The
Prayer Assignment
Against Terrorism is Spiritual!
by Donna Diorio
Reviewing the 24th Anniversary of the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
I am sitting here contemplating what to say about the 24th year of
producing the Weekly Summary of Prayer
Requests from Israeli Ministries. Later I launched Arrows from Zion in 2005 after my second trip to Israel. Wanting to
get it right, I searched my Word files trying to find the first summary I put
together for a super small team of intercessors at a Messianic synagogue. My
first issues are mysteriously missing from my files, but I did find many memory
refreshers from 2002.
The first Israel Prayer meeting was
on Thursday, August 21, 2001. We were to pray exclusively for the believer
citizen Israeli ministries. It was often a struggle to keep intercessors on
that narrow focus because people want to pray for other things. My goal was to be a support to those in
Israel who were sharing the Gospel among their people.
There were probably only 4 or 5 of
us present for the first meeting and for a long while. Even though we had
fluctuations of people attending off and on, we never drew more than 8 to 10
praying for Israeli ministries. It was quite disheartening to me that even in a
Messianic congregation this was true. It made me wonder how in the world I
could ever expect Christians to be drawn to pray for the Israeli ministries if
so few in a Messianic synagogue would. We have to develop perseverance to stand
for the salvation of all Israel which
is coming through the body of Messiah in Israel.
Then
al Qaeda attacked the United States within a few short weeks after our first
meeting. God had already focused my
eyes on Islamist terrorism before 1993, but in February that year when I read
the FBI admission that they knew Hamas was fund raising in the USA, I began to
pay even more attention. I knew it meant
what we (the U.S.) were sowing in allowing Hamas to fund raise meant: it meant
we would reap as we what we been sowing against Israel: Terrorism.
When the day of terrorist horror hit
the Twin Towers in New York it had only been a month that our group had begun
to pray for the ministries there. We were already hearing many testimonies of believers being spared close calls with
suicide attackers over the next months. I believe it was Wayne Hilsden
(Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries) and his wife who out walking enjoying
an anniversary when one block away suicide bombers blew up a packed disco in
Tel Aviv. Reuven Doron, I believe it was reported his wife was also within a
block of a bus suicide bombing. And there was a young believing student riding
a bus who suddenly had a blinding migraine that forced him to depart the bus
one block before another bomb detonated on that bus. Prayer to counter terrorism was part of our Israel Prayer DNA from the
beginning. It still is.
Before the 9/11 terror attack I
was working for Zola Levitt Ministries in Dallas. Zola and I gave much effort
in the Spring and Summer of 2001 trying to get the Dallas Morning News not to cop-out with political correctness because
they were being intimidated over a reporter’s coverage of the Holy Land
Foundation. The Council on American-
Islamic Relations (CAIR) had been stirring local Islamist protests against
DMN’s reporter poking around in their business. Both of the groups were well
documented Hamas fronts but it was an exercise in futility for Zola and myself.
The newspaper went full tilt into covering for Islamism in America, as did all
the news media in the months to follow 9/11.
Zola had drawn me in to his discussions
with the paper’s editors after discovering I knew a bit about Israel’s
terrorists enemies. I appreciated getting to do something more substantial and
in line with my writing and researching abilities. Maybe that is why God led me
to pay attention to the Islamist terrorist groups that plagued Israel.
Truthfully, I always felt out of step with other believers because of my
interest in Islamist terrorism. It was not a “spiritual” interest per se, but
as I sit here today I have no doubt God stirred my interest. After all God had
stirred an interest in the Jewish people even when I returned to my childhood
faith in 1983.
As for the HLF “charity,” it turns
out that after 9/11 President Bush would finally give the long needed approval
to shut down the Holy Land Foundation and bring charges against their leaders.
But it was not until 2007 before they would stand trial in the federal court in
Dallas. Then the details of evidence the U.S. had on what Hamas affiliates were
doing even prior to 1993 came tumbling out in the court room.
Back
to our little Israel Prayer meetings on Thursday nights, on 9/11/2001 Israel
was still in the grip of the Second Intifada (9/28/2000 through 2/8/2005).
Suicide attacks were happening frequently throughout that time but when 9/11
targeted the US, an outpouring of horror and sympathy was poured out to the US
from all over the world. The downside of that is that this is empathy is normal
when Western nations experience big Islamist terror attacks, but when is the
target they don’t get empathy they get blame. I have been around long enough to
see it repeatedly.
Another downside is how quickly
Western nation revert to P.C. coddling of Islamists with their resolve to beat
the terrorists evaporating quickly. Politicians and citizens reverting back to
the “religious freedom” defense of Islamists. By the way, it is not so hard to
determine the Muslims who hold radical dominionist views from those that would
much rather live in a peaceful democracy. Accepting all of Islam is a suicide
pact we do not have to make to grant non-violent Muslims to live among us. The
majority pouring into the West though are radical Islamists.
Months after 9/11, Israel made a
decision to launch Operation Defensive
Shield on 3/29/2002 after a suicide bombing in Netanya resulted in 30
Israeli causalities. Systematically the IDF entered into Palestinian towns
known to harbor much terrorist activity. They went city by city taking out
bomb-making facilities, weapons storages, and cleaning out terrorist nests. In
every one of those cities they also freed Christian Arabs being held, tortured
and some murdered in Palestinian jails. The operation lasted until May 2002.
And we were able to pray for the IDF and for the Christian Arabs held and
tortured in Palestinian territory jails – even to the last city of the
operation when a Christian Arab named Saeed we had been praying for was freed
by the IDF. One year later amazingly enough I met him at the Dugit Outreach
Bookstore when we dropped into at Dugit on the spur of the moment.
Back during my time at Zola Levitt’s
ministry I made learned of a Christian pastor who was greatly involved with
Christian Arabs in northern Israel. He and his Jewish wife Leah supplied us
with plenty to pray over in those first months of our first year of Israel
prayer. They were the ones that had us praying for Saeed.
Before starting Arrows from Zion,
one of the faithful prayer group, Dana Barnae brought me a copy of Facts
& Myths About Messianic Congregations in Israel 1998-1999. This book
made it possible for me to discover and research contact information for the
Israeli Messianic ministries the Caspari Center authors had compiled
information about. As they note about
their book, "Controversy arose primarily from the
fact that some people felt exposed by the publication of the book, as they
would have preferred to have remained under the radar. There were other people,
however, who found the detailed research helpful, and expressed gratitude for
it."
I was one of those and I have shared
the same experience myself. When I first emailed each ministry to ask
permission to share excerpts from their prayer letters to intercessors for Israel, one
ministry head wrote me back demanding, “Who ARE you?! Don’t you know
this is Israel?” Over time he understood that I had no intention of exposing
the Israeli ministries to the religious persecutors within Israel. We became
friends by email and though he passed away many years ago, I will never forget
how upset he was with me. That left a big impression on me to be on guard with
the information I collected.
There have been a few stumbles on my
part in the past 24 years when I have disclosed what I should not, but I have
lived with an acute awareness of how highly motivated some who mean the Jewish
believers in Jesus harm cannot have missed what I have been doing all these
years. That’s why I have turned down many who wanted to subscribe to my list,
but didn’t want to give me any information for security purposes. There were other
requests that I just sensed I could not trust.
The flip side of that is I have also
seen an increase of boldness among the ministry leadership too. As several have
told me over the years, “We’re not hiding.” This is an indication of spiritual
growth. We are not foolhardy but we are not hiding either. As Acts 17:28 says,
“For in Him we live, and move, and have
our being.”
Doing this ministry has never
been as easy ride. Sometimes I questioned whether I should even be doing it
because it has required a lot from me to do it right. Also, it never fulfilled
American Christian ‘wisdom’ that if a ministry was of God, it would fully
support itself. Whenever I was in that doubt on that count, I would look at so
many Israeli ministries struggling financially then I knew the American Church measure of a ministry was missing the
truth by a mile. It is not how much financial support a ministry gets that
makes it significant, it is whether they are doing what God sent them to
do.
Every once in a while we have to
pause and take stock. Anniversaries like this are a good time to do that. I am
as convinced today as I ever was, that my part to play in these end times
events is to continue to press in to provide what Christians really need to
know about the Israeli Messianic Ministries and God’s purpose for them and for
us in standing with them. There is key spiritual understanding about Islamist
terrorism that international Christians can only find among the Israeli
Ministries, or those informed by them. This will continue to become a critical
area of prayer intercession all over the world.
I have learned more in the past 24
years from reading the prayer letters of Israeli ministries than I think I
could have learned anywhere else. It is not just news from one or two
ministries, but an overview of about 50 Messianic Jewish or Christian Arab
ministries all over Israel. That is a different view of all the things going on
in Israeli ministries. Those who read the Weekly
Summary and Arrows will learn a
lot too.
Arrows
from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer
Requests Israeli Ministries
Such a heartening testimony from
Sergey, the Asst Dirctor of the Aviv Center in Tel Aviv! As they began their outreach to handout food and to bandage
wounds on the streets “two
young Israeli men approached us. They
looked to be around 25 years old, dressed in army shirts marked with unit
insignias – likely reservists called up for extended duty. Their posture, their
gaze – everything about them showed seriousness and strength. These were the
kind of young men often seen as part of Israel’s elite. They stopped in front
of our team. “Can we speak
with you?” one asked. “Of course. How
can we help?" Then they said
something that moved us deeply: “We live nearby. We see you out here
almost every day. We see what you do for the people on the street. And… we just
wanted to thank you.”
“We’re Christians,” someone from our
team replied. “This is our ministry to God.” They nodded. “We know. We’ve seen you pray,
talk with people, clean their wounds. Sometimes we watch from our windows. And
we want you to know – we really appreciate it.”
“. . . . what they saw
touched their hearts – a glimpse of the love of Christ in action. In
Israeli society, believers like us often face rejection, suspicion, even
mockery. And yet these strong, confident young men came with words of kindness
and gratitude. It
felt like a glass of cold water in a dry and weary land. Please pray for these men, and for all
the Israelis who see our outreach – that they would seek and find the
One their hearts are longing for: the Messiah of Israel.” Partner
with the Aviv Center
The Aviv ministry is led by Dov
Bikas and he sends: We are Breaking
New Ground: VIDEO | First Christian Rehab Specifically for Israeli Arabs | YouTube
testimony from Artyom: “You
have delivered my soul from death…”
| Please pray over our other
news: “potential staff member for the Israeli Arab Christian rehab
|Guidance in seeking a larger location for the Aviv Center | Updating going on
at the Women’s Shelter in Beer Sheva and God sending women who truly need the
open spaces we have now.
Follow the Aviv Ministry on Facebook
Israel Pochtar who leads the Beit Hallel
congregation & Voice of Judah ministries, reminds us “of the incredible privilege we have—not only to believe in Yeshua, but to walk daily in His presence
and purpose. In the midst of everything happening around us, both in Israel
and globally, we remain steadfast in our calling: to shine His light, preach
His Word, and extend His love to those in need. In their news, Preparing Israel for Revival Help
us renovate Beit Hallel's New Evangelism & Discipleship Center |VIDEO |It’s going to
be a working hub for outreach, discipleship, and meaningful ministry. A place
where people meet God, grow together, and step out to make a difference.
Building
the Future of Faith in Israel, One Heart at a Time! VIDEO Testimony How
this Project Changed Anna and Her Kid’s Story and Watch
what our Back to School Project is doing to help children
of new immigrants starting over from scratch. It is making a huge difference in
the name of Yeshua. | Also VIDEO Now Israeli
Teens Encountering God Like Never BeforeTestimony Mark’s
Story When Pain Met the Presence of God and Olga’s
Journey from Pain to Peace
From Tikkun Global ARTICLE: Crossing the Kidron by Asher Intrater | BOOK: Prosperity What the
Bible Really Says
by Daniel Juster, THD |
8/7 GLOBAL BROADCAST WATCH
The Two Great
Conditions for Yeshua’s Return by Ariel Blumenthal
|ARTICLE by Moti Cohen of Tiferet Yeshua My Search for Survivors
After Iranian Missile Impacts
Sept 11 -12 Anaheim, CA
Tikkun Global Conference 2025 Watch Invite Here 7/31 Every
Generation!
| At Tikkun Global, one of our deepest values is intergenerational
relationship. We believe in the powerful synergy that happens when generations
walk together—learning,
honoring, and empowering one another. This
upcoming conference isn’t just for one group—it’s for every generation. This
will be a time of meaningful ministry that speaks to every heart REGISTER NOW
Tree of
Life Israel
ministries Ariel
& Shayla Hyde write,
“These are the SWEET TRIUMPHS on the SPIRITUAL
FRONTLINES IN ISRAEL! Stories from the Harvest: Watch or Read - From New Age Guru to New Creation
in Jesus” This is truly
an amazing testimony – you don’t want to miss it!
Read Cookie Schwaeber-Issan’s
commentaries in AllIsraelNews 8/15 Islam’s Methodical Global Takeover and Jerusalem Post 8/10 We are the IDF
Howard Bass or the Beer Sheva congregation Nachalat Yeshua (Yeshua’s Inheritance) writes about he and
Randi’s return from the US to the congregation operating smoothly in their
absence, but also the continuing was of 22 months in Gaza. “This is certainly a daunting challenge
for many Jewish people, including the believers in Yeshua among them. God is certainly
making many, if not most, Jews around the world uncomfortable and insecure,
lacking peace. The Jewish State of
Israel [for especially Jewish people] has become a lightening rod, perhaps even
a litmus test, for Jewish identity: as in Ps 137, Do Jews in the
diaspora/dispersion/ galut/exile identify with the nation and the land and the
city as being theirs, or do they identify more with being citizens of
whatever Gentile country that they live in? Even for Jews living in Israel,
do they remain because they know that it is home, or do they wish that they
could leave, as many already have? I
spoke with some Jewish friends back in Richmond, and some Gentile Christians,
as well, who are very nervous about supporting Israel these days.
Our "world view" about
the "end of the world as we know it" will greatly affect our position
regarding Israel and the Jewish people. . . . If Christians think that people just live
their lives, and then go either to Heaven or to Hell, then they have no vested
interest in God's covenant promises to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, and to
their physical descendants. If Jewish people give up faith and identity in the
significance of Israel as a nation to them, then they will much more easily
want to "please the Romans/the Americans", so that the whole nation
might not be left all alone to be left all alone to be
destroyed. The
Nazi spirit is reviving strongly in the jihad of Islam in all its grotesque
forms, with the same stated intent gaining worldwide acceptability: kill all the
Jews and the Jewish nation. This is the Devil's "heart". Not the Jews
only, but also the Christians: both groups are YHVH's representatives in the
world. And not content to stop there, jihadis are demonically driven to kill
off as many human beings, even themselves. . . . All the antisemitism, all of the
Christian massacres taking place in Nigeria, etc, are all spiritual assaults
against the Creator Himself, and His Anointed One. The world is falling in line
to take sides with the devil's murderous hatred and very bitter root against
the sovereignty and goodness of the one true God.”
. . . . Meanwhile, our calling is to take the
gospel of salvation and the Kingdom of God to whomsoever wherever, that as many
as will can enter the family of God through spiritual new birth, just as we
have; and, for us to sanctify ourselves in a world becoming more and more
corrupted through lust -- whether for wealth, sex, or power -- or for all of
them. . . . The rulers of this
world are preparing for war all the time. Only the Prince of Peace -- the Lord
Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, who is also
the Lamb upon the Throne -- He alone will make wars to cease, and no one will
teach or learn war anymore. God have mercy on us all, that we will
all endure in the faith and be overcomers/prevailers,” Howard and Randi (Happy birthday, Randi!)
Chaim
Malespin asks on 8/8 8 Is Israel of the Bible the Israel of today? …. I have heard many
churches and people online say that the Israel today is not the Israel from the
Bible. Bible schools have even taught this. How is this possible? .
. . .Many churches today have
disconnected Israel from the Word of God. And have disconnected many of the promises that God made to Israel, and
exclusively applied them to themselves. And to hear countries, founded as
Christian Western nations such as France, Canada, United Kingdom, Portugal, and
others say that they plan to recognize a
Palestinian state this September, is baffling! No terrorist organization, still
holding innocent lives hostage, should have a state! . . . .God always preserves remains a
Holy remnant. It took a small brave Gideon army to defeat our enemies. I also
feel deeply for the Jewish communities around the world, and how things are
becoming hostile in the nations for them. We believe that there is going to be a big
wave of Aliyah after the war is over. Please
keep us in your prayers.”
8/15 Chaim releases this exciting
news: “I’m writing a new book, Aliyah Warrior, straight from my own time on the frontlines of Israel’s 7-front war. These are the moments I lived, the
friends I fought beside, the miracles I saw with my own eyes. I need your
help to finish it and share it with the world. When you give toward this book, you’re helping me tell Israel’s story
the way it really happened.
Go here to learn more & Support Chaim's Work DD:
I was very excited a few weeks ago to see Chaim first tell about this book. As
his daily videos have done, this book will continue to impact with the truth of
the battle Israel is in, and how the international Christians are to stand
beside them. Chaim is a warrior in every sense – in physical warfare, but FIRST
as a minister of the Messiah in Israel. I am delighted he is stretching himself
to this book. Pray for Chaim, his young family, his ministry and the warfare he
faces from terrorists and the devils that oppose God’s intentions in Israel.
Please consider supporting Chaim as he gives his all.
Speaking
of books, Avner Boskey’s book Israel, The Key to World Revival – is FREE for download in 5
Languages! “While
the English original is available for purchase on
our website at we are making German,
Italian, Polish, Russian and Spanish versions of the e-book available for free download at the same link. Please feel free to pass this complimentary
link on
to friends anywhere in the world who speak one of these five languages. Your
prayers and support hold up our arms and are
the very practical enablement of God to us in the work He has called us to do. In Messiah Yeshua, David and
Rachel Boskey
From Revive
Israel, the
team write: This week, we had the
privilege of sowing seeds of faith and transformation. Valerie and Tal poured
into the hearts of the children every day at one of the Messianic summer camps
that they served at this week, and we are deeply thankful for your prayers. . .
. Youval also had the privilege of teaching
at the Chezim (Arrows) program, a discipleship initiative for young
people preparing for their military service.. . . We are also beginning
preparations for the next discipleship program, which will begin in
November. Please pray for wisdom and the right participants to be led to this
program. Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we trust in God’s
timing and purpose for these young hearts.
To support the Revive Israel community
Josie
Silver of Out of Zion ministries in Haifa writes to give an update on her husband David Silver,
who after the Hamas assault on Israelis
10/7/23 began to suffer mild symptoms of depression that gradually worsened,
even with medication. David has MDD, Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety for
1 ½ years and entered the hospital in July for specialized treatment. Now home
again, Josie reports that David is benefiting
from the right medical treatment and therapies, as well as
re-establishing healthy routines at home.
She writes, “We are confident that in time David will return to the work
he loves and the calling he has faithfully fulfilled for decades through Out of
Zion Ministries. In the meantime, our eldest son Stefan and I are leading and
administrating the ministry. The mission and message of Out of Zion Ministries
have not paused.” In the meantime she and their son, Stefan, who is a pastor at
the Kerem-El congregation are continuing the weekly prayer points and
perspectives. stefan.m.silver@gmail.com And, If you
would like to send David a note of encouragement, please email me directly at
josiesilver7@gmail.com.
DONNA: As
you pray for David, please lift up prayers for an enormous amount of
Israelis who are suffering from depression, anxieties and fears since the
October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas and the wars on 7-fronts that Israel
is facing. Even an alarming number of IDF soldiers and rescued hostages have
committed suicide. The grief is at an all time high in Israel and only our King
Yeshua has the peace Israelis long for.
Also needing special prayers we are RENEWING
PRAYER FOR SHLOMY Abramove FOR GREAT PAIN FROM A SLIPPED DISK HE HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW. He
was healed 15 years ago, but it has returned. Please pray for Shlomy because he
continues to minister through the pain, and does not want surgery. Please
remember to lift Shlomy before the LORD for complete healing.
New on Norma’s blog — From this
Mountain thoughts from
Mt. Zion isThirsty Sometimes we aren’t thirsty, just dry.
New on Orna Grinman’s blog Is God a
Pacifist?
From
Michael Beener at City of Live Ministries, a great testimony from a formerly Iranian Jihadist now living in Israel.
Watch and read
heard how the love of Yeshua turned this young Jihadi around! Also Read here what City of Life Ministries
is doing in their outreach in Sderot and surrounding region: Childhood
Stolen by War – Relief for Anxiety in Israeli Children
Ronit Bender
in the Carmel Congregation writes about spiritually pouring out to the people
in her community as she goes about her normal shopping, trips to the salon and
health club and local eateries and coffee shops. This is her mission field –
she goes out making friends and pouring spiritually into the people she makes
friends with. Many come to the Messiah in faith and others have seeds planted
that she can see are growing. One example Ronit writes about, “It's been almost
a year since I started at the gym. It was a gift to me and I resisted it with
many words - But GOD wanted to use it for His glory. Yesterday a man came to
tell me that I bring much color and joy to the club, when a lot of people are
so sad because of the situation both with the hostages, the war. Put simply: it
is tough living here. I have never spoken to this young man before and was very
touched by his comment. It is an answer
to my daily prayer to bring love, light and joy wherever I go. Bless His Holy
name! The needy aren't only in the streets. Lift up your eyes, the fields are
before you!”
“This coming year is so special
for me. On September 24th I will be 75, and on October 9th it will be 20 years
since Tom and I arrived at this mission field. I still remember driving my
little car behind Tom's to our son's home with tears running down my cheeks, I
barely could see the road. We left the two cars there to give to others in
need. I was 55 then, Tom was 61, and we headed to this mission field. The rest
is history. . . . As
anti-Semitism rises and deception in the world increases, God is turning Israel
to seek HIm, and YOU and I are labouring in this field together by your prayers
and support. I can't thank you enough for walking by my side as we point others
toward our eternal Home. Love from Mount Carmel”
“It is important for the intercessors to realize that Israel’s present struggle, warfare, and increasing global isolation are an example, a pattern for God’s elect all over the world. In her painful preparations for the FINAL REVIVAL that will usher in the return of the Lord, Israel is serving the world, one last time, as a forerunner in the birthing of God’s Kin.”
“As noted my video of November 2024, we pray that the Word of God, His eternal promises for all His children, will “become flesh” and transform all of us, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Reuven gave an update on the enemies in play right now against Israel. I do not have room to share that here but you can subscribe by emailing reuvendoron@gmail.com. You can also reach out to him for giving options at that address.
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