Prayer Points: Why is now a key time to pray?

Paving the Way of ‘Return’ with Prayer for the Coming Fall Holy Days

The Hebrew month of Elul has become a season of preparation leading up to the Fall High Holy Days: Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles). The month of Elul calls Jewish people to a vital time of reflection, repentance, and teshuvah (return).

This year, Elul begins at sundown on Friday, August 13. This significant season of spiritual preparation culminates at sundown on September 11, when Yom Teruah marks the beginning of the Hebrew month of Tishrei.

The Hebrew letters used to spell “Elul” have come to represent an acronym for the phrase, Ani l'dodi v'dodi li, which means "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," from the Song of Songs 6:3.

Because of this connection, many in the rabbinic Jewish community view Elul as a season when the King is "in the field,” painting a beautiful picture of God's nearness, inviting His people to return to Him. As followers of Jesus, we’re reminded that the Messiah, Yeshua, left His throne and came to dwell among His people, drawing all who would come to Him.

Elul starts in just about two weeks. Let's begin praying now for Jewish people during this compelling season of returning to God and throughout the Fall High Holy Days. Our prayer is that the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption would point many to Jesus, the promised Messiah, who alone provides lasting redemption and restores our relationship with God.

“…‘Return to Me,’ declares Adonai-Tzva'ot [the Lord of Hosts], ‘and I will return to you.’…”

— Zechariah 1:3 (CJB)

Here are some ways you can pray for Jewish people during these prominent weeks.

• As Jewish people draw near to God during this season of teshuvah, they would experience the reality of Him drawing near to them
• During this season of self-examination leading up to Yom Kippur, they would recognize their need for a righteousness beyond their own and look to God's provision for salvation (Isaiah 53:6 and 64:6)
• A fresh revelation of God's holiness, together with His kindness, would lead many to true repentance (Romans 2:4)
• Their eyes would be opened to see in the Scriptures that Yeshua is the promised Messiah, through whom God has established the New Covenant, forgiving iniquity and remembering sin no more (Jeremiah 31:31–34)
• As they reflect on God's attributes of mercy on Erev Rosh Hashanah (the evening when Rosh Hashanah begins) and Yom Kippur, they would encounter Him as the God of compassion, grace, steadfast love, and forgiveness (Exodus 34:6–7)

Scripture introduces these Fall Holy Days as the Lord's annual invitations to draw near to Him through sacred times of worship, reflection, and remembrance. Beyond their yearly observance, they point to God's redemptive plan fulfilled in Yeshua and ultimately consummated at His glorious return, when He will dwell with His people forever.

Amid today's global uncertainty and unrest, the Fall High Holy Days remind us that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remains faithful. He watches over His people and the nations, accomplishing every one of His promises through Yeshua — the Messiah, Savior, and coming King.

You’re Invited!

Register and join us on August 12 at noon Arizona time for a special Prayer Briefing via Zoom, when our Jewish Voice staff rabbis will share more about this special season of the High Holidays and lead us in prayer for the salvation of Israel and the Jewish people. Click here to register today.

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