A Call to Fasting and Prayer

August 12-13, 2024

We are living in very intense times. With the looming threat of World War III and the cancellation of all flights here, it is imperative that we come together in unity and seek the face of God. We invite you to join us for a global day of fasting and prayer on the Ninth of Av, a significant and sacred day in our history.

Details of the Fast:

  • Date and Time: The fast will begin on Monday night, August 12th, and continue all day on Tuesday, August 13th.
  • Type of Fast: This will be a water-only fast. That means no coffee or other beverages—just water.
  • Purpose: Our purpose is to seek God, worship the Creator of the universe, the God of Israel, and stand in the gap for Israel during these challenging times.

How You Can Participate:

  1. Gather Your Community: Invite your church, place of meeting, Bible study group, friends, and every WhatsApp group you’re part of to join this vital fast.
  2. Focus on Worship and Prayer: Dedicate the time to worshiping God, reading the Scriptures, and lifting your prayers for Israel and the world.
  3. Spread the Word: Share this invitation far and wide. Use social media, email, social media, and word of mouth to bring as many people as possible into this sacred time of intercession.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Why Now?

We find ourselves at a critical juncture in history. The rise of global tensions demands a unified response from the body of believers. This is our moment to stand in the gap, to cry out for mercy, and to intercede for God’s intervention.

Join us Faithful Galileans online or in person here at the shore of the sea of Galilee along the Jordan River… in this powerful act of faith. Together, we can move mountains and see God’s hand at work in miraculous ways.

Your Moment

You are alive for this moment. This is your opportunity to step into your calling and make a difference. Let us unite our hearts and voices in fasting and prayer, trusting that God will hear us from heaven and respond with grace and power.

Dire Straits Tragedies

In the spirit of reflection, let us remember some of the tragedies that have befallen Israel during this period, known as “Dire Straits”:

  1. The Spies’ Negative Report: The sin of the spies in Numbers 13-14, which led to 40 years of wandering in the desert.
  2. Destruction of the First Temple: By the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
  3. Destruction of the Second Temple: By the Romans in 70 CE.
  4. Fall of Betar: The stronghold of the Bar Kokhba revolt, leading to massive loss of Jewish life in 135 CE.
  5. Plowing of the Temple Mount: Following the Bar Kokhba revolt, the Roman General Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Temple.
  6. Crusades Launch: Pope Urban II launched the First Crusade in 1095, leading to the massacre of many Jews.
  7. Expulsion from England: King Edward I expelled the Jews from England in 1290.
  8. Expulsion from France: The Jews were expelled from France in 1306.
  9. Expulsion from Spain: The edict of expulsion of Jews came into effect in 1492.
  10. World War I: Began on the eve of Tisha B’Av in 1914, setting the stage for many calamities including the Holocaust.
  11. Deportation from Warsaw Ghetto: The mass deportations to Treblinka began in 1942.
  12. Bombing of the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires: In 1994.
  13. Gush Katif Evacuation: In 2005, the Israeli government began the evacuation of the Gush Katif settlements.
  14. Massacres during the Spanish Inquisition: Various periods of persecution and massacre of Jews.
  15. Blood Libels: Accusations that Jews used the blood of Christians in religious rituals, leading to massacres and expulsions.
  16. Black Death Persecutions: During the plague, Jews were blamed and persecuted across Europe.
  17. Ferdinand and Isabella’s Edict: Leading to the expulsion of Jews from Spain.
  18. Rhineland Massacres: During the First Crusade in 1096.
  19. Massacres of Jews in the Ukraine: By Bogdan Chmielnicki in 1648.
  20. Burning of the Jewish Books: Public burning of Jewish books in France in 1242.

Shall I go On?

Yet, amidst these trials, we hold onto hope and faith.

A High Note:

We pray for a turnaround, for a new season of peace to arise. As it is written, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.” – Zechariah 8:19

Let us pray for the bad to be gone and for the good to thrive. We envision a future where diabolical hate is eradicated, even from Gaza, and a new season of joy and gladness begins. Let us hold firm to this promise and lift our voices in unified song and prayer.

In His service,

Chaim

Chaim Malespin
Executive Director