The Shofar Newsletter
THE SHOFAR Newsletter of Bet Yeshurun Messianic Assembly
Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun
No. 1710 / January 16, 2026
2026 Gatherings (services start promptly at 3:00 pm; doors open an hour earlier. )
1/17 Chodesh (Celebrating the 11th month of the Divine Year) *
1/18 Sabbath
1/24 Praise & Worship
1/25 Sabbath
1/31 Praise & Worship
2/1 Sabbath
2/7 Praise & Worship
2/8 Sabbath
2/14 Praise & Worship
2/15 Sabbath
2/16 Chodesh (Celebrating the 12th month of the Divine Year) *
* A Holy Day like Sabbaths (a day for no work)
2025-26 Schedule for Reading the Bible in One-Year
Brit Cha’Dasha; Luqas (Illuminating) Gospel of Luke
1/15 - Chapters 19 – 20 1/16 - Chapters 21 – 22 1/17 - Chapters 23 – 24
Brit Cha’Dasha; Yochanan (Yah has Favoured) Gospel of John
1/18 - Chapters 1 – 2 1/19 - Chapters 3 – 4 1/20 - Chapters 5 – 6
1/21 - Chapters 7 – 8 1/22 - Chapters 9 – 10 1/23 - Chapters 11 – 12
1/24 - Chapters 13 – 15 1/25 - Chapters 16 – 18 1/26 - Chapters 19 – 21
Brit Cha’Dasha; Ma’Asheh (Actions) Acts of Apostles
1/27 - Chapters 1 – 3 1/28 - Chapters 4 – 6 1/29 - Chapters 7 – 8
1/30 - Chapters 9 – 10 1/31 - Chapters 11 – 13 2/1 - Chapters 14 – 15
2/2 - Chapters 16 – 17 2/3 - Chapters 18 – 20 2/4 - Chapters 21 – 23
2/5 - Chapters 24 – 26 2/6 - Chapters 27 – 28
Brit Cha’Dasha; Galatiyim (Of the Gauls) Paul’s Letter to Galatians
2/7 - Chapters 1 – 3 2/8 - Chapters 4 – 6
Brit Cha’Dasha; Tas’Loniqim 1 (Victory of Falsity) Paul’s 1st Letter to Thessalonians
2/9 - Chapters 1 – 5
Brit Cha’Dasha; Tas’Loniqim 2 (Victory of Falsity) Paul’s 2nd Letter to Thessalonians
2/10 - Chapters 1 – 3
Brit Cha’Dasha; Qorin’tiyim 1 (Satiated) Paul’s First Letter to Corinthians
2/11 - Chapters 1 – 4 2/12 - Chapters 5 – 8 2/13 - Chapters 9 – 11
2/14 - Chapters 12 – 14 2/15 - Chapters 15 – 16
Interested in joining Bet Yeshurun Assembly? Please contact Pastor ObadiYah by email, telephone, mail, or in person at a gathering of Yahushuah’s Body.
Help Wanted: Prayer Warriors
(Matthew 9:35-38) Yahushuah went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues (assemblies), preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His Disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Adonai of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His Harvest.”
That passage describes how Yahushuah taught, preached and healed. He also shares a message for Bet Yeshurun Assembly (BYA). We have work to do, and this Gospel verse confirms that we’ll need some more prayer warriors to help us: (Luke 10:2) Said He, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers few. Pray, therefore, the Adonai of the harvest that He would send forth laborers into His Harvest.”
Both passages translate “pray” from “deomai” (G1189; deh'-om-ahee). Strong’s Concordance says that word also means “to beg (binding oneself), i.e. to petition, beseech, request.” (Mark 11:24-25) What things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye have ought against any, that your Father in Heaven may forgive your trespasses.
“Proseuchomai” (G4336; pros-yoo'-khom-ahee) is another Greek word used in the NT Bible (87 times) for “pray.” (Strong’s) These exemplify what Yah expects from those who desire to serve Him as prayer warriors: (Matthew 5:44-45) I (Yahushuah) say, “Love your enemies. Bless them who curse you. Do good to them who hate you. Pray (proseuchomai) for them who despitefully use and persecute you that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 26:41) “Watch and pray (proseuchomai), that ye enter not into temptation.”
Such prayer assignments were given to the early prayer warriors in Elohim’s Family, like our patriarch Abraham, as an ancient message to a king (Abimilech) from YAHUAH attests: (Genesis 20:7) Restore the man’s wife (Sarah) for he (Abraham) is a prophet and shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live.
The Hebrew verb for “pray” in that verse is “pālal” (H6419; paw-lal). It also means “to judge (officially or mentally); to intercede, to intreat, make supplication.” (Strong’s) This psalm (song) of king David shows how Prayer Warriors can follow his lead in praying to Elohim: (Psalm 5:1-2) Give ear to my words, O’ YAHUAH. Consider my meditation. Hearken to the voice of my cry, my King and my Elohim, for to thee I pray (pālal).
The KJV translates prayer (77 times) from the Hebrew word tef-il-law' (H8605; tᵊp̄illâ). Strong’s notes that noun can also mean “intercession, supplication” Here’s one of many verses that speak of prayers: (1 Kings 8:28-29) “Yet have thou respect unto the prayer (tᵊp̄illâ) of thy servant and to his supplication. O’ YAHUAH Elohim, hearken unto the cry and prayer (tᵊp̄illâ), which thy servant prayeth (pālal) before thee today that thine eyes may be open to this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be there.”
Interested in serving as a Prayer Warrior? Over 300 KJV verses use the word pray. Here are a few, which show what the job entails: (James 5:13-16) Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray! Is any merry? Let him sing psalms! Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Adonai. The prayer of faith shall save the sick and Adonai shall raise him up; and if he committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (2 Chronicles 7:14-16) If my people, called by My Name, humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (Psalm 55:16-17) I will call on Elohim and YAHUAH shall save me. I will pray and cry aloud, evening, morning and noon.
Looking for other Scripture verses on prayer?It’s in the KJV over 100 times, like in these examples: (Acts 6:4) We give ourselves continually to prayer and ministry of the Word. (1 Peter 4:7) The end of all things is at hand! Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. (Proverb 28:9) He who turns his ear from hearing the Law (Torah), even his prayer shall be abomination. (Ephesians 6:14-18)Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth and having on the breastplate of Righteousness; Your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; Above all, taking the shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Elohim: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Already a Prayer Warrior, but looking to practice? Remember, we don’t do this job by ourself. We rely upon the Spirit (ha’Ruach) for help! (Romans 8:24-27) We are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man sees, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise, the Spirit (ha’Ruach) helps our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Ruach itself makes intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered. He that searches hearts knows what is the mind of ha’Ruach, making intercession for the Saints according to the Will of Elohim.
Ever wonder why Warriors include Yahushuah’s Name in prayers? While the Father always hears us, in declaring His Name, we glorify Elohim for what He grants via His character, authority and reputation. We are also obeying His instructions on how to pray: (John 16:23-27) “Verily, verily I say, what so ever you shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give you. Hitherto you have asked nothing in My Name. Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full. These things I spoke to you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no longer speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day you shall ask in My Name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you for the Father Himself loves you, because you love me and believe that I came from Elohim.” (John 14:13-14) “Whatsoever you ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in My Name, I will do it.”
As Yah’s Prayer Warriors, recognize the times to leave the heavy lifting to Elohim. Wise king Solomon affirms: (2 Chronicles 6:24-27) If Your people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy because they sinned against You; and return and confess Your Name, to pray and make supplication before You in this House; then hear from Heaven, forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them again to the land which You gave them and their fathers. When the heaven is shut up and there is no rain, because they sinned against You; yet if they pray toward this place, confess Your Name and turn from their sin, when You do afflict them; Then hear from heaven, forgive the sin of Your Servants and of Your people Israel, when You have taught them the good Way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon Your land, which You have given unto Your people for an inheritance.
Keep in mind! We aren’t really applying for the job of a Prayer Warrior. Yah chooses us! (John 15:16) You have not chosen me, but I chose and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you.
By witnessing our true belief, Prayer Warriors come under Yah’s authority and serve Him: (John 15:7) If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.” (Psalm 20:1) May YAHUAH hear you in the day of trouble. May the Name of the Elohim of Jacob defend you. (Psalm 116:13) I will take the cup of Salvation and call upon the name of YAHUAH.”
Praying also helps a Warrior to remain intimate with YAHUAH. Expressing our desires is one way we pray intimately. Praying in the Name of Yahushuah also does that. Furthermore, we can get close to YAH through these ways: (Ephesians 5:19-20) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to Yah; Giving thanks always for all things to Elohim and the Father in the name of our master and Messiah Yahushuah.
Nonetheless, BYA could always use a few more Prayer Warriors. The Messiah also encourages us to pray for other laborers in His Harvest. So, lift up these workers serving Yah, too: (Ephesians 4:10-12) He that descended is the same also that ascends far above all heavens that He might fulfill all things. He gave some apostles; some prophets; evangelists; pastors (shepherds) and teachers; For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Messiah.
As Prayer Warriors at BYA wait expectantly for Yahushuah, let’s stay energized and press forward onto the high calling of Elohim. Remember we’re serving Yah’s Way of Life via our prayers. It’s a great way to use of our time! (Psalm 6:9) YAHUAH heard my supplication! YAHUAH will receive my prayer. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Pray without ceasing (incessantly). (1 Corinthians 15:58) Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of Adonai, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in Adonai.
So, if you wish to accept the job of a Prayer Warrior for YAHUAH, the time to work is now. Praying for YAH’s Harvest workers is important and we can encourage Elohim to be compassionate upon His people by extending His mercy onto those laborers that go out to proclaim the Kingdom of Elohim. Indeed, now is the time to help in that work by nurturing HIS Harvest. The time grows short! (John 4:35-37) Say not there are yet four months, and then comes Harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reaps receives wages and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, “One sows and another reaps.”
We pray always for you that our Elohim would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of Faith with power that the name of our Adonai Yahushuah Messiah may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our Elohim and Adonai Yahushuah ha’Messiach. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12) Shalom, Elder Curt
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Thoughts for Meditation
Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist in the 17th century - “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”
Galileo Galilei (1564 -1642 astronomer) - “When I reflect on so many profoundly marvelous things that persons have grasped, sought, and done, I recognize even more clearly that human intelligence is a work of God, and one of the most excellent.”
Martin Luther - “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”