Welcome to the December 2024 Prayer Vigil!
The Christmas decorations have gone up in many places in the city. The supermarkets, shops, hotels and restaurants are promoting their colourful and decorative Christmas merchandize or feasts. Many in this city are looking forward to a special if not dramatic departure from life’s routines - having a good holiday, good food, parties, giving and receiving presents. For some, Christmas is associated with meaning created by man or tradition, but for others this is just another festival, empty of meaning – once it is over they will return to boredom, loneliness, anxieties or struggles of the world.
As we join together in prayer this first full weekend of December, let us pray for the people of this city during this time of Advent as we prepare for Christmas. Pray that the people of this city will find the true meaning of Christmas through the Good News of God their Creator who loves them. Pray that they will become aware that they cannot know or experience life’s true meaning and purpose apart from their Creator. Pray for the poor, as well as the richest and most powerful people in the city that they will come to fear God like the author of Ecclesiastes –
“I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Eccl. 2: 9 – 11).
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl. 12: 13, 14).
Let us pray for our children and the young people of this city, that they will not be so distracted and excited by things created by man that they miss the most important thing in life – a relationship with their Creator.
“Young man, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So banish grief and pain, but remember that youth, with a whole life before it, still faces the threat of meaninglessness.” (Eccl. 11: 9, 10 NLT).
“Don’t let the excitement of your youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living.” (Eccl. 12: 1 NLT).
Pray that the people of this city will see their sins and learn to fear God because He “will bring every deed into judgement” (Eccl. 12: 14).
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12: 4, 5).
“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” (Eccl. 3: 14).
Pray that the people of this city will learn that Christmas means –
- A time of expectation and of hope
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9: 6)
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1: 21)
“And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”” (Romans 15: 12)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8: 1, 2)
- A time of love and peace
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”” (Luke 2: 13, 14)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14: 27)
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15: 9 – 12)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5: 22, 23)
- A time of rejoicing
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2: 10, 11)
“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10: 20)
“…. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31, 32)
- The coming of Christ the King
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”” (Matthew 2: 1, 2)
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2: 9 – 11)
Let us continue in prayer –
- Pray that we will love our neighbours as ourselves not just during the Christmas season but throughout the year. Not by our own power but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that each day we remember that we are living under God’s grace and forgiveness and we are to show grace and forgiveness to others.
- Pray for our marriages, our family relationships, our children and offer them to the Lord; may He protect and guide so that all these relationships will bring Him honour and glory.
- Pray for Pastor Rob and Lori; pray for the deacons – John, Frederick. Kenneth, Steve and Samuel; pray for our ministry teams and the church staff; may the Lord give them strength and joy in their work for His kingdom.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the ministry teams as they prepare plans and budgets for the coming year.
- Pray that we will eagerly follow the mission opportunities that the Lord has revealed to us; pray for the visit to Hong Chi School on December 7; the Wah Fu Estate Christmas Carnival on December 14; and the visit to the Lai Chi Kok prison on December 25; pray for God’s preparation of the hearts of those he will call to the 2025 mission trip to Thailand; may the Spirit work through the teams to touch the hearts of many for Jesus.
- Pray that our Christmas celebrations will let non-believers know the true meaning of Christmas.
- Pray for those we know who need physical, emotional and spiritual healing; pray also for the gift of mercy and strength for those who provide care.
- Pray for non-believing family members, relatives, friends, colleagues for them to hear the gospel and be saved.
- Pray for the Lord’s protection from falls and healing of injuries for our elderly members.
[This prayer guide was prepared by Charles Ip. Scripture verses are from the NIV Bible unless otherwise noted.]
Please sign up with the link for the prayer vigil, thanks!