Prayer  Update  433

GIVE  THANKS  TO  THE  LORD

“O give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136)

14.  Our Christian heritage

Praise God that the Gospel came to New Zealand very early on in the days of the first European explorers and settlers, and that the Gospel was widely embraced over the years by Maori.  Praise God for the Christian heritage we have today, and earnestly pray that it will not weaken or pass away, but that it will grow and spread.  Praise God that all over the country people are remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, though many people still have not applied the message to their own lives!  Pray for a resurrection of the Gospel in our land; its conviction, salvation and setting people free to become true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

THIS  SEASON

The Christmas/New Year period is a time for relaxing, enjoying good things, meeting with friends and family, etc., for most people.  But for some people this is a time of loneliness and a time of grief.  Sadly, this time of the year there are increased deaths through suicide, vehicle accidents, accidents due to drunkenness, and drownings.  Please pray that people will take extra care this holiday season; that accidental and deliberate deaths will be substantially down on previous years and that the lonely will be cared for (and now just in this season, but throughout the year too).

Please continue to pray for all Christian outreaches, concerts and missions over this December-January period.  Pray that many people will hear and understand the Gospel in a new way and that many people will respond and give their lives to Christ.  Pray for all those people who will be sharing the Gospel, as well as all their helpers and supporters.

CHALLENGE  WEEKLY

Challenge Weekly is New Zealand’s Christian weekly newspaper, bringing hope, encouragement, teaching and inspiration to thousands of people.  Please pray for its ministry, its staff, writers, contributors and reporters.  Pray too for those people who advertise through it, and for all their financial needs to be met by the Lord through subscriptions, donations, advertising and other sources.  It began its ministry in 1944 – pray that it will continue to inspire, challenge and bless people for many years to come!

CHRISTMAS  AND  THE  NEW  YEAR

May the blessings of the Lord be with you and your family during this Christmas season, in the New Year and throughout the new year!

This will be the last Prayer Update until about 15 January 2009.