Hans Weichbrodt and Arlen and Elsa Salte would love to have you join them for a spiritual journey of a lifetime. Break Forth Israel & Jordan Next Level 2018 may just be the best tour we’ve ever offered. Please click below for your video invitation:

Hans teaching outside Philippi

Have you ever struggled with a morning prayer pattern? Does your mind tend to wander?

Here is the prayer pattern that I’ve used for years. It was passed to me from my spiritual father.

The Biblical Foundation for my morning prayer pattern is the temple-service Numbers 28: 1- 4 and Daniel (Dan 6:10) 

These passages show us that God’s people could pray “linked” to the temple-service even if the temple at that time was in ruins!

We can also see that the early Church seemed to have this focus:

We see this with Peter and John in Acts 3:1 on their way to pray at the evening/afternoon prayer.

We also see this with Peter himself in Yafo (Jaffa) praying in Acts 10:9. Just like Daniel, Peter seems to be praying three times per day. Peter and John probably learned this pattern from Jesus himself!

Yet, this didn’t end with the Apostolic Age!

The tradition of praying at fixed times during the day (morning-prayer included) was passed on through the centuries. A good example of this is the monasteries who have prayed this way for almost 2000 years.

I was inspired to pray this way by my spiritual father. He follows a fixed order (just like the monasteries).

I’ve altered it somewhat so it fits me all the better. I believe that this is spiritually sound- We inherit an order but we’re free in Christ to change a fixed order so that it fits us personally “like a hand in a glove”.

So here´s my order – You should also feel free to change this order so that it fits you as well. 

1. Greeting of the Lord (standing):

“Lord, let us see your grace and give us your salvation! Honor be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, as it was from the beginning, now is and shall be forever and ever, Amen!”

2. Confession and Absolution (kneeling)

“I confess to you holy and righteous God that I have sinned with thoughts, Words and deeds. Think on me with mercy and forgive me for the sake of Jesus Christ the sins that I have committed.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Here I add my own Little addition: “In Jesus name! In the blood of the Lamb!!!” I often proclaim this with a loud voice. This is especially appropriate when I’m under spiritual oppression.

3. Psalms (from now and also during the Gospel standing or sitting)

Here I read 3 psalms. I just flip open the pages and take the first three psalms I see in the book of Psalms. It´s probably even better to have a fixed order (that’s the way my spiritual father prays), even though I’ve been amazed through the years at how many times God has spoken to me prophetically through my “random” reading of three psalms. If it´s a long Psalm (like 119) than it’s of course ok not to read the whole Psalm.

4. Gospel

Here I read one passages/section from any of the four Gospels. I do it the same way as I do with the psalms and also here a fixed order of reading might be preferred.

5. Benedicamus- The blessing (from now and on standing)

Here I read (as my spiritual father does) the prayer of Zechariah in Luke 1: 68- 79. It truly has become a treasure for me but this is the section of the morning- prayer that I would suggest for you to omit if you want to shorten your morning- prayer.

6. Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer)

A suggestion is to try to pray it not to quick but to take a minute to reflect on at least one of the passages in Jesus prayer.

7. Free Prayer 

This section is, of course, totally flexible and that´s a great strength. If you´re in a hurry perhaps you will only pray for 30 seconds. If you have time, it´s an awesome privilege to take some time and now let the anointing of the Holy Spirit just lead you where He wants to go.

You can also include some soaking-time perhaps combined with some specific things he leads you to pray for.

Even though I try to “go with the flow” there is a pattern that I most often follow:

• I start with thanking the Lord for all the good things He has blessed me with. This often creates joy, thankfulness and faith!
• I pray for others in the following order:
  • Family
  • Ministry
  • People I think I’m going to meet that day
  • People I don’t yet know that I´m going to meet.
• Then I pray for myself.  I try to pray with boldness, knowing that I am secure in the grace, love and promises of God. 

8 . Blessing

I finish the prayer with proclaiming a blessing over my family and myself. I will often use the priestly blessing in Numbers 6: 23- 24.

This prayer time can take less than 5 minutes to pray if there´s no “free” prayer.

I think it’s important to point out that it doesn’t take a longer time to pray just because you pray following a specific order. The only difference in my opinion is that this order gives you focus!

This is, not the least, due to this order being founded in the Word of God! 

Because of the power in prayer I have seen in those who have used this biblical pattern,  people who follow this pattern might finding themselves praying longer than they expected.  They may not be able to resist to take time to rest in the anointing during the “free” prayer.

This prayer time has been transformational for me. I pray that if you choose to follow this scriptural prayer pattern that it will be a blessing to you as well.

In Christ,

Rev. Hans Weichbrodt

Spiritual Teacher, Break Forth Journeys

Please note: We’ve seen miracles during our prayer ministry times throughout our Break Forth Journeys trips. Hans, Arlen and Elsa choose to lead trips of spiritual impact. If you want to learn more about our upcoming trips, please email us at journeys@breakforthministries.com.

Hans sharing about the accuracy of the Word of God as confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls.

One of the highlights of any of our Break Forth Israel trips is visiting Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discouvered.  Now – a stunning new discouvery has been made.  Read on to learn more . . .

After more than 60 years, a new Dead Sea Scroll cave has been discovered and excavated on the cliffs west of Qumran, near the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, by Hebrew University archeologists in “Operation Scroll”. The excavations prove that Dead Sea scrolls from the Second Temple period were hidden in the cave, and were looted by Bedouins in the middle of the last century. With the discovery of this cave, scholars now suggest that it should be numbered as Cave 12.

The surprising discovery, representing a milestone in Dead Sea Scroll research, was made by Dr. Oren Gutfeld and Ahiad Ovadia from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology, with the help of Dr. Randall Price and students from Liberty University in Virginia USA. The excavators are the first in over 60 years to discover a new scroll cave and to properly excavate it.

Fragments of jars that contained stolen scrolls

Excavation of the cave revealed that at one time it contained Dead Sea scrolls. Numerous storage jars and lids from the Second Temple period were found hidden in niches along the walls of the cave and deep inside a long tunnel at its rear. The jars were all broken and their contents removed, and the discovery towards the end of the excavation of a pair of iron pickaxe heads from the 1950s (stored within the tunnel for later use) proves the cave was looted.

Until now, it was believed that only 11 caves had contained scrolls. With the discovery of this cave, scholars have now suggested that it would be numbered as Cave 12. Like Cave 8, in which scroll jars but no scrolls were found, this cave will receive the designation Q12 (the Q=Qumran standing in front of the number to indicate no scrolls were found).

Remnant of scroll when removed from jar

“This exciting excavation is the closest we’ve come to discovering new Dead Sea scrolls in 60 years. Until now, it was accepted that Dead Sea scrolls were found only in 11 caves at Qumran, but now there is no doubt that this is the 12th cave,” said Dr. Oren Gutfeld, an archaeologist at the Hebrew University’s Institute of Archaeology and director of the excavation. “Although at the end of the day no scroll was found, and instead we ‘only’ found a piece of parchment rolled up in a jug that was being processed for writing, the findings indicate beyond any doubt that the cave contained scrolls that were stolen. The findings include the jars in which the scrolls and their covering were hidden, a leather strap for binding the scroll, a cloth that wrapped the scrolls, tendons and pieces of skin connecting fragments, and more.”

The finds from the excavation include not only the storage jars, which held the scrolls, but also fragments of scroll wrappings, a string that tied the scrolls, and a piece of worked leather that was a part of a scroll. The finding of pottery and of numerous flint blades, arrowheads, and a decorated stamp seal made of carnelian, a semi-precious stone, also revealed that this cave was used in the Chalcolithic and the Neolithic periods.

The excavation was supported by the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), and is a part of the new “Operation Scroll” launched at the IAA by its Director-General, Mr. Israel Hasson, to undertake systematic surveys and to excavate the caves in the Judean Desert.

Archaeologists Oren Gutfeld & Ahiad Ovadia survey cave

This first excavation to take place in the northern part of the Judean Desert as part of “Operation Scroll” will open the door to further understanding the function of the caves with respect to the scrolls, with the potential of finding new scroll material. The material, when published, will provide important new evidence for scholars of the archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea caves.

“The important discovery of another scroll cave attests to the fact that a lot of work remains to be done in the Judean Desert and finds of huge importance are still waiting to be discovered,” said Israel Hasson, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “We are in a race against time as antiquities thieves steal heritage assets worldwide for financial gain. The State of Israel needs to mobilize and allocate the necessary resources in order to launch a historic operation, together with the public, to carry out a systematic excavation of all the caves of the Judean Desert.”

*Photo 1 by Arlen Salte. All other photos Casey L. Olson and Oren Gutfeld

Maybe you think tattoos are a new style (aside from sailers of old).

Would you be surprised to learn that Christians have been marking their pilgrimages to the Holy Land with a tattoo for hundreds of years?

It may seem like the last thing you’d want to do on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Yet, these tattoo artists have been offering their services for hundreds of years.

Every time we bring a tour group to Israel, we spend time in prayer at the Pools of Bethesda. We have no human explanation, but there is something especially powerful about praying here.

Check out this video to see this wonderful site:

We’ve seen it time and again. The Church of St Anne in Jerusalem has a holy signature in acoustics like few other places.

When most people start singing in this historic church, tears well up in their eyes.

The Church of St Anne in Jerusalem is known for having some of the best choral acoustics in the world.

As you sing, notes cascade off the stone and come back at you like a thousand angels singing.

But, it’s more than just acoustics that are amazing.

It’s the spiritual sense that you’re joining with fellow believers who’ve worshipped here for nearly one thousand years.

Do you want to step into that scene?

Well, now you can.

This video is from Break Forth Israel Next Level 2016.  As we joined in worshiping together, there was a sense of holy presence. There was awe-inspiring reverence.

If you’d like to join us as we worship at the Church of St Anne, why don’t you watch the video below? You probably know the songs.

Do you want to join us in worshipping at the Church of St Anne? Do you want to do this in person? We’d love to have you join us for our Break Forth Israel Signature Tour. You can download a free brochure here.

We’re thrilled to share with you our Bible Lands Tour lineup for 2016 to 2017.

Please join us for Spiritual Journeys of a Lifetime. Join us for:

• Break Forth Israel & Jordan NEXT Level: 2016.
• Break Forth Paul 2016: Missionary Journeys of Paul & 7 Day Cruise
• Break Forth Israel Signature Tour: March 2017
• Break Forth Revelation: 7 Churches & Isle of Patmos

Please click on the image below to download your free brochure today!

As many know, we bring an entire worship team with us on our tours. We’ve had so many requests for this song.  It has been amazing to sing Revelation Song on Tel Megiddo (traditional site of Armageddon) as well as on the Island of Patmos (where John received the Revelation).

We will lead hearts in worship again with Revelation Song during our upcoming tours, including Break Forth Israel & Jordan NEXT Level 2016.  You can learn more about this tour here.

May your heart be lifted up in worship as you watch and listen:

Good or bad private tour guide? We’re here to help!

So, you’ve decided to hire a private tour guide for a trip to Israel. Excellent!

When we lead groups on our trips with Break Forth Journeys, we are very selective. You should also be selective if you choose a private tour guide.

There are many private tour guides in many countries. While all of our Break Forth Journeys tour guides have been exceptional, we’ve had some bad experiences on other trips we’ve taken. In fact, some of them have been horrible.

• We’ve had guides we could barely understand.
• We’ve had guides walk away on the group and leave fifty people stranded.
• We’ve had guides who were clearly making up ‘facts’ and stories.
• We’ve had guides taking most of the time complaining about their country’s politics.
• We’ve had guides saying there were too good for us.

But, it doesn’t need to be this way for you . . .

If we could have or would have followed the following Nine Tips from David Wexler we would have had consistently great experiences.

We’ve asked our Break Forth Journeys Head Israel Tour Guide, David Wexler to provide you with 9 tips to help you choose the right private tour guide to make this your best experience ever!

Most of these tips will also work in choosing a private guide for any tour you take, whether it’s Israel, other Lands of the Bible or a trip to another land.

David Wexler

Here are David’s Nine Tips and they’re great ones:

1. Define a time-frame for your guided touring experience – Are you seeking a single-day walking tour in Jerusalem’s Old City, a 10-day “cross country” program or something in between? Have a ball-park time allotment in mind when reaching out to prospective guides. Make sure to provide your specific dates for touring right at the outset so that candidates can check their availability.
2. Ask friends, colleagues, clergy for referrals – Personal recommendations are always the best way to select a tour guide. Ask others who’ve already visited about their experiences with their guide. Check references and read testimonials.
3. Visit online travel forums, such as Trip Advisor – A wealth of travel related information is available on the Internet. Ask questions on online travel forums dedicated to Israel. You’ll find plenty of experts willing to give you free advice.
4. Work only with a tour guide licensed by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism – Israeli law requires any person guiding tourists to be licensed by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism. Israel’s licensed guides are some of the best professionals in the industry worldwide. This is because the State of Israel requires its guides to complete the most rigorous two-year program of academic study in order to become a licensed professional. Be wary of charlatans offering you tours at Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate or at other high traffic tourist sites. Make sure the guide you work with prominently displays his/her license at all times, as is required by local law.
5. 

   David at Davidson Center Overlook

   Be specific about the expertise of the guide you’re looking for – All licensed guides in Israel receive training and education concerning a broad range of topics. But after licensing, guides tend to acquire specific specializations. If nature hikes are your thing, make sure your guide is up on the best hiking routes in Galilee, the Golan Heights and the Judean Desert. Many guides have an expertise in Christianity and others in Judaism. You’ll even find some expert guides who are quite knowledgeable about both religions and can help you delve into the Jewish roots of your Christian faith. Even experts on birding or ethnic minorities you’ll find in Israel. Just specify what areas of knowledge are most important to you.

6. Determine the English proficiency of your guide – Although many Israeli guides have a good command of the English language, sometimes a heavy accent can become an obstacle. If you feel there’s even a slight chance of this, make sure to have a phone or Skype conversation with your guide before finalizing the deal.
7. Allow your guide a first stab at your itinerary – After you’ve shared your religious background, your interests and your time and budgetary constraints with your guide, allow him/her to present a first draft of a touring itinerary. Use that draft as a basis for your continuing interaction with your guide for fine-tuning the program until it meets your full satisfaction.
8. 

   David with a Private Tour Van

   Ask questions about the mode of transportation you’ll be using – If your tour involves a vehicle, ask about the type of transportation. Is the vehicle appropriately licensed and insured? How many seats? Will an SUV be used? A van or a minibus? Who will be doing the driving? Will you be paying for a vehicle on days you’ll be entirely on foot in Jerusalem’s Old City?

9. Clarify terms of payment and method of payment – In order to book a guide’s time and allow him/her to draft a custom itinerary for you, a non-refundable deposit is typically required. How much is that deposit and how is it to be paid? Cash, credit card, bank transfers and PayPal are all modes of payment used by private guides. Find out which are preferred by your guide. Make sure the guide clearly defines a payment schedule prior to your arrival in Israel and how much must be paid (typically in cash) at the conclusion of the tour. Make sure you are aware of your guide’s cancellation policy in case it becomes necessary for you to cancel your trip.

David Wexler is a licensed Israel tour guide based in Tel Aviv. David was born and raised in the United States and immigrated to Israel in 1986. For more information about David, visit his website at www.davidsland.com and follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/davidsland.

NOTE: David Wexler will be guiding us for Break Forth Israel & Jordan NEXT Level 2016.

We will be experiencing marvelous spiritual growth, jaw-dropping sights, deep friendships and unique experiences that few offer.

Our Spiritual Guide will be Rev Hans Weichbrodt. His teaching is beyond compare. We will worship and celebrate communion in the desert. We will spend time in prayer ministry. This is truly a journey of a lifetime!

Spaces are filling fast. You can learn more about this tour: Click Here!