk of disappearing. Various companies harvest the Dead Sea's minerals and salt so aggressively that the ecosystems and water levels have suffered damage. In 50 years, it could cease to be a water source. The environmental group aims to preserve the Dead Sea's natural resources, stop the plunging water levels in the northern basin, and arrange a new management system for mineral extraction. The environmentalists would also like to require companies to repair all damages they have caused to the region's natural resources, or else risk losing their contracts. (JPost)

Please pray for the preservation of God’s creation.

15,000 Israeli Credit Cards Exposed

A Saudi hacker has exposed the details of almost 15,000 Israeli credit card numbers, and has threatened to release the details of over a million additional cards. The credit card companies are busy canceling the cards before these numbers are used illegally. Israel vows to bring the offender to justice, as cyber attacks are a breach of sovereignty comparable to a terrorist operation. So far, it seems that the financial damage has been minimal and credit card companies have promised to pay back those whose credit cards were used. (Haaretz)

Pray for the security of Israel's electronic, computer, and financial systems.

Media Focuses on Social Issues

In 2011, Israel's media published fewer stories on entertainment and defense and more stories on social and public welfare issues. This awareness of social issues was driven by grassroots movements protesting the rising costs of rent and food prices, and aiming to make these issues big enough for the government to notice and take action. (Haaretz)

Please pray for those who struggle financially and have a hard time making ends meet in the Promised Land.

United Nations to Visit West Bank

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is preparing to visit Palestinian government leaders in the West Bank city of Ramallah, although the exact date has yet to be set. The Palestinians have been pursuing creative measures to try to secure statehood, like joining the UN agency UNESCO or trying to go before the UN's 192-member General Assembly where the United States does not have veto power. The United States and Israel object to UN recognition of Palestinian statehood, insisting that a negotiated peace agreement must be reached first. Face to face talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders will resume in Amman, Jordan next week. (Haaretz)

Please pray for wisdom in dealing with the sensitive matter of Palestinian statehood, and pray for fruitful peace negotiations.

700 Rockets Fired on Southern Israel in 2011

According to the Israeli military, nearly 700 rockets, mortars, and long-range missiles were fired on southern Israel in 2011. Thankfully, most of these rockets fell in the desert and did not make direct hits on buildings. The Israeli Home Front Command is working on implementing rocket warning systems using mobile phones, the Internet and television. (JTA)

Please pray for the protection of the civilian population centers that lie within the range of these rockets.

Doors Open for Ministry to Israeli Children

Chosen People Ministries worker Maxim K. is thankful for a new ministry opportunity in a children's orphanage in Jerusalem. The orphanage is home to fifty children ages 6-16 whose parents have been denied parental rights by a court of law. During the Hanukkah holidays, Maxim organized a trip for these children to the place where David defeated Goliath. The group also visited our Messianic Center in Tel Aviv, ate pizza together, played, sang, and fellowshipped. Maxim writes, "All the kids returned home with big smiles on their faces!"

Pray for further opportunities to brighten these children’s lives with the love of Messiah.