Praise God for the peace that was presented and proclaimed when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. The Promised One came and willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. “For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:19-20). During this time of Christmas celebration, let every Christian pray that this peace will spread throughout the world through the witness of God’s people.

1. “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:23). Pray that the unsaved multitudes throughout Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova (and the world) may hear that Jesus Christ came to take away their sins. Join spiritual hands across the whole world with many servants of God who seek to share abroad the good news concerning this Child.

2. I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10). Ask God to save souls through special Christmas services conducted by SMS workers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. Pray this same request for other mission fields and for you own church.

3. “Unto you is born this day… a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Give God thanks, from a grateful heart, for the gift of God’s Son, especially given to you. Count His blessings during this holiday season. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5).
 
4. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Beseech God to grant opportunities to present the Gospel freely in countries that once were part of the former Soviet Union (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). Only in Christ, the promised peace attains reality.

5. “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:17). Ask God, with assistance from the Holy Spirit, for courage to accept opportunities at this Christmas season to witness about salvation in Christ Jesus.
 
6. “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). Pray that Christmas Day in the homes of all SMS workers, as well as your own homes, means worshipping the King of kings, who was born to be the Savior of the world. Pray that God will give Christian parents everywhere (if already not instituted) spiritual strength and humility to begin a time of Bible reading and prayer with their children.

7. “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:2). Ask God to fill with perseverance, peace and promise His children that live in oppressive countries during this holiday season. Pray that doors will open in these countries so that the Gospel may be heralded without threat or torment.

When God’s appointed time has come, the Lord Jesus Christ will arise from His heavenly throne and return to the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords forever. “He shall speak peace unto the heathen: and His dominion shall be from sea even to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:10). He will bring the long awaited peace to all nations, including His chosen nation, Israel. “Now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. And this Man shall be our peace” (Micah 5:4-5). Until that time approaches, let every child of God proclaimed the wonder of the promised birth, perfect life, painful death and powerful resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!