THE PRAYER CLOSET

* PRAISE REPORTS
* ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS
* PRAYER REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS

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Let us rejoice together
and engage these matters in intentional prayer.

Amen.

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PRAISE REPORTS

Rejoicing with Iranian and Northern Irish Believers
AMC President Steve Shermett recently had the opportunity to participate in a meeting with an Iranian fellowship and a Messianic Jewish congregation. Praise the Lord as these two groups sang praises together to Yeshua, the only one who can truly reconcile the world’s present tensions. Steve also facilitated a “Yeshua in the Passover” service this spring in Northern Ireland, another place still filled with tension. Give praise that almost a hundred people from many denominations gathered together to hear the message of Yeshua and rejoice in the Jewish Savior of the world.

New AMC Europe Web Site
We are thankful for the Lord’s provision to purchase a new web site, www.amceurope.org, for the European chapter of the AMC, and we ask that He would use this site for His glory.

Knesset Launches First International Women's Council
The Israeli parliament has created its first-ever women’s council made up of Jewish and Christian women from around the world, including such prominent Christian women as Kay Arthur of Precept Ministries. Praise the Lord for this opportunity to build relationships between Jewish and Christian women as they work together to lobby world governments to stop evil against women.

Todah! Thank You!
The staff of The Shofar thanks God and those of you who have contributed, whether by prayers, the use of your skills, or the submission of articles, for the successful launching and flight of this tool in the hand of the Lord.

ONGOING PRAYERS

Salvation in Israel
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. (Psalm 122:6)

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth; if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalm 137:5-6)

Pray for the salvation of all Israel (Isaiah 59:20, Romans 11:26), upon which Messiah, Prince of Peace, will return.


Sound Doctrine and Practice
Pray for the establishment of sound doctrine and practice in Messianic circles and in the church at large, especially in regards to the essentials of the faith, Israel and the Jews.

Member Ministries and Ministry Members
Pray that the Lord will grant congregation and ministry leaders wisdom, skill, strength and protection "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Messiah" (Ephesians 4:12). Pray that Messianic congregations and ministries stand firm and glorify God in their outreach despite opposition by highly organized antimissionary organizations. Pray that, as Saul, many antimissionaries would see the Light and zealously proclaim the faith they now seek to destroy (Gal 1:23).

AMC Board
Pray that the Lord will grant continued vision, wisdom, skill, strength and spiritual protection to the members of our board as they seek to lead us. Pray specifically for Steve Shermett, President; Pete Koziar, Vice President; Dr. Alan Levison-Poyner, European Director; Mottel Baleston, Secretary.

The Church
Pray that the Lord would open the eyes of the church to bless, and not curse, Israel (Genesis 12:3); that is, to lead Israel to their Messiah and to love them as they love themselves (Matthew 19:19) with special regard to Israel's chosenness among the nations.

Antisemitism
Pray that the Lord will stand against antisemitism in all of its forms, whether it be rabbinic (anti-gospel), doctrinal, social, academic, journalistic, political or economic.

AMC Web Site
Pray that the Lord would continue to use MessianicAssociation.org for the fulfillment of AMC's call in His Name. Pray that He will grant webmaster Mottel Baleston vision, wisdom, skill, strength and spiritual protection in the carrying out of his call.

The Shofar
Pray that the Lord will use this, our email magazine, The Shofar, for the fulfillment of AMC's call in His Name. Pray that He will grant editor Norman Manzon and coeditor Courtney Tinnan vision, wisdom, skill, strength and spiritual protection in the carrying out of their duties. Pray, as well, that the Lord will move in the hearts of AMC members for the writing and submission of timely articles and for the contribution of editorial and technical assistance.


PRAYER REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS

AMC European Conference
Pray for our upcoming United Kingdom/European Conference this September. Pray for featured speakers AMC President Steve Shermett and European Director Dr. Alan Poyner-Levison as they prepare to speak on "Messianic Perspectives." See our ad in The Shofar for more information.

Jewish Outreach in Austin, Texas
Outreach to our non-believing Jewish brethren is a core aspect of Messianic ministry. Pray for our congregations as they plan outreach for their local Jewish communities. The Messianic Fellowship at Hill Country Bible Church in Austin, Texas, has asked for prayer that the Lord would raise up individuals to get involved in outreach. Pray also for wisdom and guidance as the fellowship has interest in planting a congregation.

Worldwide Antisemitic Incidents
Pray for the Jews of Israel in this time of great distress and for the shattered lives of those whom the Lord loves in Lebanon.

A recent report by Tel Aviv University revealed a 20 percent drop in violent antisemitic incidents from 2004 to 2005. The report concluded that the decrease was in part due to Israel’s improved image after the Gaza withdrawal. However, the report also indicated that while violence has decreased overall, it is actually on the rise in Russia and the Ukraine. Pray for Jewish communities during this time of persecution. Continue to pray also for the Messianic movement in the Ukraine as it ministers within this environment; pray that the Lord would use for good that which is meant for evil. AMC members have received reports of virulent and ongoing antisemitic acts taking place in France. Many French Jews are leaving for other countries. Please pray for the Jews of France and for those seeking refuge elsewhere.

Pray that the Lord will grant mercy to all of His chosen from among these nations and draw them into the eternal security of Messiah.

Religious Minorities in Iran
Under the leadership of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, religious minorities in Iran could be forced to wear identifying badges on their clothing, a disconcerting parallel to Hitler’s Germany. Iran’s 25,000 Jews could soon be forced to wear yellow badges; the 300,000 Christians would wear red. Pray for the Jews and Christians in Iran as they face this persecution. Pray also that the Lord would work in the heart of President Ahmadinejad and turn him from his hatred for Israel.

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PRAYER AND PRAISE GUIDELINES

Q. Who may submit?
A. The AMC, a member congregation or an individual member.
Q. What types of prayer and praise reports are sought?
A. * Ministry oriented - not individual needs oriented - from the AMC or a
member congregation.
* For Jewish people witnessed to, prayer may be made and praise given,
but not in such a way as to reveal their identity without their permission.
* Prayers for Israel or Jewish communities anywhere in the world.
* Urgent prayer requests for individuals.
* Praise reports for answers to prayer that fit into the categories
described herein.
Q. What are the submission parameters?
* Send prayers that will still be current at the next publication date.
Publication dates are: the 1st of February, May, August and November.
* Limit total submissions to 100 words. Exceptions will be made at the
discretion of the editorial staff.
* Submissions must be received no later than the 10th of January, April,
July, or October for publication in the next edition.
* Submissions will be published, edited or returned for editing at the
discretion of the editorial staff.
* Similar submissions may be combined by the editing staff into one
prayer or praise offering.
* Please let us know in which future editions, if any, a prayer request is
to be repeated; and if a published prayer is no longer current, please
let us know.
* Please send submissions and information to Norm Manzon at
BibleStudyProject@hawaiiantel.net.