Send a Light
Advent Prayer Focus
Seema proudly holds her baby boy. Before this, she lost six babies to jaundice.
Advent is a time of anticipation, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, light of the world. He came to us, a people in darkness, with the light of life. This Advent we are praying for those living in the poverty-ravaged villages of Bihar, India.
Girls like Seema live in darkness and fear. Married in childhood, they become child-mothers. Away from the care of their own families and without access to healthcare, their lives are in jeopardy. Seema lost six children to easily treatable jaundice. Her mother-inlaw told her she was cursed. When she met a nurse visiting her village from Duncan Hospital, she
was pregnant again and expected only death. Instead, she received hope. They made sure she got the care she needed when her new baby started to turn yellow with jaundice. Now Seema knows the joy of being a mother. Where there was darkness, now there is light. Join us in prayer and send a light of health and hope.
Week 1
1st-5th December 1 Tuesday Give thanks for the joy of parenthood. Pray that, despite her past loss, Seema will know fullness of joy. 2 Wednesday Pray for Seema’s baby boy, that he will grow in health and strength. 3 Thursday Seema was just a child when she lost her first child. Pray for childmothers like Seema. 4 Friday Pray that child-mothers would have the support of their families to get the care they need. 5 Saturday Pray that no mother would be left in darkness and fear over the birth of her child.
Dr Sharon leads a project to provide child-mothers with the care they deserve.
Week 2
6th-12th December 6 Sunday ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ Isaiah 9:2
9 Wednesday Pray for safety and security for those travelling to remote villages to bring health and hope. 10 Thursday Pray that, through the compassion shown, people would see Jesus and know His love and care.
7 Monday Give thanks for those who commit their lives to serve those living in 11 Friday darkness and bring a light of health Pray that there would be more and hope. Christian health workers, so that nobody would be left in darkness. 8 Tuesday Pray for Dr Sharon and her team, 12 Saturday for strength and wisdom as they Give thanks for every life saved and face a desperate problem with transformed by the dedication of limited resources. Sharon and her team.
Week 3
13th-19th December 13 Sunday ‘In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ John 1:4-5
would be transformed, to care for and protect their young women.
14 Monday Give thanks that light casts out darkness.
18 Friday Give thanks for the husbands and fathers who treat women with respect and dignity, and pray that more would follow their example.
15 Tuesday Pray that all darkness would be removed, for an end to the practices that rob girls of their childhood. 16 Wednesday Pray that families and communities
17 Thursday Pray for ongoing work to teach families how to care for women during pregnancy.
19 Saturday Pray for the government of India, that its decisions and healthcare provision would serve those that need them most.
With your support more women will be cared for in the community before and after birth. When necessary, they are referred to Duncan Hospital for further care. Dr Sharon and her staff are working hard to make sure mothers are referred to hospital as soon as possible.
Week 4
20th-25th December 20 Sunday Equip each of us to be a light in the darkness. Help us to reflect God’s love. Guide us as we try to support the work of Duncan Hospital. 21 Monday Pray for mothers-to-be in Bihar, that God would remove their fear and keep them safe.
22 Tuesday Pray for Duncan Hospital and its staff, dealing with difficult deliveries and aftercare. 23 Wednesday Pray that those who need additional help in their deliveries are referred to hospital in time. 24 Thursday Pray for much-needed rest for all health workers and volunteers. Pray that they would be refreshed this Christmas.
25 Friday ‘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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9 :6
Making your gift
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This special Advent Prayer Focus is part of the Send a Light appeal. By praying and giving, you are sending a light of health and hope into rural villages of Bihar, India. You can make a gift by: 1. Completing and returning this form 2. Visiting www.emms.org/sendalight 3. Calling 0131 313 3828 All gifts to this appeal are being matched pound for pound, doubling their impact. Find out more at www.emms.org/match.
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