All posts tagged: prayer

Still Small Voice – War, Day 10 / October 16th 2023

Dear Friends who love Israel and pray: 5084, we were cautioned, would be a year of shock and amazement. This is an Israeli reality as of last Shabbat Oct 7th, when Israel was attacked and the south was overrun from 6:30 a.m. onwards. 1,300 Israelis were confirmed slaughtered. Hamas is trying now to distance itself from atrocities being discovered by soldiers in the south. This slaughter hearkens back to the Holocaust. “Greater love has no man, than he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 “These are the days of depravity by Hamas against Israeli civilians in the most unimaginable way.” Anthony Blinken USA Secretary of State, USA For any Israeli, it is a time of emotional whiplash. One minute we are praying and beseeching heaven, the next we are crying anxiously, feeling alone. We struggle to rest, then fall into an exhausted sleep. Yes, we continue praising through our tears, not speaking of the tragedies, and working to encourage family and friends on the ground in Israel. We all work to harness …

Please support the families of kidnapped Israelis

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear friends, I announce with a heavy heart that our family friend’s son has been kidnapped into Gaza by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. His safety and whereabouts are unknown. The family is going through absolute anguish and terror at this moment. I have created a GoFundMe called: “Please help the families of kidnapped Israelis” to help these Israeli families going through this horror. We will support each family that has a loved one missing or kidnapped. I have volunteers in Israel who will contact each family. Thank you for your prayers and support!! Here is the link to the GoFundMe page: “Please help the families of kidnapped Israelis” Meridel

Still Small Voice -WAR ALERT / Oct. 7th 2023

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends who care for and pray for Israel: Today is not only the Sabbath when Jews are at home, it is also the 8th day, and last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. In Leviticus 23:36 God commanded Israel (in the days of the Temple] to bring an offering by fire on this the last day of the Feast. Today Psalm 6, is sung in synagogues, but, how does it fit with the Feast? This my friends is a mystery. Our God is all knowing. In Psalm 6, you will read the word “fire” several times. It has been a day of bombing, burning, firing shots, a day of war. “Blow a shofar-trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm from my holy mountain. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the Day of The LORD is coming. It is close at hand – a day of darkness And gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.” Joel 2:1-25 Fifty years ago today the Yom Kippur War erupted. This was a carefully planned war against …

Still Small Voice – 21st Iyar 5783, May 12th 2023

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends: It is guaranteed; there is never a dull moment in Israel! Yesterday, we celebrated the covenant – brit or circumcision of our youngest family member, Gabriel Victor. Gabriel means ‘Messenger of God’. The angel Gabriel came to the prophet Daniel to show him what must come to pass in the End Days, and appears again to Miriam – Mary announcing the favor upon her to give birth to the coming Messiah. ‘Victor’ is one of the names of Messiah. Daniel and Shelly’s second son is named after his Great Grandfather Victor Alloway, a Canadian soldier who fell fighting in Holland for the liberation of Europe. Fifty friends joined us here in our garden, on the outskirts of Jerusalem to celebrate and rejoice over the great goodness of the LORD. We gathered just after 12 noon when large menacing booms filled the atmosphere overhead. They were indicative of Israel’s Iron Dome taking out rockets sent from Gaza, falling within just a few kilometres of us. They were aimed at the world-famous Hadassah Hospital. A …

Still Small Voice – Easter Sunday / Nisan 18th 5783, April 9th 2023

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom from Jerusalem dear Friends: Josh drove us to the airport in Athens Greece, David picked us up at Ben Gurion airport in Israel and Daniel and Shelly had the Sabbath candles lit and a feast spread out before us upon arrival home. We are grateful to all four sons who shower us with loving-kindness. Chris up in Helsinki does the same, of course. Jay and I arrived back in Israel Friday night to the intense crush of terror breaking all around. Rockets from Gaza and Lebanon did their best to disturb. A bank was hit and the lead balls and bolts packed into the missiles smashed through the front of the building, destroying computers. A mother and her daughters were shot while driving along the Dead Sea road. The two girls died and the mother is fighting for her life. This very night a car rammed into 7 tourists in Tel Aviv killing one, and injuring the others. This is our reality in Israel today. Today Syria lobbed 6 missiles towards Israel, and 3 …

Still Small Voice – February 10th, 2023

Published by Meridel Rawlings

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to You for help. This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what He has promised.” Ps 56 The words of Jesus help so much in these days. He saw it all, and has promised to make a way for all of us to live and move and have our being. It has been a week of heartache. What other response can there be than prayer, and digging deeper to stand steady? Amir, below, brings you an up date from Israel on the Turkey and Syrian earthquake. Kindly listen and pray with understanding. History repeating itself: Watch if you love history and have the …

Still Small Voice – Shevat 5, 5783 / January 27th 2023

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Good Morning dear Friends: Today is International Holocaust Day. “For now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that my name may be there for ever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.“ 2 Chronicles 7:16 I believe that for our own welfare and the welfare of our children, we must never forget the horrendous time of the Nazis. A terrible precedent of racism was set. The nation of Israel was literally birthed out of those ashes. Two out of every three European Jews perished. Many of us still living have vivid memories of WW2. But sadly, the younger generations are grossly ignorant. That is almost impossible to fathom, I know. It explains the growing curse of anti-Semitism today. I ask for your prayers for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. Psalm 130 is recited by Jewish people publicly and privately in times of crisis and need. It is believed to have been the most recited Psalm by Jews in the Holocaust. I invite you to join us here …

Still Small Voice: Happy Hanukkah – Merry Christmas, Kislev 30, 5783 – Dec. 24th 2022.

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom Shalom, dear friends: I begin with Canadian Paul Wylie skating to a special rendition of O Holy Night! Question from a former doner of Jerusalem Vistas/Israel Vision: “… as I understand the ministry of Jerusalem Vistas ceases at the end of 2022. I would like to continue to donate to you. I don’t need a tax receipt. I very much enjoy Still Small Voice. I hope that others will continue to support you. Wishing you peaceful holidays and a very blessed year 2023.” Ursula Alberts Canada From Jay’s desk: “Yes, Vistas is closing after 40 amazing years in Jerusalem. It is the close of an organization but NOT a ministry. Have you read, Miracles Among the Nations? It will be available on Amazon soon. Meridel and I are busy with the next book, Volume 3, Israel, our Odyssey. Thanks Jay.’” From Meridel’s desk: “Thank you Ursula for this vote of confidence. I would so appreciate the help, see details at the end of this letter. Yes, you can donate to us through Still Small …

Still Small Voice – Thanksgiving, Cheshvan 28, 5783 Nov. 24, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends, old and young: This week, my Still Small Voice touches upon Thanksgiving, the olive harvest and prayer. Let’s begin with the Pilgrims and early pioneers of North America. Like all of us, they still had a choice in tough times. These hearty souls decided in the midst of extreme hardship, famine and loss of life to pause and to give thanks to the Almighty. Yes, still many perished. No, it wasn’t easy but it was the Godly response that moved the Hand of God to provide the miracles that they needed to sustain them in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. Today the doomsday thinkers and naysayers are calling for a worldwide depression and financial collapse. Jerusalem, on the other hand, is suffering increased deadly attacks yet faithful ones in the midst of her give praise and worship to the Almighty continually. That is inspiring and in line with the Word of God … Give thanks always! Most of you will be aware of the two deadly bombing attacks yesterday at two …

Still Small Voice – Cheshvan 25, 8753. Nov. 19, 2022.

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends: Those of you from whom I hear, are often on my heart for prayer. What a privilege it is to communicate. My theme in this Still Small Voice is tribes. From childhood my life has been impacted by many tribal groups, perhaps it all began knowing my great great grandmother was of the Shaw Clan, a Scots Highlander. I grew up with the Bible, learning in depth about Israel and her people-tribes. “… and behold on the clouds of heaven, One like a Son of Man was coming. And he came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented to Him. And to him (The Messiah) was given dominion (supreme authority). Glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, kingdoms and nations should serve and worship Him.” Daniel 7: 13,14 “At the time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations (tribes) of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and …