united campus ministry @ ecu

for in-depth analysis of the situation in the Middle East, check out the BBC website at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/middle_east/2001/israel_and_the_palestinians/default.stm

Also, here are some praying points to consider from Operation World:

When praying for Israel:

1 The return of Jews to Israel accelerated after the collapse of Communism in East Europe and Ethiopia. Although many see this as a fulfilment of prophecy (Ezekiel 20:32-34; 36:16-24), most have returned to their ancient land in unbelief. Pray for the nation’s spiritual restoration through Messiah Jesus (Romans 11:25-31).

2 The intense half-century of conflict between Arabs and Israelis urgently needs resolution. Both sides lay claim to the land. Pray for a just, lasting and adequately guaranteed settlement.

3 Animosity against Christianity is a barrier to be overcome in Jewish minds. ‘Christian’ nations are seen to be destroyers of the Jewish nation whether by persecution (as in the Holocaust) or by proselytization. Pray that the gospel may be understood as a fulfilment of their Jewish heritage and that a widespread turning to their Messiah might come. Pray also that all attempts to limit freedom of religion and to deny the Jewish identity of Messianic believers may fail.

4 The Christian Church in Israel is fragmented and declining in numbers through emigration. It comprises about 80% Arab, 15% expatriate (Egyptian, Ethiopian Greek, Russian, Armenian, Italian, etc.) and 5% Jewish background. There are Catholics (five rites), Orthodox (nine traditions), and Protestants (17 denominations and over 100 mission agencies). Pray for spiritual unity that transcends history, ethnic conflict, national origins, eschatology and secondary areas of theology. Pray that many more Jews and Muslims might meet with the Risen Lord Jesus as true Messiah and Prophet.

5 Israeli Evangelicals are largely Messianic Jews, and Arabs who are Israeli citizens. There are about 11,000 evangelical believers in Israel of which 3,000 are Russian-origin and 500 Amharic-speaking. There are over 70 Hebrew-speaking congregations and 53 house churches. In addition to this are another 30 Russian-speaking groups and 6 Amharic-speaking (Ethiopian) congregations. Israeli-born Messianic Jews are nearly 1,000. There are about 3,500 Arab believers in 50 churches. Pray for:
a) Boldness in witness despite difficulties. The Haredi regard them as subversive and a threat to Judaism so malign and occasionally harass them.
b) Full legal rights of immigration and social acceptance in the face of national, social and family pressures. Atheist Jews are welcomed, but not Jewish Christians since a ruling in 1989 denied them entry under the Law of Return.
c) Clarity of teaching and understanding about their Jewishness. There needs to be a cultural identity without compromise of New Testament truth.
d) Effective leadership — There is a need for growth in maturity of pastoral leadership, depth and anointing in the preaching of the Word and a rising above feelings of jealousy, pride and inferiority. The latter are fuelled by the pressures of pioneering in a hostile spiritual environment. Pray for breakthroughs in these areas.
e) Unity. There have been the beginnings of meaningful fellowship between the various groups and between Hebrew- and Arabic-speaking believers in recent years. The inter-congregational Fellowship of Hebrew-speaking Congregations is becoming a point of fellowship, and the National Evangelism Committee for outreach, but meaningful working together is limited.
f) Arab Evangelicals are more numerous in Baptist, Assemblies of God, Brethren and Anglican congregations. There are only a few dozen Muslim-background believers known. Fellowship with Hebrew-speaking Evangelicals is limited and needs to be greatly increased.

6 Major outreach challenges:
a) The ultra-Orthodox Haredi are only 10% of the population, yet have more political leverage than the 83% who are secular Jews. They are culturally isolated, pursuing their own agenda, and also very legalistic. Pray that many of these modern Pharisees may become like Nicodemus.
b) The Russian and Ukrainian Jews are now the largest component of the population and are half of the former Jewish population of the USSR. They have changed Israel and are more receptive to the gospel.
c) The Ethiopian Jews (Falasha) have become a disillusioned, largely impoverished underclass since their immigration to Israel a decade ago. There are about 500 Christians among them, but they are enduring considerable persecution.
d) The Arabs — 97% are Muslim. Few are actively seeking to reach them. There is an urgent need for a new initiative in evangelism and house church planting in the Muslim community.
e) The Druze community (99,000) in Israel as well as the West Bank and the Golan Heights.
f) Guest workers. There are a total of about 1,500 evangelical Christians among them. There is outreach to Mainland Chinese with hundreds of baptisms, and several evangelical churches among Romanians.

7 The Protestant missionary force is estimated at around 1,000, but many Christians have entered as individuals to serve the Lord. Some of the larger agencies are IMB-SBC (50), CMJ (34), Finnish Lutherans (24), Church of Scotland (12), CWI (10) and AoG (6). Years of seed-sowing and breaking down of long-held prejudices against Christianity are now bearing fruit, but missionary work can be frustrating and discouraging. Many come with exotic ideas about Israel and unrealistic visions, and find little fulfilment or identification with local believers. Pray that all called of God may find viable ministries, effective means of contact with non-Christians and sweet fellowship with local believers. Friendship evangelism, literature distribution and encouragement of believers are the major means of service.

8 The Jews of the dispersion (those outside Israel) are declining in numbers through a lower birth rate, mixed marriages, secularism, emigration to Israel and conversions to other religions. There are now an estimated 9 million outside Israel. The largest concentrations are in the USA (5.6m), former USSR (1m), France (600,000); Canada (360,000); Britain (300,000); and Argentina (230,000). There are 2 million Jews in New York. In the USA there is much openness, elsewhere less so. Pray for the ministry of JFJ, MT, CWI, CMJ, etc. The work involves long hours of loving, patient ministry to individuals and families. Pray for a greater sensitivity on the part of Gentile churches towards problems of Jewish survival and for the Jewish remnant within the Church. Little is being done for Jews in France and Argentina.

9 Supportive ministries:
a) Literature is of great importance for the spread of the gospel due to the multiplicity of languages and paucity of Christians who witness. Pray for The Bible Society, the two Christian publishing houses, the production of an increasing selection of Hebrew and Arabic Christian literature, and the nine Christian bookshops. There are 3 Messianic Jewish periodicals, some having a readership beyond the Messianic Jewish community. Too few believers are engaged in distribution. Pray that Jews may read the NT and find the Living Word. Many homes have a NT.
b) Student work is in its infancy. There are five groups with about 200 believers of Arab and Jewish background linked with IFES. Leadership is the key prayer target.
c) The JESUS film has been shown on prime-time TV in both Israel and the Palestine Authority in Arabic or Hebrew, and video tapes have been distributed to over 100,000 homes.
d) Radio. TWR broadcasts 5 hrs/week in Hebrew.

When praying for Palestine:

1 Pray for solutions to these major issues:
a) An equitable settlement of the land issue, and the future of the Jewish settlements in the Palestinian areas. Both sides feel they have strong legitimate claims to the land.
b) A fair apportionment of the water resources — Israel uses 115% of the land’s renewable water and makes little available to the Palestinians.
c) The future of Jerusalem — claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians, each as their exclusive capital.
d) The unresolved future for the Palestinian exiles who make up 55% of all Palestinians. Two million live in 61 refugee camps in surrounding lands.
Pray not only for the peace of the land, but that Jewish Israeli and Palestinian Arab may meet the Prince of Peace, through whom alone any meaningful reconciliation can come.

2 Christian Palestinians trace their roots back to pre-Islamic times. The antagonisms of the conflict have provoked many to emigrate to Western countries, and their numbers have declined dramatically from around 10% in 1940 to 1.4% in 2000. Many see the Christians as having been the glue for, and a bridge in, society. Pray that Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians alike may stand for and witness to the Truth, and be protected amid rising levels of intimidation by their Muslim neighbours.

3 Arab Evangelicals number about 2,000 in 30 churches, of which 20 are on the West Bank. They feel rejected by Jews, Arabs, traditional Christians and even Western Evangelicals and thus isolated. Those from a Muslim background have been specifically targeted by Islamists. The loss of leadership through emigration is serious. Bethlehem Bible College is a key ministry with 80 full- or part-time students. Pray for these brethren to stand steadfast and immovable in the Lord.

4 Areas of special challenge for ministry:
a) The squalor and hopelessness of Gaza’s teeming multitudes. There is only one evangelical church and few ministering the gospel.
b) The Islamists with their bitterness and rage.

Kent, I had nothing to post. Just wanted to make you look.