BREATH OF GOD we praise you for 2006 and ask you to bless us again in the New Year. Speak to us on this weekend of joy and open our ears to hear fresh commands from you. Help us to renew and reinforce our holy vows and forgive us our shortcomings in 2006. Empower us now us to achieve more of your will in 2007. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eteranl life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:2-3).

HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, in your hands are the hearts of your people and the leaders of all nations. We pray that you will guide them in their end of year giving today to the Brays and to all other missionary servants and church treasuries at this time of the year. Thank your for those who have already given and will give again. Supply every need in Jesus name, AMEN.

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:2-3).

BILL'S BLOG: Six resolutions already made!

Here at the marina cottage in New Bern harbor where Ivy and I are on retreat, the stars are bright in the dark night over the Neuse River and only the gulls and Canadian geese disturb our prayers and meditations. Already, out of the stillness the Lord has spoken and given me six resolutions for the next year of ministry! I will be posting them on my missionary blog and website next week.

PRAISE THE LORD for the wonderful time of solitude and reflection we are having here at New Bern, NC at Fairfield Harbor.

HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD speak to the hearts of Bray Family Supporters this day and use the post card reminder sent over Christmas to move them to give generously to match the $5000 challenge grant by the end of this year. May the post card reminder be delivered to all on time today and may God's people be generous in their end of the year giving, sending checks today and tomorrow. AMEN AND AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice."

DR. BILL's BLOG: Ivy and I are feeling a strong call from God to serve a particular Christian leader in Gainesville, Georgia as we pray this week and wait upon God for direction in 2007. And in fact, we are feeling a strong calling to devote ourselves more to helping Christian leaders everywhere. Ivy wants to go home and start packing for the move!

This increased burden for leaders builds on all that we have done for the last 40 years to serve indigenous mission leadership. As painful as it has been to leave the work with widows and children at Hopegivers International, we know that in the end the we can help the needy more effectively by helping leaders grow as they plant churches, run their ministries and operate in their vocations and businesses as unto the Lord. This is especially true at this point in our lives.

Faith is especially rising in our hearts for the vision of this particular leader. He wants to multiply his giving to missions by 10-fold or more. And why not? How can the Body of Christ fulfill our Lord's Great Commission unless we see a 10-fold, 40-fold and 100-fold increase in giving to missions. We know it can happen and will happen as the Kingdom of God draws nearer and nearer to reality.

Pray that he will also cast aside all doubt and commit himself fully to the task at hand...and that we will be able to move decisively into the new year.

POWER OF THE LORD go alongside and protect all who are traveling to loved ones this weekend, especially the Bray Family as they travel from all over the country to New Bern, North Carolina today and tomorrow. May the holidays be a time of mutual love, forgiveness and support. Unify all families this weekend and bring people together in deeper levels of love. AMEN AND AMEN.

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God..." (Philippians 4:4-7).

EYES OF THE LORD, look with grace and favor upon Sister Ivy as she celebrates her birthday today with friends in Columbus and give her the faith to trust you with the future and wait upon you, so that in Your time, her end will be greater than her beginning. Use her networking to raise up much aid for desperate victims of the hurricanes in the Philippines and the suffering indigenous missionary leaders there. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be know to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).

SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, empower and use Pastor Don Wilhite of Calvary Ministries in Columbus to lead and encourage his people and the many ministries he oversees to families in need, children and students, the elderly, those in mental and physical crisis, the abused and battered, and to indigenous missions. May he always have courage and strength for his task and unction from on high. AMEN AND AMEN.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God..." (Philippians 4:4-7).

SPIRIT OF COUNSEL AND POWER, MIND OF GOD, THE SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD we pray for the Christian leaders whom Dr. Bill has talked with this month about new ministries to indigenous leaders. Grant us one mind and unity about the direction we are going and may we make holy covenant and agree upon a righteous contract for future ministry. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God..." (Philippians 4:4-7).

SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE, we thank you for the wonderful joy of this advent season and we ask you to give us strength this week to prepare for Christmas ministry to family and friends. May we have the focus and power that comes from you to do the work that needs to be done, and especially to respond to the new challenges we are facing in serving indigenous leadership around the world. Use Dr. Bill and Ivy to do this as Christ commands and to help transform the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of Christ. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made know to God..." ( Phil.4:4-7).

SPIRIT WHO GIVES REST, may all of us learn to trust you today in the uncertainties of our lives with our health, safety, provision and every need. Be with Bill and Ivy as they drive the long hours back to Georgia today from Virginia. May good fruit come out of all the meetings and discussions they had this past week for the sake of Christ's Kingdom. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).

SPIRIT OF LIFE IN JESUS, guide the Brays today in Williamsburg and Richmond as they meet with local supporters and make preparations for their 25th Anniversary Celebration next year as well as the 400th Anniversary of the coming of the Christian colonists to Jamestown. Give them favor and wisdom in planning new year outreaches. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom then shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).

INVITATION TO VIRGINIA PRAYER PARTNERS: Meet the Brays tonight for dinner in Richmond! RSVP 434-227-0811 or 227-0812

HOLY SPIRIT MIND OF THE LORD, give Dr. Bill and Ivy favor with follow communications professionals and media agencies that serve Christian causes so doors old and new will re-open for them. May they use this special time of waiting to network their media mission skills for Christ and His Kingdom, and may you give them divine health and favor. AMEN and AMEN.

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1).

POWER OF THE LORD, according to Your will dear Lord, help all involved in the sale of the Bray's house in Georgia. Bless the family that buys it. Confirm that this is the right place for them and enable them to gladly pay the full price. Help the Brays cover all the costs of moving to the next place of service. May Your will be done. AMEN and AMEN.

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).

VIRGINIA FRIENDS PLEASE NOTE: Bill and Ivy Bray are meeting each night this week with prayer partners and friends in Virginia! Wednesday in Washington, Thursday in Williamsburg and Friday in Richmond. Please join us for prayer and fellowship. RSVP 434-227-0811

HOLY SPIRIT whenever we open our mouths, may sweet things come out. Fill our mouths with words that edify instead of judge and criticize. May our thoughts and therefore our words come from pure hearts motivated by your love instead of ones that are boastful, cynical and sophisticated. May we never be show-offs. Use Dr. Bill and Ivy today as they meet with key supporters, media team, members, and Christian leaders in Washington, DC and open doors and hearts to greater global ministry. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom then shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).

SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE bless the lives and work of all directors of Christian mission boards who give so many voluntary hours to your kingdom. Give them the courage to govern correctly, hold leaders and staff responsible, and provide the accountability needed for donors, supporters and government authorities. AMEN AND AMEN

SCRIPTURE THEME OF THE WEEK: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).

HEADLINE NEWS: Another hurricane, in addition to the one we reported last week, pray that the Lord will provide us with at least $25,000 in our emergency relief fund as we go to aid the victims next month.

LAMP OF THE LORD, guide Dr. Bill and Ivy today as they drive to Washington and Richmond for a week of exploration and support raising. Help them to make long-term contacts for their next place of service and raise short-term financial support for an emergency mission to aid Hurricane Durian Victims in Philippines. Open doors and hearts this week, dear Lord, and keep the whole Bray family safe and in the center of your will. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).

SPIRIT WHO GIVES REST as discussions on the future of the Brays communications ministry to missions and the whole Body of Christ continue today, give all parties wisdom and help us to count the cost and measure our days with faith, never fearing for the future but always resting in you. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22-23).

Register online today for news from the Bray Family Website, www.bray-missionaries.org.

SPIRIT OF SONSHIP, we cry out to You today for young adult men facing so many distractions and satanic snares, particularly those in Dr. Bill's life including his sons, grandson, and protege who seek his counsel. Give timely grace through the new book he is authoring for men making critical life choices. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22-23).

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE: Praise God that our Special Matching Fund appeal has reached 28% of the December goal! All gifts given this month for the Bray Special Supplementary Support Fund are being doubled by a friend of the mission.

SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, we pray that You will empower and bless Dr. Bill Bray today as he meets with an important Christian leader in Georgia to discuss future ministry on behalf of many mission agencies and members of Christ's Body. Be with all concerned and as a result may the Brays be used more mightily in the harvest. Keep our talks productive and focused on accomplishing Your will. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22-23).

SPIRIT ABOVE THE WATERS, use Christians to provide emergency aid today to the hundreds of thousands who are homeless in the Philippines from Hurricane Durian and touch the Bray Family donor/prayer team to help send as much aid as possible from here. Empower the December emergency appeal letter to not only help indigenous missionaries but to supply the Bray Family year-end needs. AMEN AND AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22-23).

SPIRIT OF CREATION AND RENEWAL use this season, during which the ground of our lives lays fallow, to prepare us all for future fruitful service--not just for your coming at Christmas but into all areas of our lives. Help the Brays as they pack their bags, not knowing where they will go next, to trust you and to deal with all their human emotions by the strength of Your power. May they rely on Your wisdom. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22-23).

LOVE ALERT: Over thousand dead in Philippine hurricane--help now! Visit www.bray-missionaries.org today for more news.

SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION, guide us all into doing your will today and especially Dr. Bill and Ivy as they recover from two weeks of intense travel in Central Virginia. Help them to focus on the follow-up work that needs to be done today and all this week. Give them favor with the support team as well as with Christian leaders who are praying about the Bray's next assignment. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "I have give them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22-23).

BREATH OF THE ALMIGHTY, comfort the scores of missionary pastors, churches and missions that have been devasted in the Philippines by the fourth terrible hurricane of the season. Be with Juanito Sanchez and his team as they deliver aid to struggling pastors and help Bill and Ivy to raise emergency funds for relief there. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:22-23).

SPRIT OF GLORY, come upon us this weekend as we pause from our busy schedules for the Sabbath rest you have commanded us. Refresh our spirits and bodies, heal us and help us to recover from the challenges and stresses of the week so that we might communicate your love to all we encounter. Reveal to us your direction for the week ahead, and inspire Dr. Bill and Ivy with your word. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The LORD reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty" (Psalm 93:1).

SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, use the rash of Hollywood Christian films such as those from Fox Faith and New Line Cinema to help speed the revival of true religion we so desperately need in this country and the world. Especially bless the NATIVITY as it premiers today and may it turn many eyes to Jesus the Lord and Saviour. Be with Dr. Bray as he meets today with a key Christian leader in Gainesville, Georgia. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty." (Psalm 93:1).