Praise God for this season of Advent when we can remember, reflect upon, and look forward to celebrating Jesus’ first coming. Ask Him to help us avoid too many distractions over the next few weeks so we might focus our hearts and minds on Him. Pray for opportunities to share with others around us the joy we have in Christ. Pray for many to repent and believe the good news this holiday season.

This week we are praying for various Christmas outreach efforts across our city, specifically those through our faith family, among our ESL students, and among our neighbors in Marks Village through Oak Tree Ministries. The Christmas season offers a unique opportunity to witness to others as we celebrate the true gift of Christmas—the free gift of eternal life made possible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We’re also praying this week for Shades Valley Community Church and Pastor Jonathan Haefs.

Day 1: Pray for our own faith family to find intentional ways to engage the lost, show hospitality, and exalt Christ during this Christmas season. Pray for faithful and fruitful gospel conversations as we move throughout our city and among our friends and family this holiday season.

Day 2: Pray for the ESL Christmas Celebrations on December 15, both on our campus and at First Baptist Hoover’s campus. Pray for God to give the students spiritual understanding and conviction from the Holy Spirit as they hear the Christmas story. Pray for the beauty of the gospel to be apparent to all who attend. 

Day 3: Pray for Christmas in the Village on December 14-17 in Marks Village. Pray for Christ to be exalted and glorified through this outreach event and for mutually transforming relationships to be formed. Pray for many gospel conversations between participants and staff/volunteers.

Day 4: Pray for Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program that is helping keep children connected to incarcerated parents this month through gifts provided by Angel Tree churches. Pray for the Brook Hills Fellowship Families and for their Christmas party happening on Sunday, December 11. Pray for many to feel the love of Christ and enjoy the fellowship of the body of Christ through this party.

Day 5: Pray for our many partner ministries and other Christian organizations in the Birmingham community that seek to exalt Christ and serve the city through various avenues this Christmas. Pray for them to have an abundance of volunteers, resources to support their outreach initiatives, and clear gospel conversations.

Day 6: Pray that many from our faith family will have opportunities to invite unbelieving neighbors, internationals, and family members into their homes during the holidays to share the hope and joy that Christmas brings to those who are trusting in Christ. Pray also that many will come to our upcoming Christmas Eve Gatherings and hear how God sent Jesus as light into our darkness.

This week we are praying for our Long-Termers, Taylor and Julia, serving in the Middle East. They are engaging special needs families with the gospel and investing in the local church to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, share the good news with unreached people around them, and look for ministry opportunities, specifically with people in the special needs community.

Day 1: Pray for their church. Taylor and Julia ask us to pray Psalm 1 with their family—that they would share the love of Jesus and be like the tree planted by streams of water. Pray for their church to delight in God’s Word and bear fruit. 

Day 2: Pray for their family. They have two daughters and are expecting a 3rd child in April 2023. Pray for the transition for the girls, and pray for Julia and the baby to remain healthy throughout the pregnancy. 

Day 3: Pray for wisdom on how to parent and provide their girls with what they need to thrive.

Day 4: Pray for God to continue to open doors and provide natural connections for them to get into the lives of the majority people group. Pray for them to see gospel fruit from these relationships. 

Day 5: Pray for discipleship in their local church. Taylor and Julia attend a multicultural church. It requires a lot of wisdom, patience, and compassion as they disciple people from different backgrounds, especially people who have been through trauma. 

Day 6: Pray for them to have opportunities to share the gospel with people with special needs. Pray for God to give Taylor and Julia the grace to meet people where they are and the wisdom to know how to reach out to them.