Give thanks for Team Expansion’s Quest program and Pathways summer internship program.
Pray for viable long-term strategies that impact the unreached peoples
and places. Possibly 80% of missionaries work among majority Christian
peoples, while many unevangelized peoples still languish without the
Gospel. The huge growth in short-term missions, while positive in some
respects, can also be detrimental to long-term impact and fruit. Pray
that the fervor and enthusiasm of those who go on mission trips would be
channeled into long-term commitment.
“O holy Child of Bethlehem descend to us, we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today!”
2018-12-16: Angels from the Realms of Glory.
“Angels from the Realms of Glory” is a carol fitting for partnerships. It took teamwork to announce the birth of our newborn King – angels, shepherds, wise men, and all the saints. In Jesus’s day there were two structures vital to disciple making movements – synagogues and missionary bands (Khevra) that partnered together in spreading the Gospel. Today these structures are equivalent to churches and mission organizations. Pray for effective partnerships between local churches and Team Expansion for proclaiming Messiah’s birth to the nations.
2018-12-15: As with Gladness Men of Old.
“As with Gladness Men of Old” may we be led and leading others to Jesus. Praise God that US Christians have pioneered and generously supported missions on a massive scale for more than a century. The number, variety, and commitment of US missionaries and agencies have impacted the world. Pray for local churches to make the Great Commission central to their church life. Only a small minority of evangelical churches carry the bulk of the task of supporting some 60,000 foreign missionaries.
2018-12-14: What Child Is This?
“What Child Is This?” How did you come to know Jesus? Praise God for the media to movement initiative that is being implemented by many of Team Expansion workers. Seekers are finding Truth via social media, and follow-up is bearing fruit. Pray that the right usage of such tools would continue to be highly effective in disciple making.
2018-12-13: Day of Prayer and Fasting.
Day of Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting is a monthly event on the campus of Team Expansion. Ask God to hear the prayers of His people through worship, celebration and intercession. Pray for a mighty move of God among unreached peoples, for the Gospel to spread rapidly, and for the Lord of the harvest to send out workers to His harvest fields. “For lo, the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, when, with the ever-circling year, shall come the time foretold. When the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace their King, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing”
2018-12-12: O Come Let Us Adore Him.
“O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!” Celebrating what God has done throughout the year is a part of Team Expansion’s annual Christmas festivities. International Services staff meet together for Celebration Day to praise God for equipping, enabling and empowering tasks to be completed and goals to be met that ultimately make an impact on the 6,900 unreached people groups in the world.
2018-12-11: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.
“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne and thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me”. People may ask, “How many foreign students are there in the US?” There are about 1.21 million international students, according to the Department of Homeland Security. They come from nearly every country in the world. For many, this is their first opportunity to encounter the Gospel. Most will return to leadership positions in their home land after study. Their responsiveness to loving Christian ministry is remarkable and is increasing with time. Pray for conversations and for discipling ministries that will enable these students to be effective witnesses when they return home. Pray that Christians will welcome international students into their homes to share about a baby who left His heavenly home to be Savior of the world.
2018-12-10: Good Christian Men Rejoice.
“Good Christian Men Rejoice with heart and soul and voice”. God continues to increase ethnic minority populations to our doorstep. Pray for outreach that is bold and confident, but sensitive and culturally appropriate. Those from other religions face many issues and obstacles to accepting the Gospel, including pressures from family and community and threats of rejection or violence. Pray that Christians will help those from ethnic minority communities to follow Christ within their own cultural context as much as possible.
2018-12-09: Go Tell It on the Mountains!
Go Tell it On the Mountains! “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying concerning this Child” (Luke 2:17). People usually tell other people what they know. The news that Jesus is born should be told and retold and told again. Pray for a greater awareness of the unfinished task of reaching over 3 billion people with the Good News of Jesus. Pray that His kingdom advance and be established on earth and may the name of Jesus be honored by all peoples.
2018-12-07: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, and ransom the captive and exiled. Ask God to enable Team Expansion workers worldwide who are caring for the forcibly-displaced. Pray that these refugees find joy in knowing Jesus. Ask God for release for captives who are being illegally held against their will. Pray they may find their home in Emmanuel and rejoice!