Please use this prayer focus as you are led by God’s Spirit, in personal prayer times, in church prayer times, passing it on via church communications/Facebook groups etc etc.
Matthew 1:21 – “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.”
Praise God for the gift of Jesus – the very presence of God in human form to show us how much He loves us and wants us in His family for eternity.
The opportunity to share the real message of Christmas freely in many contexts e.g. work, school, clubs, home.
The range of Christian led activities in Ipswich e.g. FIND, Top up shops, CYM (40 yrs old this year!) etc etc. Praise Him for people who have taken up His challenge to start, maintain and change these initiatives.
The chance Christmas gives to bless people in this town who so much need His blessing to be felt.
Gifted church leaders and teams who give of themselves so freely to see God’s Will worked out week by week.
Christmas to be a time when people realise the significance of Jesus’ coming and let Him into their own lives rather than just celebrating on the side-lines with the trappings which have grown up over many years.
Together for Ipswich – as they continue to seek to help Ukrainian guests in a foreign land (cf Leviticus 19:33-34) working together with local agencies and authorities. They are also developing work with young people in conjunction with the Ipswich Social Mobility Alliance, starting an Arts focussed sphere of activity and continuing to encourage churches to open warm, welcome, spaces especially over the winter.
Crown Him in 2024 – another wonderful opportunity on 20th January for the church in Ipswich of all denominations to come together, listen and pray for the challenges facing Ipswich. See Events - Ipswich In Prayer for more details.
Church Leaders and Teams – this is a very pressured time of year for church workers of all kinds and they need to know God’s priorities for the work He wants to do through them in the limited time available
Christian Charities locally – many of these have special events or appeals in this season with extra pressure on employees and volunteers alike. May God’s compassion be shown and His Will be worked out so that more of His Kingdom can come!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you is not enough to say how grateful we are for Jesus’s coming to be our Saviour. Help us this Christmas to be taken up anew with the wonder of this. Let this wonder lead us to action now, to be Jesus to the people You bring into our lives in this season. We ask this simply that you may be glorified. Amen.