Christmas Prayers
Part 1 - Seeking In Vain

Christmas. Manger scenes... gifts... ornaments... candy canes... wise men... carols... the Incarnation of Christ. The word embodies so much meaning and emotion for those of us who grew up in a Christian heritage. But for most of the unengaged peoples of West Africa, the "Word who became flesh" on that night long ago has not yet penetrated their worldview. For the Bolon, Senara, Western Karaboro, Vigue, and many others, Christmas has absolutely no meaning - not in a spiritual sense nor in a secular one. Christmas for them is just another day. Perhaps they are aware that it is a holiday, but they have no idea what it represents. I have heard the saying "wise men still seek Him." Perhaps this is true, but those people groups in West Africa who have never come in contact with the Gospel have no idea what they are looking for. They see God in the world around them and sense his existence through his moral code written on their hearts. Many attempt to appease him through their traditional sacrifices or in strictly following the major world religion of this area. But they seek in vain. They need someone to explain to them the Christmas story - Emmanuel, God with us. They need to know about God's redemptive plan for man and what they must do to have eternal life..

The needs are staggering, but the solution is simple - PRAY. Most of the great revivals began with a small group of people gathering in prayer. This Christmas season, gather with your closest friends and family and pray for those who don't know "the Reason for the Season." Pray for the Bolon, Senara, Western Karaboro, Vigue and the hundreds of other people groups in West Africa who have never heard the Christmas story or the Gospel message. Pray about your role in bringing these people to a saving knowledge of Christ! engage@thebigtask.com

David and Tami Wood
Engagement Team

Christmas is becoming more commercialized in Ghana, with street vendors selling artificial trees and a wide variety of decorations. Two years ago we even saw a life-sized Santa Claus, complete with artificial hair, that did the 'twist' as he sang "The Yellow Rose of Texas!"

Our prayer is that West Africans would not focus on the traditions and trappings of the season, but that God would guide their hearts past those things in order to truly recognize Jesus as "Emmanuel" and worship Him as the Savior.

Wanda Walker
Convention Team