My Father's Business

"Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49 NKJV)

Today's meditation:

• With heartfelt compassion we think of families separated at Christmas - troops deployed in foreign lands, or worse, in war zones, missionaries who serve in cultures unlike their own, patients in hospitals and their caregivers, first-responders on duty, others who miss family gatherings because of work. And then there was Jesus whose tour of duty lasted over 30 years, separated from all that was familiar and from his Father. May God be close to those who are away from family this Christmas.

Pray today:

• For those in the Emmanuel family of students, staff and faculty who may be away from home this Christmas, for comfort and cheer to come to them, and most of all, for them to feel Jesus near.
• For those who must serve God, country, or their fellowman this Christmas, for those who are ill and those who must care for them, for those who for whatever reason cannot be with family this Christmas - may all of them find peace and comfort through Jesus.

Pray for the top three needs of Emmanuel College:

• To hear the Word of the Lord regarding life after debt and our vision for an expanded mission for 2019 and beyond.
• To enroll more than 1000 students in August 2019.
• To continue reducing our debt over the next five years with the purpose of becoming debt-free.

Pray for upcoming events and activities:.

• Spring Semester enrollment in January 2019 to exceed expectations because of better retention and larger numbers of new students, and for a total enrollment of 900 or more.
• New Beginnings Spiritual Emphasis, January 10-13, 2019.
• Scholars' Day recruiting events on campus in February 2019.
• Spring Preview recruiting event on campus, March 22-24, 2019.
• EC Serve trips for 2019 in the planning stages to Alaska, Appalachia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Myanmar, and Panama.
• For special projects to begin in 2019 to construct and remodel facilities debt-free, including improvements to Wellons Residence Hall, construction of the Collins agricultural teaching/lab building, obtaining lead gifts to expand the dining hall and improve academic facilities, and for wisdom in fundraising, planning, and implementation. 

Pray First! Pray Through!