Prayer Letter – April 2015
Isaiah 62 Prayer Campaign


Dear prayer partners,

One of the most poignant moments described in the Gospel accounts of Jesus is when he finds himself in the last hours before his crucifixion in the Garden of Gethsemane, just as Passover was arriving. He seems to be at the most vulnerable place in his entire life, praying and pleading with God with such intensity that his sweat “became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44).

Gethsemane means “olive press” and surely this fit what Jesus was going through. The custom with such an ancient press was to put the olives through a series of three pressings, each more heavy and intense than the last, and the oil extracted became purer with each crushing. The first pressing produced oil for such everyday purposes as washing and lighting lamps, and the next for cooking and ointments. The final crushing brought forth the purest, extra virgin oil, fit for holy service in the Temple.

And in this time of anguish and despair, as Jesus cried out to God in earnest prayer three times, he also pleaded with his slumbering disciples to pray with him, saying: “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)

While his disciples failed in the Garden to support Jesus with prayer, the Apostles would eventually come to understand their own need to be covered by the prayers of others. For instance, it was the constant prayers of the church which delivered Peter from prison in Acts 12.

It was the Apostle Paul who grasped this reality the fullest. He begged the Church in Rome that “you strive together with me in prayers to God for me” (Romans 15:30). To the Corinthians, he writes that they need to “help in prayer” (2 Corinthians 1:11). To the church in Philippi, he declares: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19). To the church in Thessalonica, he is short and to the point: “Brothers, pray for us!” (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

Paul understood that the impact of his message and ministry depended much upon the prayers of the saints offered on his behalf: “Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).

In brief, I ask you in this prayer letter simply that you pray for us here in Jerusalem! We need your prayers as we serve the nation of Israel. We need your prayers as we travel the nations to speak about God’s purposes with Israel. We need your prayers as we prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles. Every part of our ministry needs your prayers.

Pray for the leadership of the Christian Embassy, that we might serve God in a way which is pleasing to Him. Pray for all our staff, as they have decided to leave their home countries to serve God here in Jerusalem. Pray for our branches in more then 8o nations around the world, that God would open new doors for them. Also pray for the financial provision of our ministry that we are able to bless Israel more than ever before.

Most importantly, please pray that the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit will impact every segment of our ministry. Again, we unabashedly declare that we need your prayers. Please stand with us in prayer this week and also in the months to come.

And be assured that here in Jerusalem, we are praying that God will bless you with a Passover and Easter season fully infused by the resurrection power of Jesus!

Yours in Christ!

 
Dr. Jürgen Bühler
ICEJ Executive Director

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PRAYER POINTS FOR APRIL 2015
The next day of prayer and fasting in our Isaiah 62 Global Prayer Campaign will be on Wednesday, 1st of April 2015.

Please pray with us in the following areas of need:

1)  Pray for the work and ministry of the ICEJ
     Ask that we be able to serve the Lord here in Israel as effective witnesses of the love of Jesus for his people.
     Pray that we be able to meet more needs we encounter among those living in the Land.
     Lift your prayers for our constant travels and speaking engagements worldwide, that we would know His mercies and speak biblical truth to the Church and the nations concerning God’s purposes with Israel.
     Pray for our preparations for the Feast of Tabernacles 2015, that all things would be planned according to His good will and pleasure.
     Pray for the leadership of the Christian Embassy, that we would hear from heaven and serve God in a way which is well pleasing to Him.
     Pray for all our staff, who have left home and family to come serve God here in Jerusalem.
     Pray for our national branches and representatives in more than 8o nations around the world, that God would open effective new doors of ministry for them within the churches of their respective countries.
     Pray that an abundance of finances would come in for our ministry to be able to bless Israel as never before.
     And finally, please pray that every aspect of our ministry would be led and ruled over by the Holy Spirit.

2)  Pray for the Israeli Government
     Pray that the newly elected Knesset would be able to quickly form a stable and effective government ready to meet the many challenges facing this nation.
     Pray for Benjamin Netanyahu as he seeks to build a new coalition government in the wake of his election victory.
     Pray that Israel would continue to be secure in its borders from every threat.

3)  Pray for peace and stability in the Middle East
     Pray that Iran's drive for nuclear weapons would be completely thwarted, that its deceptions would be fully exposed, and that the Western powers would hold firm and insist that Tehran completely dismantle its nuclear program.
     Pray that the raging conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen would be contained and defused, and would not spread to other countries in the region.
     Pray for the millions of refugees from the region’s many conflicts, many of whom are enduring tough conditions in refugee camps across the Middle East.
     Pray the persecuted Christian communities of the Middle East now under threat from militant Muslims would be delivered from all harm.
     Finally, pray for a mighty revival to sweep the region and bring many into the arms of a loving God through Christ Jesus.