Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Walk With Me as I travel to Jerusalem. Video playlist.

Steve Martin and David Lauka’s Fall 2026 Ahava Adventure 6-week trip to Jerusalem begins here.


The Walk With Me Israel/Jerusalem Fall 2026 playlist starts with an encouraging word at our home group on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.

I will be adding videos, including shorts, to the playlist as the six-weeks in the Land of Israel develop.

Come WALK WITH ME and see what the Living Hod of Israel is doing with His people.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Other videos you will see:




CFI 40th in Charlotte, North Carolina


In May 2025 Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem celebrated their 40th anniversary here in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Lord blesses Israel and His people through them.

Photo collage: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vjAWyy5NDrpioCgM6

Wall of Prayer - Jerusalem

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Jerusalem

“‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’”Zechariah 2:4-5 (NIV)

“Yerushalayim shel zahav” renders the popular song by Naomi Shemer: “Jerusalem of gold”. In spite of the many centuries of battles and bloodshed, Jerusalem today literally shines in the sunlight, from vantage points from the Old City, to Mount Herzl, to the Mount of Olives.

For many of us, Jerusalem is our favourite city. This makes no sense logically, considering that there are far more dazzling and romantic cities in the world. But no other city claims its position in the naval of the planet (see Ezekiel 5:5) and as the centre of the three monotheistic religions of the world.

Has it ever occurred to you, that while there are kings and queens of countries, there is only one city which has ever had a king so strongly associated with it? The ancient City of David, now wonderfully undergoing excavations, was mapped out specifically (Nehemiah 2: 11-17) to become the seat of the Davidic kingdom, with the Temple of the God of Israel at its highest point, Mount Moriah. 

And so Jerusalem was destined to always have a king, an eternal throne (II Samuel 7:16). When you walk her streets in the knowledge that she still has a King, the eternal Davidic Messiah, she shines even brighter as the ‘City of the Great King’ (Psalm 48:2; Matthew 5:35).

Special places off the beaten track

Of course there are often crowds in the Old City shuk (market streets) or at the Kotel (Western Wall). So you might just want to find some peaceful nooks and crannies in the King’s City, next time you’re here. Here are just a few:

Prayer Garden, Christ Church: At the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East, Christchurch, Jaffa Gate, there is a beautiful little oasis behind the building, a rose garden with an almond tree and a lemon tree, a vine-covered seating area for picnics, and sometimes the sound of singing from the church.

Abu Tor Viewpoint: Inside the Abu Tor neighbourhood there is a park called the Elie Sebag Garden. If you take Avigayil Street and turn left before Oved Street, you come to a little synagogue and a patch of ground now named ‘Yeshurun’. Previously untouched, it is now becoming a community garden, but there is still ample peace and quiet and a stunning view of the Old City and the Temple Mount. 

Mount Zion (Psalm 74:2): There are several sites to see on Mount Zion, including the traditional room of the Last Supper; the possible Upper Room where Yeshua appeared after His resurrection; the Tomb of King David; and the Dormition Abbey: all very touristy. But if you keep walking up the steps to the roof of the tomb/Upper Room/Last Supper room, you arrive at a special open-air viewpoint where you can see the tiny ‘President’s Room’, which is open on certain Monday mornings. At this site, Jewish people used to gather to pray, while Jordan was occupying their holy sites, from 1948 to 1967, and they could not access the Western Wall of the Temple. Israel’s second president, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, had a special place of solitude and study here, and invited Jewish pilgrims to join him during Jewish holidays.




Botanical Garden, Mount Scopus: Another beautiful place to walk, sit and pray, and then can be followed by a visit to the wonderful Maps Library at the Hebrew University, or the incredible Roman amphitheatre in the university grounds. Arrangements must be made in advance by written request via the Hebrew University website, or by going with a staff member or pass holder.

Yad Ben Zvi: In the beautiful Rechavia neighbourhood, there is a little library and archive tucked away down a narrow street. Especially if you are of an Anglican persuasion, you can find some old documents from the original British consulate, which was situated on the grounds of the Christ Church compound.

The Garden Tomb: Of course this site is popular and there may be crowds, but it is possible, out of season, to find a quiet place of prayer at this, another beautiful oasis, in the midst of a busy city.

Pray for Jerusalem

...the one city in the world for which we are commanded to pray, and for which there is a blessing (Psalm 122:6).

From our key verse in Zechariah 2, thank the God of Jerusalem (II Chronicles 32:19; Ezra 1:3) for His protection over His city, and for His glory within. 

At this time of Rosh HaShana, the culmination of the month of Elul, when the Jewish saying is, “The King is in the Field”, remember Yeshua as King of Jerusalem, from the line of David, and pray for revelation of His glory more and more – 2 Corinthians 4:6; Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 53:6 – and for Him to be welcomed back (Matthew 23:39).



Here are some more first-hand requests from Jerusalem’s inhabitants:

Salvation for His people!

Pray for the churches and congregations in Jerusalem – for unity rooted in the Word of God, for the leaders, and for the youth, the next generation. 

Pray for protection from without and within. [There have of course been seasons of terrorism in the city due to malign influences from certain quarters in the land, and even from some areas of the city.] 

Pray for miraculous housing provisionto be made available to returning olim and also young sabras who are trying to start their own families, who are struggling to find affordable housing in Jerusalem due to the now very wide gap between median incomes and housing costs (whether rents or mortgages).


Pray for peace in the city of peace, especially between the different ethnicities and religious groupings who dwell therein. Pray especially for a quelling of the ultra-orthodox rioting against military conscription, which has already led to unnecessary loss of life earlier this year. Rather than chaos , confusion and tumult, ask the Father to release the opposite; order, justice and shalom. 


We pray for righteous governmentunder the Lord, and for His outcome in the October general election.

And don’t forget! Receive your very own blessing from Jerusalem! Read Psalm 128:5 and Psalm 122:6b.Thank you for standing with the Lord and His People. Please continue to pray a covering over all CFI personnel serving in Jerusalem. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people” (Psalm 125:2).



Rivkah Levi

Wall of Prayer Team, - Jerusalem


CFI Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jerusalem



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Monday, September 14, 2026

The Munchkins carry our bags.

No better way to travel. Hire the Munchkin kids.

On our way…in no time!

Steve Martin in Charlotte, North Carolina

Prayer as we are sent out from Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina on Sept. 13, 2026.


Sunday, September 13, 2026

Our church congregation sends us out to Israel.

Antioch International Church in Dort Mill, South Carolina - sending prayer for our six-week trip to Israel, Steve Martin and David Lauka. 

Senior Pastor Jesse Enns, Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina, speaks words of sending for the Lord’s purposes.

 Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 11 am

Starts at the 17:16 minute mark. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/cG02n2TwzFc?si=6ry8UWLcbzN3q7sl

Steve Martin speaks of our 6-week upcoming time with Christian Friends of Israel. (Photos by Theresa Harper)

David Lauka shares his expectations and purpose for going.


Speak the words boldly!

Laurie Martin speaks boldly an encouraging word to Yosefa during our home group personal ministry time.

Sept. 12, 2026 in Charlotte, NC.



Yosefa later also shares a word to our home group.


An encouraging word prior to the international trip.

Just days before taking off for our time in Israel, Steve Martin and David Lauka are given a word from Theresa Harper at the home group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What an encouraging word! Thank You, Lord as You have prepared the way.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin


Yosefa also speaks a word on this Rosh Hashanah day 09.12.26.