Editor’s note: In this article Leon shares with us a rabbinic/Talmudic style progression of thoughts connected by the letters of a Hebrew word.
This Hebrew word has the same root as the word
(shefa), meaning abundance. These words are related because the concept of abundance is contained within influence. Influence often comes from generosity and giving, which in turn comes from having an abundance. When we have abundance from God, we can pour out our influence.
Israel is presently going through a unique time – a time of growth and yet instability, a time of success and yet danger, a time of conflict and yet opportunity. This is similar to Yeshua’s time, when He told his disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). But this cannot be done only by human enthusiasm alone.
At Shavei Tzion we are blessed to have a dedicated prayer room. Over the coming months we have set aside several focused prayer days and would like to invite you to participate and pray along with us, even if you cannot physically be in Haifa.
We have chosen an intercession theme for each of the following days, connected to the letters in Hebrew as an acronym from the word (influence)
.
March 11: Awaken (heetorer)
“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 and we seek His mercy and an understanding of destiny for the coming days. The words that were spoken to Queen Esther are also being spoken to us, “You have been born for this purpose, and in this is your destiny.”
April 4: Enough (shaddai)
The letter Shin is written on the Mezuzah and means God’s sufficiency. God is sufficient to meet our needs. For many first generation Israelis, here are a lot of needs. To be a generation of pioneers is a great esponsibility. At times we find ourselves attempting to fulfill His will by our own power.
But the words of the prophet Zechariah tell us: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). We need to learn to lean on God, to “flow with His spirit” and to move forward at His command.
July 23: Command (p’kudah)
After His resurrection, Yeshua commanded his disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised …” (Acts 1:4 NIV)
According to Scripture, an important part of our lives as believers is to become like our Messiah. Yeshua told his disciples, “The Holy Spirit … will teach you all things …” (John 14:26) Let’s dedicate this day to obeying God’s command to receive the Father’s gift, welcoming the Spirit to create Yeshua’s character in us, and to change us into His image.
September 9: Eye (ayin)
The eye grants us the ability to see. This is a leadership gift. Many congregational leaders are suffering burnout. They must teach, pray, lead their congregation and develop new projects. This is a reality that can wear them out and deplete their energy.
The first congregations were known for revealing talents and gifts from the Lord among their members. They were especially gifted with the ability to educate new believers in the faith. Let us pray that God will fill our great need for leaders who have spiritual eyes to see, and the desire to serve and the understanding of how to accomplish things.
October 17-18: Influence (hashpa’ah)
In Jewish tradition this letter signifies “fruitfulness”. Though present results often seem modest, we know that fruit will come from our labors. The work that we do now is preparing Israel to return to her soon-returning Messiah.
On these two concluding prayer days we will be hosting the Worship & Watchmen Mission meeting and guests from the Baruch HaBa 2018 conference. I want to encourage you to pray with us and with these representatives of the nations for influence and abundance. Together we will knock on the door, and the Lord will open the windows of heaven!
