In this special Christmas edition of This Week in the BRN Family, fellow BRN Family members from across Pennsylvania and South Jersey have penned prayers to encourage your hearts during the hustle and bustle of the holiday ministry season. May these prayers bring you great joy as you reflect on the birth of our Lord and Savior and prepare your heart for the New Year! Merry Christmas, BRN Family!
A Prayer for Servant Hearts
Joe Velarde, Senior Pastor at Riverbend Community Church, Bethlehem, PA
“Our Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for this Christmas season and that Jesus has come for everyone. He came as a servant King, not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. We pray that we would take the same posture of Jesus as we prepare for Serve Lehigh Valley in 2026. We pray for a spirit of unity and that You would open doors for us to serve like You and share what you have done for all people. We pray for a response to You that would lead to a renewal in Your Church and revival in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.”
A Prayer for Aching Hearts
Ryan Day, Senior Pastor at Wrightsdale Baptist Church, Peach Bottom, PA
“Lord, as this season of celebration unfolds, we lift up those who are feeling its weight more than its warmth. Many hearts ache with grief or loneliness when they see empty chairs once occupied by family or friends. May Your Holy Spirit surround them with comfort this December. Remind them that You see their sorrow, You hold their tears, and You have not forgotten them. Fill their days with moments of peace, renewed hope, and the steady assurance of Your presence. Carry them through this Christmas season with the joy of knowing Jesus. Amen.”
A Prayer for the Next Generation
Brady Rennix, Collegiate Missionary, Greater Philadelphia Region
“Dear God, we are so thankful for the college students that You have given us. We pray your blessing over them during this Christmas season. Please draw them so close to You and give them a desire to reach their campus with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Amen!”
A Prayer for Reaching the Nations
Wilson Tuero, Senior Pastor at Misión Vida, Bethlehem, PA
“We give thanks for God’s faithfulness in this past year, for allowing us to start a church in the city of Bethlehem alongside our sending church and to reach the Hispanic community with the message of salvation. Our prayers go out to all those who are suffering in any way and who are far from their home countries and their families. We pray that during these holidays, they may find comfort and refuge in God. Please pray for us and pray for the church Misión Vida in Bethlehem, Pa.”
A Prayer for Encouragement
James Hogan, Senior Pastor at Faithbridge Community Church, McKees Rocks, PA
“Gracious Lord, today we pray that You will bolster the hearts of Your sheep. Grant them tangible fruit and the honor to see the amazing things birthed in Your power through the labors You have called them to engage in for Your Glory. See them, Lord, through the challenges of this life, with their eyes and hearts aimed directly at You; may their faith serve as sufficient through all. Most of all, Lord, help all of Your true children to fall deeper and deeper in love with You, and experience Your presence from each day’s dawn through the moment they put their head down to rest. With You we’ll walk, Lord. Help us to better do so.”
A Prayer for Healing and Peace
Debbie Knowles, BRN Woven Women Assistant and Pastor’s Wife
“Abba, Papa, you are the Creator and the One True God. We praise and thank You for all of Your blessed works. As this year comes to a close, the Holy Spirit has put a burden on my heart for those trapped in addiction and in human trafficking. You have promised to “…bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1b). Please do what only You can do. Bring release, healing, and peace from the depths of despair to the glorious light of Christ. And mobilize your Church to do its part. In Jesus name, amen.”
A Prayer for Churches and Campuses
Ben Baber, Mission Pastor at The Fields Church, State College, PA
“Father God, we thank You for the churches and ministries faithfully laboring to reach the college campuses You’ve placed them near here in PA. We pray for the students who are walking these campuses, that You would open their hearts to the Gospel, ground them deeply in Your Word, and form them into lifelong disciples of Jesus. Give the pastors and leaders wisdom, grit, and boldness as they labor on campus and in the community. May these campuses be filled with students who are raised up and sent out for Your glory, the good of the Church, and the advancement of the Gospel to the ends of the earth!”
A Prayer for BRN Team and Pastors
Greg Drayer, BRN Church Advancement Consultant and Senior Pastor at Rolling Hills Church, Verona, PA
“Heavenly Father, we pray for Your continued blessing, inspiration, and guidance for our BRN Team. We pray for health that we may continue in Your service into the new year. We pray for humility to remain in Your care and presence. We pray that our BRN Team, pastors, and churches would be united in seeing Your Kingdom grow throughout our region.
We also pray for the Church Advancement team, that You would guide our steps, help us to see as You would have us see, speak as You give us Your words, and hear as You would have us listen to the joys, needs, concerns, struggles, and victories in the lives of our pastors and churches.”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, BRN Family!
