In December, we celebrate the coming of the Savior of the World.
Heaven’s immediate task after Christ’s birth was sending Angels to Evangelize (Gr. Eungleizo) – bring the ‘Good News’ to Shepherds.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news.
Luke 2:10-11
It will bring great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.
This responsibility of Christ’s Disciples to ‘Evangelize’ remains the primary task of Christ’s Mission.
We request your prayers for the nations and key issues relating to Missions this month:
Pray for Nations in Conflict: Syria, Ukraine, Iran, & Uzbekistan.
Pray for the Conflict in Syria to cease.
Civil War in Syria erupted again last week after Islamist militias took over the city of Aleppo.
Syrian Christians in Aleppo face “grave danger” after Islamist militias took over the city, local church leaders say. The militias, including jihadist groups, have seized control following the withdrawal of government forces and are removing all Christmas decorations, according to a report.
The Iraqi Christian Foundation has reported that militants had begun removing Christmas decorations and had beheaded captured soldiers. The group also called for prayers for Christians and other minorities in Aleppo.
Christian Solidarity International said in a statement that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, had seized control of Aleppo, mirroring the Islamic State’s capture of Mosul in 2014. This jihadist group’s takeover has instilled fear among Aleppo’s diverse religious communities, including Christians.
Read More to Pray: Christian Post.
Ukraine & Russia.
Pray for Christmas Peace to come over these warring two ‘Christian nations.’
Ukraine has undergone much trauma and suffering due to the Russian invasion and war. Pray that the war will cease and peace will return to Ukraine.
Ukraine has a strong Christian legacy, and evangelicals emerged stronger and more numerous from 130 years of sustained persecution in which millions of Christians were killed. Freedom of religion is vastly improved but not yet enshrined in both law and practice. Pray for the Church to engage this new context with boldness.
Thank God for the rich Christian heritage of Ukraine. Christianity in the Slavic world began in Kyiv 1,000 years ago. Churches here suffered greatly in the Soviet era until independence (1991). Millions of Christians died. Then, Russian interference and invasion brought incalculable destruction. This included religious persecution in the occupied areas, as well as hostility from the Russian Orthodox Church for most other expressions of Christianity.
Read More & Pray: Operation World – Ukraine.
Iran: 12 Christian Converts Charged:
Friends request prayer for twelve Christian converts facing charges of “propagation of the religions that are in conflict and against Islam” and “collaborating with foreign governments.” The evidence submitted consisted of Bibles and Christian books, the claim that they had participated in Christian training abroad, and that they professed the Christian faith.
The twelve converts were among twenty arrested by intelligence agents in Nowshahr and Chalus over the Christmas period in 2023. The twelve were summoned to appear in Branch 102 of the 2nd Criminal Court Nowshahr on 26 November this year.
Please pray for the release of these Christians.
Read More: Middle East Concern.
Uzbekistan: Central Asia.
Uzbekistan’s government relentlessly persecutes the Church. Dynamic and evangelism-oriented churches, especially Uzbek churches, are particularly targeted. Uzbek Christian leaders have extensive files on them compiled by the 14 different government agencies that monitor religious activity. Persecution tactics include public humiliation, property seizure, book and Bible-burning, the expulsion of Christian students, dismissal of Christian employees, arrests (followed by beating and torture) under the flimsiest of pretexts, and massive fines for first offenses (up to 50 times the annual salary). The near impossibility of legally registering has birthed a mobile and fast-growing house church movement.
| Population: | 35,673,804 |
| % Christian: | 0.8 % |
| % Evangelical: | 0.3 % |
| Largest Religion: | Muslim |
| % Largest Religion: | 84.9 % |
| People Groups: | 59 |
| Least Reached People | 34 |
A well-networked union of house churches helps to create stability and support amid the persecution.
Pray for Christians who are under pressure to betray fellow believers to the authorities.
Pray, too, for those persecuted and in prison, that God may give them strength and boldness.
Read More: Operation World – Uzbekistan.
Vietnam:
Vietnam is one of the few Communist nations left in the world. Although it has employed capitalistic economic principles to fuel much recent growth, its people still suffer from continued oppression and increased social problems such as drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, prostitution, and the exploitation of women and children.
This land has been known for its great violence in past decades, and although peace now prevails, much division and mistrust exist among its people. The deepest spiritual loyalty in Vietnam is to worship ancestors, even more than to Communism and even more than to the mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism traditionally practiced by Vietnamese. Some might argue that rapidly emerging materialism is now the greatest passion of most Vietnamese. Christians face hard questions as they try to handle these issues biblically.
Pray that the light of the gospel will banish all darkness and provide hope and purpose to all those who are lost.
Read More: Operation World – Vietnam.
Venezuela.
Venezuela has unraveled before our eyes in the past few years. Recent leaders have driven the country to ruin. President Maduro’s policies, his obduracy in the face of massive protests, and the highly questionable presidential election have accelerated this decline. Even vast oil reserves have not been able to prevent economic meltdown. Corruption and poverty were both widespread even before this meltdown. 60% of city dwellers live in slums. Venezuela ranks as the 2nd most corrupt nation in Latin America (after Haiti). Healthcare crises, massive food shortages, and hyperinflation have caused millions of Venezuelans to flee the country, desperately seeking survival and opportunity elsewhere.
An increasing number are children, the elderly, or pregnant women, all at risk of exploitation by unscrupulous traffickers and criminals. Pray for their protection.