PRAYING FOR A PEACEFUL ROSH HASHANA IN THE EPICENTER

On behalf of The Joshua Fund board and staff, I want to wish all of my Jewish and Israeli friends a blessed and peaceful Rosh Hashana which begins this coming Sunday evening. As we celebrate the beginning of the Jewish New Year, all evidence seems to point to a major war coming soon between Israel and Iran. It is a war that could also engulf much of the Middle East. Is there a way out of this mess? Honestly, humanly speaking, there does not appear to be. But nothing is impossible with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If He wills it, there can be true peace and security.

Please join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem, for the peace of all people in the epicenter, and for wisdom for the leaders of the region, as well as for U.S. leaders. Please also join me in praying for the followers of Jesus Christ throughout the epicenter — for courage to stand for the Lord in the darkness, for boldness to preach and teach the Word of God, for the faithfulness to share the good news to people who keep hearing bad news day by day, and for love and compassion for their neighbors and their enemies.

We will begin the 2012 Epicenter Conference on Wednesday night by celebrating Rosh Hashana and examining the enormous challenges facing Jews, Arabs and Iranians in the year ahead. I hope you will join us in person here in Albuquerque, or on the live worldwide webcast. God bless you.