Prayer for Israel

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 326132
• Annual Income: £136,833 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £136,833 (2024)
• Grant-Making Method: Trustee discretion - no public application process
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Israel, also UK and Ethiopia
• Established: 1969

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 190, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 2DB

Email: pfi@prayer4i.org (general), finance@prayer4i.org (financial matters)

Phone: 01952 604207

Website: http://www.prayer4i.org/ (also prayerforisrael.co.uk and prayerforisrael.org)

Overview

Prayer for Israel (PFI) began its ministry in 1969, founded by Ken Burnett, a Messianic Jew, in response to the growing Messianic movement in Israel following the Six-Day War in 1967. In 1982, it was formally established as a registered charity with a board of trustees. The charity is registered with the UK Charity Commission and operates as a grant-making organisation, though it does not maintain a public application process. With an annual budget of approximately £137,000, PFI supports Messianic and Arab believers in Israel through both prayer mobilisation and financial assistance. The organisation has witnessed remarkable growth in the Messianic Jewish community in Israel over its 53 years of ministry, from around two believers in 1948 to well over 130 fellowships. PFI operates as an international, non-denominational Christian fellowship focused on bringing the gospel to the Jewish people and supporting indigenous Messianic works in Israel.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Prayer for Israel makes grants to both organisations and individuals, but does not operate formal grant programmes with application processes. Grant decisions are made by the four-member board of trustees who identify beneficiaries aligned with PFI's charitable objectives.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Prayer for and support of Messianic Jewish believers in Israel
• Support for Arab Christian believers in Israel
• Messianic congregations and outreach ministries in Israel
• Relief of hardship and distress among believers in Israel

Geographic Scope:

• Israel (primary focus)
• United Kingdom
• Ethiopia
• Other locations as aligned with mission

Charitable Objectives:

According to the Charity Commission registration:

1. To advance Christian religion by promoting the gospel and extending the Christian faith in the United Kingdom, Israel and elsewhere
2. To relieve need, hardship and distress amongst persons resident in the United Kingdom, Israel and elsewhere

Types of Support:

• Grants to Messianic congregations and ministries
• Financial assistance to individuals in need
• Support for outreach and evangelistic activities
• Relief work during times of crisis or hardship

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their charitable objectives, PFI would not typically support:

• Non-religious or secular organisations
• Projects not aligned with Messianic Jewish or Christian ministry
• Organisations outside their geographic focus areas
• Activities contrary to their mission of advancing Christian faith amongst Jewish people

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The charity is governed by four trustees who serve voluntarily without remuneration. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, demonstrating the organisation's commitment to directing resources toward its charitable purposes.

Founder

Ken Burnett (1918/1919-2014) - Founder of PFI, a Jewish believer in Jesus who established the organisation in response to questions about God's purposes for Israel. After visiting Israel in the late 1960s following the Six-Day War in 1967, he met Jewish believers who encouraged him to return to the UK and mobilise people to pray for Israel, which he did for the next 45 years. His vision was rooted in Romans 10:1: "My heart's desire and prayer to God is that Israel might be saved."

How to Apply to Prayer For Israel

How to Apply

Important Note: Prayer for Israel does not operate a public grant application process.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organisations and individuals they identify through their network of contacts in the Messianic community. According to the Charity Commission, the charity's main method of carrying out its purposes is grant-making, but beneficiaries are identified through:

• The trustees' knowledge of Messianic congregations and ministries in Israel
• Information gathered through their prayer partner network
• Relationships developed over decades of ministry focus on Israel
• Prayer bulletins and communications that keep trustees informed of needs

Organisations seeking support from PFI would need to be already known to the organisation or establish a relationship through their network.

Getting on Their Radar

While PFI does not accept unsolicited applications, organisations and ministries working in their priority areas may wish to:

Connect Through Prayer Partner Network:

• Sign up as a Prayer Partner to receive PFI's monthly Prayer Bulletin and quarterly magazine
• This provides insight into the types of ministries and needs PFI highlights and may support
• Contact: pfi@prayer4i.org to request Prayer Partner materials

Engage with PFI Events:

• PFI periodically arranges prayer days, Bible teaching sessions, and conferences featuring Israeli guest speakers
• These events provide opportunities to learn more about PFI's focus and potentially connect with leadership

Build Awareness Through Existing Network:

• PFI works closely with Messianic congregations and ministries in Israel
• If your organisation works with communities already known to PFI, they may provide introductions

Direct Inquiry:

• For urgent needs or crisis situations affecting Messianic believers in Israel, contact finance@prayer4i.org
• While there is no guarantee of support, the trustees may consider special needs that align with their mission

Application Success Factors

Since Prayer for Israel does not have a formal application process, organisations seeking their attention should understand what drives PFI's grant-making decisions:

Alignment with Core Mission:

• PFI exists specifically to support Messianic Jewish and Arab Christian believers in Israel
• Projects must advance Christian faith amongst Jewish people or relieve hardship amongst believers
• The organisation's “first concern” is prayer for these communities, with financial support supplementing prayer

Relationship and Trust:

• As a charity operating since 1969, PFI has developed deep relationships within the Messianic community
• Beneficiaries are typically organisations and individuals personally known to trustees or their network
• Trust is built over time through consistent ministry and alignment with PFI's values

Indigenous Works:

• PFI specifically seeks to support “indigenous works” in Israel
• They prioritise grassroots Messianic congregations and ministries led by local believers
• The focus is on empowering Israeli believers rather than foreign-led initiatives

Demonstrated Need:

• PFI's second charitable objective is “to relieve need, hardship and distress”
• They respond to practical needs, particularly during times of crisis
• The organisation provides support to relieve hardship and distress amongst believers

Informing Prayer Partners:

• PFI shares information about supported ministries through their prayer communications
• Organisations that can help inform and mobilise prayer support align well with PFI's dual emphasis on prayer and practical support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: Prayer for Israel does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Funding is awarded through trustee discretion to known organisations and individuals.

• Niche Focus: This is a highly specialised funder supporting Messianic Jewish and Arab Christian believers specifically in Israel. Organisations outside this very narrow focus should not pursue this funder.

• Relationship-Driven: With over 50 years of ministry focus on Israel's Messianic community, PFI relies on established relationships and networks rather than competitive grant processes.

• Prayer-First Model: PFI's primary activity is mobilising prayer support. Financial grants supplement their prayer ministry rather than being the primary focus.

• Modest Budget: With annual expenditure of approximately £137,000, PFI is a small charity. Grant amounts are likely modest and intended to support grassroots ministries.

• Volunteer Leadership: All four trustees serve without compensation, indicating a lean operation where maximum resources flow to charitable purposes.

• Long-Term Vision: Founded in 1969, PFI has maintained consistent focus on supporting Messianic believers through Israel's modern history, suggesting they value sustained relationships over short-term projects.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Sobell Foundation
• Dollond Charitable Trust
• The M Y A Charitable Trust
• The Manny And Brigitta Davidson Charitable Foundation
• Alliance Family Foundation Limited
• Chasdei Esther
• Holmfield Charitable Trust
• The Rofeh Trust
• United Institutions Charitable Trust
• Keren Association Limited

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - Prayer for Israel (326132): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=326132&subid=0
• Prayer for Israel Website: https://prayerforisrael.org/home
• Prayer for Israel UK Website: https://prayerforisrael.co.uk/
• Heart Publications: “Prayer for Israel pioneer Ken Burnett”: https://www.heartpublications.co.uk/prayer-for-israel-pioneer-ken-burnett/
• Charity Choice Directory: Prayer For Israel: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/prayer-for-israel-133334
• Christians for Israel Australia: “Growth of Messianic Believers”: https://c4israel.com.au/articles/growth-of-messianic-believers/