THE CHRIST IN CHRISTmas
Do You Believe...in Christ or Santa?
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"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
I hear individuals in society excitedly elaborate on many of these holiday shows about “Santa” and “people saving Christ...mas." But I say, just take away the "mas," for rather, it's all about “Jesus” and “Christ saving people." So in reality, it is just the reverse.
Luke 2:11 says, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The bottom line is, even if you have to take away the "mas," and you are left with just the "CHRIST," then that’s enough; for Christ saves...and He is the Savior. CHRIST is the main part of CHRISTmas, because truly, Jesus still is "the reason for the season!" In the name of Jesus there is power to receive all things (John 14:14). Following are thought-provoking excerpts from an anonymous writing that I read some time ago:
Santa lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa comes but once a year...
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS enters in only when invited, as He stands at your door and knocks.
You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name; he has to ask each person...
JESUS knew our name before we were born.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers more than HO, but He offers HO...PE.
Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says cry out, and "cast all your cares on Me, for I care for you."
Santa may make you chuckle without, but...
JESUS gives you deep joy within
Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our Gift, and died on a tree (the cross).
Above all, Santa is fake...
JESUS is real.
Indeed, JESUS...Christ is better than SANTA...Claus! In fact, there’s no comparison. There is none like unto Jesus! For some of us, what thing (Santa) has consumed your focus more than Christ this season? Perhaps that thing(s) has become your spiritual idol (Santa) and is a major hindrance to you. Do you believe…in Christ or Santa? Do not get caught up in this world’s perspective. Truly ask yourself, “Is Jesus really my focus this Christmas?” If not, then refocus, and let Him be real in your life! Remember, CHRISTmas begins with “CHRIST,” so let Him be “The CHRIST” in CHRISTmas!”
Flo Shaw
Director
World Network of Prayer
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Prayer for the Hurting During the Christmas Season
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Christmas is the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for many, but a difficult time for those who are hurting. During this holiday season, let us not forget to pray for those who are hurting or who have experienced loss.
- Pray that God will undergird and strengthen the hurting with His unconditional love and comfort.
- Pray that God gives His divine protection spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
- Pray that God reveals or renews to each hurting individual the revelation of the true meaning of Christmas.
- Pray that God "supplies every need" spiritually, financially, and emotionally.
- Pray that the will of God be done in the hearts and lives of the hurting.
Pray specifically for:
1. Orphans
2. Individuals that have lost loved ones to death
3. Individuals who are terminally ill
4. Spouse and parents of the terminally ill
5. The homeless
6. Individuals who have experienced tragedies from floods, fires, tornadoes, etc.
7. The unemployed
Esther Hunt
District Prayer Coordinator
South Central Texas District
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World Needs:
- Pray for the Lord to return the hundreds of children feared missing after gunmen attacked a school in Kankara, Nigeria, in the state of Katsina.
- Pray for the Lord to protect families throughout our world.
- Continue to pray for our World and for the UK as new restrictions for London and much of Southern England are imposed after officials indicated they have identified a new strain of Covid-19 is linked to a surge with 28,500 cases and almost 500 deaths. The WHO has indicated that they are aware of a genetic variant of Covid-19 reported in about 1,000 individuals in England.
- Pray for the four Chicago area hospital workers who have experienced adverse reactions to the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine.
- Pray for the state of Louisiana as a historic hurricane leaves people homeless for the holidays.
- Pray for the peace of Israel and for the return of their land.
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Dr. David K. Bernard
UPCI General Superintendent
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Access Challenged Nations
Join the World Network of Prayer and Global Missions in praying for the nations that currently do not have an apostolic work. We will focus on one nation each week.
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For 2021, the United Pentecostal Church International has embraced the theme "BEYOND," as we soar to a destination of greater success! The word "beyond" is defined as "over and above or greater than; more extensive or extreme; surpassing; exceeding; in excess of; having progressed or achieved more than; happening or continuing afterwards; at or to the further side of; apart from; or outside the physical limits or range of." As applicable, let's go forth beyond the ordinary to the...EXTRAORDINARY!
Join with us in prayer and fasting on January 2-31, 2021, believing that we, the Church, will go beyond all boundaries and beyond Jordan, up towards our spiritual promise land to claim every inheritance from our Almighty God!
Click the "30 Days of Prayer" banner above to download a printable copy of the guide.
Click the "Beyond" prayer guide image above to download the PDF version.
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WNOP is hosting its annual leadership retreat this upcoming February 10-12. It is going to be a powerful time of training and empowerment as we start the new year. We hope to see you all there!
This event is open to all WNOP Prayer Coordinators, Leaders, and Volunteers.
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The Pentecostals Of Alexandria (POA) invites you to unite with POA’s HOPE Prayer Ministry on October 1 - December 29 for our twelfth 90 Day Prayer Journey. Join our family of warriors from around the world as we pray for parents, family, friends of prodigals, and our beloved prodigals. The Word of God promises they will return. Mark 11:24 states, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” We BELIEVE!
Our plan is to have a daily prayer call available at 8 AM - 9 AM, Monday - Friday, with Intercessors from around the country. We appreciate Partners In Prayer Ministries, led by Rev. Billie Jean Bishop, assisted by Chaplain Michelle Boudreaux for partnering with HOPE Prayer to make this happen. The access number is 563 999 2833.
Please connect with us on Facebook and Instagram @HOPE2Hope15. For more information about HOPE Prayer, connect with us @ poa.church. Click on MINISTRIES, next click on RESTORATION MINISTRIES, and scroll down to H.O.P.E. Ministry.
We will be fasting days 1, 45, and 90 in unity. If you have health issues, please be wise and do only what you can. We encourage fasting throughout the 90 days on your own, as well.
This is a call to ALL to fast and pray. Pray for yours. Pray for all.
It is the intended mindset of this ministry to pray for parents of prodigals, family of prodigals, and children of prodigals, as well as ALL prodigals. The battles we fight are real but greater is our God! This is the time. This is the season.
Praying and believing for the harvest,
Don and Dy Anne Long
POA HOPE Prayer
Email: hopejer3117@aol.com
FB: HOPE2Hope15
IG: HOPE2Hope15
And there is hope in thine end, saith The LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border (Jeremiah 31:17).
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2020 WNOP Events
- 30 Days of Prayer (January 2-31)
- New York Metro District Prayer Conference, St. Albans, New York (January 17-18)
- WNOP Leadership Retreat, Weldon Spring, Missouri (February 5-7)
- Ministry And Prayer (MAP) Seminar, ABI, Oakdale, Minnesota (March 4-6)
- School of Prayer, Ijamsville, Maryland (March 19-21) Postponed
- Advanced Prayer Training Seminar, Del Valle, Texas (April 2-4) Postponed
- Northwest Regional Summons, Renton, Washington (April 30 – May 2) Postponed
- National Day of Prayer (May 7)
- National Apostolic Day of Prayer (May 8)
- Global Day of Prayer (May 31)
- WNOP International Summons, Bridgeton, Missouri (June 18-20)
- “Operation Switzerland” (June 28 – July 7)
- “Operation Turkey” (July 23-30)
- “Operation Jamaica,” Trelawny, Jamaica (August 10-16)
- New England Territory Summons, Tiverton, Rhode Island (August 20-22)
- South Texas District Regional Summons, Houston, Texas (September 10-12)
- UPCI World Day of Prayer (September 16)
- UPCI General Conference Prayer Seminars, St. Louis, Missouri (September 24-25)
- YM WNOP Youth Explosion Summons (YES!), St. Charles, Missouri (September 26)
- Ontario District Regional Summons, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (November 5-7)
- Georgia District Regional Summons, College Park, Georgia (November 12-14)
- Detroit Regional Summons, Romulus, Michigan (November 19-21)
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Consider supporting WNOP with a tax-deductible donation. Give the gift that keeps on giving:
PRAYER!
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If WNOP has been a blessing to you, consider giving “$25 for 25 years.” As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, $25 a month representing 25 years of service would help us to continue to provide the best prayer products and services worldwide! Thank you in advance for any contribution that you make. We are here to serve every church and individual in the ministry of prayer! Consider becoming a partner in prayer with a one-time or Monthly $25 or more donation
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WNOP Personal Prayer List
To join WNOP in praying for the personal needs submitted by email, phone and website, please click the button below.
You may submit requests by email at pray@wnop.org.
"If you received an answer to prayer or have a victory report, post it on WNOP's Facebook page. We would like to hear from you."
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World Network of Prayer | United Pentecostal Church International
36 Research Park Court, Weldon Spring, Missouri 63304
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