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. Let us all echo the words of Mary together in our prayers, “may it happen as you have said,” as we trust “nothing will be impossible with God.”

This week we are praying for Oak Tree Ministries’ Christmas in the Village. Many parents in the Marks Village community do not have the privilege of shopping for a special Christmas gift for their child. Oak Tree Ministries is trying to change that. Rather than giving children gifts from them or Brook Hills, Oak Tree Ministries strives to be able to provide a way for parents to shop at affordable prices and choose their own gifts for their children. Oak Tree Ministries wants to support families in Mark’s Village by letting parents have the joy of watching their children open gifts on Christmas morning that come from them! Then, all profits from sales will go to support summer camps for their children.

We are also praying this week for Westwood Baptist Church of Adamsville and Pastor Steve Potts.

Day 1: Pray for the families of Marks Village to gain the dignity they deserve by being able to shop and provide Christmas for their own families. Pray that providing Christmas for their children will empower the residents of Marks Village in other areas of their lives as well.

Day 2: Pray for provision for Christmas in the Village. Pray there will be enough gifts to benefit every family that registers and that monetary donations make up any shortfall in gift donations. 

Day 3: Pray that people in Marks Village will come to know Christ more intimately during the Christmas season. Pray for gospel conversations while the residents are shopping and while the children are playing. Pray that someone who does not know the Lord will come to know Him through Christmas in the Village.

Day 4: Pray for all of the staff and volunteers at Oak Tree Ministries. Pray that they love their neighbors as they love themselves. Pray that through their example this holiday season, Christ would be glorified.

Day 5: Pray for lasting relationships to be made between the residents at Marks Village and the staff and volunteers at Oak Tree Ministries. Pray that their relationships would mirror Christ’s love for the Church. Pray that through ongoing relationships, discipleship would be made possible.

Day 6: Pray for the Christmas in the Village gathering. Pray that as the staff comes together to serve the people of Marks Village, they would gather as part of the community and not as individuals serving the community.

This week begins our month-long celebration of the Global Offering. It is an opportunity for us as a church to give above and beyond our regular giving so we can send, support, and open new pathways of opportunities to engage the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Global Offering specifically allows us to put members of our faith family to live and work among least reached places and peoples in the world so they can have access to the gospel. Join us and pray specifically for BH members living and working in Kuala Lumpur and for Sharif who heard the gospel and believed. To read the story of Sharif, visit brookhills.org/blog and pray.

Day 1: Praise God for sending out Brook Hills members to live and work in Kuala Lumpur, a city where many least reached people groups live. Praise God for how we are able to support these members through the Global Offering.

Day 2: Pray for the BH team in Kuala Lumpur. Pray for God to sustain them in this season as Covid has limited access to their friends and one another. Pray for God to encourage them and make them steady as they faithfully proclaim the gospel to those around them.

Day 3: Praise God for saving Sharif. Pray for Sharif as he grows in the word. Pray for God to deepen his faith as he learns more about Christ and what was accomplished on the cross.

Day 4: Pray for Sharif as he navigates relationships with his friends and family who do not agree with his decision to follow Christ. Pray for God to open their hearts as well and for reconciled relationships.

Day 5: Pray for God to bless our giving to the Global Offering so we can send and support more mid and long-term workers to Kuala Lumpur.

Day 6: Pray for God to be glorified among the nations in Kuala Lumpur. Pray for God to grow His church in this city and receive the praise and honor that is due His name.