“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
John 1:14
Right up there with creation and the death and resurrection of Jesus, this is the greatest moment in the history of our world. The Incarnation was God physically reaching His holy hand down from Heaven and touching us on the face. God could have just pulled a Bette Midler and watched us from a distance. But He didn’t. He put some skin in the game and clothed himself in our lowly flesh.
But what does that have to do with prayer? Everything. First, we must recognize that God means business and He will do whatever it takes to fulfill His will. Don’t be bashful with your requests. If you have faith that God stepped out of eternal bliss with salvation on His back than have faith that He sits next to us in our sorrow and has all the power to do something about our petitions. Lastly, look for how you might be Love incarnated to those you are praying for. Post ascension, God continues to reveal Himself in love through us, His children. Fervently pray these requests for our friends around the world. You can also pray how you might be an answer to one of these prayer requests. Maybe plan a trip, give a financial gift, or a note of encouragement. (Seriously, if you feel led, email us a note of love and kindness to send on to someone you are drawn to in this guide.) Set Jesus as your example and do something about the problems you see in our world.
Exalt our God who humbled Himself and made His dwelling among us. Now ask Him to be present in the lives of those in this guide and pray how you might do the same.
Light-Future Church – Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
About Light-Future Church:
We will be focusing our prayer around one leader at Light-Future Church named Munkhtsetseg. She started to attend church when she was in Erdenet city. Since 2012, she has been serving in the worship team and leading a cell group and youth group at Light-Future- Church. She is also a Campus Crusade leader.
How You Can Pray:
1) Please pray for growth in her relationship with God
2) That God will supply all of her financial needs
3) Pray for health. Her immunity is getting worse and currently has a cough.
Avance Missionero Church – Jinotega, Nicaragua
From the pastor of Avance Missionero:
“My name is Serafín Pagan Caro. I am 68-years-old and live in Jinotega. My wife’s name is Reyna de Pagan. We have 3 boys- Gerson, Emilio, and Charlie. They moved to the USA and got married. They have children and families there. My wife and I have been serving the Lord in Nicaragua for so many years now. I am from Puerto Rico and she is from Honduras. We came to Nicaragua as missionaries when our kids were little. We have three churches in Jinotega and one in Leon. We are being blessed and love to serve the Lord.
I am also in charge of a ministry in USA. God is so good to all of us. If we all follow God and His will He will do almighty things in our lives. Our jobs as pastors is to share the good news to all those who are in spiritual need. I thank the Lord for all the good and bad times. We all need to seek God more every day. We have 50 members in our church. My wife is part of the worship team and she loves to serve God. The church has services 4 days a week. Every month we have 4 or 5 souls saved. I will keep doing what the Lord wants me to do until I go home with my Lord. I prefer to do Gods will than being out there wasting my life. My only one love is God.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Join us in praying for unity for all the nations
2) Love for our brothers and sisters
3) Pray for spiritual growth of all the churches in our country.
Dulmaa – Caregiver, Mongolia
About Dulmaa:
She lives with her husband and 4 children and loves to watch comedy movies with them. She introduced her vision board last week to our staff and she is inspired to learn new things everyday. She wishes everyone has a good life. Her hobby is talking with people and listening to their stories.
How You Can Pray:
1) She wants us to pray for her husband to become a Christian
2) For her health, especially the healing of her knee
3) Pray for a brighter future for her children, grandchildren, and the kids under her care at New Hope
Lisbeth Del Socorro Alaniz Arias – Science Teacher, Nicaragua
From Lisbeth:
“I am 40-years-old and have been married for 2 years. I have 2 kids- a 17-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy. We live in Diriamba and have our own house there. I am a Christian and attend Hosanna church on Sundays. When I have free time I love to share time with my family and love to go to the ocean with them. The students here have taught me a lot of good things. I feel like their mom sometimes and they trust me because I have a 17-year-old daughter. I know how the kids of that age think and feel because of my experience with my daughter. The students share their thoughts and feelings with me so I encourage them to keep going and to keep up the work at school. The students have helped me to find the child inside of me. I have also learned that we can be happy through little things.”
How You Can Pray:
1) That all the world will come to Jesus
2) Please pray that my kids’ dreams can come through
3) I prefer to have nothing if I don’t have God
Lyankhuatsetseg – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Lyankhua:
Lyankhua is one of the sweetest girls you could ever meet and the softest kid you could ever hold. She lives with her older sister at New Hope Children’s Home as their mother is not able to live with them. She is 3-years-old and likes to play with dolls. One of Lyankhua’s dreams is to meet with Cinderalla.
How You Can Pray:
1) Join us in praying for her mom and sister
2) That she will have good health, especially this winter
3) She wants to learn how to draw
Obed Francisco Narvaez Mendieta – New Hope School, Nicaragua
From Obed:
“I am 14-years-old and I am in the 9th grade. I live in Dolores with my mom, dad, sister, and brother. My dad is a mechanic and works as a teacher and my mom stays at home. We have our own house and we attend (LIVANO PRINCIPE DE PAZ) church. When I am at home I love to play soccer with my friends. When I am at school I love to share time with my friends there, too. I love to study to be able to be someone one day in the future. When I finish school I would love to be an engineer. Here in this school I have learned a lot of good things, especially to value what I have and to be thankful for everything. I thank the Lord because next year I will be in the 10th grade and then one more year and I will be a graduate. I am so excited to go to college one day. I am praying that the Lord will provide all I will need to be able to go to the university.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Please pray that the political situation in Nicaragua will get better.
2) I ask the Lord to provide food to those that are really hungry.
3) Pray for blessings from God.
Additional Requests
Nicaragua Celebrations!
Please be praying next week (December 4th-9th) for the many activities we are hosting on our property and for the small team from the States that is heading down to help serve. We will have our school’s graduation, a staff party, a Bible Club Christmas performance, and a head-shaving party! Please pray that everyone feels loved and celebrated!
Continued Civil Unrest in Nicaragua
We want to continue praying for these three specific areas for our friends and ministry family in Nicaragua:
1) Please pray for all tension to completely heal and for God to be a Shield around our staff, the people we serve, our community, and all of Nicaragua.
2) Pray for quick political resolution that gives justice to the people and honor to the Lord.
3) Please pray for wisdom, strength, and boldness for local churches throughout Nicaragua as they shine Light and healing in the midst of this current difficulty.