Shalom from Jaffa—biblical Joppa, one of the ancient cities of Israel and a place where remarkable events recorded in Scripture unfolded. As I stand here today, I am praying for you. I may not know exactly what you are facing as you read these words, what situation you have been bringing before the Lord, or what has been weighing on your heart. But here in this ancient city, there is a story I want to share with you, because I believe it carries a very personal encouragement for you today.
Nearly two thousand years ago, there was a disciple here in Joppa named Tabitha, also called Dorcas, a woman Scripture describes as being “full of good works and charitable deeds.” She was deeply loved by the community, but she became sick and died. When Peter arrived, the widows gathered around him weeping and showing him the garments Tabitha had made for them. Everything in that room spoke of a life that was over. But Peter sent everyone outside, knelt down, and prayed. Then he turned toward her and said, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes. What looked final was suddenly filled with life, and Acts tells us that the news spread throughout Joppa and “many believed on the Lord” (Acts 9:42).
As I stand here praying for you, I keep thinking about that room. Peter came face-to-face with something no human strength could change. There was nothing he could repair and nothing he could accomplish in his own ability. So he knelt down and prayed. Peter knew the risen Yeshua. He knew where resurrection power came from, and when he stood before the impossible, he brought the impossible before God.
And I wonder what feels impossible in your life today. Perhaps you are praying for your family or one of your children. Perhaps a relationship needs restoration, a door seems firmly closed, your work or circumstances have taken an unexpected turn, or you have simply grown tired after bringing the same prayer before God for a very long time. Maybe you have reached the place where all you can see is what has gone wrong, what has been lost, or what seems beyond your ability to change.
From Jaffa, I want to encourage you today: do not stop praying.
The story of Tabitha does not mean that we can tell God how He must answer us, or that every difficult situation will unfold exactly as we hope. But it reminds us of something powerful: we pray to the living God. The God who raised Yeshua from the dead is not intimidated by what looks impossible to us. He sees what you cannot see. He knows the circumstances you cannot change. And nothing you bring before Him in prayer is beyond His reach.
I don’t know the name of the situation you are carrying today, but God does. And as I stand here in Jaffa—the city where Peter knelt before an impossible situation and prayed—I want to bring your need before the Lord with you.
Lord Yeshua, I pray right now for the person reading these words. You know them by name. You know exactly where they are, what they are facing, and the prayer they have carried in their heart—perhaps for weeks, months, or even years. Where there is brokenness, bring restoration. Where there is weariness, breathe new strength. Where there is confusion, bring direction. I pray for their family, their children, their marriage, their relationships, their work, and every circumstance they are placing before You right now. Where hope has grown weak, let faith rise again. According to Your will, open doors that no one can open, restore what only You can restore, and let Your power and faithfulness be revealed in their life. In the name of Yeshua, amen.
There is one more thing I love about what happened here in Joppa. Tabitha’s miracle did not remain inside that room. The testimony traveled through the city, and many believed in the Lord. So as I pray for you, I am praying for this as well: that what God does in your life will become a testimony. May someone else find courage because they have seen His faithfulness in your story. May an answered prayer in your life cause someone else to look toward Yeshua.
And when God moves, please tell us. Send us your testimony. We want to rejoice with you, pray with you, and give glory to the Lord together.
Today, from the ancient streets of biblical Jaffa, my team and I are praying for you. Whatever you are carrying before the Lord today, keep bringing it to Him. What you see may look final—but God always has the final word.
Shalom and blessings from Israel,
Pastor Israel Pochtar
