Scripture instructs the Israelites to count seven weeks, from the offering of first fruits during Passover, until Shavuot, the festival of Weeks. This  49-day period is a time of spiritual anticipation and prayer, called sefirat ha-omer, or counting the omer, the sheaf of the wave offering (based on Leviticus 23:15-17). In the past few years, UMJC congregational members and supporters have renewed the tradition of counting the omer, as we join in 49 days of unified prayer. The prayer campaign concludes with an offering for Shavuot, the holiday celebrating God's gift of the Torah to the people of Israel. 

This year, the theme for our prayer campaign will echo the theme of our 2007 International conference-Tikkun Olam: Restoring the World in Messiah. The phrase Tikkun Olam means to repair or restore our world in cooperation with its Creator. As followers of Yeshua, we await the ultimate Tikkun Olam that will arrive with his return. Yeshua calls us to practice restoration, as we help rebuild remnant for Messiah within the house of Israel, engage in tzedakah (help for the disadvantaged) and outreach in his name, andthe restoration of Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel.

Our prayers through the 49 days of the Omer (evening of April 3-evening of May 21) will cover both inward and outward Tikkun, that is, both the renewal of our own faith and walk with God, and renewal within our families, congregations, and the worldwide Messianic Jewish community. Each week will focus on a specific theme of outward Tikkun, such as tzedakah  or reconciliation, to be included in each day's prayers. A Scripture for personal renewal will also be listed for each day, so that both themes are emphasized throughout the 49 days. We pray for inward Tikkun first, so that we are in a stronger position to pray for the outward. For example, the first week will open with an emphasis on t'shuvah, or return to God and his ways. Each day we will pray for a personal return to God, as a first step of inward Tikkun. Then we will pray for t'shuvah within our families, congregations, the Messianic Jewish community, and the entire Jewish community.

The prayers reach their culmination on Shavuot, the 50^th day. During the festival (May 22-24), the UMJC will gather a financial offering from among member congregations and individual supporters. This offering will itself be an act of Tikkun Olam, as we send it to support humanitarian projects coordinated by the Messianic Jewish community in Israel. Past prayer campaigns have been a great success, allowing the UMJC to expand staff, distribute money in Israel, and fund programs for children, youth, and young adults. This is the first time that the entire offering is being sent to Israel, and UMJC leaders are anticipating a tremendous response.

In another first, this year's Prayer Campaign will be interactive, with daily prayers and brief commentaries posted online and available via email. Participants will be connected to others who are praying the same way around the world. Visit www.umjc.org to sign up for your daily prayer commentary.

Watch the mail for your prayer guide, which should arrive shortly before Passover, and for updates at www.umjc.org. Your prayers and offerings are essential!!