Shana Tova!
It means “good New Year for you.” And even though Rosh Hashanah, the head of the Jewish New Year 5778, was last week, we continue to pray for a good New Year for you. In fact, let’s join together during this season of the Fall Feasts to pray for Jewish people around the world, that they will not only have a good year, but also be blessed in the Messiah.
Yom Kippur, observed sundown on September 29 through sundown September 30 this year, is the Day of Atonement from Leviticus 16. Jewish people view the Ten Days of Awe leading up to Yom Kippur as a critical window of time to ensure one’s name is written in the Book of Life through repentance, seeking forgiveness and good deeds. As believers in Yeshua, we know that it is through Him alone that we are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, whether Jew or Gentile.
During this time of year, let’s pray for:
- A fresh revelation of the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Yeshua the Messiah for ourselves as Believers and for all who will receive Him
- The Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to convict of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8)
- God’s kindness in restraining judgment to lead people to repentance (Romans 2:4)
- Jewish people to accept Yeshua as Messiah and Savior. As Acts 4:12 tells us, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (TLV)
Sukkot, or the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), is a festive time of fellowship which comes after Yom Kippur. It is a time of remembering the Lord’s faithfulness to the Children of Israel in the wilderness. As Jewish people look up to the starry night skies through the branches covering the sukkah (booth) – which many build in their backyards or over balconies and porches – they are also reminded of God’s promises to make Abraham a great nation. This weeklong holiday looks forward to when the Lord will truly dwell, or tabernacle, among His people – the day when Yeshua returns to Earth.
It’s a great time to pray for:
- Greater unity between Messianic Jewish and Gentile Believers as a witness to the Jewish people of Yeshua as the Messiah
- The nations to be open to the Good News of Yeshua, for the strengthening of Believers there, and for the salvation of those who don’t know Him
- Jewish people worldwide to be drawn to return to live in the land of Israel. Sukkot is a picture of pilgrimage to Jerusalem
We pray: Lord, in our day, we ask that You will fulfill the prophetic symbolism of the Fall Feasts when we will be gathered together around the Lamb of God, Yeshua. Thank You that You are drawing people from every tongue, tribe and nation to intercede for all Israel to recognize Yeshua as their long-awaited Messiah. May this year draw us closer to the time when the people of Israel say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 23:39). In Yeshua’s name, amen.
