The meaning of this word in English is influence. The Hebrew version contains two components:
influence – השפעה
abundance – שפע
These words are interrelated. When we have abundance from God, we can pour out our influence.
Yeshua (Jesus) shared the same thought:
Israel is presently going through a special time—a time of growth and a time of instability, a time of success and a time of danger, a time of conflict and a time of opportunity. This is similar to the period when Yeshua came for the first time and told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may send out workers into His harvest field.” But this cannot be done only by physical zeal. At this time, many prayer centers are being opened in Israel. Ours is not better or worse than others, but it has a special purpose. And we are asking you to support us—to participate and at the same time to pray with us, even if you cannot physically be with us here in Haifa, in our congregation.
Here are the prayer dates:
- March 11th — Purim
- April 4th — Passover
- July 23rd
- September 9th — Rosh HaShana eve
- October 17-18 — Worship & Watchmen Mission meeting and Baruch HaBa conference
To these dates we would like to connect a meaning, in relation to the letter in Hebrew from the word influence – השפעה – and this way to set a theme for prayer.
- March 11th – Purim ה – התעורר – waking up
Wake up! Seek the face of the Lord, open the boundaries within yourself, and “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out your tabernacle curtains.” (Isaiah 54:2)
The Lord encourages us to begin with this and seek His mercy and understanding of our destiny these days. Once on the Purim dates, through Mordechai, God spoke to the heart of Queen Esther and told her, “You have been born for this purpose, and in this is your destiny today.”
- April 4th ש -– שדי – (enough)
The letter Shin (ש) is written on the Mezuzah and means (שדי – sufficiently)—God is meeting our needs. In the lives of those of us who are the first generation in Israel, there are a lot of needs, not only material but also spiritual, including our status quo, which we are searching for in Israel. To be the generation of pioneers is a great responsibility. And often we are “carried away” and we are looking like people who fulfill His will by their own power.
But the words of the prophet Zechariah are telling us,
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6 NIV). We need to learn to lean on God, and to “flow with His spirit” and move forward when He commands us to move.
- July 23rd פ – פקודה – (task)
In Hebrew the word פקודה (a task or movement) begins with this letter. After the resurrection from the dead, Yeshua said to his disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for … the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4 NIV)
Many interpret this moment as the moment of receiving the Spirit, to serve other people. But according to Scripture, an important aspect of our lives is to become like our Messiah. Yeshua told his disciples, “The Holy Spirit will come and teach you everything.” …. I would like to dedicate this date asking God’s Spirit to create in us the right character and to change us into his image.
- ע September 9th – Rosh HaShana eve – עין (eye)
With the letter Ain (ע) starts the word ain (eye)—the ability to see. This is the gift of leaders. Many leaders of messianic congregations are suffering burnout. They must teach, pray and develop new projects. This is reality, but this reality can greatly wear us out and deprive us of energy.
The first congregations were famous for revealing talents and gifts from the Lord—especially the ability to undertake the education of those who are still “babies” before the Lord. This was the case in certain places where revival of faith took place. This is also the reality of the different phases of revival. The young believers received from God “this desire” to serve others. We have a need—the need for leaders who have Eyes, the desire to serve others and the understanding of how to accomplish things, like Bezalel and Oholiab. This is our prayer.
- October 17-18 – Worship & Watchmen Mission meeting and Baruch HaBa conference
ה – השפעה – (influence)
The word influence (השפעה) begins and ends with the same letter. In the Jewish tradition this letter means “fruitfulness.” The purpose of the Messianic Jews in our days in Israel may not be to turn Israel to the Messiah (many say that we must be rational and real, and understand that our power/strength are small). But our calling is like that of David—”to lay the foundation for Solomon, who will build the Temple”—to prepare Israel for the return of the Messiah. (1 Kings 7:51)
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I want to encourage you to pray for Influence (השפעה) and abundance (שפע), together with Return to Zion. We will knock on the door and hope that Lord will open the windows of heaven.
Leon Mazin
