Late on Friday rockets were fired from Gaza at a southern Israeli farming region landing between two residential homes. The rocket attack came after ‘an Islamic Jihad terrorist’ was wounded by Israel Defense Force fire in the northern Gaza Strip earlier that night. Last week at least eight rockets were fired from Gaza, exploding in open fields in the northern Negev region. In Thailand two Iranians were charged over a bomb plot against Israeli diplomats. Tehran is accused of mounting a terror campaign against Israel and tensions between the arch-foes have risen sharply following three bomb incidents in world capitals in less than 24 hours. On Monday bombers targeted Israeli Embassy staff in India and Georgia. In Bangkok two Iranians were detained over three blasts that rattled the Thai capital on Tuesday. Bangkok officials cannot say yet it’s terrorist activity but it's similar to the assassination attempt against India’s diplomat. It is believed an Iranian assassination team has targeted Israeli diplomats.

Pray: For God's protection to envelop the people of Israel and Gaza, and for the thwarting of all violent schemes. (Ps.5:11)

More: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8419570/israel-blames-iran-for-bangkok-blast

Many Christian ministries are working in Israel towards reconciliation in challenging situations. The following are just two.We are asked to partner in prayer with ‘Musalaha’ Ministryof Reconciliation as they prepare for their national women’s reconciliation training event. Palestinian and Israeli women from all over the country will be meeting for training, fellowship, and prayer between May 23rd and May 25th on the topic of Reclaiming Identity. Also on May 15th and May 31st their local women’s groups who have just begun training will be meeting in Nazareth and Haifa; and we have been asked to pray for the process and that a spirit of fear would be driven from them. Also, working towards reconciliation between communities is ‘Bridges for Peace’. An expanding body of individuals and groups with a desire to see Christians and Jews working side byside for better understanding of each other. Reconciliation for a more secure Israel. See: http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/

Pray: for a harvest of changed lives as God works through these a nd other reconciliation ministries in Israel. (Job 5:16-18)

More: http://www.musalaha.org/

The following are a portions of Statements by US Sec Kerry, Palestinian negotiator Erekat and Justice Min Livni on 30 Jul 2013. - Sec of State Kerry said, ‘I know the path is difficult but with Minister Tzipi Livni and Dr Saeb Erekat, standing side by side and sharing an Iftar meal together I’m convinced that we can get there.’ Dr Erekat said, ‘Palestinians have suffered enough, and no one benefits from the success of this endeavour than Palestinians. I am delighted that all final status issues are on the table and will be resolved without any exceptions, and it’s time for the Palestinian people to have an independent, sovereign state of their own. It’s time for the Palestinians to live in peace, freedom, and dignity within their own independent, sovereign state. Justice Minister Livni repeated the statement ‘failure is not an option’ and ‘in these negotiations it’s not our intention to argue about the past but to create solutions and make decisions for the future.’

Pray: that these negotiations would continue to completion, for God to be present in every future meeting and for a political recognition of each people group's aims that will become real and lasting. (Deut.32:10 & Zec.2:8; Gen.12:2-3 & Ps.122:6)

More: http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Peace/Guide/Pages/Relaunching-of-Israel-Palestinian-talks-30-Jul-2013.aspx

Voice Of the Martyrs sources say Messianic Jews in Israel are facing increased pressure from groups opposed to freedom of religion. One group, Yad L’Achim, staged a demonstration against a Messianic congregation of 150 in Ashdod. ‘The speech against believers was slanderous and vicious,’ said a VOM source. An Israeli television station recently profiling Yad L’Achim described them as a militia that goes outside the law to carry out its agenda. Many Messianic Jews have had residency visas and even their citizenship revoked once their faith in Jesus was discovered. Others face constant harassment at their homes and businesses. ‘It is very important for you who pray for the Messianic body in Israel to understand the depth of the paranoia and the hatred for the name of the true Messiah of Israel,’ the Voice of the Martyrs source said.

Pray: for God to strengthen and encourage the persecuted, blessing those proclaiming His truth. (Jn.17:3)

More: http://www.salememail.com/specialoffers/VOM_Persecution/VOM_persecution_watch_full.aspx?id=5&archive=true

In the wake of a terrorist attack in Jerusalem last Wednesday, Palestinian militants continued firing rockets into southern Israel. Israel launched new airstrikes in Gaza. Islamic Jihad, a Middle Eastern terrorist group, claimed responsibility for Thursday’s rocket fire. However, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the nation holds Hamas responsible. Hamas said it wants to ‘restore calm’ and would not attack. Israeli’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the nation will not be passive about terrorism. See: Yesterday CNN reported Israeli aircraft hitting a terrorist squad in the Southern Gaza Strip which had launched rockets towards Israeli communities. A Palestinian citizen was killed. A Hamas statement said Israel shelled a tunnel on the Palestinian-Egyptian border with no injures reported. There has been a week of heightened violence between the two sides.

Pray: against an escalation of violence. (Pr.3:31)

More: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/30/israel.airstrike/

GOD is stirring the hearts of His people to pray for both Jew and Arab in Jerusalem in response to what is happening in the world today. This Sunday tens of millions of Christians in literally every corner of this planet will unite for the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ). The multinational, multi-denominational global prayer movement was started in 2002 by Evangelical Christian leaders with the statement, ‘We are gathering together in Jerusalem during the season of the High Holidays and declaring that Christians will continue to pray for G-d’s peace to come to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. We will remind G-d of His promises, and we will remind Israel’s detractors that Israel is not alone.’ In 2013 this prayer call has come from more than 1,200 global leaders. To view a partial list of these leaders go to:

Pray:    may many to join the Global chorus of prayer – for God surely hears the cry of His intercessors, and praise God for a Church in Unity. (Ps.122:6-7).

More:    http://www.daytopray.org/

On Tuesday Binyamin Netanyahu told US congress, ‘Israel will compromise for peace but will not return to 1967 borders’ stressing Israel’s position as a democratic ‘friend of America’. He largely ruled out movement on the issues that are important to Palestinians, stating the issue of Palestinian refugees must be resolved outside the borders of Israel and that Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel. Saeb Erekat, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's executive committee said, ‘We've not heard any new words in Netanyahu's speech in front of congress tonight. He's chosen to dictate, not negotiate.’ After Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Congress thousands of activists conducted meetings with senators and house members.

Pray: for a partnership of peace to be allowed to grow in the region and for the Peace of Jerusalem to be constant. (Is.33:20)

More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/05/2011524151456629671.html

A series of Palestinian attacks against Israelis occurred in and around Jerusalem over the weekend, a clear reminder that the tension-wracked capital remains ready to explode despite relative calm in recent months. On Sunday evening, a bus travelling from Jerusalem to a Jewish community just north of the city was damaged in a Palestinian stone-throwing attack. Because the stones managed to penetrate the bullet-proof glass, it was at first reported as a shooting attack. Also on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Israeli security forces in at least three separate incidents caught would-be Arab assailants in possession of pipe bombs. Israeli security officials have noted a significant rise in the number of attacks in and around Jerusalem in recent months, both armed attacks and ‘popular’ attacks, which means the assailants use Molotov cocktails and stones instead of guns and knives.

Pray: for the peace of Jerusalem and that all would live together in peace. (Rom.12:18)

More: http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=9089&this=Palestinians_attack_Israeli_bus_in_Jerusalem#