Remember the joy and excitement you had as a child on Christmas morning — not being able to sleep in anticipation, excitedly waking your parents up at the crack of dawn, and squealing in joy as you ripped the beautiful paper away to reveal the presents hiding inside.
Now as an adult, you can create that anticipation and joy for your own children or children in your life. And as Christians, we not only get to give good gifts, just as our Heavenly Father has given us, but we get to share in shining God’s light by lifting people up in prayer.
This Christmas, we hope your family will shine their lights by joining us in prayer for the people you’ve met throughout this issue. Focus on one prayer each day of the week every week leading up to Christmas, or choose one prayer to focus on each week.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. —James 1:17
1. Pray for families recovering from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
Loving God, our hearts hurt for those who have lost their homes, belongings, and for some, loved ones. Be with the families across the Caribbean and United States who are rebuilding from the storms. Wrap them with Your peace this Christmas season.
2. Pray for those who are hungry and have no food.
Bread of Life, we recognize that you have richly blessed us with food. As children and families in East Africa struggle to find food to eat, please sustain and protect them. Guide them to food and water, and provide resources through World Vision and other humanitarian groups.
3. Pray for families and community members participating in the goat-sharing program.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the way You’re transforming families’ lives in Zambia! We ask that You give the committee wisdom in distributing goats, and that each goat a family receives will provide what they need.
4. Pray for families receiving animals and going through training programs that will help them care for those animals and their families in better ways.
Heavenly Father, we rejoice in the amazing work You’re doing in Bangladesh! Continue to lead families in learning new things so their children will grow healthier, their animals will multiply, and their relationships will be stronger.
5. Pray for sponsored children and for children waiting to receive a sponsor.
God Almighty, we thank You for the sponsor who answered Your call and for the transformation you did in Jackson’s life through child sponsorship. Bless all World Vision sponsored children, and bring sponsors to children still waiting to receive one.
6. Pray for families receiving fruit trees and agriculture and nutrition training.
Father, as families receive Gift Catalog fruit trees, bless those plants to grow strong and bear much fruit to provide food and income in the years ahead. Help parents to feed their children healthier food so they can grow up strong.
7. Pray for Christians to shine their lights in countries where few people know Jesus.
Light of the World, we ask that people around the globe will shine Your light this Christmas through acts of kindness toward those around them. May those who don’t know You see You through these believers and their loving behavior.
