God's Power

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead. (Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT)

Pray today for the people of Emmanuel College - students, staff, faculty - administration, board of trustees, church leaders - pray for us to really understand God's incredible and unlimited power in us to accomplish what we cannot comprehend and much more than we can imagine in 2020 and beyond.

Pray First. Pray Through. Pray Together.

Grow

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you may grow in your knowledge of God. (Ephesians 1:8 NLT)

Pray today for spiritual growth across our campus, for a hunger to know God and to know more about God, for spiritual wisdom and insight to fuel disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and service throughout our campus community.

Pray First. Pray Through. Pray Together.

Wisdom and Understanding

He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:8 NLT)

Pray today for the leadership of Emmanuel College to welcome and receive the wisdom and understanding that God is showering upon us to enable his vision for our future to be viewed with clarity.

Pray First. Pray Through. Pray Together.

Forgave our sins

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. (Ephesians 1:7 NLT)

May we never forget that we are sinners saved by the blood of Jesus who forgives our acts of rebellion.

Pray today for the message of salvation to be clearly communicated on our campus throughout the new year. Pray that the grace we have received will be generously shared with others.

Praise God

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his hear Son. (Ephesians 1:6 NLT)

Have you ever spent a day focused on praising God during all the busyness of your day, between tasks, even during tasks? Why not try it today? There's much to praise God for.

Praise God today for the glorious grace and favor he has showered upon us, people who don't deserve it, but nonetheless, we have received it. God is great and greatly to be praised.

Through Jesus

Even before he made the world, God loved us and . . . decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  (Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT)

In the afterglow of Christmas, enjoy family, laughter, hugs, and Jesus who has welcomed us into the family of God.

Pray today for the people of Emmanuel College to dedicate themselves to expanding the family of God through service and evangelism.

The Glory of the Lord

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." (Luke 2:9-10 NKJV)

Day 25 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Imagine a hillside in the dark, when blazing light arouses you and a terribly frightening angelic being stands before you. But I think it was the glory of the Lord shining around them that put them on their faces. Think Moses on Sinai, Isaiah in the throne room, or John before the Alpha and Omega. That glory was packaged in a cuddly baby, our Savior, Christ the Lord, who now lives in us. Hallelujah!

Pray today for the glory of the Lord to shine upon Emmanuel College, for the fear of the Lord to humble us, for the Word of the Lord to inspire us, for the Spirit of the Lord to enable us, and for the men and women within our sphere of influence to be saved, filled with new life, and compelled by love to serve.

Angels, from the realms of glory, 
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
(Angels, from the Realms of Glory, vs. 1)

In a Manger

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 NKJV)

Day 24 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Before there were Internet reservations or toll-free phone lines, there was the dreaded "no vacancy" sign. But someone helped Joseph in what was probably his greatest moment of need and provided shelter. Gifts of compassion to those who need our help, whether great or small, are gifts offered to Jesus.

Pray today for the ministry of EC Serve in 2020 - the Spring Serve trip with Samaritan's Purse and the Summer Serve trips to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and others yet to be named.

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the sky look down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
(Away in a Manger, vs. 1)

Savior

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11 NKJV)

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus said, "I am." (Mark 14:61-62 NKJV)

Day 23 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Don't miss the shadow of the cross at the manger. Remember that the tiny babe in Bethlehem is the lamb slain in Jerusalem - for the sins of the world - for your sins and mine.

Pray today for New Beginnings spiritual emphasis, January 9-12. Pray for revival and renewal on our campus. Pray that the meaning of Christmas stirs the hearts of the lukewarm and unsaved in ways that prepare them to yield to the Savior in the New Year.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.
(Joy to the World, vs. 1)

Departed

. . . they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. (Matthew 2:9-10 NKJV)

Day 22 of 25 Days of Christmas.  The wise men, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. All far from home at Christmas. Especially Jesus, separated from his Father and all that was familiar to him. May God be close to those who are away from family this Christmas.

Pray today for those who cannot be home this Christmas - troops, missionaries, medical personnel, hospital and nursing home patients, assisted living residents and caregivers, international students. May Jesus be their source of joy - exceedingly great Joy!

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou came to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was their found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
(Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, vs. 1)

Treasures

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11 NKJV)

Day 21 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Blessed that our coaches and athletic staff gave gifts to all the children living in the Royston Housing Authority again this year. We give gifts at Christmas because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus. What gift can we give him this Christmas?

Pray today for the people of Emmanuel College to open the treasury of their hearts, minds, and souls to present gifts - talents, time, and treasures invested in students and others for the glory of God.

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

So may we with holy joy, 
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ to Thee our heavenly King.
(As with Gladness Men of Old, vs. 1, 2)

Those who heard it marveled

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (Luke 2:17-18 NKJV)

Day 20 of 25 Days of Christmas.  What will we say and do about the angels' remarkable message, and who will we tell this Christmas?

Pray today for the people of Emmanuel College to be living, breathing examples of what happens when the Savior comes - spreading joy, peace, and hope to everyone we meet.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be 
Which inspire your heavenly song?
(Angels We Have Heard on High, vs. 2)

The Heavenly Host Praising God

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:13-14 NKJV)

Day 19 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Did the angels sing? Wesley, Spurgeon and others think they did. Praising is closely associated with singing and some say the original language implies singing. Whether we speak it or sing it, give praise to God this Christmas for the gift of Jesus.

Pray today for Emmanuel College to proclaim Jesus as the Savior of the world, for students, staff and faculty to sing praises to God throughout the year, to be a joyful people and worshiping community.

Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinner reconciled."
(Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, vs.1)

Only Begotten Son

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)

Day 18 of 25 Days of Christmas.  The reason for Christmas? "For God so loved the world." The purpose of Christmas? "That he gave his only begotten son." The outcome of Christmas? "That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Pray today for unbelievers to believe in Jesus this Christmas, especially those among our students, and in our churches and communities, and in our families.

Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
(O Little Town of Bethlehem, vs. 3)

Worship Him

Behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2 NKJV)

Day 17 of 25 Days of Christmas.  The first Christmas light was a star in the heavens that led wise men to the Light of the world. May the myriad of Christmas lights this season remind us that Jesus said to his followers, "You are the light of the world."

Pray today for the light of Jesus to illumine his vision for Emmanuel College that we may be guided to his purposes with clarity and exceptional focus.

And by the light of that same star
The wise men came from country far
To seek for a king was their intent
and to follow the star wherever it went.
(The First Noel, vs. 3)

A Tree

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV)

Day 16 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Although the Christmas tree has pagan origins, Christians adopted it to celebrate Christmas - lights for the Light of the world, silver and gold for the King of Kings, red for our Redeemer's saving blood, green for the new life he brings, wood to remind us of the cross, and each tree a triangle, symbol of the Trinity, and pointing upward to remind us that Jesus is coming again.

Pray today for the disciple-making mission of Emmanuel College to reach from Franklin Springs across the land and oceans to the nations, sharing the promise of new life because of what happened on a dead tree and in an empty grave.

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He come to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found.
(Joy to the World, vs. 3)

Sight

And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm. (Luke 1:50 NKJV)

"He has sent me . . . to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind." (Luke 4:18 NKJV)

Day 15 of 25 Days of Christmas.  During December many will see the baby in the manger but fewer will see the Christ of Christmas - Messiah, redeemer, life-giver. As Christ-followers, may we share the Good News about Jesus that helps them see, really see, why we celebrate his birth.

Pray today for those who need Jesus to see him all around this season, whether it's at a children's Christmas play or in their cars listening to carols or in numerous nativity scenes viewed in homes and shops, and perhaps even on their neighbor's lawn. May they see Jesus and open their hearts to him.

O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Make Ready a People

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John . . . He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit . . . and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God . . . to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:13, 15-17 NKJV)

"Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest." (John 4:35 NKJV)

Day 14 of 25 Days of Christmas.  As we celebrate Jesus' first coming, we need to remember his second coming and our responsibility to prepare a people for him - a people who hunger after God more than anything else.

Pray today for revival and renewal on our campus, for believers to be energized by the Holy Spirit to live and proclaim the Gospel, for the lost to see Jesus in us and be inspired to submit to the Lord and be transformed into the sons and daughters of God.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness. "Prepare the way of the Lord." (Matthew 3:3 NKJV)

Her Firstborn Son

Then Joseph . . . took his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25 NKJV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation . . . the firstborn from the dead . . . having made peace through the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:15, 18, 19 NKJV)

Day 13 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Be sure to see the broad scope of God's plan this Christmas, not just the baby in the manger, but eternal God clothed in flesh, the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Pray today for all of our students to see the deeper meaning of Christmas this year, especially those who may not know Jesus. Pray that for every gift they receive, they will be reminded of the greatest gift ever given - Jesus.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life." (John 11:25 NKJV)

Son of David

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. (Luke 2:4-5 NKJV)

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47 NKJV)

Day 12 of 25 Days of Christmas.  Joseph and Mary were the first to travel at Christmas, and they went to Joseph's ancestral home. Many of us travel home for Christmas, too, but no one has ever traveled farther at Christmas to be with family than Jesus.

Pray today for our Emmanuel family to have safe travels during Christmas. May we gather again in the New Year filled with hope and boundless opportunities.

"Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9 NKJV)

According to Your Word

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. (Luke 1:26-27 NKJV)

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38 NKJV)

Day 11 of 25 Days of Christmas. The prophet spoke of an obscure virgin who would bear a son. To us, she has a name - Mary. She reminds us that sometimes obedience is scary with uncertain outcomes but at the same time so full of promise.

Pray today for the favor of God to continue to rest upon Emmanuel College, for that favor to loose generosity among God's people that enables us to secure the financial resources necessary to advance God's mission and purpose for us.

Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 NKJV)

I Am With You

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23 NKJV)

"And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:20b NKJV)

Day 10 of 25 Days of Christmas. This Christmas season remember that the Lord has come, and he makes his dwelling in us. He is Emmanuel - our God with us. Hallelujah!

Pray today for the leadership of Emmanuel College, the Board of Trustees and the administration, to draw close to our God who is with us and to follow him with precision and with complete obedience.

For he will save his people from their sins.

My Peace

And His name will be called . . . Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 NKJV)

Day 9 of 25 Days of Christmas. Why do we insist on making the Christmas season stressful when the One we honor at Christmas came to bring peace? Peace. Ours for the asking. So ask!

Pray today for the people of Emmanuel College to allow the One born Prince of Peace into our lives as the peacemaker. Whether the waters of life are placid or turbulent, pray that we navigate every circumstance with a calm and steady hand, revealing the peace that Jesus brings.

Peace, be still.

Father

And His name will be called . . . Everlasting Father. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14:9 NKJV)

Day 8 of 25 Days of Christmas. Everlasting? Hard to comprehend, as in before there was time and after time shall be no more. Father? We know father. He wants us to know him as our Father - the kind that will do anything for his children, even die for them.

Pray today for us to know the Father well, as sons and daughters, and to follow the example of Jesus, our elder brother, empowered by the Holy Spirit to teach, nurture, and guide our students and to graduate leaders and workers, generation upon generation.

With God nothing will be impossible.

All Things Are Possible

And His name will be called . . . Mighty God. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:26-27 NKJV)

Day 7 of 25 Days of Christmas. To the Emmanuel College family, God has shown himself strong for over 100 years. He speaks and the words on his breath vanquish opposing forces.

Pray today and intercede for Emmanuel College and Christian higher education that nothing will muzzle our religious liberties. Pray for the defeat of those inside and outside of government who favor laws that will restrict our mission and ministry.

And the government shall be upon His shoulders.

Life More Abundantly

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b NKJV)

Day 6 of 25 Days of Christmas. The human race is arrogant, wayward, and sinful, but through Jesus our record of rebellion can be individually expunged. Too wonderful for words!

Pray today for the people of Emmanuel College to be more engaged in sharing abundant life through the Gospel - more students called to ministry, more praying, more loving, more serving, more going.

Unto us a Son is given.

Great Light

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2 NKJV)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12 NKJV)

Day 5 of 25 Days of Christmas. May Christmas lights bring meaning to the season, reminding us of Jesus, the Light of the world.

Pray today for clarity and vision to see the path that God illuminates for Emmanuel College.

Let there be light.

From Everlasting

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me the One to be the ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2 NKJV)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NKJV)

Day 4 of 25 Days of Christmas. The essential story of Christmas is that God came down to dwell with us, to reveal himself to us, to open the pathway back to him. Each of us needs to tell and live that remarkable story.

Pray today for the Gospel to go forth through all the Christmas messages, cards, emails, and programs and through every kind of media in every nation and to all people.

For unto us a child is born.

Heal the Brokenhearted

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up . . . He was handed the book of Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:16-19 NKJV)

Day 3 of 25 Days of Christmas. Not everyone feels joy at Christmas. For some it is a difficult time of lack and brokenness. But the Christ child was born to heal brokenness and restore vision. He was born for them. 

Pray today for Jesus' love to reach the needy through us, for generosity to overflow in the true spirit of Christmas. Pray for any of our students and employees who may be struggling financially to find their material needs met.

Peace one earth, goodwill toward men

Bread of Life

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior . . . for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name . . . He has filled the hungry with good things." (Luke 1:46-47, 49, 53 NKJV)

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger." (John 6:35 NKJV)

Day 2 of 25 Days of Christmas. Oh, that we would feed on Jesus and his Word as hungrily as we consume a Christmas feast.

Pray today for a hunger for the Bread of Life across our campus, for a sincere quest to know Jesus better and to fill our hungry souls with him.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

The Highest Will Overshadow You

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35 NKJV)

Twenty-five Days of Christmas. The coming of the Christ child changed everything. If God gave so freely of himself to save the world, shouldn't we?

Pray today for our students to experience this Christmas season in ways that transform them, giving birth to kingdom life in them, shaping them into his image, empowering them by his Spirit.

Experience Christ this Christmas