An ancient sound is rising from Jerusalem as Israel enters a new biblical year. This year the shofar carries extraordinary significance.
As Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sept. 11, ushering in the Hebrew year 5787, Jewish families are entering a season of repentance, reflection and remembrance. But this year’s observance includes an unusual development involving one of the feast’s most recognizable biblical symbols.
As Charisma previously reported, a rabbinic court in Jerusalem plans to sound the shofar on the first full day of Rosh Hashanah even though it falls on Shabbat. Under longstanding Jewish practice, the shofar is not sounded when Rosh Hashanah falls on the Sabbath. However, Rabbi Yisrael Ariel and a three-member rabbinic court associated with efforts to revive the ancient Sanhedrin announced plans to sound it at the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, invoking an ancient provision they believe permits the practice before an authorized rabbinic court.
Against that remarkable backdrop, Christians are being called to pray.
“There is a sound heard all across Israel in this season from synagogues—the sound of the shofar,” Kayla Sprague of All Israel News said in a recent prayer update from Jerusalem.
Sprague pointed to Leviticus 23, where the biblical observance is described as a sacred time of rest and remembrance associated with the blowing of trumpets. For generations, that sound has called people to stop, remember and turn toward the God of Israel.
Now, Sprague is asking believers to pray that Israelis would hear something deeper than an ancient tradition.
Psalm 95
Citing Psalm 95, Sprague first urged Christians to pray for hearts across Israel to turn toward the Lord.
“As the shofar sounds, pray that people across Israel would seek the Lord with open hearts,” she said.
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It is a simple prayer, but perhaps a particularly poignant one after everything Israel has endured.
This Rosh Hashanah also carries a distinction from the Jewish New Year that followed the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. This is the first since the attacks that no hostages are being held in Gaza.
That gives Israelis much to be thankful for, Sprague said, even as families continue carrying the wounds left behind by years of violence, loss and war.
Psalm 147
Sprague turned to Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
“Let’s pray for continued healing physically, emotionally and spiritually,” Sprague said, while encouraging believers to thank God for His faithfulness through an extraordinarily difficult season.
But the prayers do not stop with healing from the past. They look toward what God may do next.
Isaiah 43
Drawing from Isaiah 43 and God’s declaration, “See, I am doing a new thing,” Sprague called believers to intercede for Israel as 5787 begins.
“Pray that 5787 would be marked by peace, wise leadership, restored families and renewed hope,” she said.
Above all, she prayed that Israel would recognize the hand and faithfulness of God in the coming year.
After years of bloodshed, grief and uncertainty, Israel stands at the threshold of another year. The calendar may be changing, but the wounds remain real.
Yet Scripture reminds God’s people that devastation does not get the final word.
As the shofar sounds and 5787 begins, perhaps the most important response for believers is the one Sprague calls for: prayer that Israel’s next chapter be marked by healing, restoration, peace and hearts turning toward the God of Israel.
“May this truly be a year of healing, restoration and peace,” she said.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
