FCFI Prayer Guide – December 2024
1. For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ, (2Corinthians 4:6). Our inner light that reflects Jesus in our hearts should shine on our faces. We pray to be the light of Christ in a dark world. Please pray for Lissa. She has a rare gall bladder cancer. She has many needs. And pray for Ed as well.
2. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ, (Galatians 3:26-27). We as Believers have laid aside the old clothes of the law and have put on Christ’s new robe of righteousness. We pray to know who we are in Christ. Benton Winter Fest, Benton, PA, Michael Steele
3. God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the Heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:6-7). As baptized Christians we are raised up different people and are already seated in heavenly places spiritually. We pray to live out our spiritual blessings daily. 3-5 Greater Peoria Farm Show, Peoria, IL, Dennis Schlagel
4. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, (Philippians 2:5-7). Jesus did not give up His deity to become human, but He did set aside the right to His power and glory. We humans set aside our rights and wants to live as Christ did. We pray to have the attitude of Christ. 3-5 Amarillo Farm Show, Amarillo, TX, Jerry Rice
5. Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration of a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come, the reality, however is found in Christ, (Colossians 2:16-17). Believers should focus on faith in Christ alone. Though our worship, traditions and ceremonies can help bring us close to God, we should remember that others feel just as close with different forms of worship, traditions and ceremonies. We pray to focus on Christ alone and now fellow Believers. Please pray for Joy. She has Guillain Barr Syndrome and is in long term rehab for treatment to regain the use of her limbs.
6. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones, (1Thessalonians 3:13). Our goal as Christians is to glorify God and we are able to do that as we allow Him to strengthen our hearts through reading His Word. We pray to be Bible readers. Please pray for families…many people are struggling in all areas of life during these upheaval times.
7. Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored just as it was with you, (2Thessalonians 3:1). As we are filled daily with the Holy Spirit, we shall be honored to share the Good News of Christ. We pray to be reachers. Old Fashioned Christmas, Bradenton, FL, Pete Singer.
8. The record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, (Matthew 1:1). The New Testament starts out by telling us who Jesus is. We pray to show others who Jesus is to us by sharing our testimony. Please pray for our children…so many hurting during the Christmas season.
9. The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way…a voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him, (Mark 1:1-3). John the Baptist was born with a purpose well defined, even if he didn’t realize it at the time. We pray to remember as Christians we, too, have a purpose. Please pray we keep the real meaning of Christmas in our spirits as we hurry and burry at Christmas time.
10. And you, my child, (John the Baptist) will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel, (Luke 1:76-80). Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, prophesied about him and Jesus before either was born. We pray to know that each of us has a role to play in the salvation story. Please pray that many hearts will be opened to the story of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection as the awe and wonder of Christmas begins to unfold.
11. This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother, Mary, was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 1:18). We pray to celebrate the birth season rather than the buying season. Please pray for the homeless during this cold season.
12. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary, (Luke 1:26). Mary was young, poor, and female. In her day this would have made her unusable. We pray to trust God when He gives us a mission. 10-12 Nebraska Ag Expo, Lincoln, NE, Jeff Goss
13. The Angel went to her and said, Greetings, you are highly favored! The Lord is with you, (Luke 1:28). When Gabriel appeared, he always brought important news. We pray to live lives that will makes us be “highly favored” by God. Tulsa Farm Show, Tulsa, OK, Jeff Goss
14. But the angle said to her, do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give Him the name Jesus, (Luke 1: 30-31). Gods favor does not automatically bring instant success, but it does bring great reward. We pray to wait on God’s plan for our lives and trust Him even when the task scares us. Please pray for those who are grieving…the holidays compound their grief.
15. How can this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin. The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God, (Luke 1: 34-35). Jesus was born holy. We pray to call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Please pray for James’ son. He needs guidance as whether to re-enlist or come home to farm.
16. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God, (Luke 1:36-37). Mary hurried to see Elizabeth because she needed confirmation and comfort from someone who understood God’s miracles. We pray to be open to God using us in miraculous ways. Please pray for our farmers as they come to the end of the year that they have had a successful year and will be able to pay their bills and farm again another year.
17. I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said. Then the angel left her, (Luke 1:38). Mary was young and I am sure was afraid…however she chose to believe and obey God’s will for her life. We pray to be open to the direction God chooses for our lives. Please pray for Ann. Her desire is to remain strong in the Lord and to love and serve others with joy.
18. Because Joseph was a righteous man and did not want to expose her (Mary) to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly, (Matthew 1:19). Joseph was faced with a difficult decision when he learned Mary was pregnant. He could have her stoned or divorce her quietly. God gave him another option. We pray to be open to God’s guidance in our lives and supportive to the calling of others. Please pray that with the new administration in the White House that events will be open to sharing the Gospel message. Many were pushing us away or denying us altogether.
19. But after he (Joseph) had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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, (Matthew 1: 20-21). Jesus means “the Lord saves”. Jesus came to earth to save people from our sins because we can’t save ourselves. We pray to believe Jesus is the Immanuel, God in flesh. Please pray for those who are away from their families this Christmas season…that God will send others to fill the emptiness in their hearts and lives.
20. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son and he gave him the name Jesus, (Matthew 1:24-25). Sometimes we avoid doing what is right because of what others might think. We pray to be like Joseph and choose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others. Please pray for Andy. He needs a miracle. He has been diagnosed with Optica Spectrum Disorder and is paralyzed from his neck down.
21. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem in the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child, (Luke 2:1-5). God controls all history. By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for His birth, even though His parents didn’t live there. We pray to be open to seeing everything in our lives works for our good and God’s glory. Please continue to pray for Petrina. She has cancer and needs a miracle from God. Please pray for her family as well.
22. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn, (Luke 2:6-7). The Jews expected the Messiah to be born as a worldly king, instead God placed Him in a common, ordinary stable. So, the common, ordinary person would feel a connection to the King of kings. We pray to always have room for Jesus in our lives. Please pray a special prayer for those struggling with the injustices of their world…pray they see they are loved by the Father.
23. And there were shepherds living in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”, (Luke 2:8-12). Ironic that God would reveal to the shepherds, who probably supplied lambs for sacrifice in the temple, the perfect Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of all the world forever. We pray to be filled with awe and wonder at the Good News of Jesus. Please pray to remember the naughty children need as much love and maybe more than the nice children.
24. The shepherds said to one another, Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So, they hurried and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger, (Luke 2: 15-16). The shepherds wasted no time in going to see Jesus. We pray to be excited about the birth of our Savior. Christmas Eve…please pray for a great awakening in our world about Christianity.
25. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them, (Luke 2: 17-18). The shepherds didn’t keep the “Good News” a best kept secret and neither should we. We pray to share the Good News to all we come in contact with…with word or deed. Christmas Day. Please pray for a time of sharing the real meaning of Christmas.
26. 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 in the east and have come to worship Him, (Matthew 2:1-2). There are many explanations as to who the “wise men” were and how many of them came and from where they came. God left all of that a mystery. The only thing we need to know is that wise men seek Him and rejoice when they find Him. When we encounter our Salvation, we want to give the best back to Him. We pray a prayer of adoration and praise to the Babe born in a manger and to the King of kings! Please pray to have a spirit of praise and a song on our lips.
27. But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel, (Matthew 2:6). Matthew was quoting the Old Testament prophet Micah…5:2. Most religious leaders believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. They should have been seeking Him themselves, rather they became His worst enemy. We pray to recognize when God is working in our lives. Please pray to be usable by God. The world needs to see God’s love demonstrated in extraordinary ways…be the light!
28. And they heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother, Mary, and the bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh, (Matthew 2:9-11). The magi sacrificed time and money to be able to worship the King. They brought gifts worthy for a king. We pray to give God all we have…time, talents and a tenth… for it is He who gave us these gifts in the first place. As we prepare to start a whole new year please pray for God’s direction and protection. Please pray for wisdom as FCF makes plans for 2025 and that God will provide the necessary funds.
29. When they (Magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Get up, he said, take the child and His mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him, (Matthew 1:3). This was the second dream that Joseph received from God. We pray to be receptive to God’s guidance. Please pray for traveling safety for those on the road this holiday season.
30. After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead, (Matthew 2:19). Joseph had taken baby Jesus and Mary to Egypt because of a dream and the took them back to Israel because of a dream. We pray to be discerners of God’s Word. Please pray for those on the verge of giving up. Pray to be the Love of Jesus they need to encourage them to give life another shot and to be open to the Salvation of the world.
31. So, he (Joseph) got up, took the Child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, He will be called a Nazarene, (Matthew 2:21-23). We pray to listen for God’s direction in our lives. New Year’s Eve. Please pray that people will not make bad decisions tonight that will cost them and others much.
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