For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Peace is a constant theme at Christmas: the promise of peace between man and God that was fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection. The angels at Jesus’ birth promised ‘Peace on Earth’, a foretaste of the heavenly kingdom. Unfortunately, peace on Earth is still a distant promise for Christians in many parts of the world. At the beginning of Advent, let’s draw alongside those who are praying for peace.

This week, please:

• Pray for peace in Mexico, where violent criminal groups commit crimes with impunity and frequently target churches and church leaders who refuse to support them;
• Pray for peace in Syria, where ethnic and religious minorities face the daily reality of surviving in a war-torn state;
• Pray for peace across the Middle East and North Africa, especially in areas controlled by or under threat from Daesh (Islamic State);
• Pray for Christians who face increased harassment from governments around Christmas time;
• Pray that God would draw alongside those Christians who desperately need God’s peace in the face of harassment every day – that they would have a sense of His heavenly peace with them;
• Pray that God would open the doors to more effective means to peace through more conversations, agreements and talks;
• Thank God that he is a God of peace who watches over His people;