Greetings to our Point to Hope intercessors and support family. We (Nancy, Sarah, Becky and Liz) appreciate every one of you and would like you to know that you were a necessary part of this prayer mission to Israel. Because of your faithfulness to lift us up in prayer, we have a successful report of mission accomplished! Thank you! Thank you! We believe God’s word does not come back void but accomplishes whatever it purposes to completion (Is 55:11). Prayer changes things! It is by prayer through faith, believing and standing on the promises of God, that desires of the Lord are birthed on this earth. We were living letters – God-written and God-stamped for this assignment. Your prayers caused that letter (us) to be safely delivered approximately 6000 air miles from home and back again.
Again, we are pleased to report on the victory and success of our trip/prayer assignment. God’s favor truly surrounded us as a shield wherever we went. Our primary focus was to walk and pray at each of the gates of Jerusalem. We initially walked around the outside wall to assess the condition of the walls and gates from the outside perimeter. We inspected the walls as Nehemiah on his return to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. As we walked, the Lord revealed much to Nancy regarding the current situation, which gave us more information on how to pray God’s heart for the city. God’s word says, if any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God and he will give it to him. He is the revealer of the hidden and secret things. A couple days later, we walked the inside of the wall praying at each of the gates from within. It was with a sense of awe that we walked and prayed. What a privilege and honor to be the children of God. How wonderful it was to walk in obedience knowing he was with us! You were with us by the Spirit and we could sense it! We felt overwhelming peace and safe the whole time. We followed the leading of the Lord to go early in the morning. By starting prayer before sunrise, we took advantage of the cooler temperatures and no crowds. How beautiful it was, those early mornings! The rising sun and stillness of the early hour brought a beautiful glow to the surroundings. God loves Jerusalem. God loves the people of Israel. By the time we were finished and arrived back at the hotel, we completely avoided the protests that were going on regarding the Temple Mount. God’s timing is perfect!
It is with great expectation we prayed knowing a difference was made. Prayer caused a shift, a change of plans. We believe God’s plans replaced the plans and assignments of the enemy. Our prayers, in unity with God’s heart, made a shift into the atmosphere. For Israel, that is the right kind of explosion. A release of God’s glory and light bringing truth. Not the enemy’s plans of chaos and destruction but revelation and clarity that God’s presence brings into any situation.
Another early morning we visited the Mount of Olives making prayers and declarations, which we followed up with the blowing of our shofars. We walked from the Mount of Olives on through the Kidron Valley and back through the city gate. Our prayers were for the peace and protection of Jerusalem and Israel as a whole. Most of all, we prayed for the Prince of Peace to be revealed and that the veil would be removed from the eyes of the people so Jesus could be lifted up.
We also drove the borders of Israel praying for protection of the nation as they are surrounded by mostly volatile countries. May God grant favor for peace with neighbors. As we were driving the southern border, we stopped at the Dead Sea and Masada, which was King Herod’s palace fortress, and later rebel stronghold. Masada was ahead of its time for being an off the grid luxury hangout for times of national distress (or sheer paranoia). It was a challenge to keep up with Nancy while exploring and praying in 120+ degree temperatures but, with our hats and water, we managed to make it through. We also stopped at the Police Station in Sderot to see the parts and pieces of many bombs that had fallen on the community. It was a time to reflect and pray for the continued protection of this city that has suffered much and been traumatized with missile attacks from Gaza. Nancy and Sarah had been there to pray a few years ago. It was interesting to read about how this city is turning out many great up and coming leaders, and is known for its high number of poets, singers, composers and musicians.
To the north, we drove along the borders of Jordan and Syria (sometimes just yards away from the highway), through Tiberias along the Sea of Galilee, and up to Banias (Caesarea Philippi) where the headwaters of the Jordan River are found. There at Caesarea Philippi we stood on the rock where Jesus addressed his disciples stating to Peter, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it..” (Matt 16:18). We learned that this rock was the very location of a pagan temple involving human sacrifices to Pan, the pagan god of shepherds and flocks. What a revelation and statement of Christ’s authority as the Good Shepherd! From there, we drove to the border with Lebanon at the Mediterranean Sea, returning to Jerusalem along the Western border.
Another place we visited was Jaffa. We prayed outside Simon the Tanner’s house where Dorcas was raised from the dead, and where Peter was staying and had his rooftop vision of the revelation that Jesus was salvation for the Gentiles as well. It was powerful as we prayed for more Kingdom impacting faith and revelation in our own lives.
At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, we could not help but reflect on the price Jesus paid for our sins. It was bittersweet for us to remember his sacrifice and our hearts could not help but be thankful. There is a place below the church where you can put your hands on the rock of Golgotha. It was surely a place of tears for us. Also very touching was the beautifully kept Garden of Gethsemane with its olive trees that are hundreds, possibly over a thousand, years old, and where you can place your hand on the rock believed to be where Jesus wept.
We managed to get into Bethlehem (Palestinian side) where we visited the Church of the Nativity. How sweet it was! It is a place of unity as many denominations share the site for services and upkeep.
Throughout the trip, God provided cab drivers/guides who looked after us well. We had plenty of healthy food to eat and good rest at night. Hearts’ desires came to pass in personal ways. One of which was Becky’s baptism in the Jordan River with Nancy officiating and Sarah assisting. What a joyful experience that was! As the good Father he is, God also imparted special anointings at King David’s tomb and at Ein Karem where Jesus’ mother Mary met her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist. As David was a sweet psalmist unto the Lord, it was one of our prayers to be ever praising God in poems and songs of praise. Nancy prayed for us to embrace the psalmist anointing for our lives. At Ein Karem, we prayed about the promise (Jesus) that was carried by Mary and received or welcomed by Elizabeth carrying John – the gift or anointing of hospitality and preparing the way. There was a beautiful sculpting of the two women meeting and greeting each other there on that spot. On the way out, we stopped at Mary’s Spring to pray again for the healing needs of our family and friends. We believe God’s impartation is not only for us individually but a blessing for all of PTH!
The grand finale was praying across the street from our hotel where a government building is located. What an amazing journey from start to finish and such a blessing to be a part of! We believe that blessings followed us home and blessings were received by each one who prayed and supported the ministry. While in Israel, we talked about the four of us representing a doorway of God’s glory to shine in and through Israel.
Again, we say thank you to our family and friends who faithfully interceded on our behalf as we made the journey. All praise, glory and honor be to God! We love and appreciate you….Stay turned for more to follow as we follow Him. Where next, Lord?
In His Love,
Liz Stinson and Becky Contreras
P.S. We bought some souvenirs and gifts at the Jerusalem market. Some of us were better at haggling. It is an art form that takes practice. I will not give names but we did bless the local economy a little- I think! In case you were wondering, we all did take a short camel ride. That was interesting!