Israeli Messianic believers request prayer following the targeting by ultra-Orthodox Jews of a new Messianic meeting centre and the homes of some congregants in Dimona, south Israel.
According to Kehila News, Albert Knoester (an elder at Nachalat Yeshua congregation in Beersheba) and his wife Esther recently opened a meeting place for Messianic believers in the centre of Dimona, close to the rabbinate.
On Thursday 4th May protesters believed to be associated with the anti-missionary organisation Yad L’Achim caused a disturbance outside the meeting place and then took their protests to the homes of Albert and Esther and another member of the congregation. The protesters became violent, breaking windows and causing other damage. Children were present in the homes during the attacks, and were extremely frightened.
Messianic congregations in the south of Israel have often been subject to violent actions from ultra-Orthodox Jews. The Messianic congregation in the town of Arad has been suffering harassment almost every day in recent times. In 2005 a crowd of more than 600 ultra-Orthodox men and women stormed a baptismal service being held by the Nachalat Yeshua congregation in Beersheba, attacking congregants, damaging property and blaspheming the name of Yeshua (Jesus).
Open source: https://kehilanews.com/2017/05/05/protestors-rampage-outside-of-messianics-homes-in-dimona/
Photo: Facebook post calling for protests outside the Knoesters’ home in Dimona, 5th May
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Prayer points
Israeli Messianic believers request prayer for:
a. the protection and safety of the Messianic believers in Dimona
b. the children who were disturbed by the attacks on their homes
c. thorough investigation of these violations by the Israeli police
d. wisdom for the believers in Dimona, and that their testimony will bring God’s light to the community
e. the ultra-Orthodox protesters, that they would recognise their wrongdoing and turn to the Lord in repentance
