December Gift Giving—Part 3

The Invitation: Many of the people on our gift lists need things no store sells. Yet every need can be met by our Heavenly Father. This is part 3 of our December Gift Giving opportunity where we partner with God in bringing heaven to earth. This week we’ll join God in bringing the priceless gifts of hope, strength, joy and peace to those we love and care about.

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, 
the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. 
May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, 
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
—Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT)

Your Response: God of peace, thank you that you invite and equip me with all I need for doing Your will. I ask You to produce in me and those I’m praying for, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to You.

( This week, the Christmas Gift Guide includes prayers for hope and strength, and joy and peace. Ask the Lord who to pray for this week, and fill in the names in the blank spaces. Perhaps you’d like to picture the Lord delivering these gifts to people.)

Holy Spirit, of the people on my spiritual gift list this Christmas, whom would You like me to pray for? Who, on my heart, is in need of the gifts of hope and strength, and joy and peace?

Prayers for Hope and Strength:

• Thank you, Lord, that ___________ puts his/her hope in You and this brings forth a tree of life! In the name of Jesus Christ. (From Proverbs 13:12)
• Thank you, Lord, that You are faithful. You will strengthen ____________ and guard him/her from the evil one. Thank you that strength and dignity are _______________’s clothing. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 and Proverbs 31:25)

Prayers for Joy and Peace:

• Thank you, God of hope, that You  fill ______________ with all joy and peace as he/she trusts in You, so that ___________ may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
• Thank you, Lord, that ______________ will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. Thank you that the mountains and hills will break forth into shouts of joy before him/her, and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. In the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 55:12)

(Now, ask the Lord for a picture of the people you prayed for living in the fullness of the gifts you’ve given in prayer. This is God’s heart for your loved ones. Bless the work He is doing in these lives and pray, “I place my hope in Jesus.” May the peace of Christ reign in your heart.)