Psalm 18:6
We give thanks that the family of the one remaining hostage has now been able to provide their son with a proper burial. It is nonetheless harrowing, that this young man, Ran Gvili, was taken from this world so brutally by Hamas terrorists. We pray for his family and friends – that the Lord will be a comfort at this time of mourning.At his burial, Ran Gvili’s father said, “Your story is known by all of Am Yisrael. The entire world knows it. Everyone embraces you. You are the child of the entire nation. I am so proud to be your father.”
May his memory be a blessing.
The return of the final hostage meant the clock in Tel Aviv’s ‘Hostages Square’ officially stopped at 843 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes and 59 seconds. It brings to the end a troubling period for Israel and the Jewish people. The clock may have stopped, but for all those affected – former hostages, their families, soldiers, witnesses of October 7th – the healing will continue. For the rest of us, this is not the end of our solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people – let us resolve to continue praying for and standing with His people in the days ahead.
This week on Holocaust Memorial Day, we remembered the six million Jews that were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust. This year, more than ever, we saw how easily this solemn remembrance provokes antisemites around the world. Let us therefore continue to pray for the Jewish people. The lessons from the Holocaust are as important as ever. We must keep the victims’ memories alive. We must continue to speak out against antisemitism if we are truly to embrace ‘Never Again’.
– The Iranian people and the threat from the regime
Information continues to emerge about the atrocities committed against the Iranian people by the regime. President Trump has warned of an ‘armada’ approaching Iran and hasn’t ruled out using military action against the regime. However, he also seems very keen to form an agreement. There are at least four outcomes:
1. A deal does not materialise and the US takes military action.
2. A deal does not materialise and the US does not take military action
3. A deal is agreed and it brings more guarantees to Israel and to the Iranian people in the short term, but does not remove the regime.
4. A deal is formed, but the untrustworthy Iranian regime uses the opportunity to rearm, restore its nuclear ability, and breaks the deal.
It is critical that we pray for the leaderships of the United States and of Israel. We must also continue to pray for the Iranian people and for their freedom from Iran’s oppressive regime.
– CUFI Academy
Please continue to pray for CUFI Academy; for the CUFI staff conducting the courses; that the educational material will prepare a generation that stands boldly with Israel and the Jewish people; and that the students who complete the course will be used by the Lord in advocating for Israel in the future. Enrolment is now open. Please pray for and encourage anyone you know between the ages of 16-25 who would benefit from joining CUFI Academy.
