(is-tan-BULL) - Pray for the few churches in Istanbul during this Christmas season as many seek to do Christmas-themed outreaches to share the gospel with their friends, families, and neighbors. Pray for the believers to abide in Christ very deeply so they can be faithful and have the strength to live out Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

So many gospel seeds have been planted in Africa where the workers are diligently sowing! Please pray for the planted seeds to grow healthily and to bear fruit and a harvest of souls.

The city of "Aastha" is teeming with Hindu worshipers at this time of year, and the spiritual darkness becomes more and more weighty and tangibly felt. In this season, the need to reach Hindus with the good news is more clearly seen and acted upon. However, with a greater focus on Hindus, Muslims can be forgotten about or ignored, yet they, too, are perishing without this good news. Ask the Lord to send out more laborers into His harvest such that in "Aastha," both Hindus and Muslims will hear the good news and believe. Pray for believers in "Aastha" to be strengthened in the Lord, and pray that they will love the Lord with all their heart and soul and mind and strength and love their neighbor as themselves (Mark 12:30-31), taking care to share with their neighbors regardless of religious background.

A missionary couple who works with university students will be finishing their stateside assignment in the near future. Please pray that their remaining time in the United States will continue to produce good connections with churches and the formation of more gospel partnerships. Also lift up in prayer their two Ghanaian partners who are continuing the university ministry in their absence. Pray that university students will encounter the true gospel of grace and turn from their sin to submit their lives to Christ. Ask the Lord that at this time next year, there will be many more students celebrating the first coming of Christ to be our Savior instead of the cultural, commercial Christmas that it has become in Ghana.

"A local partner's church is reaching out to migrant workers through offering free Korean language classes. Currently, about 50 workers are enrolled in the program. Most of these workers are from countries with much warmer climates than South Korea. So, they need winter clothing, blankets, shoes, and other necessities. The local partner's church decided to have a special event to supply these things for the workers. Please pray for this event to go well and without distractions. Please pray for the church to meet the workers' felt needs and effectively share the gospel with them. Please pray for the workers to understand the gospel and believe."

(WUH-dye) - In a region with a mix of faith backgrounds and traditions, many people have heard of Christmas. Even the markets in the majority-Muslim cities and towns bring in a few decorations, and the day is a paid holiday throughout the land. Pray that believers across the region will be asked to explain the reason for the celebration of Christmas. Pray that their answers will include more than presents, feasting, and new clothes. "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11 ESV). May there be many people who have a chance to hear about Jesus, the Light of the world and the Savior of all, during the month of December!

"We met a 20-year-old woman named Pari today," missionary explorer Lily Ferrell shared. "Her aunt is a believer. She said she's been to church a few times but has never heard the full story of Jesus. We spent some time together and got to hike back down the mountain with her. She is quiet, but she said she would meet again tomorrow to read Scripture. She has responded to a few messages, which is a good sign, but we are still praying she will meet with us tomorrow! Please join me in praying for Pari."

Rawan, a Muslim woman living in northern Africa, has been meeting weekly for a year with a believer who is learning her language. They have built a deep friendship through these meetings. Rawan has often listened to stories about truth but hasn't had any interest beyond listening. Recently, she showed an interest for the first time in the truth her friend has been sharing with her. She has now started reading the Bible for herself and asking many questions. The meetings between Rawan and her believing friend are now much more focused on discussions of truth, but Rawan still says that she is only interested for intellectual reasons. Pray that her eyes and heart will be opened to the truth of the words she reads and her need for a Savior. Ask for salvation to come to Rawan and her household.

(LOH-zee) - "The rains have started, and God is good--all the time! Pray for a good rainy season, and also pray that many Lozi hearts will soften, like the ground after a rain, to hear the gospel and turn to Jesus."

Please pray for a brother and sister from an unreached people group (UPG). They left their unsafe home country and resettled in a country that is considered safe. The journey from one country to the other was very traumatic, and they are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. These difficulties are further intensified because the siblings are grieving the loss of their mother, who passed away when they were leaving their home country. But in the midst of their pain and struggles, God caused them to meet a believer who is ministering to them. Please pray for God's wisdom for the believer as he helps them adjust to living in the new country and shares the gospel with them. Please pray for healing for the siblings from the trauma they experienced and for God's comfort as they grieve their mother's passing. Their home country has almost no believers, and most of the people have never heard the gospel. Consequently, the siblings recently heard about Christmas for the first time. Please pray for them to hear the gospel with understanding and put their faith in Jesus Christ.

(KOH-bay) - "With Christmas comes many opportunities to talk to Japanese about our faith. The Kobe Team has many parties and cafes planned this month with the goal of sharing the true meaning behind why we celebrate Christmas. Please pray for these events as well as our friendships and personal relationships, that many gospel conversations would take place in the following weeks. Please pray for the Kobe Team to have great boldness in sharing and that hearts would be receptive to the message."

(sahn-tee-AH-go) - Pray for open ears and open hearts to the gospel among Chileans this Christmas season. Busy urban lives, deep-seated beliefs and prejudices, and a lack of exposure to the genuine gospel keep most people from seriously considering biblical truths about salvation. Pray for believers to winsomely share the truth of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, and pray for the Spirit to convict hearers of truth.