Sarah's Tent

Shalom, and welcome to Sarah's Tent and the summer issue for 2009! My apologies for being late - it has been a busy summer and we also had some technical difficulties.

Beginning with this installment, I have been led by the Ruach HaKodesh, (the Holy Spirit) to adjust the focus of the magazine. The original purpose of Sarah's Tent was to provide support for women who were moving into Torah obedience. This will always be so, but we are shifting the focus to now include preparing us for the times to come. No one would debate that we are living in the last days. There are many however, who have been deceived. They have been lulled into a false sense of security, believing that they will be whisked magically away before the time of judgment - the tribulation occurs. This doctrine of pre tribulation rapture is a lie from the enemy, and will cause harm to those who believe they will escape the judgment of YHWH.

The Messiah spoke very clearly about the events that lead up to his return. (Please study Matthew 24). Scripture is plain - that judgment begins in the house of Elohim. (1 Peter 4:17). Some of us have fallen asleep and  have become slack in serving, lethargic if you will. Sisters, our enemy has not! This is the time when we need to be most vigilant, guarding all that YHWH has revealed to us, walking in obedience, and studying the Word. This should be the utmost in our minds and hearts. When we are diligent in seeking Him, He will reveal knowledge so that we will understand the things to come. It is time to wake up!

In this issue we begin with teachings on fasting and prayer. Fasting is a subject that was touched on the Giant Shabbat Issue, in preparation for the Sabbath. Ahavah has gone more in depth of this very important act. She will conclude with part 2 in the upcoming fall issue in time for Yom Kippur.

I would also like to extend a welcome to Pamela who has joined the writers of Sarah's Tent for Kosher Kitchen. I would like to thank Amanda who served in that capacity previously. Amanda is in college, and we pray YHWH will grant her much success in her studies.

How do we begin to prepare ourselves for the times to come? Prayer and fasting. In the first year of the reign of Darius, Daniel perceived through the words Jeremiah, the prophet that the time of the promised return to the Land was to soon be accomplished. His reaction was not business as usual, but he "set his face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes." (Daniel 9:4) His prayer is  9:4-19. In response to his prayer, at about the time of the evening sacrifice, (bear in mind that although the Temple was destroyed and the people were in exile, Daniel continued meeting the Lord at this time. ) Elohim sent Gavriel. Daniel says, "he instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel I am now come forth to give you wisdom and understanding." (Daniel 9:22)

Sisters we are in exile, and many of you have studied the Word and have perceived that the times spoken of will soon be upon us. Let us follow Daniel's example, and come before YHWH in prayer and fasting, making confession, seeking wisdom and understanding. We do not want to wait until trouble begins before we realize that this is what we should have been doing all along, because it "will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time." (Daniel 12:1)  Remember our ancestors who were forced to wander the wilderness for 40 years because they allowed fear of man to override their faith in YHWH who delivered them from bondage with a mighty hand and outstretched arm, even as He has delivered us from our sins through our Messiah Yeshua. Our deliverance will also be a physical one, if we fear Elohim and not man.

Therefore don't you be afraid, O Jacob my servant, says Yahweh; neither be dismayed, Israel: for, behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid. Jeremiah 30:10

Learn from the examples that the Torah gives us.

Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

What is the expectation of our prayer and fasting? Wisdom and understanding, guidance and direction, and to be our Shield.

 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. Ezra 8:21

 On His Mind is a  teaching that has appeared in an earlier issue, but it is one that bears repeating.
You can read it here: On His Mind. Please do not disregard this, and please do pass it along to others.

I would also like to discuss the type of prayer traditionally said during these times of prayer. The Amidah is known as The Standing Prayer and also The Shemonah Esrei. It was composed by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly in 5 BCE.

It is made up of three parts: praise, petition, and thanksgiving. There are two versions. The weekday version, which includes all of the blessings, and the Sabbath and moedim (feast days) version which is shortened to seven blessing. It is traditional to face the direction of Jerusalem (east) when praying the Amidah. It is said that the Lord's Prayer is a shortened version of the Amidah. However, another possibility has been offered. The following is from Jerusalem Council website, a Messianic organization.

Aveinu (The Our Father, The Lord's Prayer)

by Israel b. Betzalel

The Aveinu, also known as The Lord's Prayer, is the prayer of our rabbi, Messiah Yeshua ben Yoseph shel Netzaret. When his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, they weren't?t necessarily asking him to teach them the mechanics of prayer, more than asking what is his prayer at the conclusion of the Amidah / Shimonei Esrei (18 Benedictions).

The Amidah (the Standing Prayer(s)), also known as the Shimonei Esrei (18 Benedictions), is a collection of 18 (now 19) prayers said three times a day by Jews all around the world during the moedim (appointed times) of Shacharit (morning prayer), Mincah (afternoon prayer before sundown), and Maariv (evening prayer after sundown) ? times that God himself desires to meet with us.

It is traditional that at the conclusion of the Amidah, that one insert the prayer of their rabbi. MyJewishLearning.com states:

Although the official structure of the Amidah concludes with the prayer for peace, the Rabbis of antiquity added on private, personal meditations.

Traditionally, Judaism has settled on one particular prayer, that of Mar the son of Rabina as Talmud Berachot 17a states:

Mar the son of Rabina on concluding his prayer added the following: My God, keep my tongue
from evil and my lips from speaking guile. May my soul be silent to them that curse me and may my
soul be as the dust to all. Open Thou my heart in Thy law, and may my soul pursue Thy
commandments, and deliver me from evil hap, from the evil impulse and from an evil woman and
from all evils that threaten to come upon the world. As for all that design evil against me, speedily
annul their counsel and frustrate their designs! May the words of my mouth and the meditation of
my heart be acceptable before Thee, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer!

The full prayer after the Amidah found in most Siddurim is:

My God, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully. To those who curse me, let my soul be silent; and let my soul be like dust to everyone. Open my heart to Your Torah, then my soul will pursue Your commandments. As for all those who oppose me and design evil against me, speedily nullify their counsel and disrupt their design. May it be Your will, Adonai my God and the God of my forefathers, that human jealousy may not rise up against me, nor my jealousy upon others; may I not become angry today, and may I not anger You. Rescue me from the Evil Inclination, and place in my heart submissiveness and humility. O our King and our God, cause Your Name to be unified in Your world; rebuild Your city, lay the foundation of Your House, perfect Your sanctuary; gather in the scattered exiles, redeem Your sheep, and gladden Your congregation. Act for Your Name's sake; act for Your right hand's sake; act for Your Torah's sake; act for Your sanctity's sake. That Your beloved ones may be given rest; let Your right hand save, and respond to me.

It is a good prayer, and orthodox Messianic Jews will pray this concluding prayer after the Amidah. Personal benedictions may be inserted at this point as well, but typically this prayer is all that is mentioned in this section of the daily prayers in most Siddurim (Jewish prayer books).

Based on this, it is appropriate to insert the Aveinu (the Lord's Prayer) at this point after the Amdiah, in between "May the expressions of my heart" and before the conclusion of "May the expressions of my heart" and it is here within these "bookends", that the disciples of Yeshua expected him to give them his prayer to be inserted here.

We find in Messianic Jewish writings that the Aveinu was to be included as part of the conclusion to the Amidah (the Standing Prayer), which are prayed three times daily.

Acts 2:42

and they were continuing steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles, and the fellowship, and the breaking of the bread, and the prayers.

Didache 8:2-3

2) Likewise, don?t pray as the hypocrites, but as commanded in the Gospel in this manner:
Our Father in heaven,
Sacred is Your Name.
Your kingdom comes.
Your will is accomplished,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debt
in the manner that we forgive our debtors.
And do not allow us to fall to temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen!

3) Pray in this manner three times per day.

Acts says the followers of Messiah were devoted to the prayers (referring to the Amidah which is prayed three times daily), and the Didache also states that the Aveinu was to be prayed three times daily. These positions are in complete agreement with greater Judaism which teaches that after the Amidah the prayer of one's rabbi and/or personal benedictions are inserted there as part of one's daily prayers.

So it is with this that the orthodox Messianic Jewish leadership at JerusalemCouncil.org encourages all followers of Messiah Yeshua to pray the Aveinu after the prayer of Mar ben Rabbina within the concluding "May the expressions"  section, which is after the Amidah, three times a day during Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv.

There are many messianic prayer books which contain the Amidah, as well as other Hebrew prayers that are transliterated, allowing the non Hebrew speaker to pray in the Set Apart Tongue. This link is one to the Amidah (in English) which includes the Aveinu (Our Father) at the end. It also includes the name of Yeshua in the opening praise.  Click here to download: Amidah

Praying the Amidah at the appointed times as a family can seem overwhelming at first, but remember just as we stop during the week to keep Shabbat, and the yearly moedim, we also stop  for about 15 minutes  three times daily to acknowledge, praise and offer thanksgiving to our God. This not only establishes the home as the primary place of worship, but instills in us and our children a discipline of daily worship to YHWH.

The following links are to Messianic Siddurim (prayer books) that you may download and/or purchase for your family.

Messianic Israel Daily & Shabbat Siddur (hardcover) http://www.lulu.com/content/hardcover-book/messianic-israel-daily-shabbat-siddur/554129

Messianic Israel Daily & Shabbat Siddur (paperback) Also available as a free ebook download. http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/messianic-israel-daily-shabbat-siddur/556790

Prayers of A Faithful Heart  (pocket size) http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/prayers-of-a-faithful-heart/5895022

Prayers of a Faithful Heart (paperback) Also available to purchase as an ebook for download. http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/prayers-of-a-faithful-heart/5895022

Mikhal, one of our guest writers has published a Messianic Siddur (prayerbook) for children! Please visit the Children's Corner for this announcement and more information.

Why should we fast?
Are there different types of fasts?
Are there set times for fasting? 
How does it help us spiritually?

Ahavah Worab, author of A Biblical and Messianic View of the Annual Shabbatot, answers these questions and more in a very concise but informative teaching on this subject. Fasting draws us closer to the Father, and aids in our spiritual maturity. Yeshua said that when the bridegroom (speaking of himself) is taken away then his followers will fast. If you haven't fasted before, or have only fasted on the Day of Atonement, now is the time to implement this practice in your life on a more regular basis. 

White Chili

Typically made in the crock pot, this family favorite can easily be done on the stove.  This is a delicious crowd pleaser.  It can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge than put on heat when ready.  This is SUPER FAST and EASY to make! (great recipe for left over chicken or turkey) Serves about 12.

3 – 15oz cans of Great Northern Beans (or navy beans), drained
½- 1 lb of Cooked Chicken, shredded or chopped to bite-size pieces
1C Chopped Onions
1 ½ C Red (and or yellow) Bell Peppers, chopped to bite sizes (About 2-3 peppers)
1 small can of Chopped Green Chilies
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
2 tsp Gr. Cumin
½ tsp Salt (I use sea salt or Herbamare)
½ tsp Dr. Oregano
2 Qrts of Chicken Broth

** Serve with Sour Cream, Shredded Chedder Cheese and Tortilla Chips

 Combine all ingredients in the pot. 
 Cover and cook on Low for 8-10 hours or High 4-5 hours 

**Ladle into bowls and serve a handful of crushed nacho chips, a handful of shredded chedder cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.  It may sound funny…but trust me….try it!  (The kids love to top their own. It’s like a taco bar in a bowl!)

****************

This is a recipe that has been a family favorite for years.  It takes a little “doing”, but it is worth it.  It is a crowd-pleaser whenever you take it places or serve it to guests and is easy to accompany with other Mexican style dishes if you are doing a theme buffet or meal.  This dish serves 8-10 main dishes and more as sides.  Another thing I love about it is that you can make it ahead of time which makes it perfect for Shabbat or Oneg, however you do need to toss it in the oven. It is still tasty when it cools off to room temperature.  It is so satisfying, nobody will even notice it’s doesn’t have cheese or meat in it!  Ok, stop talking and start cooking! Enjoy! 

Crispy Mexican Wrap Casserole

Step 1:
2 ½ C Brown Rice, raw
1 Large Onion, chopped
2 Red Peppers, chopped
1/3 C Olive Oil
¼ C Tomato Paste
4 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 ½ T Sea Salt (or Real Salt or Herbamare)

 Cook rice as usual. You may do this ahead and use cold rice. (*Rice tips below.) 
 Sauté remaining ingredients in a large skillet until tender; than add cooked rice and mix well, set aside. 

Step 2:
2 dozen Corn Tortillas
½ C Olive Oil
½ C Vegetable or Chicken Stock
In a shallow baking dish (like a pie tin or 8x8 browning pan)  pour oil and stock and mix.  Then generously dip both sides of each tortilla in the mixture to wet and put on a plate and set aside. 

Step 3:
 In 2 – 9x13 baking pans or in one 2qrt pan and one 11x15 baking pan you will fill each dipped tortilla with 1/3 C rice mixture and roll up and place side by side in the baking dishes mentioned above. 

Step 4:
 In a small bowl or large measuring cup mix together: 
1/3 C Tomato Paste
½ C Milk
1 ½ C Veggie or Chicken Stock

 Poor mixture evening over top the wraps in the baking dish. 
 Drizzle top with 2-3T Olive Oil, and sprinkle with sliced Black Olives (1-15oz can) 

Bake Uncovered @ 375 for 20 minutes.
Just before serving spray 2-3 T Braggs Liquid Aminos (or Soy/Tamari Sauce) over top of the wraps.

* Brown Rice Tips: Use 3 3/4C Water or broth. Set the heat to maximum, and bring the rice/water to a boil uncovered.  Then put the lid on the pot, and reduce the heat to low/simmer.  If your lid has a steam valve, keep it closed.  Let the rice simmer for 20 minutes.

Turn off the heat, and let the rice sit in the covered pot for another 10 minutes.  It’s OK if you let the rice sit longer than 10 minutes (20 or 30 minutes is fine too), but don’t let it go any less.  I prefer my rice to be slightly chewy, not mushy, so I usually remove the lid after 10 minutes.  It’s done it about 35 minutes.

***

A crispy green salad of Romaine Lettuce with diced carrots and celery, (chopped or shredded jicama – optional) and grape tomatoes compliment this Crispy Mexican Wraps very nicely. I always like to dress it with this creamy homemade dressing that gets raves. (below)  Another compliment to this (or any South of the Border style meal) is a bowl of sliced fresh mango or chunks of fresh pineapple for dessert. For nice tasty twist, I also like to toss my fresh pineapple chunks (or mandarin oranges)  in shredded coconut, it simple, attractive and tasty! It will be a feast for the eyes and the pallet! (and it can all be prepared ahead…YES!)
Casa Dressing
2/3 C Mayonnaise
1/3 C Milk
1T Fresh Lime juice
1T Cumin
½ tsp Sea Salt (Herbamare or Real Salt)
½ tsp Pepper
1T Fresh Cilantro, Chopped fine

In a small bowl whisk all ingredients together EXCEPT cilantro. 
Refrigerate. Add cilantro to dressing just before serving. 

Makes about 1C = 8-10 servings

Now, if you want to go the extra mile and wow your guests or family…you have GOT to make Horchata!  This was something my husband and I fell in love with in the little tequerias we used to frequent in San Francisco (A long long time ago…B.C. = “Before Children”).  There are Spanish and Mexican versions of this tasty drink.  This is my twist on a Mexican version.  It is a sweet, light, refreshing beverage perfect in the summer heat and it wonderfully compliments any southwestern, Mexican or Spanish dishes, especially if they are spicy.  You can find instant mixes in Mexican Grocery Stores, they are much quicker to make than homemade, but they are full of artificial junk.  My husband also likes to use Horchata for his own little sweet coffee concoctions in place of (or in addition too) milk.  Horchata can also make a great base for a light Mexican hot chocolate or the kids will enjoy Horchata popsicles. I hope you are inspired to try something new! It take s a little doing…but they will taste the love. 

Mamma’s Horchata 
This makes a small batch, only about 1 -1.5 quarts, but you can multiply the recipe to suite the needs of any group. You can also try subbing similar ingredients, like white rice for Jasmine or sugar for agave.  These are the traditional ingredients, but I use those things, so I use what is listed below.  I have not had success with brown rice yet, I found it ferments quicker, so keep that in mind if you experiment with that.
2 C Jasmine Rice
½ C Sliced Almonds
5C Pure Water

Poor all these ingredients in a half gallon jar or picture, cover and let sit on the counter at room temp for 12-18 hours. If you can’t get to it right away, stick it in the fridge and get to it the next day.
Put ingredients in the blender and blend on high to mix well.
Strain mixture through a couple layers of Muslin or cheese cloth, or clean T-shirt or kitchen towel and a colander.  Depending on the tightness of the weave cloth; expect to do this at least twice.  This may take a little experimentation with what resources you have in the kitchen…and a little patience and time complete. Make sure to rinse containers and cloth WELL each time. After strained, take a sample with a little spoon for graininess or thickness. This is not the finished product, so don’t panic. This is a texture test; try to get as much out as possible.

Now we add the following ingredients to the strained liquid:

½ C Agave Nector
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Juice from ¼ of a Lime
½ tsp Cinnamon
Double the volume in Pure Water (to taste)

Mix well and taste.  Adjust to taste if needed.
When I say double the volume what mean is, if you end product is half a picture full double that amount with cold water and mix.  You may measure if that makes you feel better, but I always just eye-ball it. 

Store in fridge until time to serve.  It does separate when it sits, just shake or stir before serving. This is a sweet drink.  Serve in small glasses over ice. 

Special Serving Suggestions: Place a slice of lime on the glass for garnish. Or let some lemon slices float in an iced filled punch bowl.

Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Although most people will agree that prayer is a vital part of our walk with God, many have never experienced the joy of a structured and consistent prayer life. While most believers understand that our true power to effect change in our lives, in our families, and in our world, is found only in prayer; we often do not know how to pray as we should (Romans 8:26). Consequently, we lack the training necessary to effectively wield the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17). God’s Word is the most effective tool in our spiritual arsenal, and when we utilize our gift of speech to speak God’s Word into our lives in a structured and deliberate manner, we can effect much change (Isaiah 49:2-3). 

Although people generally understand the importance of prayer, a lack of solid training in “how to pray” and “how to structure our approach to God in prayer” ultimately leaves our prayers out of balance and highly self-focused.  As a result, our prayers lack the power they could otherwise have. However, if we take the time to develop our prayer skills, we will be able to effectively wield this important and valuable weapon.

After a year-long study and much time committing myself to set-time prayers through the use of a Jewish Siddur (prayer book), the Lord opened my eyes to a number of simple truths that can be found in daily structured set-times of prayer. By utilizing this method of prayer I was able, for the first time in my life, to pick up (and wield with skill and precision), God’s Sword of the Spirit. In other words, I no longer had to fumble through trying to find the right words to express my desire to praise and give glory to God; rather, I was able to structure my prayers around God’s Word itself. Because the Jewish prayer book is primarily formatted and derived directly from Scripture, utilizing it as a tool to enter into a time of prayer brought my prayers themselves in line with God’s will and wisdom, because I was primarily praying Scripture back to God in conjunction with my own spontaneous prayers and prayer needs. In this way, God’s Word became not only the foundation for expressing my own heart’s desires, but my prayers were specifically elevated (because of their Scriptural content) to become an intimate form of worship and communion with God in a balanced and God-focused manner.

Practically speaking, the intent of this prayer book is to provide an enjoyable tool that will meet the needs of a busy mother or caregiver who desires to personally grow in her own prayer life, while also enabling her to model the concept of daily set-time prayers for her children in a manner that is comprehensible to most children. In this way, a parent can skillfully and strategically train his or her child or children to become powerful prayer warriors capable of effecting tremendous change in the world and offering a great service to our King, Yeshua the Messiah.

Because this prayer book is set-up in such a way that it follows the same type of pattern (and is modeled after) the most ancient and time-honored prayers of the people of Israel, children will also become accustomed to the rhythm and structure associated with the traditional Jewish Siddur. By taking this approach, they will be able to easily transition to the use of a standard adult Jewish or Messianic Siddur as they mature, should they choose to walk deeper in the ancient prayers of God’s people.

One of the greatest benefits of this type of approach to prayer is that Children will develop an internal sense of what it means to approach God in prayer in a balanced and deliberate manner. The use of a Siddur itself becomes a springboard for effective training in prayer. Children will begin to see how prayer is a form of praise and worship to God, and not simply a method for getting what they want from God. This pattern will become written on their hearts, such that it will begin to influence how they structure their own spontaneous prayers to God during their daily conversations with Him. Ultimately, the use of this prayer book will cause children to have more balance and an increased level of awareness of God, both when they pray and as they go about their daily lives.

To be clear, the use of a prayer book such as this one is simply a tool in the hands of a disciple of the Master. It is not the substance of the disciple, nor the substance of his or her prayers. In other words, the prayers in this book are not a means in and of themselves; rather, they are very much a Scripturally based outline to follow during your times of prayer. As the disciple focuses on the words she is reading she should do so in such a way that the words become her very own prayer offerings to the Lord. While one should feel free to add, change, or modify certain prayers according to personal style (such that they provide individual depth of meaning), the repetition that occurs when one goes through these prayers daily will ultimately write the words on the heart, because they will become memorized “by heart.” It is the memorization that forms an internal outline based on Scripture that ultimately trains one in the art of effective prayer, even when praying spontaneous prayers to God. 

A final word of advice as you embark on a wonderful journey of meaningful prayer time is to always feel at liberty to stop at any time during the prayers, as the Lord brings specific needs to mind, and offer additional prayers that may relate to the particular selection you are reading. For example, as you reach the section of “The Prayer” (Shemoneh Esrei) that speaks of healing, you might wish to pause momentarily and offer additional specific requests for healing in your own life, the lives of your family and friends, or others whom you may wish to offer prayers of healing. You may even wish to insert a song or dance between various sections of the prayers, particularly if you have young children.  For example, you might want to sing and dance to the interactive children’s song “Father Abraham” after reading the section “Fathers” of “The Prayer” (Shemoneh Esrei). 

In my humble opinion, if we truly believe that prayer is a vital part of our walk with the Messiah, it is imperative that we begin to model worship centered daily prayer for our children, and in doing so, train both ourselves and our children to become rooted and grounded in “effective” (James 5:16) prayer. We all desire to see the return of the King, but one of the greatest weapons we will use to usher in His Kingdom is to first become people fully committed to prayer. Only then will we begin to transform our world as we allow God to transform us, from glory to glory, into the image of His Son, Our Master, Yeshua the Messiah.