AdventPrayerFocus

Send a Light

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.

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-in-law told her she was cursed.

When she met a nurse visiting her village from Duncan Hospital, she

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.

Seema proudly holds her baby boy. Before this, she lost six babies to jaundice.

Week 11st-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 child-mothers 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 26th-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

7 Monday

Give thanks for those who commit their lives to serve those living in darkness and bring a light of health and hope.

8 Tuesday

Pray for Dr Sharon and her team, for strength and wisdom as they face a desperate problem with limited resources.

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.

11 Friday

Pray that there would be more Christian health workers, so that nobody would be left in darkness.

12 Saturday

Give thanks for every life saved and transformed by the dedication of Sharon and her team.

Week 313th-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

14 Monday

Give thanks that light casts out darkness.

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

would be transformed, to care for and protect their young women.

17 Thursday

Pray for ongoing work to teach families how to care for women during pregnancy.

18 Friday

Give thanks for the husbands and fathers who treat women with respect and dignity, and pray that more would follow their example.

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 420th-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

EMMS International is a charity registered in Scotland No SC032327. A company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland No SC224402.

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

form2. Visiting

www.emms.org/sendalight3. 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.

Making your gift

If you are a UK tax payer, EMMS International can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate at no extra cost to you.

I am a UK tax payer and would like EMMS International to treat this and all gifts of money I have made in the last four years and all future gifts that I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations.

I confirm that I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains tax each tax year that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify.

Date / /

Signed

I would like to make a single gift of £ by cheque/charity voucher (payable to EMMS International) or by card.

Card Number

Expiry date Start date Security code

/ /

Email address

EMMS International sends out monthly email updates on project news and upcoming events. Would you like to receive these emails? yes

I would like to receive the Annual Prayer Focus and future updates by

post email

Name

Address

Postcode